Neck Pain Overview in Vacaville

Everyone complains about neck pain at some point in their lives. Poor posture can strain your neck muscles especially when you're hunching over when sitting or leaning over the computer. Osteoarthritis can also become a cause of neck pain in Vacaville.

Neck pain can rarely be a symptom of a more serious problem. Seek medical attention if ever your neck pain comes with numbness or weakness in your arms or hands or when you're experiencing shooting pain into your shoulder or down your arm.

Symptoms of neck pain in Vacaville

These are the signs and symptoms when you have neck pain:

• Headache
• Muscle spasms and tightness
• Decreased ability to move your head
• Pain that worsens when the head is held in one place for long periods

When to see a doctor

Most neck pain can heal on its own with home treatment. If not, you'd better go see your doctor.

You should seek immediate medical attention when your neck pain is caused by an injury like a driving accident or fall.

You should call your doctor if your neck pain:

• Is severe
• Spreads down the arms or legs
• Continues for several days without improvement
• Is accompanied by headache, numbness, tingling or weakness

Common causes

Your neck is flexible and it can support the weight of your head. However, this makes it prone to injuries and conditions that restrict motion and causes pain. The causes of neck pain include the following:

• Injuries: Being involved in read-end auto collisions can cause a whiplash injury. This happens when the head is jerked in a backward and forward movement, which strains the soft tissues of the neck.
• Diseases: Neck pain can be caused by certain diseases such as meningitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or cancer.
• Nerve Compression: Bone spurs or herniated disks in the vertebrae of your neck can pinch the nerves that are branching out from your spinal cord.
• Worn Joints: As you age, your neck joints start wearing down. Osteoarthritis will cause the cartilage between your vertebrae to deteriorate. This will develop bone spurs, which affect joint motion and can cause pain.
• Muscle Strains: When your muscles are overused, it can trigger muscle strains. Even minor movements can already strain your neck muscles.

Preventing neck pain

Poor posture combined with age-related wear and tear is the most common cause of neck pain. To prevent neck pain, make sure to keep your head centered over your spine. You can also incorporate some healthy daily routines to further help it. Try to consider doing the following:

• Quit smoking: Smoking can put you at high risk for neck pain.
• Avoid tucking your phone: When you're talking on the phone, don't tuck it between your ear and shoulder. You should opt for a headset or speakerphone instead.
• Take frequent breaks: If you're traveling long distances or working long hours in front of the computer, don't forget to get up, move around and stretch your neck and shoulders. This will help ease the tension in those areas.
• Use proper posture: When standing and sitting, make sure that your shoulders are in a straight line over your hips. Your ears should be directly over your shoulders.
• Avoid carrying heavy bags over your shoulder: This will make the weight put a strain on your neck.
• Adjust your desk, chair, and computer: Your monitor should be at eye level. Knees must be slightly lower than the hips and remember to use your chair's armrests.
• Sleep in a good position: Align your head and neck with your body then put a small pillow under your neck. Sleep on your back and elevate your thighs using pillows. This will help flatten your spinal muscles.