Pain at Base of Neck

There are thousands of people around the world, who complain of neck pain. It is one of the most common complaints, after headaches and backache. One should not take chronic neck pain lightly and should visit a medical expert for further evaluation. If one ignores pain at base of neck, it could lead to many complications as it involves the first seven vertebrae of the cervical column. If you too are suffering from constant pain at base of neck, then the causes discussed in the following paragraphs will help you pin point the reason for your discomfort.

Causes of Pain at Base of Neck

Neck pain causes loss of motility and a lot of discomfort. In most cases, pain at base of neck does not indicate a serious neurological condition. However, if your pain continues to bother you for more than a week, it is better to consult a doctor for further diagnosis. Some of the possible common causes of neck pain experienced at the base of the neck are as follows:

Poor Posture
The most common cause of neck pain is poor posture. People who sit at a computer all day, or students sitting for long periods in a classroom, sit in odd postures. These postures put pressure on the muscles, tendons and ligaments supporting the head, neck and shoulders. They become overstressed and lead to pain, stiffness and discomfort in the neck and pain at base of skull.

Sprain
When the neck muscles are strained or sprained it leads to pain at base of neck. These sprains and strains occur due to a sudden jerk that causes the head to snap forward and backward. This usually occurs due to a sudden break applied, automobile accident, during a physical sports activity like rugby, whiplash injury, etc. This causes the soft muscles of the neck to tear and sprain.

Spondylosis
The general age related wear and tear of the discs in the neck is called cervical spondylosis. This condition is very common is people over the age of 45 years. The bones and cartilage of the spine and neck deteriorate with time. This leads to changes in the cervical column and, in some cases formation of bony outgrowths like, bone spurs. The ligaments of the spine and neck stiffen leading to pain in neck, shoulder, arm and even chest. Some people develop paresthesia in arms, hands, legs, etc.

Nerve Pressure
Many times, the nerves in the neck vertebrae are pressed and this causes pain. There are many factors that causes nerve pressure like stiffened disks. The discs become stiff and dry causing the space between the spinal column to reduce. Thus, the nerves are pressed and pressurized, leading to pain. Bone spurs and herniated discs too have the same effect causing pinched nerves in the neck. This pinching of the nerves leads to weakness in the arm and pain in the spinal cord.

Other Diseases
Many times diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis also leads to pain at base of the neck. Other diseases such as meningitis cause the lining of the brain and spinal cord to swell. This leads to neck stiffness and pain.

In most cases, muscle strain is the most common cause of this complaint. Improper posture, lack of sleep, sleeping on the wrong type of pillow, overwork, all cause neck pain. The muscles around the neck all feel knotty and tight. The treatment usually involves a relaxing neck message. Other than that, over the counter pain medications, muscle relaxants, as well as corticosteroid medications prove to be helpful in relieving the pain. In extreme cases, the doctor may suggest neck exercises as well as stretches. Traction helps in relieving severe neck pain, as well as nerve root irritation. In case of spondylosis, the doctor may suggest a collar that helps in taking off the pressure from the neck. If over the counter medications and ointments do not help, visit a doctor for better treatment.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and does not in any way attempt to replace the diagnosis of a doctor. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.