Chiropractor In Ashland KY, Severe Neck Pain: What You Need to Know

Neck pain is uncomfortable and inconvenient. Severe neck pain can be debilitating, and indicate serious health problems. If you're suffering from severe neck pain, read on to learn about symptoms, causes, and diagnosis.

Symptoms of Neck Pain

Besides pain, you may experience these symptoms:
"    Weakness. You may be unable or unwilling to move your neck or shoulder because of pain. However, there may be a more serious issue, such as muscle or nerve damage.
"    Coolness. If your neck or shoulder feels chilled, there may be blockage in a vein or artery. A blockage will prevent blood from flowing in the area. You may also feel this sensation in one of your arms or hands.
"    Numbness. You may experience a loss of feeling in your neck, hand or arm. You may also have the tingling sensation that's referred to as your arm "falling asleep." This can indicate a pinched nerve or other nerve damage such as a bruise or cut.
"    Other symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, dizziness, or color changes in the painful area.

If the severity of your neck pain prevents you from touching your chin to your chest after several days, call your doctor.

If your symptoms are limited to discomfort and stiffness, you may have a minor and temporary condition. Refer to the article titled Minor Neck Pain: What It Is and What You Can Do.

Causes of Neck Pain

Because the neck is so flexible, pain can be caused by a variety of factors such as injury and illness. Here are some of the primary causes.

"    Injuries. Whiplash, which results from the head being jerked forward and back, can occur in car collisions and sports. The soft tissues of the neck (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) are stretched too far and too quickly.
"    Disk disorders. The vertebral disks that cushion the bones in your neck can dry out and stiffen with age. They can also become injured and bulge out from between the bones. Pressure on the nerves in these areas can result in pain.
"    Inflammatory disease. Rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammation of the joints, can cause severe stiffness and pain in your neck.

Other causes can include infections, tumors, rotator cuff injuries in the shoulder, and even gall bladder disease. These causes are much rarer, but no less painful.

Diagnosis of Neck and Back Pain

Your doctor can often diagnose the specific cause of your neck pain simply by asking you questions and testing your neck for tenderness in the initial interview. In addition, you may be examined using one or more diagnostic tests. These include X-rays, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test (MRI), or computerized tomography (CT) scans.

Severe neck pain can make your life miserable. It may also be a signal that you're facing more serious health issues. The good news is that a variety of methods are available for accurately diagnosing the cause of your neck pain. Make an appointment with your doctor if the pain persists. You'll be glad you did.

For information about treatment and follow-up for severe neck pain, refer to the article titled Severe Neck Pain: What You Must Do.