Maybe the muscles in your neck go into excruciating spasms for seemingly no reason at all.
Well if so, you are not alone.
Neck pain is a common complaint among many patients.
In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 15% of all American adults will experience some form of neck pain within a three-month period.
Since this painful experience is likely to strike at some point in your life, it is important to have a basic understanding of what neck pain is, what causes it, and which treatment options are available.
What is Neck Pain?
Neck pain is pain that can occur anywhere in your neck. It can span from the bottom of your head to the tops of your shoulders. It can also reach your upper back and arms if serious enough.
Luckily, most bouts of neck pain are not due to a serious disease or injury. For example, most cases can be traced back to a minor sprain or poor posture. However, some neck pain can have longer lasting effects on your health.
Before we discuss what causes neck pain and how to treat it, let’s first look at the anatomy of the neck.
Understanding the Neck
Vertebrae, muscles, and ligaments make up the back of your neck and extend all the way down your spine. More specifically though, your cervical spine starts at the base of your skull and includes the first seven vertebrae (or bones).
The first two vertebrae attach your spine to your skull and allow your head to turn from side to side.
The other five vertebrae follow the length of your spine and add extra support for holding your head up and keeping your posture straight.
In between each vertebrae is a disc. Each disc has a fibrous outer layer and a soft gel inner layer. Acting like spongy shock absorbers, these discs are what give your spine the flexibility to move around freely.
Contact us today and see how Complete Pain Care can treat your neck pain using advanced techniques and holistic approaches.