Having an ache in your neck every now and then may be annoying, but it’s common and usually temporary. On the other hand, there are some cases of neck pain that don’t go away as quickly as it appears.
If your neck is constantly hurting, it’s important to determine the cause of the pain in order to treat it properly. Read on to learn about the possible causes of constant neck pain and potential treatment options.
The effects of constant neck pain
Chronic neck pain affects up to 4.5% of the general population. It refers to pain in the neck that lasts at least one year and impairs your ability to complete your day-to-day activities. It can also be coupled with other symptoms that can decrease your mobility.
Constant neck pain can cause:
- Decreased range of motion.
- Muscle spasms.
- Headaches.
- Worsening pain when your neck is in the same position for hours at a time.
5 possible causes of constant neck pain
Determining the cause of your neck pain will help you determine the best treatment options. If your neck is constantly hurting, there are a few potential reasons why. While some reasons behind neck pain are due to injuries, others are conditions that may need further medical assistance.
Five possible reasons your neck is hurting:
- Arthritis — There are three major joints in the neck, called synovial joints, so it’s possible for your neck to experience joint inflammation. Arthritis of the neck is known as cervical spondylosis, though osteoarthritis can also affect the neck. Arthritis pain in the neck can result in stiffness, a reduced range of motion and the sound or feeling of popping during movements.
- Narrowing spinal canal — When the neck area of your spine becomes narrowed, it’s referred to as cervical spinal stenosis. It occurs when the vertebrae in your neck, and the joints between those vertebrae, shift and cause bone spurs. The growths cause a narrowing of the spinal canal, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves resulting in neck pain.
- Whiplash — If you get into a car accident or sustain a sports injury, it’s possible that you will get whiplash. This is a neck injury that results from quick, forceful back-and-forth head movement. It causes a strain in your neck with pain that can range from mild to severe. Other whiplash symptoms include stiffness, headaches and vertigo.
- Disc degeneration — Cervical degenerative disc disease occurs when wear and tear over time cause the discs between the vertebrae in the cervical spine to break down. Along with pain, the disease can also cause numbness or a tingling sensation in the neck.
- Strain — Muscle strains in the neck are quite common due to poor posture and awkward sleeping positions. It often results in inflammation that can trigger muscle spasms. Neck strains can also cause stiffness, which reduces its range of motion.
How physical therapy can help when your neck hurts
When you always have an ache in your neck, it can feel like it will never go away. But physical therapy is the best way to alleviate constant neck pain with long-term results.
A physical therapist can walk you through exercises that will stretch your neck muscles in order to increase their flexibility and range of motion. They can also show you exercises that will strengthen your neck muscles to decrease the risk of future neck and spine injuries. While many may assume they know the proper way to execute neck exercises, a physical therapist can ensure that you are doing them safely and effectively.
Another way that physical therapy can help when your neck hurts is through manual therapy techniques, like joint mobilization. By using their hands, your therapist can manipulate the neck joints in order to find the restriction that’s causing decreased mobility. Then they can loosen up the restrictive soft tissue to increase your range of motion and release the tension.
Not only does physical therapy help with your neck, but it can also assist with spinal care and stabilization, which could be one of the root causes of your constant neck pain.
Border Therapy Services can provide physical therapy to help when your neck hurts
Constant neck pain can make it difficult to do simple tasks in your day-to-day life. The decreased range of motion can prevent you from turning your head to speak to a coworker or lifting your chin to look up at a high shelf in the grocery store. When you’re tired of your neck hurting, let our physical therapists help.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.