Do you know the different types of neck pain?

Neck pain is so commong. But did you know there are different types of neck pain? Learn a bit more about some of the different types of neck pain.

Non-specific neck pain:

Thiss occurs when a “stiff” and painful neck develop for no apparent reason.  Perhaps due to sitting in a draft or twisting in a funny position e.g. while gardening.  The cause of this type of pain isn’t known.  This is the most common type of neck pain and usually disappears within a few days.

Whiplash:

Usually follows a rear-end collision in a car (the body is carried forward, the head flips back.  As the body stops the head is thrown forward.)  The pain and stiffness is usually delayed after whiplash. Most people who suffer whiplash do not have any major damage and usually feel better within a few weeks or months.

Tension:

Most muscles relax completely when they are not being used.  Some muscles, however, have to work all the time to keep your body upright.  These are known as “anti-gravity muscles”.  The muscles at the back of your neck are such muscles.  They have to be always tense in order to keep your head from falling forwards. When these muscles work too hard, neck pain and tension headaches can result.  People who are worried or under stress will often tighten their muscles more than necessary to hold their head up.  Tension headaches are common and more often than not mistaken for migraines.

Cervical spondylosis: 

Over time, through everyday use, the discs and facet joints of the  spine become worn.  The discs become thinner causing spaces between the vertebrae to become narrower.  “Spurs” of bone (osteophytes) may also form at the edges of the vertebrae and facet joints.   This is a form of osteoarthritis but is also known as “cervical spondylosis”.  These changes may cause pain.  Either from the linings of worn joints from stretched ligaments.  Bulging discs or osteophytes may pinch nerve roots causing pain or numbness that travels into the arm.  When the vertebral artery is pinched, the blood supply to the area of the brain controlling balance is reduced which may lead to dizziness.  It is rare, but in severe spondylosis the spinal cord can be squeezed causing weakness and numbness in the arms and legs.

Now that you know about eh different types of neck pain? Which one do you think you have?