Causes Of Neck Pain Or Strains

Why The Neck Is Vulnerable To Pain

Why do neck pains occur and how can you get neck pain relief? The neck is especially vulnerable to stress and strain as it has a complex and delicate structure that allows it to move in many directions. It also has the job of supporting the head, a 10 to 20 pound element that is supported on a column of bones (vertebrae) held in place by 32 complex muscles.

Attached to and between the vertebrae are pads of fibrous cartilage called discs that act as cushions, or shock absorbers. Eight nerves, which relay sensations (including pain), and four major arteries, which carry blood, run through the neck and connect the head with the shoulders, chest, and arms.

The delicate spinal cord runs through the center of the stack of vertebrae and is protected by it. Add to this complex structure the fact that the neck moves more than any other part of the body, and you've got a formula for trouble.

Neck Muscle Strain Leads To Neck Pain
It's a vicious cycle. When our muscles tense, either because of physical or emotional stress, the blood supply to the muscles decreases, causing pain. And that pain causes the muscles to tense further. That's why the best way to relieve neck pain is to try to eliminate or ease the physical or emotional stress in addition to treating the muscles.

A neck muscle strain often results from an exaggerated curve in the lower back. There’s natural slight "S" curve in the spine columns, but if people get weak abdominal muscles and let their pelvises drop forward, the lower back also goes forward and exaggerates this curve. To compensate, the upper back drops back ward and the neck goes way forward resulting in pain.

Neck Pain Caused By Compressed Disc
Sometimes neck problems are the root of pain in another area of the body. Compressed cervical discs that are soft tissue that provides padding between the vertebrae in the neck area can cause neck pain. When healthy and full sized, they space out those bones properly, cushioning the nerves, blood vessels and muscles tissue that serve the needs of the body’s vital spinal area.

When there is too much spinal stress or pressure, one or more discs can become compressed. That puts pressure on the nerves extends from the spinal cord to various other parts of the body. Pain can result in the area to which these pinched nerves extend.

A compressed disc in the neck can be caused by many different kinds of injuries or blows to the head or neck. This can be caused by motor accidents, sports injuries, sleeping on a pillow that is too high or sleeping on your stomach. This is why neck pain relief and fitness are closely linked.

As you can see, the neck is vulnerable to careless treatment and you should take care not to strain your neck because sometimes even neck pain relief treatment may not be able to solve the problem.