Neck Pain Doctor in Ocala, FL
If you have been suffering from neck pain, you should consult a neck pain doctor in Ocala, FL from Ocala Injury Center. It can be difficult to go through life with this kind of discomfort. A doctor can help create the right treatment plan and get you on the road to recovery. Don’t hesitate to call us today to get started on achieving relief.
NECK PAIN MISCONCEPTIONS
There are many reasons why neck pain may develop, such as poor posture, bad sleep habits, repetitive motion, gritting teeth, pinched nerves, whiplash, infection, arthritis, carrying heavy purse or bag, a slipped disk, tumors, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, and more. Neck pain is a common ailment among adults. However, there are many misconceptions about it, including:
Neck Pain Is Due to Old Age
Many people assume that neck pain is a normal part of the aging process. However, there’s no evidence that neck pain is caused by old age. People of all ages can have neck pain. It most often results from a lack of movement.
If You Have Neck Pain, You Must Rest for a While
If you are suffering from neck pain, an Ocala, FL neck pain doctor may suggest for you to rest for a day or two. However, you shouldn’t lie around in bed any longer than that. If you rest too much, it can increase stiffness and cause you more pain. To recover faster, it may be best to gently exercise your neck.
If My Doctor Can’t Find Anything Wrong, I Don’t Have Neck Pain
Just because your doctor hasn’t found the source of your neck pain on an X-ray, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Many cases of neck pain are caused by psychological reasons, like stress or anxiety.
It’s Not Possible to Prevent Neck Pain
Another common misconception about neck pain is that you can’t avoid it. However, if you change some of your lifestyle habits, you may be able to prevent neck pain in the future. For example, you could pay more attention to your posture. Remember to always sit up straight with your shoulders pulled back to lessen stress on your neck. You should also eat a wholesome diet and use proper lifting techniques.
Office Jobs Don’t Cause Neck Pain
It’s a common myth that neck pain is mostly caused by labor jobs. However, many office workers suffer from neck pain. They have to sit in front of a computer for many hours every day and may slouch in their seat. Having bad posture and staring at a screen for hours at a time can strain the neck over time and cause pain.
SIGNS IT’S TIME TO GET HELP
Neck pain can interfere with someone’s way of life. In some cases, it goes away on its own, but usually, it needs treatment in order to get better. When body aches and other symptoms of the body arise, it’s important to get an exam and find out what the root cause could be. If you aren’t sure whether it’s time to get help, here are a list of signs that you probably should as soon as possible:
- The pain keeps you from sleeping soundly at night
- The pain radiates down a leg or arm
- You recently had an accident or trauma
- Flexing, bending, stooping symptoms have worsened
- Cramping, pain, weakness, or tingling in leg
- The pain has not lessened in intensity or frequency
- You are having trouble performing tasks for work or daily functions
- You have weak legs or incontinence
- The pain is accompanied by other symptoms
If you think about it, the neck has a tough job. The muscles, ligaments, and bones at the top of the spine support the head, keeping it upright every day, all day. Simple things like sleeping wrong or prolonged poor posture can quickly lead to neck pain. If your neck hurts, you may have already noticed other symptoms such as headaches, muscle tightness, restricted range of motion, muscle spasms or tightness, and pain that worsens when doing specific tasks (like driving, sitting at a computer, chores).
4 COMMON CAUSES OF NECK PAIN
Neck pain is very common. When it is acute, it typically goes away on its own within a few days. If it lasts for several weeks, you may want to go to Ocala Injury Center to see a neck pain doctor in Ocala, FL. If your neck pain lasts more than six months, it is considered chronic. Chronic neck pain is usually caused by an underlying medical condition that may be serious. Here are some common causes of neck pain.
1. TRAUMATIC INJURY
One of the most common injuries to the neck is called whiplash. This occurs when the muscles and ligaments of the neck are stretched beyond their normal limits by a violent back-and-forth jerking movement of the head. High-velocity contact sports, physical assaults, and falls are all possible causes of whiplash injuries, but the most common cause is car accidents, especially rear-end collisions.
Another possible neck injury is a fracture of the bones in the neck. There are seven of them, and they are known as the cervical vertebrae. This is a less common injury than whiplash, but it can be more severe because of the risk of damage to the spinal cord.
2. MUSCLE STRAIN
A muscle strain of the neck can be considered an injury, but rather than resulting from a single trauma, it more often results from your behaviors. You have probably experienced minor neck strain from sleeping with your head and neck in an odd position. Muscle strain can also result from holding an awkward position for too long, such as when you have to crane your neck to look up at your computer screen or down at your phone. It can also result from poor posture. A minor neck strain usually resolves within a day or two and does not require a neck pain doctor in Ocala, FL, while other types may be chronic.
3. OSTEOARTHRITIS
Like other joints in your body, those in your neck are cushioned by cartilage that prevents the bones from rubbing together. Over time, the cartilage can wear down, and contact between the bones can cause the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Osteoarthritis in your neck leads to the formation of bone spurs, which can not only cause pain but affect your ability to move.
