Neck consists of 7 cervical vertebrae arranged in a row, intervertebral discs, ligaments between the bones, nerves, and muscles. Neck pain is a common symptom found in all genders and ages, especially among people who work in daily routines and jobs that involve a lot of neck movement. This can cause neck pain, particularly for those who work in offices or at desks, mostly in front of computer screens, typing continuously for many hours, and sitting in the same position for a long time. If not properly cared for and managed, the neck pain can worsen.
The characteristics of neck pain that often lead patients to see a doctor include intermittent pain or chronic pain. If the pain originates from muscles, it usually does not cause significant problems. However, if the pain is severe due to degeneration of the cervical intervertebral discs that compress the nerves or spinal cord, this type of pain is considered dangerous.
4 Main Causes of Neck Pain
- Cervical spine degeneration due to aging and heavy use in certain occupations
- Injuries to the neck area, such as fractured cervical vertebrae, herniated discs, inflammation of ligaments and muscles around the joints
- Inflammation in patients with joint diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Poor posture habits, such as sleeping in the wrong position, frequently bending the neck up and down during work, overusing neck muscles, or driving for long periods
Symptoms
- Dull pain in the head or back of the head
- Neck pain may be accompanied by radiating pain down the shoulders, arms, and shoulder blades
- Numbness in the arms or fingers, and possibly muscle weakness in the arms
- Reduced neck mobility with associated pain
- Sometimes tenderness in the neck and shoulder muscles
What to Do When Experiencing Neck Pain
- Medication to reduce inflammation and relieve pain
- Physical therapy combined with medication
- Applying heat or cold compresses to the painful neck muscles
- Treatment using deep heat devices such as Ultrasound, Shortwave Diathermy
- Neck traction to reduce nerve compression and relieve neck muscle spasms
- Proper neck exercises suitable for the condition to strengthen neck muscles
Self-Care to Prevent Neck Pain
- Do not use a pillow that is too high
- Do not shake the neck forcefully to relieve stiffness
- Do not tense the neck by working in one position for too long
- Arrange work equipment such as desks, chairs, and computers to suit the worker’s body shape, ensuring they are neither too high nor too low
