Painful Neck And Shoulder: Know What Cause Them

The neck is a highly sensitive structure in the body and prone to accidents and other medical conditions. The neck is structurally and anatomically related to the shoulder. With some medical condition can affect the nerve functions that supply both the neck and shoulder thereby it manifests the pain on both neck and shoulder.

There are two common causes of neck and shoulder pain that encompass the variety of conditions that result to the occurrence of the symptoms. These are structural stress and compression. Structural stress emanate from poor posture such as slouching. The position of a forward head may disturb the mechanical structures supporting the neck and shoulder with resulting pain and discomfort. This is due to the disturbed distribution of weight into the neck that due to improper posture. Compression may force the bones on the spine to come closer to one another. Pain may be produced with muscle tightness.

The pain felt may be of varying levels which could be intense or mild. With nerve compression the pain is distributed along the pathway of the affected nerve compressed. There is also pain in the arm with nerve impingement. Tingling sensation and numbness may also accompany the occurrence of pain.

Muscular cause of pain may be accompanied with stiffness and spasm. Strain on the muscles connecting on the neck and shoulder may be brought about by trauma or accident, wear and tear, pressure and tension. Poor posture may also cause muscular strain.

Condition such as frozen shoulder may also result to limited range of motion of the neck and shoulder. This is a risk once pain will hinder active movement of the shoulder and neck. Stiffness, limited range of motion and pain is the resulting consequence.

Once the rotator cuff is torn, it may cause pain on the neck as well. Tendinitis and bursitis are also contributing causes for neck and shoulder pain. The cervical spine may be affected with osteoarthritis that may manifest symptoms of neck pain extending pain towards the shoulder. Infectious conditions such as swollen lymph nodes on the neck can also result to pain on both neck and shoulders.

Medical attention is often required to some conditions that cause pain on the neck and shoulder. An example is a fractured cervical spine, meningitis, and cardiovascular attack.

The pain may be relieved with rest, hot and cold compress to relax the muscles, improved posture, and avoiding activities that may pose pressure and risk injury to the neck or shoulder. Proper body mechanics may help free the neck and shoulder from stress imposed by improper posture.

A pain in the shoulder and neck may also signal your body that you have been under too much stress. Rest will be sufficient enough to relieve the pain on the neck and shoulder caused by stress.

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