Do you suffer from cervical pain? If so, you are not alone. Millions of people around the world experience this type of pain every day. In this cervical Pain treatment guide, we will discuss a variety of treatment options that can help relieve your pain. We will also provide tips on how to prevent cervical pain from occurring in the first place. So if you are looking for relief, read on!
Contents
What Is Cervical Pain?
Cervical pain is pain that occurs in the neck. It can be caused by many different things, including muscle strain, a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, or cervical spondylosis.
Most people will experience some degree of neck pain at some point in their lives. For some people, it will be a minor annoyance. For others, it can be a debilitating condition that interferes with their daily activities.
Causes
There are various causes of cervical pain:
1. Mechanical causes: These include muscle strain, ligament sprains, joint dysfunction, and herniated discs.
2. Inflammatory causes: These include arthritis, infection, and cancer.
3. Nerve compression: This can occur due to herniated discs, tumors, or bone spurs.
4. Other causes: These include pregnancy, menopause, and psychological factors.
Symptoms
The symptoms of cervical pain vary depending on the underlying cause. They are:
1. Dull, aching pain in the neck
2. Sharp, shooting pain in the neck
3. Pain that radiates to the shoulders, arms, or head
4. Muscle spasms
5. Stiffness in the neck
6. Difficulty moving the neck
7. Tingling or numbness in the arms
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of cervical pain is typically based on the individual’s symptoms and medical history. A physical examination may also be conducted to rule out other potential causes of the pain. Imaging tests, such as x-rays, MRI, or CT scans, may also be ordered to further evaluate the cause of the pain.
Is Physiotherapy Good For Cervical Pain?
The short answer to this question is yes, physiotherapy can be good for cervical pain. However, the long answer is a little more complicated. The effectiveness of physiotherapy for cervical pain depends on many factors, including the cause of your pain, the intensity, and duration of your symptoms, your overall health, and your response to treatment.
What Are The Treatment Options For Cervical Pain?
The treatment of cervical pain depends on the underlying cause. For mechanical causes, such as muscle strain or ligament sprain, treatment typically involves rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medications. Physical therapy may also be recommended to help stretch and strengthen the muscles in the neck.
The treatment option for cervical pain are as follows:
Physical therapy
This helps to improve the range of motion and strengthen the muscles. It can be done by a physical therapist or at home using exercises.
Analgesics
These are painkillers that help to relieve pain. They can be taken orally or applied topically. Common pain relievers include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen. Only take these medications according to directions.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
These help to reduce inflammation and swelling. They can be taken orally or applied topically.
Muscle relaxants
These help to relax the muscles and reduce pain. They can be taken orally or applied topically.
Heat therapy
This helps to increase blood flow and reduce pain. It can be applied externally using a heating pad or internally using a hot water bottle.
Cold therapy
This helps to reduce inflammation and swelling. It can be applied externally using an ice pack or internally using a cold water bottle.
Massage
This helps to increase blood flow and reduce pain. It can be done by a professional massage therapist or at home using a massager.
Exercises
One of the most effective ways to reduce cervical pain is to perform exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles in your neck. Here are a few exercises that can help:
Neck stretches
Gently tilt your head to the side, then slowly lower it down toward your shoulder. Hold for 15-30 seconds, then repeat on the other side.
Chin tucks
Tuck your chin down toward your chest, then slowly raise it back up to the starting position. Hold for 15-30 seconds, then repeat.
Shoulder shrugs
Raise your shoulders up toward your ears, then slowly lower them back down. Hold for 15-30 seconds, then repeat.
Upper back extensions
Sit up tall in your chair and interlace your fingers behind your head. Gently pull your head down toward your chest, then slowly extend it backward. Hold for 15-30 seconds, then repeat.
Chest stretches
Clasp your hands behind your back and straighten your arms. Gently pull your hands down toward your hips, then slowly release them back up to the starting position. Hold for 15-30 seconds, then repeat.
Cat-cow stretches
Start on your hands and knees with a neutral spine. As you inhale, arch your back and look up toward the ceiling. As you exhale, round your back and tuck your chin down toward your chest. Repeat 10-15 times.
Cobra pose
Lie on your stomach with your feet hip-width apart and your palms flat on the floor next to your shoulders. As you inhale, press into your palms and lift your chest off the floor. Hold for 1-2 breaths, then lower back down to the starting position. Repeat 8-10 times.
Child’s pose
Start on your hands and knees with a neutral spine. As you exhale, sit back on your heels and lengthen your torso forward, resting your forehead on the floor. Hold for 1-2 minutes.
Neck rolls
Start with your head in a neutral position. Slowly roll your head to the right, then back to the left. Continue for 10-15 repetitions.
Shoulder rolls
Raise your shoulders up toward your ears, then slowly roll them back and down. Repeat 10-15 times.
If you’re not sure how to perform any of these exercises, talk to a physical therapist or certified personal trainer. They can teach you how to properly execute the movements and make sure you’re using the right form.
Surgery
This is an option for severe cases that do not respond to other treatments. It can be done to repair damaged muscles, nerves, or discs.
Chiropractic
This is an alternative treatment that focuses on the alignment of the spine. It can be done by a chiropractor or at home using exercises.
Acupuncture
This is an alternative treatment that uses needles to stimulate the nervous system. It can be done by a professional acupuncturist or at home using acupuncture kits.
Do’s And Don’t For Managing Cervical Pain
Do’s
1. Use a cervical pillow.
2. Try cold or heat therapy.
3. Consider taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
4. Exercise regularly.
5. Quit smoking.
Don’ts
1. Don’t stay in one position for too long.
2. Don’t sleep on your stomach.
3. Don’t wear a collar to bed.
4. Don’t use a laptop computer on your lap for long periods of time.
5. Don’t read in bed.
6. Don’t text or talk on the phone for long periods of time.
For more information, please consult with a healthcare professional.
Is Walking Good For Cervical Pain?
Walking is a great way to get some low-impact exercise, and it’s also good for your overall health. But is it good for cervical pain?
The answer is yes and no. Walking can help relieve some types of neck pain, but it can also aggravate other types.
If your neck pain is caused by poor posture, then walking can actually help improve your posture and relieve pain. However, if your neck pain is caused by a herniated disc or another type of injury, walking can actually make the pain worse.
So, if you’re not sure whether or not walking is good for your particular type of neck pain, it’s best to check with your doctor or physical therapist first.
Preventive tips
There are various preventive tips:
- Wear comfortable shoes with good support and avoid high heels.
- Maintain good posture when sitting, standing, and walking.
- Avoid activities that aggravate your pain, such as carrying heavy objects or leaning forward for long periods of time.
- Exercise regularly to maintain good muscle strength and flexibility in the neck and shoulders.
Conclusion
It may be concluded that the Cervical Pain treatment guide provides complete and detailed information about the condition, its causes, and treatment options. Although there is no cure for cervical pain, the treatments mentioned in this guide can help relieve the symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Physical Therapy help patients recover from pain. If you’re experiencing Back pain, Shoulder pain, Knee pain, Neck pain, Elbow pain, Hip pain, or Arthritis pain, a physical therapist at MantraCare can help: Book a physiotherapy session.
