Health & Wellness

Effective Procedure Explaining How Women Should Deal With Neck Pain

SpineUniverse Chiropractic Care | Neck Pain Treatment

As a woman, you must be aware that neck pain is quite common. Whether you are in a minor accident or you recently started lifting weights, your neck becomes quite sensitive and more prone to injuries. Neck pain is seen as a frontline issue for people in today’s society and women are at the top of the list when it comes to the patients.

Women naturally experience more pain than men. The numbers for women who are suffering from neck pain are 24% which is quite high than the 18% figure for men. There are multiple factors that contribute highly to neck pain in women.

Factors Contributing To Neck Pain in Women

It is fair to experience neck pain after a car accident as the muscles and soft tissues are torn apart very easily. However, several genetic factors also play a pivotal role. Enlisted below are some of the most common reasons why women suffer from neck pain:

  • Structural degeneration
  • Neck arthritis
  • Tension Neck Syndrome
  • Cervicogenic
  • Neck-based headaches
  • Tension headaches

Symptoms of Neck Pain

Your body is bound to show some kind of symptoms if you are experiencing neck pain. Some of the most common and generalized symptoms of neck pain are:

  • Stiff neck and soreness
  • Sharp pinching pain
  • Radicular pain
  • Restricted range of motion
  • Cervical radiculopathy
  • Problems lifting objects

Women are more sensitive to an issue. Therefore; many women report additional symptoms like:

  • Vertigo
  • Motion sickness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea

Steps to Relieve Neck Pain

The initial steps are usually taken at home. These steps are just to reduce the neck pain until you visit the doctor for professional treatment. This is a temporary fix to conceal the problem.

You can reduce the neck pain with the following:

  • Applying heat and cold compressions
  • Take OTC medicines and pain killers
  • Use a heating pad to apply heat
  • Temporarily use neck collars

Diagnosis and Treatment of Neck Pain

As soon as you experience something wrong with your neck, do not hesitate to visit a nearby doctor. Doctors take the entire treatment process step by step and thoroughly. They will start the treatment plan in different steps.

Initial Phase

To begin with, your doctor might need some details in regards to the injury and its occurrence. In the initial phase of the exam, your doctor will put you through a medical interview where you will have to explain the severity of the situation and how it happened. He will then check your range of motion and check for physical symptoms of soreness and tenderness. Many doctors move towards the next step.

Imaging Tests and Screening

This step usually involves your doctor performing imaging tests to determine the root cause and sensitivity of the pain. Imaging tests normally comprise of:

  • X-rays
  • MRI
  • CT Scan

In some serious cases they might require the following tests as well:

  • Electromyography
  • Blood tests

Results

Based on your results, your doctor will give you medications and even suggest therapy.

Therapy for Neck Pain

Alternate care has been considered quite effective in treating neck pain. It has been going on for years but the past few decades are when it gained popularity. Therapy is alternate care that does not involve the use of any medications. Your therapist can perform imaging tests to speed the detection process but they do not use medicines. Unlike medicinal treatment, therapy does not conceal the problem – it removes the issue from the roots.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care originated from Iowa by DD Palmer. It is a study where the specialist uses the hands and some tools to treat nerve and spinal pain. They perform adjustments to the affected area. These adjustments loosen the joints and repair tissue damage. Chiropractic care for neck pain is called cervical manipulation. It helps to loosen the joints of the cervical vertebrae. The nerves are usually pinched and they cause muscle spasms. Your chiropractor will use his hands and twist the neck to bring the alignment to normal.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy comprises of exercises that help you stretch and strengthen the neck and upper body muscles. Doctors always recommend visiting a physical therapist if you are suffering from neck pain after a car accident or any other injury.

Therapy will comprise of isometric as well as motion exercises.

  • Isometric exercises will help you tighten the neck muscles
  • Range of motion exercises will relax your neck muscles and lengthen them

They can also perform tractions with their hands and equipment. This is used to stretch the neck muscles gently.

Many physical therapists also perform research trials like ultrasound to ease sore tissues.

In case of severe neck pain that lasts for a couple of days and even weeks. Some of the most common symptoms that a person might feel in case of severe neck pain are:

  • Struggle in lifting arms
  • Pain radiating across the shoulders
  • Bad sensations when you wake up
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Numbness in arms and shoulders

Other medical conditions might not be visible but your neck pain can cause the following issues:

  • Inflammation
  • Squeezed nerves
  • Infection

Based on your symptoms, you can require more medications or even surgery to ease your discomfort and get back to your regular activities.

Gentle Exercises

You can perform gentle exercises at your home to soothe the muscles and also to build stamina. These gentle exercises can be a combination of stretching routines and exercises like yoga. Make sure that the exercises are not vigorous and your doctor approves of them first.

Conclusion

Women are more prone to getting neck injuries than men. Their neck muscles and tissues are more sensitive which leads to more problems in the upper body region. In case of any form of neck pain, it is important to visit the doctor and seek treatment. Many doctors also recommend therapy which helps the patients get rid of the pain from the roots.

Chiropractic care, physical therapy, and gentle exercises can help you alleviate the pain. These procedures also help you build muscle strength. Just make sure to seek medical recommendations before resuming your regular exercises.

 

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