Understanding the cause of your neck pain can help you and your doctor treat it and potentially prevent it from recurring. However, there are many causes for neck pain. Here are a few.

Overuse Injury

An overuse injury is just as it sounds, a injury resulting from using something too much. In this case, neck pain could be caused by repeatedly performing an activity with your neck in an impropert or akward position. Here are a few examples of overuse injuries that can result in neck pain.

Tech Neck Syndrome (Forward Head Posture)

One common example of an overuse injury that results in neck pain is staring down at a phone for long periods of time. When you lown down at your device, you’re spine curves in an unnatural  position. This is fine for short periods of time. If, however, you maintain this position for long periods of time, the soft tissues in and around your spine can become stretched or stiff. For many people, repeating this position day after day leads to neck, shoulder, arm pain or more.

Sports

Many ahtletic activities can translate into overuse injuries, depending on the needs of the sport, your strength, stretching habits, and more. If the sport requires you to hold your head toward one side, or fixed in one position for too long, it can result in neck strain.

Sleeping Position

Neck strain resulting from your sleeping position can also be considered an “overuse injury”. If you sleep with too many pillows and your neck is in an akward position, this can lead to a stiff neck or more significant neck pain.

Injury or Accident

If a specific incident causes injury to the bones or soft tissues in and around the spine in your neck, you may end up with neck pain. A common injury associated with neck pain is whiplash resulting from a car accident. Sports injuries, such as in tackle football or rugby, can also result in a neck injury and associated pain.

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc in the cervical (neck) region can put pressure on nerves, causing pain. The herniated disc may be the result of degenerative disc disease, aging, or something else.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a condition characterized by narrowing of the spinal canal. When this results in pressure on the spinal cord, pain ensues. If this occurs in the cervical (top portion) of the spine, the indivdual will most likely feel pain in the neck and possibly other areas as well.

Helping to understand the cause of your neck pain can go a long way toward treating it and possibly preventing it from re-occurring. The doctors at Saratoga Spine can help you determine the cause of your neck pain and create a treatment plan to improve your quality of life. Give us a call to schedule and appointment in Saratoga, Glens Falls, or Plattsburgh.