4. NERVE COMPRESSION
Bone spurs, herniated disks, or other conditions affecting the bones of the neck can put pressure on the spinal cord or its nerve roots. This can disrupt signals between the brain and the rest of the body and cause neurological symptoms in addition to pain.
If you are not sure what is causing your persistent symptoms, a neck pain doctor in Ocala, FL, at the Ocala Injury Center may be able to diagnose it.
If you’re dealing with neck pain, a doctor from our clinic can help. At Ocala Injury Center, a neck pain doctor in Ocala, Florida understands how difficult it is to live with neck pain each day and can help you find relief, so call now for assistance.
Neck Pain Doctor Ocala, FL
There are psychosocial reasons that could be causing your neck pain and seeing a neck pain doctor in Ocala, FL might be in your best interest. When tension and stress build up in the neck the most common thing to happen is the muscles feeling right and achy. Not only can this pain then spread to the shoulders but it can soon be accompanied by a headache.
These can get annoying fairly fast, and it can leave you wondering what you should do about them. Below are some of the tips on how to handle stress-related neck pain.
7 Tips to Reduce Stress-Related Neck Pain
Changing how you treat both mind and body can help lessen the stress and the toll it takes on your body. Here are some of the ways you can do just that:
- Neck Stretches
When neck stretch is done regularly it helps loosen the muscle tightness. Not only that it can help expand your range of motion. Before you start doing any stretches though, talk to your neck pain doctor as they can help you find the best ones for you.
- Therapy or Support Groups
It has been shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy has proven benefits for helping people develop healthy thought patterns. This can help reduce the stress and anxiety you may feel during the day. Support groups are a great place to share your concerns and receive support to help you manage your stressors.
- Meditation
This one takes some learning. Meditation is a great way to calm your thoughts and reduce the anxieties you may feel. A great way to start is by looking for a guided meditation video or even attending a class.
- Enlisting Help From Family and Friends
It may come as a shock but you don’t have to handle everything on your own. You can let your family and friends help you carry the load. Be clear about the ways they can help. Like if you need a friend to run an errand for you or even ask for help around the house, like cleaning. Be honest as to why you need help too.
- Massage
Treating yourself to a massage is a great way to relieve stress and help loosen the muscles. It can ease the tightness of the muscles and if you are someone who carries your stress in your neck and shoulders, it can help ease that tension.
- Exercise
Not only is exercise good for your whole body, but it is also good for your mind. It releases endorphins, which is a hormone that both dulls pain and generates a feeling of well-being.
- Prioritizing
Sadly, you can’t do everything at once. Take the time to focus on the more important things and don’t worry about the small stuff that can be left undone for a while. Take care of what you can today and don’t worry if you can’t do it all.
Taking care of yourself isn’t easy, but that is why enlisting the help of a neck pain doctor in Ocala, FL like the team the Ocala Injury Center is the first steps in getting rid of your neck pain.
Do’s and Don’ts of Neck Pain
Do Maintain Correct Posture
A neck pain doctor in Ocala, FL, can perform an evaluation of your posture at Ocala Injury Center and give you specific guidance on how to improve it. You can get a general idea of your posture by looking at your stance from the side to see if your ear opening is right over your shoulder. Trying to keep your head upright can put strain on your neck if it is slanting forward.
Don’t Stare Down at Your Phone
One way that your head becomes slanted at an angle that puts a strain on your neck is by staring down at your phone for long periods of time. Unfortunately, it is difficult to bring your phone up to eye level without putting strain on your arms. Try using a holder that props your phone up on a table or limit your phone use to a few minutes at a time.
Do Drink Enough Water
Disks are structures found between the vertebrae of the spine that work as shock absorbers. Like many other bodily tissues, they need water as this accounts for most of their content. If you become dehydrated, it could cause the disks to dry out, which affects their function. This could result in neck pain necessitating a trip to Ocala Injury Center.
Don’t Carry a Bag Over One Shoulder
A neck pain doctor in Ocala, FL, frequently sees patients who carry a bag over one shoulder. This causes a weight imbalance that results in pain. If you have to carry a bag over one shoulder, try emptying it of nonessentials to lighten the weight. You can also try alternating between one shoulder and the other from day to day so that each ends up bearing the cumulative burden equally.
Do Use a Pillow That Is the Correct Height
Your sleeping position determines what type of pillow you should use. If you sleep on your side, you need a pillow that provides adequate head support to maintain the alignment of the spine and neck. If you sleep on your back, a tall pillow may flex your neck too far forward. Instead, you need a pillow that is thinner yet supports the neck’s natural curvature.
Don’t Sleep on Your Stomach
In order to be able to breathe while sleeping on your stomach, you have to turn your head far to one side. This position forces your neck and spine out of alignment, and holding it for hours at a time puts strain on the muscles.
DO’S AND DON’TS OF NECK PAIN INFOGRAPHIC
