Neck Pain

What is Persistent Neck Pain?

Persistent neck pain refers to chronic discomfort in the cervical region, often lasting for weeks or months. This type of pain can hinder your ability to perform daily activities and reduce overall well-being. Mr. Irfan Malik aim to offer personalized and comprehensive care to help manage your neck pain effectively.

Symptoms

Neck pain can present in various ways and affect people of all ages. Symptoms may include:

• Stiffness: A feeling of tightness or difficulty moving the neck, especially after waking up or following extended periods of inactivity.
• Sharp or aching pain: Discomfort may vary from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing sensations, which may be localized or radiating.
• Limited range of motion: You may find it hard to turn your head side to side, tilt, or rotate your neck.
• Headaches: Neck pain may be associated with tension headaches or migraines that begin at the base of the skull.
• Muscle spasms: Involuntary tightening or twitching of the muscles surrounding the neck area.
• Pain that worsens with certain movements: Activities like looking down, lifting, or sitting in one position for extended periods can aggravate the pain.

When to See a Consultant

It’s important to consult a healthcare professional if you experience any of the following:

• Severe neck pain that persists for several days without relief, even after trying self-care treatments such as rest or over-the-counter medication.
• Radiating pain or numbness: If the pain travels down into your shoulders, arms, or fingers, or you experience numbness or tingling, it could indicate nerve involvement.
• Weakness in your arms or hands: Any loss of strength or motor function in the upper limbs requires immediate medical evaluation.
• Neck pain following an injury or trauma: If you've experienced a fall, accident, or any trauma that leads to neck pain, seek prompt medical attention.
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing: This could signal a more serious underlying condition requiring urgent care.
• Headaches associated with neck pain: If the pain leads to severe headaches, especially if combined with vision problems or other neurological symptoms, it's crucial to get evaluated.

Causes of Persistent Neck Pain

The causes of neck pain can be varied, including:

• Muscle strains: Overuse, such as long periods of working at a desk without changing position, poor posture, or sleeping in an awkward position.
• Worn joints: Like other joints in your body, neck joints tend to wear down with age, leading to osteoarthritis.
• Nerve compression: Herniated discs or bone spurs in the vertebrae can press on the nerves branching out from the spinal cord.
• Injuries: Whiplash or other traumatic injuries can strain the soft tissues in the neck.
• Diseases: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, or cancer can also cause neck pain.
• Poor posture: Frequently bending over smartphones, tablets, or computers (commonly known as "tech neck") can strain neck muscles over time.