Dr. Soham Dinda, Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon in Tamluk, Purba Medinipur (MBBS Hons, NRSMCH; MS Orthopaedics, RG Kar MC&H), explains neck pain, cervical spondylosis: symptoms, causes, tests and treatment options.
Why does the neck hurt?
The neck (cervical spine) carries the weight of the head and moves all day, so it is easily strained. Hours of mobile phone use, desk work, driving, sleeping in an awkward position or a high pillow commonly lead to neck pain and stiffness. Most episodes settle in days to a few weeks, but pain that returns often, spreads to the shoulder or arm, or comes with tingling needs a proper check-up.
Common causes
- Muscle strain and poor posture, including long hours on a phone or computer
- Cervical spondylosis, age-related wear of the neck discs and joints
- Cervical disc prolapse, which may press on a nerve and cause arm pain
- Sleeping wrongly (stiff neck on waking, often called a crick in the neck)
- Whiplash injury after an accident or sudden jerk
- Less commonly, arthritis, infection or other conditions
Symptoms to look for
- Neck pain and stiffness, worse on turning or after long sitting
- Pain spreading to the shoulder, arm or hand
- Tingling, numbness or weak grip in the hand
- Headache starting at the back of the head
- Dizziness on neck movement in some people
Red flags: see a doctor urgently
- Weakness or clumsiness in the hands or legs
- Difficulty walking or loss of balance
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Neck pain after a fall, accident or head injury
- Neck pain with fever, or with severe headache and a stiff neck
- Neck or arm pain with chest pain, sweating or breathlessness, which needs emergency care
How neck pain is assessed
Your doctor examines your neck movements, arm strength, sensation and reflexes. An X-ray shows wear of the cervical spine, and an MRI scan is advised when a nerve or the spinal cord may be under pressure, or when symptoms do not improve. Many people over 40 show age-related changes on X-ray that do not always cause pain, so treatment is based on your symptoms as well as the reports.
Treatment: starts without surgery
The large majority of neck problems improve without an operation.
- Short-term pain relief and muscle relaxants, as prescribed
- Heat packs and gentle neck movement instead of complete rest
- Neck stretching and strengthening exercises, and shoulder posture exercises
- Physiotherapy, and a soft cervical collar for a few days only when advised
- Correction of work-station, pillow and sleeping position
- Injections in selected cases
- Surgery is kept for nerve or spinal cord compression with weakness, or for severe pain that does not improve despite proper treatment
Daily habits that protect your neck
- Hold your phone at eye level instead of bending your head down
- Keep the computer screen at eye level and take a break every 30 to 45 minutes
- Use a low, firm pillow that keeps the neck in line with the spine
- Avoid carrying heavy bags on one shoulder
- Do neck and shoulder stretches daily as taught to you
Neck pain care in Tamluk
Dr. Soham Dinda sees patients with neck pain, cervical spondylosis and arm pain from Tamluk, Mahishadal, Haldia, Panskura and nearby areas. For related problems, see back pain and sciatica and shoulder pain.
সংক্ষেপে বাংলায়
ঘাড় ব্যথা, ঘাড় শক্ত হয়ে যাওয়া বা ঘাড় থেকে হাতে ব্যথা-ঝিনঝিন করলে সার্ভাইক্যাল স্পন্ডিলোসিস বা ডিস্কের সমস্যা হতে পারে। মোবাইল ফোনে ঝুঁকে থাকা ও ভুল ভঙ্গিতে বসা এর বড় কারণ। বেশিরভাগ রোগী ব্যায়াম, ওষুধ ও ভঙ্গি ঠিক করে ভালো হন। হাত-পায়ে দুর্বলতা বা হাঁটতে সমস্যা হলে দেরি না করে ডাক্তার দেখান। তমলুকে পরামর্শের জন্য ফোন করুন ৮৯১০০৫১০৭২।
This page is for general awareness and does not replace a consultation. Please see a qualified doctor for diagnosis and treatment.