Neck pain is something many people suffer from on a daily basis. Stiffness, numbness, and even dull aches are usually brought upon themselves through spinal misalignment. These aches and pains are also caused by poor posture, physical activities, working long hours, and holding the head in a specific position for long periods of time. Most of the time, the patient’s neck begins to feel better after a couple of days after removing triggers as the body has innate wisdom to heal itself, however, underlying problems can still persist if left unchecked.
How To Prevent Neck Pain In New York
There are common treatments to neck pain that you can use to treat yourself. Most of the symptoms generally come from one of these situations in your everyday life, which can cause pain.
- Sleeping – whatever you do, try not to sleep on your stomach. The awkward position causes your neck to stretch and twist and makes the muscles sore and tense. Also, do not stack up pillows while you sleep. This adverse position creates a tilt of the head that generally leads to a sore neck the next morning because of the angle.
- Screen time – Do not watch television or read a book while lying on your back. This position creates tension in your neck causing contortion. Always make sure you are in an upright position while you are enjoying these activities.
- Take a break – If you work at a place that requires you to sit or bend over for long periods of time, make sure you take frequent breaks and change positions. Any type of work where you see yourself in a bent-over position needs to be policed at all times or pain will ensue.
Consistent Neck Pain
If your neck pain persists and doesn’t go away after several days on its own, it could mean there is a recurring problem. Stiffness in the neck has been known to lead to degenerative disc disease. It is recommended that you do not allow recurring neck pain to go untreated as it can mean a life of permanent pain and damage to joints and several nerves that can cause continued discomfort.
Is My Neck Pain Serious?
If there is a problem in your neck, it can be very daunting, especially if you don’t know what’s causing it. Usually, the symptoms in your neck can tell you a lot about the problem at hand.
- If your neck is pain free of the morning, but gradually declines as the day wears on could mean a strain, fatigue, or muscular weakness.
- If your neck is stiff and painful when you first wake up and gradually gets better as the day progresses could mean a symptom like arthritis.
- If you cough or sneeze which makes your neck hurt could point to problems in your discs that needs to be looked at.
- If you get dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseated when you turn your head could be evidence of a neck problem as well.
- If you move your neck and feeling “shooting pain” down your arm, that could mean compressed nerve and you should seek immediate attention by a specialist.
Are There Underlying Causes To My Neck Pain?
Sometimes having neck pain is deeper than just having pain. Frequent pains in the neck could mean there are underlying causes that need to be attended to. The patient needs to grade the severity of pain from the symptoms below:
- Constant stiff neck
- Pain in the face, neck, ears, or scalp
- Frequent pain in the arm or shoulder
- Numbness and weakness in the fingers or hands
- Hard time breathing
- Having chest pains
- Experiencing dizziness
If you are having any experience with any of these symptoms you could have a serious neck problem. Take a moment to contact us and schedule an appointment for a full diagnostic test today.
What Happens When There Is Neck Pain?
The neck is an amazing part of the body. The seven cervical vertebrae, which is also known as the spinal bones, have highly moveable joints that allow your head to have the freedom that it has today. The neck is the passageway which allows the brain to communicate with the rest of the nervous system. It is a high tech highway of sorts and when the neck is injured, it prohibits and disrupts even the minor communications the brain wants to send to the body. Don’t leave even a simple neck injury left untreated. More than just your neck will suffer if you stop this form of communication within your body.
Neck pain is very serious. Don’t let your minor pain grow into a recurring consistent pain with which you think you can manage every day. More problems will continue to persist and you need a professional who understands this passageway to the brain. Contact us to set up your next appointment to have your neck on the road to health.
Atlant Health – NYC Chiropractor & NYC Functional Medicine is located in Midtown East New York City, 10022 just a couple blocks away from Tramway Plaza. Call today (212) 888-0520.