Let’s start out by agreeing that not all neck pain is serious. Sometimes, neck pain is a symptom of stress and tension.
That said, neck pain is prone to all the ills that the lower back is, including stenosis, strains, disc degeneration and muscle spasms. Neck pain is experienced by between 10 and 15% of the population at any given time.
So, when is it time to see a doctor about your neck pain? Let’s dive in to answer the question.
What causes it?
How long have you got, because there are many causes of neck pain? The way we sit when we work, relax, eat and play can contribute to neck pain. Your head weighs between 10 and 13 pounds, so it’s not surprising that when we model slouching or slumping posture, we’re putting a strain on our necks.
Aging is a chief cause of neck pain, as the discs between our vertebrae begin a natural process of degeneration. Wear and tear, trauma from accidents in cars, the workplace and the sports field are other causes of neck pain.
If the pain you’re experiencing in your neck doesn’t decrease in two weeks, you should probably see a medical professional. But it’s encouraging to know that most cases of neck pain do tend to resolve on their own within that time frame.
When it’s serious
It’s important to note that there are indications, even in the early stages of neck pain, which signal that a visit to your doctor is in order.
Headaches are one such indication. Fever, weight loss and night pain, as well as difficulty walking are other signs that you have a serious issue causing the pain.
Waiting longer than two weeks to see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms may serve to exacerbate the problem and cause it to become chronic.
Of course, if you’ve been involved in a car accident or other accident which has resulted in trauma to your neck, you should see a doctor immediately.
Back & Body Medical
As a chiropractor, I see many people with a wide range of neck pain issues, from transitory to acute. There’s a therapy to fit all types of pain in the neck area, from chiropractic adjustment, manipulation and traction, to physical therapy to sports medicine modalities to acupuncture.
And here’s some great news. We practice all those disciplines here at Back & Body Medical.
I work with a team of clinicians devoted to finding personalized solutions for our patients which address their unique pain issues in an integrated fashion. We’re about patient-centered care here, so the solutions we seek aren’t “one size fits all”.
They’re highly individualized, thoughtful plans which seek to restore you to normal function as soon as possible.
If you’ve been suffering from neck pain for more than two weeks, I strongly advise you to contact us to schedule a consultation. We’re pain relief experts, offering award-winning solutions that bring our patients superior outcomes.
Reach out. We can help.
