Tag: Degenerative disease

Neck and Shoulder pain affects people of all ages.

For those who are over 50 years, in addition to other physiological problems, the pain is normally due to aging.

Normally, if you have not had serious injury or chronic pain earller , chances are the pain is due to aging.

In addition to that, it may be due to using too high a pillow for sleeping,keeping the neck in one position for a long period(as in sitting before a computer) , driving for a long time lifting heavy objects and rolling the shoulder over for a longer period of time.

This may be avoided.

Unless other wise diagnosed by the physician, if you can avoid the above practices, the pain will not occur.

For neck pain  you may use a perfectly cylindrical object( hard) for the head for about two hours ,sleep on hard surface and do not use cushions or soft pillows.

Story:

Neck and shoulder pain can be classified in many different ways. Some people experience only neck pain or only shoulder pain, while others experience pain in both areas.

Pain killers may be used sparingly under supervision.(Brufen combination is to be avoided)

What Causes Neck Pain?

Causes of neck pain include:

• Abnormalities in the bone or joints
• Trauma
• Poor posture
• Degenerative diseases
• Tumors
• Muscle strain

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint with a large range of movement. Such a mobile joint tends to be more susceptible to injury. Shoulder pain can stem from one or more of the following causes:

• Strains from overexertion
• Tendonitis from overuse
• Shoulder joint instability
• Dislocation
• Collar or upper arm bone fractures
• Frozen shoulder
• Pinched nerves (also called radiculopathy)

How Are Neck and Shoulder Pain Diagnosed?

• X-rays: Plain X-rays can reveal narrowing of the space between two spinal bones, arthritis-like diseases, tumors, slipped discs, narrowing of the spinal canal, fractures and instability of the spinal column.
• MRI:Magnetic resonance imaging is a noninvasive procedure that can reveal the detail of neural (nerve-related) elements.
• Myelography/CT scanning: Sometimes used as an alternative to MRI
• Electrodiagnostic studies:Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) are sometimes used to diagnosis neck and shoulder pain, arm pain, numbness and tingling.

How Are Neck and Shoulder Pain Treated?

The treatment of soft tissue neck and shoulder pain includes the use of anti-inflammatory medication (such as Aleve or Motrin) and/or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Depending on the source of pain, drugs like muscle relaxers and even antidepressants might be helpful. Pain also may be treated with a local application of moist heat or ice. Local corticosteroid injection is often helpful for arthritis of the shoulder. For both neck and shoulder pain movement exercises may help. For cases in which nerve roots or the spinal cord are involved, surgical procedures may be necessary.

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/neck-shoulder?ecd=wnl_art_012811

Related:

Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Neck Pain

1. Can you recommend any home exercises or physical therapy for my pain?
2. Do I need any additional tests to diagnose my neck pain?
3. What activities should I avoid because of my pain?
4. What is the cause of my neck pain? Is it a pinched nerve?
5. Which medicines do you recommend, and are they available over the counter?

Additional Questions You May Consider Asking About Neck Pain

1. Am I likely to get neck pain again?
2. Can I apply heat or ice to my painful areas?
3. Do you recommend using a neck collar?
4. How long do you think my neck pain will last?
5. If my neck pain gets worse when I start exercise then what should I do?
6. Is my neck pain likely to get worse with time?
7. What can I do to prevent my neck pain from getting worse?

http://www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management/neck-pain/ask-your-doctor-about-neck-pain.aspx