Neck pain

One in two people experience neck pain at least once in their lives, and one in three people experience it at least once a year. Neck pain is not a disease but rather a symptom. A stiff neck is often accompanied by other symptoms. In addition to neck pain, patients may suffer from limitation in neck movements, head pressure and sometimes headaches, visual disturbances, dizziness, and tinnitus. Fatigue, nausea, and vomiting are also possible accompanying symptoms. Pinched nerves can also lead to numbness or short-term tingling in the arms. The pain may intensify at night.

Causes of neck pain

A stiff and painful neck is often the result of muscle tension in the neck, back or shoulders. This tension can be caused by sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time, sleeping in the wrong position, activities that involve bending the head backwards (e.g., painting a ceiling) or certain sports (e.g., swimming). The muscles are overloaded by the unnatural position, causing them to harden and shorten. Other causes of neck pain can be even minor injuries, for example as a result of a fall or after minor whiplash injuries. Some diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system can also be the trigger. These include, for example, herniated discs, disc protrusions, disc degeneration, vertebral joint arthrosis or spondylosis. Neck pain often causes people to adopt a protective posture, which puts additional strain on the back muscles and cervical spine.

Treatment and prevention of neck pain

If you have neck pain and you are wondering which doctor is the right one to see? Since neck pain can be a sign of spinal disorders, it is advisable to consult a specialist. They can identify or rule out serious causes and initiate appropriate treatment. Treatment ranges from painkillers and physiotherapy to electrical and ultrasound treatments and (micro)surgical procedures. The therapy will, of course, depend on the specific diagnosis. If the neck pain is the result of muscle tension, the therapy usually includes painkillers, physiotherapy and sometimes in jections. For more serious conditions, operations such as disc replacement, thermodenervation or percutaneous nucleotomy may be necessary.

Whether you have never had neck pain before or are recovering from treatment, you can do your neck a favour and prevent (recurring) pain with the right measures.

• Good mattress and sleeping position
• Reduce stress
• Upright posture
• Avoid typical ‘mobile phone posture’
• Use spine friendly work stations (Table and chair).