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It is something that affects a lot of people, and it can be something that keeps you from doing what you want and moving around correctly. Neck pain is one of the most common causes of disability in Manhattan and can greatly reduce quality of life.
When it comes to neck pain, there are a number of different warning signs that you need to be aware of. Neck pain occurs when the joints, muscles, bones, or other structures in your neck are damaged or become inflamed.
Unfortunately, a lot of people don't identify the warning signs early enough and end up suffering from severe neck pain for months that can turn into chronic neck pain, which lasts for a long time. If you experience any of these warning signs, it's time to see a Manhattan pain management specialist.
1. Poor posture when standing or walking around
We are born with a strong and healthy spine, but the things we do each day wear down the alignment of that spine. One of those ways is by having an incorrect posture. We are more prone to neck pain and neck injuries when we have an incorrect posture.
Poor posture can also cause muscle strain in the neck area due to chronic tension in the muscles of the back and shoulders. For example, if you tend to slouch when standing up straight or walking around, it's likely that your muscles are already strained from carrying this position all day long. It can lead to stiffness and soreness in your upper back muscles as well as those located in your neck region.
To correct this problem, make sure that when standing or walking around, you keep your head up straight (don't tilt it down) and shoulders back (don't hunch them forward). It will help reduce stress on these muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments in order to prevent neck pain from occurring later on down the road. But if you have pain that doesn't go away, see a pain management specialist right away.
2. Sitting hunched over at your desk
When you get neck pain, it's easy to blame your job. But there are other factors that can contribute to neck pain. For example, if you sit hunched over at your desk all day long — whether it be in front of a computer or having to look down at paperwork — this can cause your shoulders to round forward, which puts strain on the muscles in your upper back and neck. In addition, poor posture while sitting can affect how you sleep at night because of muscle fatigue and soreness.
If you're experiencing neck pain, it's important to see your healthcare provider right away. A pain specialist will likely perform an examination of the spine to check for injuries or other issues that may be causing your pain.
3. Doing repetitive motion
One of the most common causes of neck pain is repetitive motions or prolonged positioning of the neck. When you're sitting in front of a computer or reading in bed, it's easy to forget how much movement is required to do these things properly — especially if you've been doing them for years.
It can cause strain on your neck muscles and ligaments over time, which will eventually lead to pain and muscle spasms. It is especially true if you're trying to fit into a small space, like between two cars at a stoplight or trying to cram yourself into tight quarters on an airplane or train. The more you have to turn your head in one direction, the more likely you are to experience muscle soreness if you don't give yourself enough time to relax afterward.
4. Pain radiates down one or both arms
Pain in your neck travels down one arm or both arms and into your hands. This may be a sign that there's something wrong with the nerves in your spine. Nerves in the spine send messages to all parts of your body, including arms and hands.
Suppose those nerves are damaged or compressed by bone spurs, discs that have slipped out of place, or other problems related to age-related wear and tear on the spine (osteoarthritis). In that case, they may cause shooting pains as well as numbness and weakness in other parts of the body below the neck (peripheral neuropathy). If you have neck pain, don't wait to get proper treatment. It's important to make an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible so your neck pain doesn't worsen and become a chronic issue.
5. Neck feels stiff all the time
You may have stiffness in your neck if you wake up with a sore neck every morning. You may also notice it getting stiffer as the day goes on. This stiffness typically worsens when you're sitting at work or driving and gets better when you stand up and move around. However, the stiffness is often worse at night when you lie down flat because gravity pulls on the discs in your spinal column and aggravates them further.
6. Constant tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arm, hand, or fingers
Neck injuries often result in nerve damage that can cause weakness or numbness in your extremities. It is a condition that can affect your daily life. It can make it hard to work, drive and sleep comfortably. In extreme cases, neck pain can even interfere with breathing or cause headaches. It can be a sign of a more serious injury that requires immediate medical attention. Call our pain management center to book an appointment today.
7. Pain is worse when you move
Your pain is worse when you move around or change positions (such as turning your head). If you experience increased pain when moving around versus staying still — especially if it's only on one side consult a pain management specialist as soon as possible.
Neck Pain Management
Ultimately, there's no reason to wait until your neck is already hurting—cut off the problem at the source by avoiding the warning signs that you're about to experience pain. There are plenty of ways to do this—don't be afraid to ask for help, try pain management strategies and find what works best for you.
And if you start experiencing neck pain, give yourself plenty of time to treat it before it becomes a serious problem. Complete rest isn't something your body appreciates long-term, so don't be afraid to try out new remedies as well. You'd be surprised how quickly your situation can improve.
Here are some tips for preventing neck pain:
Stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is important for overall health and well-being. It can also help with headaches and muscle tension. If you're prone to headaches or muscle tension, staying hydrated can reduce the frequency and severity of these symptoms.
Get enough sleep. Sleep is crucial for physical health and well-being. It helps with healing, reduces stress levels, and boosts your immune system. It's also important for mental health – getting enough sleep helps reduce stress levels, so you don't get irritated as easily!
Exercise regularly. Exercise is an excellent way to relieve stress, boost energy levels and improve overall health and well-being. However, exercise can also cause injury if done improperly or without proper preparation or warm-up time before starting an exercise routine – which is why it's important to seek out professional pain management advice when starting an exercise program.
Take Action
Chronic neck pain is the most common cause of disability and lost time from work. However, if you take action to prevent it, you can decrease your odds of suffering from any kind of neck pain. The key is to stay active, eat well, maintain a healthy weight, stick to a good sleep schedule, and be mindful of environmental hazards that bring on neck pain. Doing so will likely be able to avoid this debilitating condition for good.
If you have any of these risk factors, take time to see a Manhattan pain management specialist and develop a plan to reduce your risk. The most important thing you can do is make sure that you're treating your neck pain seriously. Many people will feel some pain after picking up something heavy or sitting in an awkward position for a long time. However, if that pain is accompanied by one or more of these warning signs, it's a good idea to speak with a pain doctor about ways to reduce your chances of getting neck pain from happening again.