Over time, this can lead to neck pain that requires rest and over-the-counter pain medication. Over-the-counter painkillers can help, but if the neck pain doesn’t disappear, you should see your healthcare provider for more extensive medical and physical exams.Your neck has a natural curve, but sitting hunched over for long periods puts your head in a position that can strain muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Doing the Right Things In Case Of Back and Neck Pain
A back injury or neck strain can cause sharp pain in the spine that is often accompanied by bruising and swelling. The pain may be a sign of a serious condition like herniated discs, spinal arthritis or scoliosis. These conditions can result from a work-related accident, sports or recreational activity or from a medical procedure.
If your back and neck pain is a result of a medical condition, it might require surgery or other treatment options to restore full movement and alleviate the pain. However, in most cases, neck and back pain can be managed through exercise, using a heating pad or taking over-the-counter acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
One way to prevent back and neck pain is to be conscientious about sitting upright with the head aligned over the shoulders. This is especially important when sitting for long periods of time at a computer or in a car, where it’s easy to slouch. People can also reduce the risk of neck pain by getting up and moving around every half hour or so to stretch the muscles in their necks.
For more serious back and neck pain, a healthcare professional can recommend specific exercises to strengthen the muscles in the back and help alleviate stiffness. These exercises might cause some pain at first, but that’s usually a good sign that you’re doing it right.
Changing Your Lifestyle
If you suffer from back pain or neck pain, you may want to consider changing your lifestyle. A few simple adjustments can help you avoid pain and prevent it from getting worse.
Bad habits like smoking, not sleeping enough, and sitting for hours at a time can cause back pain and stiffness. You can also experience back pain if you lift heavy objects incorrectly, or if you have a condition that causes your spine to move out of alignment.
Neck pain is one of the most common issues we see at Universus Physical Therapy, ranging from an acute injury to chronic, disabling pain that keeps you from working and socializing. Poor posture is the most common culprit, with a head-and-shoulders-forward posture straining the muscles and ligaments of the neck and causing it to ache over time.
You can improve your posture by practicing good habits while sitting, standing, and sleeping. For example, if you are a stomach sleeper, try to change your sleep position to take pressure off the cervical spine. Also, sleeping on your side is better than sleeping on your back because it encourages a neutral spine position. Adding a few minutes of exercise to your daily routine can help you get more strength and flexibility into your spine, too. If you are unsure how to begin, ask your health care provider or a gym trainer for advice on back-strengthening exercises and other forms of exercise that can improve your spine and neck strength and flexibility.
Seeing a Health Care Professional
While simple back and neck pain usually improves within a few days of rest, light exercise and over-the-counter medication, persistent pain may require the help of a health care professional. A doctor can conduct tests and recommend treatment options that might reduce or eliminate your pain.
A medical exam might include questions about your pain’s location, how it started and how long it’s been bothering you. Your provider will also examine your neck, checking for tenderness and numbness. They may also perform a CT scan, which combines X-rays with computer technology to create detailed, cross-sectional images of structures in your neck, such as bone spurs and a spinal misalignment. They might also perform electrodiagnostic tests, which check for nerve problems like inflammation and muscle weakness.
Your doctor will also advise you on how to prevent your neck pain from returning. If you sit for many hours during the day, get up and walk around or stretch every hour to release your neck and back muscles. Try rolling your shoulders and bending forward or arching backward gently to relieve stress. If you carry a heavy load in your purse or briefcase, consider getting a heavier bag that distributes the weight more evenly over both shoulders. And use a pillow when you sleep to support your head while also supporting your spine.
Taking Medications
Getting back on track with your posture and taking preventative measures can alleviate neck pain for many people. For those who have pain that doesn’t go away, a visit to an Aurora Health Care spine specialist can help.
Physical strain from slouching at a desk, craning your neck forward to use a smartphone and carrying heavy loads on one shoulder can all weaken muscles and ligaments in the neck. Over time, this can lead to chronic neck pain, known as cervical spondylosis or whiplash. Injury or trauma to the spinal cord or discs, and growths like tumors and cysts can cause neck pain, too.
A health care provider will do a medical and physical exam, as well as order X-rays and an MRI to get a clear view of your neck. These tests can show if you have a herniated disc, spinal arthritis or bone spurs that are contributing to your neck pain. Lab tests can also identify other conditions, such as infections, rheumatological conditions or cancers, that can cause neck pain.
The most common treatment for back and neck pain is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These are available over the counter or in higher doses by prescription. The most commonly used NSAIDs are acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). Always follow the recommended dosage on the label. Excessive NSAID use can damage the stomach lining, cause ulcers and lead to liver disease. If NSAIDs don’t help, doctors may prescribe stronger painkillers called opioids to reduce the sensation of pain. Morphine is the most powerful of these, but others include hydromorphone, oxycodone, tapentadol and tramadol.
