Sudden neck pain: a common condition

A sudden episode of neck pain can be quite common. Most of the time, neck pain is not due to a serious disease or neck problem. The exact cause for the pain is not clear, but in most cases it is due to bad posture or minor sprains. The treatment of neck pain often includes anti-inflammatory medication and pain relievers. If the pain is persistent (chronic) further diagnosis and treatment may be needed. Some of the risk factors associated with neck pain include: poor workplace design, bad neck postures, neck flexion, arm posture, duration of sitting, twisting or bending of the body, hand or arm vibration; excessive use of pillows; and some psychosocial factors, such as excessive concerns about the neck pain, disabling sickness behavior, unlikely expectations of treatment, work or family problems. Neck pain can result from different causes, such as: (1) Strains from overexertion(2) Worn joints due to aging(3) Injuries, for example due to rear-end collisions, shaking the head back and forward(4) Pinched or compressed nerves (5) Diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer. ...

Alternative treatments for neck pain should be discussed in detail with your doctor. These may include:

(1) Acupuncture (the insertion of thin needles into various points of the body). Studies have found that acupuncture may be helpful for some types of pain.

(2) Massages of the muscles in the neck . Massages may provide relief when combined with your doctor's recommended treatments.

(3) Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation involve electrodes placed on the skin near the painful areas, which deliver tiny electrical impulses that may relieve pain. ...