CHRONIC PAIN HERO: THE CERVICALs CONNECTED TO...
CHRONIC PAIN HERO : THE CERVICAL PAINS & ISSUES
What is neck pain? What causes neck pain?
Pain located in the neck is a common medical condition. Neck pain can come from a number of disorders and diseases of any tissues in the neck, such as degenerative disc disease, neck strain, whiplash, a herniated disc, or a pinched nerve. Neck pain is also referred to as cervical pain.
What are other symptoms that are associated with neck pain?
Neck pain is commonly associated with dull aching. Sometimes pain in the neck is worsened with movement of the neck. Other symptoms associated with some forms of neck pain include numbness, tingling, tenderness, sharp shooting pain, fullness, difficulty swallowing, pulsations, swishing sounds in the head, dizziness or lightheadedness, and gland swelling.
What are the structures of the neck?
There are seven vertebrae that are the bony building blocks of the spine in the neck (the cervical vertebrae) that surround the spinal cord and canal. Between these vertebrae are discs, and nearby pass the nerves of the neck. Within the neck, structures include the neck muscles, arteries, veins, lymph glands, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, esophagus, larynx, and trachea. Diseases or conditions that affect any of these tissues of the neck can lead to neck pain.
How is neck pain diagnosed?
In diagnosing the cause of neck pain, it is important to review the history of the symptoms. In reviewing the history, the doctor will note the location, intensity, duration, and radiation of the pain. Any past injury to the neck is noted. Aggravating and/or relieving positions or motions are also recorded. The neck is examined at rest and in motion. Tenderness is detected during palpation of the neck. An examination of the nervous system is performed to determine whether or not nerve involvement is present.
Further testing of undiagnosed neck pain can include x-ray evaluation, CAT scan, bone scan, MRI scan, myelogram, and electrical tests such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity test (NCV).
How is neck pain treated?
The treatment of neck pain depends on its precise cause. Treatment options include rest, heat/ice applications, traction, soft collar, traction, physical therapy (ultrasound, massage, manipulation), local injections of cortisone or anesthetics, topical anesthetic creams, topical pain patches, muscle relaxants, analgesics, and surgical procedures.
courtesy of MEDICINE NET .COM http://www.medicinenet.com/neck_pain/article.htm
Get Relief from Long-Term Pain
Pain relief for longer term, chronic neck pain should also be aggressively provided through movement therapies, pain medication including narcotics, pain injections with trial of cervical facet joint injections, and alternative pain management treatments. Since chronic neck pain is worsened by lowered serotonin levels, medications which increase serotonin (antidepressants) can be a valuable treatment option.
Moreover, chronic neck pain, depression, and anxiety go together like Larry, Moe, and Curly, without the humor. With chronic neck pain, inaccurate diagnoses, failed treatments, family conflicts, and legal issues from personal injury, social security, or worker's compensation combine to foster depression and/or anxiety.
If you've had chronic neck pain or neck injury for longer than a year, research tells us that 30%-70% of your pain may not be caused by tissue damage but by other factors including: poor posture, gait, and body mechanics; bracing and guarding; wasting of the muscles and cervical facet joints; nervous system arousal; impaired sleep; medication side effects; decreased activity and exercise; overcompensation; and even physical therapies. This is true for diverse problems like degenerative disc disease, bulging disc, or neck strain or other neck injury.
The bottom line is that you may not have to suffer as much as you are! You can control these extra pain triggers that make your cervical pain worse. You can help yourself get better neck pain relief. You can also educate your physicians and teach them how to provide better neck pain relief. For chronic neck pain, a trial of cervical facet joint injections is almost inevitably necessary. Remember, physicians work for you even when they don't act like it.
If you are confused about cervical diagnosis or treatment options, or have questions about what you are going through, consulting with me can be your best opportunity to gain a clear direction.
Let me be your neck pain and orthopedic rehabilitation coach and guide you through the maze of diagnostic testing, medical treatments, pain management, disability and limitations, and the crushing effects of chronic neck pain or neck injury on family and finances. We can have a single summary consultation, or develop a longer term relationship through changing conditions or treatments.
courtesy of: Your Neck Pain Doctor 1-877-545-7272
5 Ways To How To Ease Cervical Neck Pains
courtesy of : http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Healblog/~3/434987086/
1. If your work makes you sit in front of your computer for many hours, then you should make sure you adopt a healthy body posture: sit straight, and use a feet base in order to get them a little bit raised off the floor. Also, remember to take a 10 minute break every hour. During this small break step away from your desk and take a walk around the office.2. Adjust your pillow. During the sleep the body can twist more or less its neck if you sleep on a high pillow or if sleeping on the stomach. By using an anatomically shaped pillow, that supports the natural line of your neck you will wake up relaxed and ready for a new day.
3. Exercise daily on your cervical muscles. Make slow rotations with your head, starting from the right to the left. After 5 rotations reverse the direction so that you don’t get too dizzy. Then bend your head to the right and then to the left. Do this for 6 times. Then bend your chin in front as much as you can towards the thorax and then take it back and extend your head on the back.
4. In case you do get to develop a neck pain, take an anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen. This will help your body reduce pain and inflammation. But try not to develop a habit from using them. If your neck pain continues to bother you for long periods of time then I suggest you visit a chiropractor for specialized care.
5. Try applying heat on the back of your neck. It seems that a warm bandage always helps the muscle relax and calms down the pain. You can always try taking a how shower, as this is a lot more pleasant than applying bandages on the skin.
Any cervical pain that does not resolve itself within a day or two from its onset should be treated by a doctor. Some neck pains can hide other serious affections that need medical observation and specialized treatment in order to disappear. And as we all know, treating affections from their early stages is always easier than working upon an old condition.
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