6 Most Likely Causes of a Painful The Neck
6 Most Likely Causes of a Painful The Neck
Neck pain on the right side is common and can be caused by many different things. You can manage the pain if you know what has caused it. As your trusted source of Apple Valley neck pain relief, we’ll help you trace the root cause of your neck pain and determine your next steps to care for your spine and the rest of your body. But before that, let’s help you get acquainted with your cervical spine first.
Why The Cervical Spine Hurts
If you have pain in your neck, it’s essential to recognize that this might be a symptom of an underlying issue. The cause of your neck pain could be anything from muscle strain to arthritis or even cancer. Thus, understanding the different reasons is vital because they might require specific techniques, medications, or procedures.
Generally speaking, there are two types of neck pain: acute (short term) and chronic (long term). Acute injuries are caused by trauma or sudden movements that injure muscles, tendons, or ligaments around the spine.
Chronic issues arise from repetitive activities such as typing or lifting heavy objects. Sometimes, it can put an excessive mechanical strain on the structure supporting your head and neck and set off painful headaches. If your neck pain has been affecting your life, it might be time to see a healthcare professional who can help you. Additionally, it might help to look into some of the most likely causes of an achy cervical spine:
#1. Spinal Stenosis
This painful condition refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal. It commonly occurs in individuals with osteoarthritis, spinal wear and tear, and congenital problems. The condition compresses the nerves as they exit through tiny openings in the vertebrae (intervertebral foramina). This may lead to lingering pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms or hands.
Spinal stenosis usually develops when osteoarthritis causes bony spurs (osteophytes) to form around joints like your neck vertebrae. These tissue overgrowths narrow passageways through which nerves extend from the spinal cord to the different body parts.
People with rheumatoid arthritis tend to develop more severe cases of spinal stenosis than healthy individuals. That’s because of their increased risk for degenerative joint conditions such as osteoarthritis.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and chronic neck pain, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
#2. Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy causes neck pain, numbness, and tingling. The symptoms may also include pain that radiates down the arm. The pain may worsen when you turn your head or tilt it forward and backward. The pain and discomfort often stem from a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. You should call your doctor if you experience these symptoms because they can interfere with other activities you usually do, like working out at the gym or driving long distances.
#3. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a joint condition that causes the gradual breakdown of cartilage between the bones. It’s a common cause of neck pain and tends to affect people over 50.
#4. Spondylitis
One of the common causes of a painful neck is spondylitis, which is an inflammation of the spine. This condition can be caused by an injury or repetitive stress, such as holding your head in one position for a long time.
Symptoms of this condition typically include stiffness and pain in the neck and back, numbness and tingling in the hands and arms, difficulty turning the head from side to side (called cervical myelopathy), loss of balance (ataxia), muscle weakness, and fatigue.
#5. Whiplash
This refers to a type of injury on the neck that can cause pain and headaches. It’s usually caused by an accident or sudden forceful movement to the head and neck. These events can include a car accident and physical abuse (such as when someone pushes you into a wall).
When whiplash happens to you during an accident, your head will extend back and forth violently, causing you to suffer cervical acceleration/deceleration (CAD). This can potentially lead to damaged, inflamed, or stiffened muscles. It can also cause pain on the right side of your neck (and sometimes down into your shoulder blade) that worsens over time.
#6. Trapezius Muscle Dysfunction
If you’re experiencing neck pain on one side, it’s likely caused by dysfunction of the trapezius muscle. The trapezius is the large triangular muscle that spans from your shoulders to your upper and middle back. It not only helps lift and move your arms but also assists in rotating and turning them as well. Pain can radiate to the neck or shoulder region when there is injury or inflammation in this area due to overuse or poor posture.
In some cases, people may experience pain in their upper arm while moving certain body parts, such as reaching behind their head with their hand at night while sleeping on their side.
Another possible cause may be sleeping on one side all night long (side sleeper) instead of alternating between both sides every few hours throughout the night (lying on the stomach or back). This could lead to muscle spasms which will cause discomfort until you practice helpful sleeping habits.
Most Recommended Apple Valley Neck Pain Relief
If you’re unsure of what’s causing your neck pain or if your symptoms persist even after trying other options for Apple Valley neck pain relief, we suggest exploring specific chiropractic. It’s a chiropractic technique practiced by Dr. Kristin Fellows of Cornerstone Family Chiropractic.
Specific chiropractic focuses on applying gentle pressure on certain sections of the vertebral column to release tension and stress on the muscles, joints, and nerves. It’s a helpful approach that works wonders for various debilitating symptoms such as recurring neck pain.
If you want to learn how this unique approach to achieving Apple Valley neck pain relief works, you may visit Dr. Fellows for a consultation. You can book your appointment by calling (651) 209-9710 or taking advantage of our new patient offer! Get your consultation, examination, and all needed diagnostic tests at a discounted price.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Fellows, call our Eagan office at (651) 209-9710. You can also click the button below.
