A cervicalgia, or neck pain, can significantly affect quality of life, especially if it causes headaches, muscle spasms, or even numbness. Different healthcare professionals can help relieve your neck pain and its associated symptoms, as well as prevent them from recurring.
Why does your neck hurt?
Neck pain can be caused by a sudden injury, such as a blow to the head, a fall, or an awkward movement. It can also develop over time if you often stay in the same posture or perform repetitive movements with the neck or with the arms overhead.
In addition to pain, other symptoms associated with cervicalgia include stiffness, muscle tension, headaches, numbness, etc. The pain may radiate into the upper back, shoulder, arm, hand, and even the fingers.
When should you worry about neck pain?
Cervical pain is often of neuro-musculoskeletal origin. It can be concerning in the presence of red flag symptoms such as significant numbness in both arms or in all four limbs, coordination problems, difficulty swallowing or speaking. The presence of pain and/or night sweats or fever can also indicate a systemic condition. Sharp and intense pain following major trauma may also be worrisome. A recent upper respiratory tract infection should also be taken into consideration.
Pain location
Depending on the affected structure, neck pain may sometimes be central, radiate to the shoulder, or even down the arm. Pain in the thoracic region is also possible. It can also happen that the pain changes location depending on the movement performed or the time of day. By assessing you, the physiotherapist will be able to explain more precisely what is causing your neck pain.
Can neck tension be related to stress?
Stress can contribute to creating or worsening muscle tension. Changes in breathing patterns in stressful situations or altered posture can be reasons for this. That being said, an evaluation will help better identify the cause or causes of your pain.
Main causes of neck pain
Many diagnoses are associated with neck pain. A consultation in physiotherapy will help you better understand the affected structures and the steps to take to promote their healing.
Cervical sprain
A cervical sprain is a stretching of one or more ligaments that connect the vertebrae of the neck. The muscles that attach the head and neck to the rest of the spine may also be affected.
Among the symptoms of a cervical sprain are neck pain or stiffness, muscle spasms, headaches, and in some cases, loss of strength, decreased sensitivity, numbness, or burning sensations in the arms.
A cervical sprain can be caused by a whiplash-type injury, a blow to the head, an awkward movement, or a demanding posture that puts strain on the neck.
Whiplash
A whiplash, also called “coup de fouet” or “coup de lapin,” is not a diagnosis but rather a mechanism of injury. It describes a high-speed acceleration–deceleration movement of the neck during a rear or side impact. Whiplash most often occurs in a car accident but can also happen during a fall, a dive, a sports accident, etc.
This type of movement can cause bone or soft tissue injuries, such as a cervical sprain, and then lead to a variety of symptoms: neck pain or stiffness, headaches, jaw pain, arm pain or numbness, dizziness, etc.
Cervicobrachalgia
Cervicobrachialgia refers to arm pain that originates in the neck. When a nerve root in the neck is irritated or partially compressed, the symptoms follow the path of the nerve along the arm.
The pain associated with cervicobrachialgia can be sharp or diffuse and may spread to the shoulder, arm, and all the way to the fingers. It is generally described as a sensation of heaviness, numbness, or tingling that can worsen when the arms are moved overhead. It is also possible for the pain to appear only in the arm without any neck pain.
Cervicobrachialgia can be caused by an accident, repetitive movements with the arms overhead, a posture that puts strain on the neck, or compression in the area above the clavicle. It may be associated with a herniated disc, osteoarthritis, or a cervical sprain. Muscle tension in the neck or upper back can also contribute to the appearance of symptoms.
Herniated cervical disc
A herniated disc is not always painful. A large part of the population lives with bulging or herniated discs between the vertebrae without being affected (and even without knowing it!). When symptoms do appear, they vary from person to person. You may feel pain or numbness in the neck, upper back, in one or both arms. This pain can vary throughout the day. It may increase when sitting, with the head tilted forward or backward, during movements that strain the neck muscles, or when coughing or sneezing.
Very often, a cervical herniated disc is not the result of a specific event, but rather of an accumulation of postures that put strain on the neck (head forward or tilted, rounded upper back, etc.). An accident, awkward movement, or fall is often the trigger that causes the pain to appear for the first time.
A herniated disc occurs when the disc located between each vertebra of the spine (which acts as a cushion to absorb shocks and vibrations) partially “slips” out of place (when the intervertebral disc is injured). Symptoms most often appear when it irritates or compresses the surrounding nerve roots.
Cervical spondylosis
Cervical osteoarthritis is the wear and tear of the cartilage in the neck vertebrae. It is a normal aging process that does not always cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the most common are discomfort, stiffness, and pain in the neck that may radiate to the shoulder blade, upper back, or arms. The pain may worsen when you turn your head to the sides, tilt it backward, or keep it forward (chin forward). Significant morning stiffness in the neck can be a sign of cervical osteoarthritis.
Radiculopathy
In more advanced cases of osteoarthritis or herniated disc, the nerve root may become compressed as it exits between the vertebrae. This can trigger symptoms of radiculopathy, typically characterized by pain along the nerve pathway, numbness, but also an area of sensory loss, decreased muscle strength in certain key muscles, as well as a reduced deep tendon reflex (assessed by your doctor or physiotherapist).
How is neck pain treated?
Expert tip: Keep active
Moving is the best way to treat neck pain. Physical activity helps maintain neck mobility, reduce pain, and minimize the brain’s focus on the injury. Pay attention to your symptoms to know when to stop. It is normal to feel a little pain, but if it increases, it’s a sign that you need to take a break.
Cardiorespiratory activities (walking, cycling, elliptical, etc.) and targeted exercises for neck mobility, strengthening, and flexibility promote faster recovery and help prevent future painful episodes.
Which professional should you consult?
Various professionals often work together to maximize results. If in doubt, we recommend that you first consult a physiotherapist so that they can assess your needs and the treatments required for the specific condition of your neck. If necessary, they will recommend other professional(s) you should consult to optimize your rehabilitation.
Why consult a physiotherapist?
After a thorough evaluation of your neck, a physiotherapist will explain which structures are affected and offer you a treatment plan based on your goals. Different options can be considered such as exercises specific to your condition, joint mobilizations, muscle relaxation techniques, etc. Your physiotherapist will also give you advice on how to relieve pain and how to resume your activities.
Why consult an occupational therapist?
An occupational therapist will assess the impact of your neck’s condition on your usual abilities such as working, doing household chores and hobbies. Their treatments, which can take the form of strengthening exercises or simulating work tasks, for example, will help you maximize your autonomy at each stage of your recovery.
Why consult an osteopath?
Using different manual techniques, an osteopath will treat mobility restrictions that can affect all of your body’s structures (bones, muscles, ligaments, viscera, etc.) related to your neck. Improved mobility helps your body recover better and reduces pain.
hy consult a massage therapist?
A massage therapist will focus primarily on releasing tension in the superficial and deep tissues that affect your neck to help you reduce pain and move more freely. Their treatments will also help increase blood circulation to promote better recovery.
Why consult an acupuncturist?
Through various techniques and using therapeutic tools such as needles and suction cups, an acupuncturist will work to reduce pain, stress, muscle tension and inflammation that can occur following a neck injury.
Why consult a kinesiologist?
A kinesiologist will teach you how to do some modified exercises, in connection with their assessment of your ability to move your neck and your physical condition, so that you can resume your activities.
Have questions? Call us at 1 855 743-9872 or write to us at informationsweb@physioextra.ca. Our team will guide you to the right professional.
