Do you know that the neck spine is less protected than the rest of the spine? Due to this, the neck region is more prone to injuries and pain. Neck pain (cervicalgia) can happen to both men and women, but its risk is 20 percent higher in women. Common neck pain causes are muscle strain, wrong posture, injury, mental stress, and cervical spondylosis. Minute pain in the neck goes away with rest, exercise, stretching, and painkillers. However, severe cervical pain that spreads down to the arms and legs, along with the symptoms of weakness and numbness, requires consultation from a doctor.

Common Neck Pain Causes

The seven more common causes are described below.

Muscle Strain

Muscle strain is a condition in which neck muscles are pulled to extreme levels, overstretched, or torn due to heavy lifting or injury. It usually occurs due to poor posture, working on a screen for long hours, jerks to the neck during exercise, or the wrong sleeping position. 

Mental Stress

Mental stress causes sore neck. When a person experiences stress, adrenaline and cortisol release, preparing the body to fight against stress. The main effect of these hormones is creating tension in the body’s muscles, especially upper body muscles such as the neck, back, and shoulder, that leads to the contraction of muscles, stiffness and pain in the neck.

Injury

Neck spines have less muscle mass around them and are more susceptible to injuries. Neck injuries can occur due to any exercise, support, heavy lifting, or exercise. Moreover, any injury to your spinal cord or vertebrae can also lead to cervical pain. Sometimes, severe accidents can cause vertebral fractures that can lead to broken necks (severe pain), neurological problems, and paralysis. 

Spinal Stenosis

It is a condition in which the space between the spine narrows down, leading to pressure on the nerve roots. This condition usually occurs in elderly people or in individuals with osteoarthritis and causes severe neck muscle pain. It can also be a birth condition. 

Cervical Radiculopathy

It is a condition in which a spinal nerve is pinched. Ageing makes you more susceptible to cervical Radiculopathy which results in severe cervical pain. Over the years, repeated neck movements weaken your spine, leading to pinched nerves or herniated discs, which in turn lead to cervicalgia symptoms.

Cervical spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is also known as neck arthritis. In this condition, the vertebrae of the neckwear down and form bone spurs. It is one of the common neck pain causes among the elderly or in individuals suffering from arthritis.

Cancer

Any head or neck cancer can also cause cervicalgia. It is a very rare cause, and usually, neck pain appears with other symptoms such as weight loss, fever, fatigue, and the formation of cysts and masses on the head or neck.

Symptoms of cervicalgia

• A stiff or sore neck
• A sharp stabbing pain in the neck
• A wave of pain that arises from the neck and spreads to the back, shoulders, and arms

Home Remedies for Neck Pain

Neck muscle pain can be treated with various home remedies.

• Heating therapy is the best home remedy for neck pain relief. Apply a heating pad or warm towel, or take a shower with warm water. The heat can relax your muscles and give you relief from cervicalgia.
• Light exercise and stretching can relieve pain. However, you should follow the exercises recommended by your health practitioner. No exercise is recommended for pinched nerve cervicalgia.
• Stress-managing techniques such as meditation, yoga, and exercise can cure a sore neck caused by mental stress.
• Pain relief medicines can be used for immediate neck pain relief.

When to Visit A Doctor

If your neck muscle pain persists even with the home remedies and you observe other symptoms, then it’s time to visit the doctor. Some symptoms that are alarming signs of neck pain are

• Sharp pain in the neck
• Severe pain
• Swollen glands
• Cysts appearance 
• Difficulty breathing
• Injury
• Pain due to Motor vehicle Accident 
• Doctors analyze your symptoms, daily routine, medical history, and time of experiencing pain and suggest tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI for internal examination.

Treatment For Cervicalgia

Doctors suggest treatment according to your situation. It may be a 

• physical therapy
• Pain medications and muscle relaxing
• Steroid injections
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit, which is a low-level current that suppresses the pain signal
• Surgery in severe cases

How to Take Online Consultation for Cervicalgia?

You can also consult an online doctor to discuss your symptoms and take medical advice to cure your pain. Many platforms are available for this purpose where registered doctors are serving. If you want a prompt consultation meeting without waiting, you can explore our platform, Telehealth Doctor We have experienced practitioners who are available at one click. Book your slot, discuss your symptoms, and get the treatment. If any tests are necessary, our doctors send the prescription to your selected lab and the medicine prescription to the pharmacy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1.Who is at more risk of developing cervicalgia?

Older people, women, and people with long-hour jobs with screens are more susceptible to developing cervicalgia.

Q2. Can I take painkillers for pain in my neck?

Yes, painkillers are advisable for instant neck pain relief. But if your pain persists for many days, you should consult a doctor.