Stiffness and pain in the neck can cause a lot of discomfort during that aging phase. Some may be acute and a few cases chronic. Acute neck pains will not last beyond 6 weeks and it may subside on its own. Common causes of acute neck pain is a muscle strain where the muscle is stretched too far such that it wears and tears. Neck muscle strains are caused due to poor postures and slouching for a long period. If you have been working life long with your head hung down over a keyboard or you slept with your head in an awkward position, it will result in acute neck pain. A lot of trauma to the neck can become normal within a few days with application of cold or hot therapy, pain medication and stretching exercise.
Deteriorating bone health is one vital cause for chronic neck pain. Any mechanical issue in the facet joints and discs will cause pain. It is mostly associated with wear and tear due to aging. Such cervical conditions affect the neck, shoulders and arms. Osteoarthritis in the cervical spine called cervical osteoarthritis or neck arthritis can cause friction in the facet joint of the neck. It leads to stiffness and pain in the neck and can lead to headache and pain in the hands, arms and shoulders. Degeneration in the cervical spinal disc will cause chronic neck pain. Wear and tear on the disc can cause a low level chronic neck pain. It can cause intermittent pain and instability.
Cervical spine leaks and bulges from the disc space can cause irritation around the joints, nerve roots and muscles. It causes pain in the nerves of arms and shoulders. This condition is called cervical disc herniation. It causes moderate pain and stiffness in the neck. Herniated discs and osteoarthritis bone spurs can cause narrowing of space near the vertebrae. This condition is called cervical foraminal stenosis. It causes numbness, weakness and pain in the arm and shoulders leading to neck pain. Cervical stenosis can lead to full body neurological symptoms called myelopathy. This condition will reduce fine motor skills, develop sharp pain in hands, arms and shoulders. Serious cases will have difficulty in walking without a support like a cane or walker.
Chronic neck pains caused due to a medical condition can not always be prevented. Though some basic steps can produce the risk of chronic conditions. Being active keeps your body flexible and strong. Perform regular exercises and stretches that target core muscles and neck. This can improve posture. Perform work or any activity at a moderate pace and gradually increase over time. Take breaks between repetitive physical tasks. Repetitive motion can cause muscle strain. Your posture matters a lot for your spine structure. Standing and sitting straight up with shoulders and back will neutrally align the spine. Get real good sleep in the right posture. Using the right mattress, pillow and a sleeping position will reduce risk of neck pain.
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