What To Do When You Experience Neck Pain
Neck pain is one of the most common problems people complain about when they go to see a doctor. For many people, neck pain starts as a dull ache and can eventually turn into a chronic problem that causes shoulder pain, headaches, and other issues that affect the rest of the body. However, neck pain can’t be attributed to just one thing, and it’s hard to diagnose the underlying cause of your neck pain on your own. So what should you do when you start to feel neck pain building up?
Determine Whether Your Neck Pain Is Sleep Related
Perhaps the most common cause of neck pain is poor sleeping habits. Sleeping in a bad position, using a pillow or mattress that doesn’t support your head and neck properly, and sleeping for too long or too short of a period can all contribute to neck pain. Neck pain caused by sleep related issues usually isn’t chronic or serious at the outset, but if you don’t correct your mattress, pillow, or sleeping position you could end up with strained muscles that take weeks to heal. Most of the time, your regular doctor will not be able to help with this type of pain until you resolve the underlying issues. In the meantime, you can test to see if this is the cause by trying different sleep positions and noting if your neck pain only occurs in the mornings right after you wake up, but goes away after you’ve had some time to stretch. If so, Ibuprofen and stretching can solve the problem.
See a Doctor About Severe and Chronic Neck Pain
If your neck pain is not related to your sleep habits, it’s possible that there could be something more serious going on. This is especially true if your pain is constant and worsening, and if it causes nerve pain or stress headaches. These may all be signs that you have damaged disks in your neck, or a pinched nerve that needs treatment. If you have been in a car accident or suffered some other sudden jolt to the neck, you should see a specialist who can determine if you are suffering from whiplash.
If you or a loved one suffers from constant and worsening neck pain, it may be time to get a formal diagnosis from Royal Spine. Dr. Abdulhamid has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating causes of chronic neck pain. We can help determine the cause of your neck pain and offer treatment solutions that will reduce muscle strain, headaches and other symptoms. Contact us today to learn more.
