Neck pain is a common issue among adults, especially those with desk jobs. It is also frequently seen among students. Over the years, the prevalence of neck pain has significantly increased, and it is now the second most common problem after back pain.
Neck pain is typically a temporary health issue, lasting around one to two weeks. When experiencing neck pain, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible. The cause of neck pain is often due to muscle strain. Other causes include inflammation of the glands due to viral infections or other types of infections. In such cases, the patient should carefully monitor the cause of their neck pain. If the pain is persistent or gradually worsens, it may be a sign of a more serious problem, and the individual should take action to treat it.
Symptoms and Signs of Neck Pain
Neck pain is usually accompanied by muscle stiffness and tightness. Sometimes, the pain worsens when moving or turning the head. Other symptoms associated with some types of neck pain include numbness, tingling, tenderness, shooting pain, a feeling of fullness, difficulty swallowing, palpitations, ringing in the ears, dizziness or lack of concentration, and swollen lymph nodes. In some cases, neck pain can also present with symptoms of a cervical disc herniation, such as headaches, facial pain, shoulder pain, arm numbness, or burning sensations (paresthesia). These symptoms often result from nerve compression in the neck. Depending on the patient's condition, neck pain may also radiate to the upper or lower back, which can be seen in spinal inflammation due to ankylosing spondylitis.
Causes of Neck Pain
The neck is a flexible part of the body that supports the weight of the head. Because of this, the neck is prone to injury and conditions that cause pain and restrict movement. The causes of neck pain can include:
Muscle Strain: Excessive use of neck muscles in activities like bending over a computer or mobile phone for hours can cause neck muscle strain, leading to neck pain. Even light activities like reading in bed or grinding teeth can strain neck muscles.
Joint Degeneration: Like other joints in the body, the neck joints can degenerate over time with age. Conditions like osteoarthritis can lead to the loss of cartilage between the vertebrae, resulting in neck pain. Over time, the body may develop bone spurs, which further restrict joint movement and cause pain.
Compression of Nerves: A herniated cervical disc or the development of bone spurs in the neck vertebrae can put pressure on nerves, misplacing them from their proper location in the spine.
Injury: Car accidents, particularly rear-end collisions, often result in whiplash injuries to the neck, where the head quickly moves backward and then forward, stretching the soft tissue of the neck. This whiplash injury commonly occurs after a severe car crash.
Diseases: Certain conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, or cancer can cause neck pain.
Home Treatment for Neck Pain Using Dolphin Pose in Yoga
The Dolphin Pose helps to enhance comfort, improve body balance, and strengthen the upper body. Consistent practice of Dolphin Pose allows you to perform more movements, strengthens the spine and shoulders, and increases hand and core strength. But how can you perform the Dolphin Pose? Just follow the steps below:
Set up a table-like position. Spread your fingers wide apart, ensuring that your hands are shoulder-width apart.
Lower your forehead gently. Bring your toes together and lift your hips up.
Press your fingers, palms, and forehead into the ground, and raise and lower your hips until your spine is straight.
Your feet should be hip-width apart, and your toes should point forward. To stretch the back of your legs, press the soles of your feet into the floor.
Keep your calves straight and bend your knees slightly to maintain a straight back. Let your head and neck be relaxed, and you can rest your forehead on the ground.
Breathe and hold the position. To release from this pose, gently bend your knees, move your hips back, and slowly return to the starting position.
Exhale and rest.
By performing this position correctly, you will feel significant improvements in comfort and flexibility.
Benefits of Dolphin Pose
The Dolphin Pose has many benefits. It relaxes the neck, frees the shoulders and upper back, strengthens the spine, stretches the hamstrings, increases upper body strength, and stimulates the nervous system.
However, if you have recently experienced chronic inflammation or injury in the shoulders, back, or hands, avoid this pose.
I hope you enjoy the therapeutic sports content, and feel free to share it with anyone suffering from neck pain. For more informative articles, you can visit the Sports World section of Saad News. Thank you for your continued support!
