Neck – Cervical Spine

Neck - Cervical Spine

Many people experience neck pain or stiffness occasionally. In many cases, it is due to poor posture or overuse. Sometimes, neck pain is caused by injury from a fall, contact sports, or accidents.

Symptoms and Possible Causes

Whiplash

Neck pain, stiffness difficulty to move your head, muscles spasm, headache, dizziness, tingling, Numbness, or weakness in your neck and limbs.

Poor posture- Repetitive strains -neck syndrome

Poor posture and muscle strain can lead to minor injuries to the muscles and ligaments with symptoms like neck pain, stiffness difficulty to move your head, muscles spasm and headache.

Herniated Cervical disc - nerve pinch injury

Neck pain and a stiff neck. When the disc press nerve, you also can develop pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating down your arm (maybe sharp pain or burning sensation).

Spondylolisthesis or instability

Neck pain and around your shoulder blade that increases when you stand, sit, or move your neck backward, headaches in the back of your neck. (If press nerve) pain, numbness.

Tips to relieve the pain

What you need to do ...

At home

To Do …

Take a few days off from activities that aggravate your symptoms.
Use heat for 10 min. around your shoulder and neck with a heating pad, hot compress, or by taking a hot shower.
Use an ice pack for 10 min in the spot that you feel burning sensation.
If the pain is tense use soft collar.
Use a good anatomical pillow

Not To Do …

Lay or sleep on the couch.
Turn your neck carefully. Better to turn your whole body.
Stay in the same position for a long period.

At Work

To Do …

Use a chair that provides support to all spine (If not, use a pillow).
Move your chair close to the desk or table to keep a good posture.
If you use a computer, bring the screen to the center and it is at eye level
Place your feet parallel to the ground. Using a wedge under your feet helps a lot.
Βe careful when you turn your neck. Better to turn your whole body.

Not To Do …

Do not keep your neck in the same position for a long time. Make small breaks and walk around.
Do not slouch when sitting – do not roll your shoulders and bring your neck forward
Avoid holding the phone between your neck and shoulder. Use handsfree.

At Sports

To Do …

Warm up before exercising and stretch afterwards
Take regular breaks from repetitive exercises.
Gentle exercise low impact (not doing any exercise can make your symptoms worse)
Keep an upright posture and your shoulders gently back and you chin in.
Use good, firm shoes or use special insoles if you have flat feet.