Cervical Pain Treatments that You Need to Try Out

Neck Pain is a typical problem faced by a lot of people due to a variety of reasons. While it is not usually a sign of arthritis or similar medical conditions, you must take proper care of it. A variety of cervical pain treatments are available in the form of medications and accessories, but before jumping onto that, learning about the causes and certain do's and don'ts are equally important. 

In this blog, we will be learning all about cervical/ neck pain- its causes and treatments or remedies that work for cervical pain relief. 

What is cervical pain?

Our cervical spine, more commonly known as the neck is a coordinated network of nerves, bones, joints and muscles which perform the task of providing mobility and support to your head. Sometimes, due to certain habits or reasons, pain can occur in any of the bone/s or muscle/s in your neck area, leading to the beginning of neck pain.

How can cervical pain begin?

Injury

Our neck is highly prone to pain when it experiences any kind of fall or hit that causes the muscles and ligaments to move outside of their normal range, this damages the spinal cord. Another type of injury often experienced by the neck is whiplash in which your neck experiences a sudden movement back then forwards.

Muscle tension or strain

Experiencing tension or strain in your muscles is common if you usually do the following activities-
• Poor Posture
• Prolonged sitting without changing positions
• Jerking your neck while exercising
• Bad sleeping position

Worn-out joints

Just like any other joints in our body, neck joints wear down with age. The cushions between your bones start to deteriorate, causing pain whenever the bones rub against each other.

Nerve compression

Also known as a pinched nerve, it occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues such as bones, cartilages, muscles or tendons. This pressure may lead to pain, tingling or numbness.

Cervical pain treatments that work

The neck pain condition can be difficult to live with. The positive part is that you can do a lot of things to take care of it and can even see major improvements with regular use. It includes-

Use a compress

Start with a cold one then moves on to a hot compress. The cold compress will work to lessen pain and inflammation while the hot compress will ease muscle tension.

Sleep using a neck pillow

A good pillow is necessary, not just for a good night's sleep, but also for your neck health. Using a cervical pillow will help you with neck pain as they are designed in such a way to nestle your neck while sleeping.

Taking Pain relievers

Over-the-Counter medications are the easiest and most popular option. They work within few uses and are readily available in different options such as pain relievers sprays and medications.

Stretch a little

It's a well-known fact that one shouldn't sit in the same position for too long. It is not just bad for your neck joints but other body parts as well. So, if you feel that you have stayed in a position for too long, get up and do a few exercises.

Good Posture

Slumping all the time would take a toll on your neck and back as it strains the muscles and ligaments that are supporting your neck and back. So, make sure that you stand straight.

What should you avoid during cervical pain?

If you are suffering from neck pain, following these tips can make big difference, and even if you don't have it these tips will help you avoid it.
• Don't slouch
• Keep moving and avoid staying at one place
• Try not to use too many pillows as they will push your neck forward while sleeping, increasing stress on your neck's discs, joints and muscles.
• Don't wait for the pain to go away on its own as it won't disappear as it appeared. Make sure to get proper treatment.

Conclusion

When neck pain occurs, having the right information is important. As a part of your cervical pain treatment, cut down on activities which might be causing you pain and avoid doing them unless the pain subsides completely. Follow measures to take control of your pain, and if it doesn't, then visit a specialist.

FAQs

Q. How do you relieve cervical pain?

Ans. To relieve cervical pain, you can try using a pain reliever spray or you can go a step further and use a cervical pillow. With a cervical pillow, not only will you be getting pain relief but will also be getting proper sleep.

Q. What causes pain in the cervical area?

Ans. There can be a lot of different that might be causing pain in your neck. The reasons include-
• Slouching/ Poor Posture
• Sitting in the same position for hours
• Getting hit or experiencing an injury
• Wearing out of Joints
• Herniated disc
• Pinched nerves

Q. What are the symptoms of cervical pain?

Ans. The symptoms that a person with cervical pain may experience include-
• Pain which worsens when you hold your head in one position
• Headache
• Not able to move your head
• Muscle tightness and spasms

Q. Is cervical pain curable?

Ans. whether cervical pain is curable or not depends on when it was identified. If it was identified in its earlier stage, then with the right treatment the pain can become manageable. But, if you ignored it and let it evolve into worse, then it might become difficult to even manage it.