Neck pain is an extremely common musculoskeletal disorder caused mainly by poor posture. Known scientifically as cervicalgia, it can be felt in the general neck area or the upper spine. Neck pain can occur over a longer or shorter periods of time. According to its duration, neck pain is described as either acute or chronic.
Main causes - The most common causes of chronic neck pain are poor posture in the workplace and daily life, insufficient physical activity, constant stress and poor sleep at night. For example, the use of a mattress and a pillow that is too soft can aggravate neck pain. Similarly, poor posture at work, in front of a computer, or heavy smartphone use, can aggravate neck pain by causing contractures and muscle stiffening.
Common causes of acute neck pain, on the other hand, are of a different nature, and include the degeneration of intervertebral discs, cervical hernias, excessive curving of the spine, such as dorsal hyperkyphosis and lumbar hyperlordosis, and previous traumatic injuries.
Symptoms - The main symptoms are pain and a strong feeling of tension in the cervical area.
This tension may also involve the head, shoulders and back and lumbar area. Other associated symptoms are a feeling of nausea or dizziness, migraines, numbness and tingling in the arms and hands. In some cases, especially after acute trauma, there may be a decrease in visual acuity, vertigo and difficulty in chewing. These symptoms are often concomitant and can further cause acute fatigue, chronic fatigue, sleepiness and depression, as well as more serious complications having repercussions on the spine, legs and arms that can limit ordinary daily activities.
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Postural support for cervical arthrosis and shoulder pain
