Pretty much everyone experiences neck pain at some point. Perhaps you slept wrong or looked at your phone for too long. But how do you know when it’s average neck pain or more serious?
The providers at all three locations of Apex Medical Center distinguish between acute and chronic pain. Acute pain is temporary and goes away within about six weeks, while chronic pain is ongoing for a longer time. Neck pain can fall into either category.
Let’s take a look at the anatomy of your neck. Your neck is the top portion of your spine and consists of the cervical vertebrae. Your spinal cord runs through the center of those vertebrae.
On the front of your neck, you have a larynx or voice box that protects your vocal cords. These cords allow you to speak, adjust your volume, and change the pitch of your voice.
The area where your mouth and nasal cavity meet is called the pharynx, which divides into your trachea and esophagus. Your trachea carries air to your lungs, and your esophagus carries food to your stomach.
Four main groups of muscles support your neck, which allows you to turn your head, nod, and even swallow. The average human head weighs about eight pounds, and your neck muscles help support that weight.
All of these different parts of your neck show what a complex structure it really is and how important a healthy neck is for everything from eating and breathing to being able to look around and even walk comfortably.
Neck pain can be related to any of the structures of your neck. A sore throat is technically neck pain, for example. Most of the time, though, when we talk about neck pain, we’re talking about pain that originates in the vertebrae or muscles that support your neck.
One common type of neck pain is cervicalgia, which is usually related to poor posture, bad sleeping habits, or carrying a heavy bag or backpack. Another relatively common reason people have neck pain is spinal stenosis, which is when the channel that houses the spinal cord becomes narrower due to inflammation or arthritis.
It’s also possible to have neck pain due to a traumatic injury, such as whiplash. Often, people who have whiplash don’t know it right away, so if you’ve been in a car accident, had a fall, or been injured in some other way, it’s a good idea to see a doctor soon after rather than waiting.
Because the neck is a complex part of the body and there are so many possible underlying causes of neck pain, it’s important to have it assessed by a qualified healthcare professional. Your age, lifestyle and many other factors may contribute to your pain.
Most of the time, neck pain resolves with rest and an over-the-counter pain reliever. However, if your pain is severe, lasts more than a day or two, or continues to worsen even if you’re applying ice, resting and taking medication, schedule an appointment at the most convenient location of Apex Medical Center.
