The idiom “pain in the neck” is used to describe a person or situation that is bothersome or annoying. This is not so humorous when one actually has Neck Pain in Clarksville TN. Because of its structure, the human neck is very susceptible to injury. Injuries can occur due to numerous factors, conditions, or diseases, ranging from temporary to permanent damage.
The neck is made up of several vertebrae stretching from the skull’s base to the upper torso. Providing stability to the spine are the muscles and ligaments. The ligaments and muscles allow for the neck’s range of motion and also supports the head, which weighs an average of ten pounds.
The neck’s range of motion and that it is the least protected part of the spine are reasons for its susceptibility to injury. Many injuries cause a great deal of pain and inhibit or reduce motion. Common causes of Neck Pain in Clarksville TN include:
- Soft-Tissue Injury -; A major cause of neck pains are soft-tissue injuries such as sprains and strains from acute injury or from chronic wear and tear. These injuries may involve the ligaments, muscles, or nerves. Less commonly, infections or tumors, cause neck pain.
- Spondylosis -; Cervical Disk Degeneration is when the gel-like center or cushion of the disk between the vertebrae begins to deteriorate, reducing the area between the vertebrae. The condition can be very painful, limiting mobility and range of motion. The condition is typically seen in individuals over the age of 40. On occasion, one of the disks may protrude putting pressure on the nerve or spinal cord, resulting in a condition referred to as a herniated disk.
Due to its flexibility, the neck is easily injured in contact sports, automobile accidents, and falls. Any of which can cause the neck to hyperextend (backward motion beyond normal range), or to hyperflex (forward motion beyond normal range), affecting the ligaments and muscles. Severe injury may result in fractures or dislocation of the neck, possibly injuring the spinal cord and causing paralysis.
One should if they experience neck pain after an injury, or pain that is continuous, radiates down the arms, or occurs with numbness, tingling, or headaches. Treatments depend on the cause of the pain and range from rest, heat or cold packs, wearing a neck collar to limit movement, physical therapy, cortisone shots, muscle relaxants, to surgery.
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