Friday, April 3, 2009

Causes of neck pain and its treatment

Causes of neck pain and its treatment

Unilateral or bilateral muscular pattern neck pain is common and usually self-limiting. It can follow injury, falling asleep in an awkward position, or prolonged keyboard working. Chronic burning neck pain occurs because of muscle tension from anxiety and stress. Spondylosis seen on X-ray increases after the age of 40 years, but it is not always causal. Spondylosis can, however, cause stiffness and increases the risk of mechanical or muscular neck pain. Muscle spasm can be palpable, is tender and may lead to abnormal neck posture (e.g. acute torticollis). Muscular pattern neck pain is not localized but affects the trapezius muscle, the C7 spinous process and the paracervical musculature (shoulder girdle pain). Pain often radiates upwards to the occiput but rarely laterally to the tip of the shoulder. It is commonly associated with unilateral or bilateral tension headaches; pain radiating over the head to the temple and eye, described as like a pressure or tight band. These features are also seen in fibromyalgia.


Following are list of causes of pain in neck or shoulder:

#Trauma (for example, a fall)

#Mechanical or muscular neck pain

#Whiplash injury

#Disc prolapse - nerve root entrapment

#Ankylosing spondylitis

#Shoulder lesions: Rotator cuff tendonitis Calcific tendonitis or bursitis Impingement syndrome or rotator cuff tear Adhesive capsulitis (true 'frozen' shoulder) Inflammatory arthritis or osteoarthritis.

#Polymyalgia rheumatica

#Fibromyalgia

#Chronic (work-related) upper limb pain syndrome

#Tumour

Treatment of neck and shoulder pains:

Patients are given short courses of analgesic therapy along with reassurance and explanation. Physiotherapists can help to relieve spasm and pain, teach exercises and relaxation techniques, and improve posture. An occupational therapist can advise about the ergonomics of the workplace if the problem is work-related.

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