When you have
injured your neck, the only thought you most likely will have is: When will I
receive neck pain relief? Spinal pain can be an excruciating experience. With
different causes and varying degrees of pain, it can be a delicate position in
which you find yourself. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to
alleviate the pain and possibly eradicate the problem. Take a look at the
following things you should know about your situation:
Causes and Types of
Neck Pain
As you are most
likely aware, there are multiple types of pains associated with the neck. To
achieve neck pain relief, you must first find the source of the pain. First,
and always foremost, contact a medical professional, such as your doctor, for a
formal diagnosis.
Discs
The spine is
comprised of vertebrae, or small bones, and in between each vertebra is a disc.
A disc is a sponge like material that provides support and flexibility to the
spine. It can be extremely painful when a disc "slips" or moves.
Problems with discs can cause numerous different types of pain, and until the
discs are set back into place, the sufferer will not experience neck pain
relief.
Nerves
Just as there are
thousands of nerves throughout the body, the spine and neck contain hundreds of
sensitive nerves. When these nerves become lodged between discs, they often
create a painful sensation. These are sometimes known as pinched nerves.
Sleep Position and
Poor Posture
Injury to the neck
can occur from a number of different sources. One of the most common origin of
the pain comes from sleeping in a poor position. While this may seem like a
simple fix, improper sleep positions can cause difficulties. It is not always
easy to fix a bad sleep position. Likewise, poor posture can cause undue
pressure to the neck, causing hurt to the person.
Injury
Another common
source of pain is injury. Whether you have been in a car wreck, experienced a
sports-related injury, or have had a recent fall, the neck is vulnerable to
both direct and indirect impact. Always check with a doctor if you have
experienced some fall or hit to your body and have neck pain afterward.
Solutions
Thankfully, neck
pain relief is attainable if you seek the proper treatment. Because a popular
source for the problem lies in the alignment of the spine, including the
position and placement of the discs and nerves, osteopathic manipulation is a
great option for a lot of patients.
Osteopathic therapy
involves the manipulation of the musculoskeletal system, which includes the
muscles, bones and nerves of the body. Doctors of Osteopathy, or D.O., have had
great success in treating injuries to the spine. Osteopathic physicians are
certified medical doctors who are licensed to prescribe medications and
practice medicine, as well as surgery, like other physicians. Yet, these
doctors take a more holistic approach, viewing an injury in its totality.
Other options
include physical therapy and as a last resort, surgery. If there is ever any
doubt, consult a trusted physician for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
