The neck does more than facilitate head movement. It also houses your spinal cord which sends messages from the brain to all other parts of the body. When you suffer from neck pain, however, a variety of essential functions can become quite arduous. Fortunately, iSpine Clinics, a Twin Cities-based provider specializing in neck and back pain management and rehabilitation, can help you manage your discomfort and go about your daily life.
Before our team of experts create a treatment plan, we must first examine your symptoms and identify the source of your neck pain. The three most common causes of neck pain include:
- Poor Posture: Humans have an innate sense of proprioception, meaning you are subconsciously aware of your body’s position in space. Next time you’re sitting in an office chair, try instead to make it conscious. Take note of how you’re positioning your neck. Slouching puts undue stress on this area, causing neck pain. iSpine’s specialists also recommend doing stretching or yoga at the end of the work day to not only improve your posture but also support chronic pain relief and help ensure you get a good night’s sleep.
- Sudden Injury: Next to everyday wear and tear, injuries are the second most common cause of neck pain. Anything from a car accident to overexertion can damage the bones, nerves, muscles or ligaments in your neck. When it comes to proper recovery, early intervention is ideal. If you’ve recently been injured, contact your primary care physician or iSpine’s neck and back pain management specialists as soon as possible.
- Medical Conditions: Chronic neck pain doesn’t always result from a specific injury. Sometimes it’s a symptom of an over-arching, often pre-existing condition. Fibromyalgia, for example, causes widespread discomfort in the neck as well as the back, shoulders, and hips. Though rare, neck pain can also be a sign of meningitis.
Once you understand the cause of your neck pain, you’ll be one step closer to attaining chronic pain relief. Call iSpine Clinics at (763) 201-8191 today to schedule an appointment with one of their specialists.
Originally posted November 15, 2016, updated September 2022