Neck pain is a common symptom, especially in conditions related to pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. It is often found in office workers or people who have to sit and work in front of a computer screen for long periods. If left untreated, the symptoms may become chronic and worsen, affecting quality of life and work performance.
Neck, shoulder, and upper back pain can be divided into 3 main groups:
- General symptoms group usually related to the muscular and tendon system (accounting for 80%). It is caused by muscle fatigue from prolonged continuous use.
- Nerve compression symptoms group is less common but more severe, with intense pain, stiffness, radiating pain down the arm, or numbness.
- Spinal cord compression symptoms are the most severe but very rare (1-2%).
Causes of pain are divided into 2 main groups according to symptom characteristics
- Acute pain or muscle strain and sprain, commonly caused by sleeping with improper pillow support. Symptoms include muscle tightness, stiffness, and difficulty turning the neck.
- Subacute or chronic pain refers to patients with a history of neck pain or muscle pain. Symptoms occur intermittently and can be triggered by prolonged heavy muscle use. Insufficient muscle strength can cause recurrence. This is common among office workers.
Treatment guidelines for neck, shoulder, and upper back pain or office syndrome
- Group with warning signs or acute group such as nerve compression symptoms, history of trauma, underlying diseases like cancer, musculoskeletal diseases, and in children or elderly patients whose symptoms differ from the general population. They require detailed medical examination to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
- Group without warning signs treatment is divided into 2 methods:
- Acute pain group such as muscle strain or sprain, treated with appropriate rest combined with medication, physical therapy, or acupuncture.
- Supportive treatment for general mild pain symptoms, treated symptomatically such as behavioral modification. However, if symptoms do not improve or become chronic for more than 6 weeks, doctors may consider additional tests such as cervical spine X-rays to check for degeneration, displacement, or disc collapse.
- Chronic patients or those who do not respond to conventional treatment require physical therapy to reduce pain and strengthen muscles, such as exercise programs, physical therapy devices like heat packs, shock wave therapy, laser therapy, or core muscle exercises. Importantly, after pain relief, continuous treatment is necessary to prevent recurrence.
Prevent neck, shoulder, and upper back pain with these methods
- Modify lifestyle behaviors such as adjusting sleeping posture, walking, and sitting posture appropriately.
- Adjust the suitability of the workplace, such as having a desk and chair with backrest and armrests, or proper working posture.
- Appropriate exercise includes neck muscle stretching to strengthen the neck, shoulder, and upper back muscles and increase muscle endurance through regular exercise such as running or swimming.
Additionally, stress is another factor that promotes persistent pain symptoms. Emotional and psychological treatment may be required alongside physical treatment.
