Cervicalgia

Synonyms for neck pain

• Mechanical neck pain
• Non-specific neck pain

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What is neck pain?

Neck pain is a general term used to describe pain in the neck that doesn't have a specific cause, such as an accident or sudden movement. Therefore, neck pain is synonymous with "my neck hurts and nothing in particular happened."

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What are the symptoms of neck pain?

The general symptoms are:

• Pain only in the neck that appears gradually
• Stiffness or increased pain with neck movements

In general, there are two types of neck pain:

• Neck pain with symptoms when bending forward (head tilted forward)
• Neck pain with symptoms when extending (head tilted backward)

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Here are the positions or movements that increase pain depending on the type of neck pain:

For neck pain with symptoms when bending forward, the pain is increased by one or more of the following:

• Bending your head down
• Reading a book
• Looking at a cell phone or tablet for a long time
• Standing and cooking with your head bent, like when cutting vegetables
• Washing dishes
• Doing a puzzle

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For neck pain with symptoms when extending, the pain is increased by one or more of the following:

• Driving for a long time
• Being at the computer for a long time
• Watching television for a long time
• Looking up
• Doing a task in the air (painting, putting away dishes high up)

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"It's possible to experience both types of neck pain simultaneously, leading to symptoms from both categories. However, one category is often more severe."

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What are the serious symptoms of neck pain?

The presence of certain signs and symptoms should prompt you to seek immediate medical attention at the emergency room or from a doctor. These include:

• Severe weakness or paralysis in one or both arms
• Significant or even complete loss of sensation in one or both arms
• Recent loss of balance when walking
• New incoordination of the arms or hands
• New difficulties with bladder or bowel control
• Loss of sensation in the genital area or when wiping after a bowel movement

Serious symptoms are only present in less than 1% of cases. Most of the time, although the pain can be very unpleasant, the condition resolves well.

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What are the causes of neck pain?

The causes of neck pain vary from person to person. Here are some possible causes:

• Overloading the neck more than usual. For example:
  
  • Doing spring or fall cleaning
  • Gardening with your head tilted for an entire weekend
  • Driving for 10 hours in a single day
  • Painting for an entire weekend
• Decreased level of physical activity (if you've become less active than before, you may develop neck pain)
• A new job, sport, or activity that works your neck in a new way. For example:
  
  • Changing workstations
  • Starting a new job that requires more time at the computer than before

How is neck pain diagnosed?

Diagnosis is made based on a review of your symptoms and a clinical examination.

“It is important to know that medical imaging (X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, etc.) is not relevant in 99% of neck pain cases.”

This means that in 99% of cases, the results of these tests do not change the treatment plan at all.

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When should you consult a physiotherapist for neck pain?

You should consult a physiotherapist if you have symptoms as described above or if your doctor has already ruled out any other cause that may be responsible for your pain.

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You do not need to see a doctor before consulting a physiotherapist. If your condition requires you to see a doctor, your physiotherapist will be able to tell you.

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What physiotherapy treatments are available for neck pain?

Your physiotherapist will perform an assessment to determine the cause of your neck pain. To do this, they will evaluate the following elements:

• Your joint mobility
• The gliding of your nerves
• Your postural habits
• The quality of your movements
• Your strength and stability

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Based on the assessment results, your physiotherapist will:

• Mobilize the joints in your neck and nerves to reduce pain and improve movement
• Provide you with specific exercises to do at home to address the cause of the problem
• Teach you how to properly manage your daily activities and hobbies to optimize healing
• Give you advice for your postural habits and movements

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What to do at home for neck pain?

Temporarily stop doing the movements that cause too much pain, and then gradually start doing them again. Don't remain completely still for long periods, as you will become stiffer and experience more pain afterward.

Here are some tips that may help depending on the type of neck pain:

For neck pain with symptoms when bending the neck forward:

• Limit the time spent with your head bent down.
• When reading or using your phone or tablet, place cushions on your lap and position the device at eye level.
• Support your elbows on armrests or cushions when sitting to slightly raise your shoulders.
• When the pain becomes too intense, lie on your back with your neck well supported until the pain decreases. This should help.
• Rest your head against a cushion on the wall when you are sitting.
• Avoid cracking your neck.
• Make sure your neck is well supported while sleeping with a pillow that fills the curve of your neck. Ensure that your neck is not completely bent towards your chest while sleeping (for example, do not sleep on your back with a thick pillow).

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For neck pain with symptoms when extending the neck:

• Limit the time spent on the computer and driving if it increases the pain.
• Support your elbows on armrests or cushions when sitting to slightly raise your shoulders.
• When the pain becomes too intense, lie on your back with your neck well supported until the pain decreases. This should help.
• When the pain increases, slightly lower your nose to look down. This position should help. Do NOT pull your chin back to make a double chin, as this may irritate it.
• Rest your head against a cushion on the wall when you are sitting.
• Avoid cracking your neck.
• Make sure your neck is well supported while sleeping with a pillow that fills the curve of your neck. Ensure that your neck is not completely bent backwards while sleeping (for example, do not sleep on your stomach or on your back without a pillow).

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If you don't see any improvement after 10 days, you should consult a physiotherapist.

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