Neck pain: how to treat it?

Over 46% of French people complain of neck pain. In France, neck pain is a frequent reason for consulting a general practitioner or a specialist such as an osteopath.

Do you often suffer from neck pain? Find out how to treat your neck pain.

How do you explain neck pain?

Neck pain refers to stiffness or pain of varying intensity in the cervical region. We call it "cervicalgia".

What is neck pain?

Cervicalgia is both a muscular and skeletal disorder. Although it can sometimes be incapacitating, it is a fairly common disorder. According to the French Chiropractic Association, it affects almost 50% of adults.

What are the symptoms? Neck pain is easy to recognize. They manifest themselves as pain in the back of the neck. They are often accompanied by muscular tension in the shoulders, upper back and arms. You may have difficulty moving your head due to stiffness.

In addition to pain, neck pain sufferers may experience headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears and blurred vision.

The significance of neck pain

The vast majority of neck pains are trivial and do not conceal anything serious. Your cervical spine hurts for a variety of reasons: poor work posture, sudden neck movements, too much time behind the wheel, in front of a computer or sleeping in an awkward position.

Pain in the cervical vertebrae can also be a sign of great anxiety. It's not surprising that they occur when you're stressed.

Neck pain usually disappears after one or two weeks. If it persists, it's best to consult a medical professional. This is essential, if only to rule out possible neurological problems or trauma.

Neck pain: possible causes

Cervicalgia can have several causes. Among others, it can be caused by age-related degeneration of the neck's mechanical structures, but also by excessive strain on the cervical vertebrae.

Torticollis

Torticollis is the most common cause of neck pain. It is caused by muscular contracture due to poor posture or the use of an unsuitable pillow during sleep.

Whiplash

Neck pain can be caused by whiplash. It is often caused by neck movements that are too sudden or too violent, resulting in :

• Either overstretching or tearing of ligaments;
• Or neuralgia, i.e. compression of a nerve.

Diseases

In rare cases, neck pain can be linked to illnesses such as meningitis, rheumatoid arthritis, herniated discs, inflammation, infection or cancer.

The right gestures to soothe a sore neck

To prevent and relieve neck pain, you can adopt new habits at work:

• Limit inappropriate postures by taking regular breaks (at the wheel, at work, etc.);
• Avoid stressful situations;
• Wear a cervical collar or neck brace if pain becomes severe.

When it's time to sleep, the risk of developing a stiff neck is high. That's why you need to :

• Adopt a good sleeping position;
• Use an ergonomic pillow;
• Use a memory foam mattress.

Good to know:

A few stretching exercises and message sessions may be all that's needed to treat neck pain. Some doctors may resort to surgery, but only if they fear pinching between the vertebral discs. In which case, he will order additional tests such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI to confirm his diagnosis.

Advanced methods to relieve neck pain

Neck pain is a common infection with few complications. There are several remedies available to relieve and treat your neck pain:

• The application of heat to release muscular tension and improve vascularization;
• Stretching and relaxation exercises;
• Massage painful areas with essential oils.

Drug treatments

Unless caused by underlying health problems, neck pain requires no special treatment. Most of the time, analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are enough to relieve the pain.

Targeted therapies

In addition to medication, doctors may prescribe rehabilitation sessions with specific healthcare professionals: osteopaths, chiropractors or physiotherapists. Physiotherapy has also proved its worth in the treatment of cervical and lumbar pain.

If the pain persists, you have the option of an enhanced teleconsultation with a general practitioner online and without an appointment. He or she will be able to make a medical diagnosis and give you personalized advice on how to treat your neck pain.

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