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The neck (cervical spine) is composed of vertebrae which begin in the upper torso and end at the base of the skull. The bony vertebrae along with the ligaments (like thick rubber bands) provide stability to the spine. The muscles allow for support and motion. The neck has a significant amount of motion and supports the weight of the head. However, because it is less protected than the rest of the spine, the neck can be vulnerable to injury and disorders that produce pain and restrict motion. For many people, neck pain is a temporary condition that disappears with time. Others need medical diagnosis and treatment to relieve their symptoms.
Neck pain may result from abnormalities in the soft tissues - the muscles, ligaments, and nerves - as well as in bones and joints of the spine. The most common causes of neck pain are soft tissue abnormalities due to injury or prolonged wear and tear. In rare cases, infection or tumors may cause neck pain. In some people, neck problems may be the source of pain in the upper back, shoulders or arms.
Degenerative diseases that cause neck pain include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis usually occurs in older people as a result of wear of the joints between the bones in the neck. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause destruction of the joints of the neck. Both of these major types of arthritis can cause stiffness and pain.
Cervical disk degeneration also can cause neck pain. The disk acts as a shock absorber between the bones in the neck. In cervical disk degeneration (typically age 40 onwards), the normal gelatin-like center of the disk degenerates and the space between the vertebrae narrows. As the disk space narrows, added stress is applied to the joints of the spine causing further wear and degenerative disease. The cervical disk may also protrude and cause pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots when the rim of the disk weakens. This is known as a herniated cervical disk.
Since the neck is so flexible and because it supports the head, it is extremely vulnerable to injury. Motor vehicle or diving accidents, contact sports, and falls may result in neck injury. The regular use of safety belts in motor vehicles can help to prevent or minimize injury. A "rear end" automobile collision may result in hyperextension, a backward motion of the neck beyond normal limits, or hyperflexion, a forward motion of the neck beyond normal limits. Most common injuries are to the soft tissues, i.e., muscles and ligaments. Severe injury with fracture or dislocation of the neck may damage the spinal cord and cause paralysis (quadriplegia).
Much less common causes of neck pain include tumors, infections, or congenital abnormalities of the vertebrae.
If severe neck pain occurs following an injury (motor vehicle accident, diving accident, fall), the patient should be immobilised to avoid the risk of further injury and possible paralysis. Medical care should be sought immediately. Immediate medical care should also be sought when an injury causes pain in the neck that radiates down the arms and legs. Radiating pain or numbness in your arms or legs causing weakness in the arms or legs without significant neck pain should also be evaluated. you should seek medical care also If there has not been an injury and the neck pain is - continuous and persistent, severe, accompanied by pain that radiates down the arms or legs, accompanied by headaches, numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Determining
the source of the pain is essential to recommend the right method of treatment
and rehabilitation.Therefore a comprehensive examination is required to determine
the cause of neck pain.
A physical examination may be performed including evaluation of neck motion,
neck tenderness, and the function of the nerves and muscles in your arms and
legs. X-ray studies often will be done to allow your orthopaedist to look closely
at the bones in your neck to determine the cause of neck pain and to prescribe
effective treatment.
If required, further evaluation may include one or more of the following examinations:
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This non X-ray study allows an evaluation of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
CT (computed tomography). This specialized X-ray study allows careful evaluation of the bone and spinal canal.
Myelogram (injection of a dye or contrast material into the spinal canal). This specific X-ray study also allows careful evaluation of the spinal canal and nerve roots.
EMG (electromyogram). This test evaluates nerve and muscle function.
When treating neck pain or any pain, it is more important to get to the root of the problem. Where you feel pain may not be the part of the body where the injury or nerve pressure causing the hurt is actually located. Treatment directed at the site of the pain is there fore often a waste of time, and possibly even counter productive. The whole spinal area, from our neck down to the base of our spine, is where much of this referred pain starts. It is important to understand the structures inside your neck and what sensation you can receive if they begin to weaken. Visualize all those dozens of different nerves leading from spinal cord into arms & legs and points between. Then the vertebrae that are placed there to protect that vital nerve conduit and the potential for pinching nerves that exists when those bony parts get too close together, slip out of place or are injured other ways. If it were not for the soft and cushiony discs between vertebrae, the system simply would not work. Nerves would be pinched every time we moved and message of referred pain sent constantly to our limbs & even to our head. The neck is the bridge between one’s body & head. Sudden motion of one or the other can impart ‘whiplash’ stress. There is a good possibility that pressure on cervical discs can also be a cause of headache, particularly the persistent kind. Some minor injuries to the neck can cause headaches that go away in eight to there can be wide variety of other injuries that lead to persistent headache problems. Some times old injuries or trauma to the neck can create headaches many years later. Repeated strain or minor injury to the neck may be all that is necessary to precipitate the headache.
There is
a possibility that headaches, which originated in neck strain, are caused by
a more complex series of events than simply a pinched nerve compression of the
vertebral artery can cause partial restriction of blood flow to the head. That
can cause pain and other symptoms, especially dizziness. Another possibility
is that pinching of the neck nerve in some way affects the nerves serving the
head.
Is there any way to prevent neck pain? No there is no way to prevent this. So
neck pain can happen to anyone at anywhere. But there are some good exercises
for a healthy neck. But there is a prevention of false diagnosis of the cause
of upper body pain. Many people have the kind of pain here described but are
not fortunate enough to identify the neck quickly as the source of problem.
Because we live in such a drugs oriented culture, the first therapeutic thought
often is to ask for a prescription for a pain-killing drug or even a tranquilizer.
We are trying to help to change that situation. Unani herbal medication or
treatment has many advantages over the use of chemical treatments of modern/
allopathic medicines. There needs to be wider understanding of the vulnerability
of the neck & what the signs of trouble are. It is advisable & advantageous
to treat pain by herbals than chemicals.
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