The type of neck pain can vary from person to person. It mostly starts with an irritating and uncomfortable pain and eventually grows into a burning and debilitating nerve pain that may travel down the shoulder and into the arms. To understand what you are experiencing, knowing the different types of neck pain is vital. So, let us discuss the top five types of neck pain.
Before we begin elaborating on the different types of neck pain, you need to understand that neck pain is not something that you can take very lightly. If it has been quite some time that you have been suffering from neck pain, it is best to consult a Dallas Neck Pain specialist at Magnolia Pain Associates. After a thorough diagnosis, they can recommend medication or different therapies, including spinal cord stimulation.
Different types of neck pain
1. Muscle Pain
Muscular sprains, strains and tears are common reasons for neck pain. Upon overextending the muscles, tiny tears form in layers of connective tissues. As a result, muscles get weakened and cause pain. If not treated timely, one can experience inflammation and soreness.
2. Muscle Spasm
This is a sudden and spontaneous contraction of a muscle. You will immediately experience pain and tightness and even find it hard to move your head in one or all directions. This type of pain is usually experienced upon waking up. At times, muscle spasm is even caused because of emotional stress.
3. Headache
Muscular tension often causes headaches, especially at the back of the head. Furthermore, this may even accompany neck stiffness. The pain can be dull or aching, and moving the head will worsen the pain. You will be forced to rest until it subsides.
4. Nerve Pain
Nerve pain is a complex pain to describe. Depending on the nerves involved, the pain will be dull to severe. The pain may travel down the arm and get severe with even general movements.
5. Bone Pain
In many cases, neck pain arises after an injury to the soft tissues of the cervical spine. It is best to seek immediate medical attention in this case. There are chances that bones are weakened, or a fracture destabilizes the cervical spine column.
6. Facet Joint Pain
This is a deep, sharp, and aching pain. Facet joints are places where two adjacent vertebrae meet. An injury or arthritis can cause pain in these joints. Usually, this time of distress will worsen if pressure is applied. Also, the pain is more in the morning or after extended periods of inactivity. Eventually, the pain can cause discomfort in the entire body.
7. Referred pain
This is a triggered pain. Simply put, the pain will be activated in a different body part and felt in another part. In neck pain, the trigger points can be the heart, esophagus, or other organ systems. Your physician needs to know the underlying issue to identify this type of pain.
Discussing your symptoms with your Dallas physician is crucial to finding the most effective treatment plan. Nevertheless, some people do not know how to describe the type of pain they are experiencing. Therefore, doing some homework and understanding different types of neck pain helps.
