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in your neck.
Other medical conditions can also be
responsible, like: ankylosing spondyli- tis, an inflammatory disease that can cause some vertebrae to fuse together, leading to a permanent, hunched-for- ward posture; meningitis, a serious in- flammation of the membranes (menin- ges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord, causing a stiff neck, along with headache and fever; tension headache, leading to tense neck muscles and stiff- ness; and/or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder, where the joint connect- ing the jaw to the skull becomes dis- placed.
Usually, neck pain caused by muscle tension or strain doesn’t require much treatment and will resolve itself within a few days. However, when the pain lasts longer than a few weeks, try some self- care activities like applying cold/heat, stretching, massage, and/or exercising for relief.
To use cold or heat, apply an ice pack (or bag of frozen vegetables) to your neck for 15 minutes, three or more times a day to reduce the blood flow and swell- ing. Alternatively, take a daily hot show- er or bath to relax the muscles.
For stretching, gently stretch your neck muscles by nodding your head up and down and turning your head from side to side.
When massaging, lightly knead the tender neck areas to help reduce muscle spasm. Take every opportunity to be ac- tive and exercise, by shifting positions, getting out of your rig, stretching and walking. As well, maintain a proper sit- ting posture by adjusting your seat posi- tion and using an appropriate back sup- port. No matter how painful, neck pain is very rarely a symptom of something serious.
However, seek medical care if your pain gets worse in spite of your self-care or persists after several weeks of self- care; if your neck pain corresponds with numbness or weakness in your arms or hands; if you also have pain shooting into your shoulder and down your arm; if you have weakness in your legs and have trouble walking; if you also have a headache, high fever and numbness or tingling in your hands or feet; and/or if your pain was caused by a fall, an acci- dent, or a heavy object landing on your head.
When a doctor’s care is required, your treatment plan may include a pre- scribed pain medicine and/or muscle relaxants; physical therapy to reinforce correct posture and alignment, neck strengthening exercises to avoid further injury; TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) to deliver tiny elec- trical impulses through the skin that re- lieve pain; traction to gently stretch your neck with weights, pulleys and/or an air bladder and relieve pain; and/or limited immobilization with a soft neck-collar brace to support the neck and reduce the pressure on your neck’s internal structures.
Your doctor may also recommend corticosteroid or lidocaine injections to reduce pain; surgery to relieve spi- nal cord or nerve root compression; OTC (over-the-counter) pain relief like naproxen sodium (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.), and acetamino- phen (Tylenol, etc.); acupuncture; mas- sage therapy; and/or, chiropractic care.
Be sure to remain healthy. Avoid in- juries, stay active, maintain proper pos- ture, and follow a healthy diet. Why risk your neck?
Karen Bowen is a professional health and nutrition consultant, and she can be reached at karen_bowen@yahoo.com.
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