Essential Things To Note About Neck Pain
Posted on: 18 August 2020
Neck pain can be caused by various things, some of which include poor posture, strenuous work, and injury. Here are some important things you need to know about neck pain to ensure you get the right treatment:
Minor Neck Pain
Minor neck pain can often be solved by home remedies like icing your neck, application of over-the-counter muscle pain-relieving ointment, light massage, or rest.
Such neck pain does not usually last for long; give it at least a day, but depending on its severity, you can still feel some discomfort or distant pain for a few days. What you need to do is repeat the home remedy for a few days until the pain is gone.
Major Neck Pain
Major neck pain is severe and does not go away with home remedies. Other signs that you might have major neck pain are neck pain coupled with headaches, tingling and numbness, pain that gets worse instead of reducing, and experiencing pain that starts from your neck and goes down one or both arms or even legs.
If you experience such symptoms, visit a neck specialist physiotherapist as soon as possible. There could be an underlying serious problem. If you do not have an idea where to locate one, visit your general physician first. He or she might refer you to a qualified and licensed specialist near you.
What Happens When You Visit A Neck Specialist Physiotherapist?
Expect to be asked questions that mainly help the specialist identify the source of your neck pain. They may include questions like whether you were injured, whether you have been carrying out strenuous work when the neck pain started, what you are feeling exactly, and what you have tried to remedy it.
When the neck specialist physiotherapist is satisfied with the answers you give him or her, expect a physical examination, where the specialist may massage or press different areas of your neck or ask you to make various movements. Sometimes, an ultrasound, X-ray, MRI or CT scan can be taken. A blood test is required if you have other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or fever.
Diagnosis And Treatment
After examination, your neck specialist will have a diagnosis to which he or she may recommend the most effective treatment.
Treatment varies based on what is found after the examination. It might include massage, oral and ointment medication, neck collar, injection, chiropractic treatment and in very few circumstances, surgery.
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