Neck is the region that lies beneath your face and above the chest. It encloses many vital organs including windpipe or trachea and food pipe or esophagus. Neck contains several muscles and tendons that make it possible for you to turn your head to look back. Neck is vulnerable to strain due to extensive range of movement. Neck is not a stable organ and hence even small injury or strain can affect its normal function. Neck is the most vulnerable organ of the body and hence cutting of small blood vessel in the neck may lead to death.
Neck strain does not always cause serious injury to its organs and seldom causes fracture of bones inside. However, neck strain can damage the underlying muscles and tissues causing moderate to severe pain. Any injury to the tissue can cause considerable strain to the tissues, nerves and ligaments inside. Trauma to the neck can cause mild tears to the underlying ligaments of cervical spine. Neck strain or injury needs prompt medical examination and treatment.
Neck Pain Symptoms
- First sign of neck injury is reduced motion of neck and considerable pain.
- Swelling of the affected region of neck and redness can be seen. Inflammation of neck does not happen overnight and is a gradual process.
- In some cases pain may not be present on the first day if the underlying muscles are injured and from the second day it can cause considerable pain and reduced movement.
- The individual may not be able to perform routine activities as before when neck is injured.
- In case of severe injury it can cause pinched nerve leading to serious signs like dizziness, nausea, numbness and tingling sensation.
- Stiffness of the neck can occur and pain may spread to the lower back region.
Neck Pain Causes
Several factors can cause neck injury and strain.
1. Accidents – Automobile accidents can cause indirect trauma to the neck when the head is bent in excess either backward or forward. Such extension of head portion is described as whiplash in common terms. Due to sudden compression and pressure muscles and tissues of the neck can get strained. When an individual met with an accident while driving a car his/her head bends forward and backward in excess causing severe impact to the underlying muscles. Both front impact and rear impact can damage the tissues and nerves inside.
2. Working Position – People whose job involves working with laptops or computers all through the day are highly vulnerable to back pain and neck strain. The person may not be sitting in the right posture and he/she would strain to see the monitor continuously. It is very much necessary for them to take break at regular intervals. Work from home option for many people has added more strain and injury in the present scenario.In addition to abnormal working posture, sleeping in wrong/awkward position can cause neck strain.
3. Pinched Nerve – Pinched nerve condition can occur anywhere in the body but largely it affects the legs and hands. Pinched nerve is a condition in which excess of pressure is put on the nerve by the surrounding tissues and muscles. A herniated disk of spinal cord can put pressure on the nerve endings causing pain in your legs. Similarly it can occur in the wrist causing severe pain in the fingers. In rare cases pinched nerve can occur in the nerves of the neck causing severe pain and other symptoms like headache, dizziness and tingling feeling. Pinched nerve can be caused due to repeated stress of working condition, arthritis and injury.
4. Cervical Problems – Vertigo can cause neck pain and headaches. Cervicogenic dizziness can cause constant neck pain and sometimes it may cause neck injury. Several kinds of cervical problems can spill over affecting nor only the spine but other parts of the body like neck and head.
5. Migraine – Migraine is a kind of intense head pain that causes throbbing pain on some part of the head. It can cause blind spots, flashes, dizziness, nausea and significant pain on the head and neck region. Migraine attacks can occur anytime and can become chronic problem. Neck pain precedes an attack of migraine episode for many people.
6. Meningitis – Swelling of brain tissue can cause meningitis a severe form of infection. This condition can cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting, neck pain, neck stiffness and fever.
7. Barre Lieou Syndrome – This is a rare condition that occurs due to instability of vertebral column affecting the nerve cells of the neck region. This is also known as cervicocranial syndrome since the cervical nerves cause this problem. Some of the signs of BL syndrome include vertigo, neck pain, nausea, facial pain, muscle weakness and congestion.
8. Neck pain can occur due to vigorous chewing of hard meat also.
Diagnosis
You can consult any neurosurgeon or ENT specialist for problems related with neck pain or injury. The doctor would complete physical examination after listening to the symptoms. Intensity of neck pain would be determined and based on that he may order for testing procedure.