5 ways to treat neck to shoulder pain or cervical Radiculopathy

Neck pain is becoming more and more common now a days. It is due to sitting in front of the computer for long hours. Now a days with mobile use is also increasing neck pain is becoming more and more prevalent.

Neck pain is seen between 18 years to 60 years of age.

Why I am having neck pain?

Neck muscles has unique duty. Keep head in position all day. So you can understand that neck muscles has to work hard. It can cause fatigue in muscles. It causes neck pain. Our neck is made up of small bones which have disc in between to work as shock absorber. When there is continuous neck pain, these disc can come out of their place and can compress nerves of shoulder and hand. It causes sharp electric like pain or tingling pain in neck to shoulder. It is called radiculopathy. Some time patient may complain of giddiness.

What is cervical spondylitis ?

Neck bones is called cervical spine in medical language. When there is disc prolapse in neck bones it is called cervical spondylitis. There are two part in this problem.

1. neck pain
2. shoulder and hand pain

Neck pain is due to muscles fatigue and it is not a serious issue. But when pain starts coming in shoulder and hand than it is called radiculopathy. It is sharp electric like pain and it need early treatment and should not be ignored.

which X ray or MRI needed for neck pain or cervical problem?

Your doctor will ask to get neck x ray to see if there is bone changes in neck. Some time if pain is going in hand than MRI is done to see how much disc prolapse is there. Long standing neck pain should also be checked with MRI.

5 points to treat neck pain with out medicines

1. Avoid keeping neck in same position for long hours. Take break
2. Neck muscle strengthening exercises should be done regularly.
3. Avoid using very big or small pillow. Use bed sheet role or small pillow.
4. Avoid use of computers or mobile for long hours.
5. Hot water fomentation can be used.

what to do if exercises are not working?

Doctor can prescribe you muscle relaxant tablet for immediate relief. It take one month to two month for complete relief. Some time when pain is very bad then you may need surgery. Although it is very rare. Surgery is only done when all other options are not working.

Conclusion

1. Neck pain is lifestyle problem.
2. Exercises can help most of the time.
3. less use of computer or mobile is helpful.
4. Muscle relaxant tablets and hot water bag are useful.
5. MRI is needed to check disc prolapse.
6. surgery is last option.