5 Excruciating Neck Pain Causes That Will Keep You up at Night

A millstone is not hanging around your neck. But your neck pain may make you believe one is.

Neck pain is one of the most common medical problems there is. It causes discomfort, anxiety, and sleep deprivation. There are many things that cause neck pain.

But don’t worry. There are many cures for neck pain as well. Here are five neck pain causes.

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   Poor Posture

More often than not, the ways you sit and sleep strain your neck. Sitting at a laptop or hunching over a smartphone overuses your neck muscles. Sleeping on a stiff or high pillow flexes your neck, straining its muscles.

Sit upright. Keep your ears parallel to your shoulders, and your shoulders parallel to your hips. Your head should rest atop your spine.

Perform some mild stretches at the start of every workday. Get up every hour or so and stretch your neck.

Adopt sleeping positions so your spine is straight. Put a pillow under your neck so your neck is higher than your head.

2. Injury

Your head is eleven pounds. If your head moves, your neck moves with it, straining your muscles.

Go to a doctor after any head injury, and have them inspect your brain, skull, and neck. Whiplash often causes a neck injury. If you are whipped around, your neck muscles may tear.

Rest your neck and head on soft cushions, and practice proper posture. Avoid any sudden motions that can strain your neck again.

3. Grinding Your Teeth

Grinding your teeth can strain your neck and jaw muscles. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, wear a mouthguard in bed.

You may grind your teeth as an involuntary response to stress. Meditate and perform yoga to reduce your stress. Contact a psychiatrist to see if therapy or anti-anxiety medication might be right for you.

4. Worn Joints

Your neck joints naturally wear down with age. This is a common part of the aging process, but your joints can wear down as a result of disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own joints. Joint linings wear down, causing swelling and pain.

Osteoporosis occurs when bones wear down. Your vertebrae and other neck bones grow brittle. Some bones may fracture, causing neck pain.

If you believe you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis, contact your doctor. Putting an end to neck pain from arthritis or osteoporosis requires medication and physical therapy.

5. Meningitis

Meningitis is rare, but it causes significant neck pain. Meningitis is swelling of the membranes around the brain and neck. A bacterial or viral infection usually causes meningitis.

A stiff and painful neck accompanies a high fever and severe headache. If you have these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. Meningitis is a medical emergency.

Neck Pain Causes and Cures

The hair may be standing up on the back of your neck. But don’t be afraid. You can identify the cause of your neck pain and get help.

Bad posture, injuries, and teeth grinding are the three most common neck pain causes. Change how you sit and sleep so your skull sits on your spine. Stretch your back and neck often.

If you believe you have arthritis, osteoporosis, or meningitis, call your doctor. You can receive help right away.

There are more causes and cures for neck pain. Read about muscle and bone health on our website.