Neck Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Pain Relief
Short term neck pain is common, experienced by two out of three people at some point in their lives. Read on to find out what causes neck pain, its symptoms and neck muscle pain relief options available, including Naprosyn® Pain Relief.
Always consult a healthcare professional if you are worried about pain you are experiencing.
What causes neck pain?
It’s rare for neck pain to be caused by a serious problem. Many people experience non-specific neck pain, where the exact cause of the pain isn’t known. This kind of pain could be due to minor strains and sprains to neck muscles and ligaments.
There are a number of factors that can contribute towards non-specific neck pain, including:
- bad posture, often when bent forward at a desk all day
- the neck becoming locked in an awkward position when sleeping
- a pinched nerve
- muscle tension
- repetitive strained movements at work or hobbies.
Alternatively, you may have neck pain due to a particular cause, such as:
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You may experience a whiplash neck strain after a road traffic accident. This happens when your neck is suddenly rotated or jolted forwards and backwards, causing neck muscles and ligaments to stretch more than usual.
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Acute torticollis is the shortening of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle in the neck, which causes the chin to turn toward the opposite side and it becomes painful to move the head into a straight position. The pain from this usually eases within a few days.
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Also called a prolapsed disc, this is when the inner softer area of the disc in the neck bulges through the harder part, pressing on the nerve as it comes out of the vertebra.
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Older people may experience persistent pain in the neck due to the wear and tear of the vertebrae and the discs between the vertebrae.
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Cervical radiculopathy is a condition that occurs when the root of a nerve is pressed on or damaged when it emerges from the spinal cord in the neck region. Along with pain, there may be symptoms of numbness in the parts of the arm supplied by the nerve.
There are other more serious causes of neck pain, though these are rare. They include rheumatoid arthritis, bone disorders, cancers, infections and serious injuries.
What are the symptoms of neck pain?
Symptoms of neck pain may include:
- Stiffness - you may find movement in your neck is restricted or painful
- Pins and needles - pressure on a nerve may cause numbness or tingling down your arm and to your fingertips
- Clicking - you may hear a clicking sound when you move your head, caused by bony surfaces rubbing against each other or by ligaments moving over bone.
How to relieve neck pain
Neck pain typically only goes away after a few weeks but there are a few things you can do in the meantime to ease the pain. If the pain persists or you’re worried about it, make sure to see your GP for further advice.
Over-the-counter medication
If you’re experiencing pain in your muscles or joints, taking pain relief medication can help to keep you moving. There are a number of options to choose from that don’t require a prescription, such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen and ibuprofen.
Naprosyn® Pain Relief tablets are indicated for short term musculoskeletal conditions, like neck pain, and contain the active ingredient naproxen. For neck pain take two tablets (500 mg) for the initial dose, then one tablet (250 mg) six to eight hours later if needed. Available to buy over the counter, Naprosyn® Pain Relief offers powerful, long-lasting pain relief.
Before you take Naprosyn, tell your pharmacist if you are taking any other painkillers or medication.
Heat or cold packs
For symptomatic relief, it can be helpful to put a heat or cold pack on your neck. Make sure to use a layer of protection, like a towel, so there’s no direct contact with the skin. You can buy heat or cold packs from the pharmacy, or simply use a pack of frozen peas for five minutes or a hot water bottle for 20 minutes. You should do this no more than three times a day.
Sleep quality
It’s important to get good quality sleep for your recovery and overall health. There are a number of ways to make sure your sleeping position is comfortable and prevent neck pain:
- Use a low, firm pillow
- Make sure your head is the same height as the rest of your body when lying down
- Have a firm mattress
- Don’t sleep on your front
- Don’t twist your neck when you’re in bed.
Posture
Maintaining a good posture may be able to help with your neck pain. This can be particularly important at work, where you may be sitting for long periods of time. Ensure the back is straight upright, the head is not flexed forwards and the shoulders are rolled back. You should also maintain movement and flexibility in your neck.
Exercise and stretches
It’s important to keep your neck moving as normally as possible if you’re experiencing pain in this area. There are a number of gentle flexibility exercises you can do to help recovery:
- Levator scapulae stretch
This can help improve movement in your neck and provide levator scapulae muscle pain relief. Simply look towards your armpit, place your hand on your head and gently pull your head down. Hold this stretch for 15 seconds. - Upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid stretch
For upper trapezius and SCM muscle pain relief, you can try this stretch. Sit tall, gently bend and rotate your head to one side while lightly supporting it with your hand. - Chin retraction
To do this stretch, keep your neck and back straight then pull your chin in. Hold to feel the stretch.
Explore Naprosyn® Pain Relief
Say hello to pain’s new nemesis for back, muscle and joint pain. Offering up to 12 hours of uninterrupted pain relief, Naprosyn® Pain Relief tablets can help manage sudden onset neck pain and are available to buy at pharmacies across the UK.
