When it comes to parts of the body that most people become seriously concerned about when pain develops, the neck, back, and spine are primary culprits for the most anxiety. Being unable to move your neck or back because of pain can be frightening and stressful because you never know if the issue could be simply having slept wrong the night before or something worse that would require a doctor’s examination, diagnosis, and treatment.
At New York Spine Specialist, our team is dedicated to helping you identify the source of your neck pain and treat it so that you can return to your pain-free life. Pain in your neck can make everyday activities difficult or impossible to complete, and our specialists are here to ensure you can run errands, go to work, clean the house, take care of the kids, and anything else you need to do without worrying about neck pain preventing it. First, let’s consider some of the potential causes of neck pain, both mild and severe.
What Causes Neck Pain?
A very broad variety of sources can cause neck pain, and sometimes you may not even realize that an activity you did could be causing your pain. To begin, we will start with some of the normal activities of daily life that may be causing your neck pain but are unlikely to be something to worry about unless you have other symptoms that accompany the neck pain. For those times, you should certainly consult a physician as soon as possible. Some causes of minor neck pain include:
- Muscle strains from overuse
- Hunching over your computer for too long every day
- Reading in bed at an odd angle
- Getting your teeth
- Sleeping in a contorted way
- Worn joints from age and wear, and tear
- Skin irritation
- Bad posture
- Non-ergonomic setup for desk, chair, and computer monitor
- Consistently tucking a cell phone between the ear and the shoulder when talking
- Carrying heavy bags with a shoulder strap on a regular basis
Most of the time, pain in the neck stemming from these causes will dissipate on its own. The pain is just your brain overreacting and overprotecting your neck and spine during minor irritations.
When you have pain that is more consistent or worsens, this could be a sign that something more serious is causing your neck pain. In these cases, some of the most common causes include:
- Nerve compression from herniated discs or bone spurs in the vertebrae
- Injuries, especially whiplash resulting from an auto collision or sports contact
- Disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Meningitis
- Cancer
- Bornholm disease
- Trichinosis
- Lymphadenopathy
- Thyroiditis
- Infection
Though this list is not comprehensive, there are many reasons why a neck can hurt. If you have ongoing neck pain that is not getting any better or is worsening, contact our New York Spine Specialist specialists.
When Should I See a Doctor About My Neck Pain?
Sometimes neck pain is minor and temporary, and you will begin feeling better within hours or a couple of days. You might notice that your neck is relatively stiff in the morning and may cause you discomfort when you turn your head, but by the afternoon, the stiffness has been alleviated, and very little pain remains. People generally chalk this up to sleeping wrong or moving strangely, and they pay very little attention to it once the stiffness and pain have dissipated.
However, there are other times when neck pain can be a symptom of something more serious happening in your body. At these times, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor or a specialist to discuss your neck pain, get a diagnosis, and begin treatment. Here are some signs that something more serious may be causing your neck pain:
- Pain has lasted at least six weeks
- Pain is severe and is not improving or is getting worse
- Another symptom accompanies pain
- Gentle tapping on the spine is painful
- Weight loss (without dieting)
- Fevers/chills with no explanation
- Severe headache
- Inability to bend your head forward
- Altered mental state
- Sudden and severe throbbing or constrictive pain
- Dizziness
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Steroid use or drug abuse
- HIV
- Familial history of autoimmune disease
You must seek the medical assistance of a professional if you are experiencing serious neck pain accompanied by any of the symptoms listed above. At New York Spine Specialist, we are here to diagnose your neck pain and provide you the customized treatment you need to get you back on the road to a healthy, happy life that is also pain-free.
Get Your Neck Pain Treated at New York Spine Specialist Today
If you have been suffering from severe neck pain, contact us at New York Spine Specialist. Our team of specialists provides expert medical care in the treatment and intervention of neck pain and other spine-related conditions to alleviate symptoms. We are committed to helping to get back to your pain-free life.
At New York Spine Specialist, our team is composed of physicians, physician assistants, and surgeons who all work together to develop customized treatment plans for each of our patients and their specific needs. We want to improve the quality of your life, decrease your pain, and enhance your body’s function for daily life activities. Contact us today at (516) 355-0111 or request an appointment.