Understanding Neck Pain Causes and Treatment

Neck pain is a common problem that can affect anyone, whether you're an office worker, college student, or athlete. With neck pain, your daily life routine is often disrupted, and even sleeping becomes a hassle. Pain in the neck can arise from various factors, which are mostly influenced by our daily lifestyle and activities. Understanding what triggers neck pain is the first step to finding lasting relief. With the right treatment, you can ease pain and discomfort and prevent it from worsening.

Choose the right orthopedic support to help manage or prevent neck issues. Among the best options for neck support, consider a Leeford Ortho Cervical Collar and Contoured Cervical Pillow. These supportive gears are designed to stabilize your neck during the day and while sleeping, respectively.  Using the right support for your neck while performing everyday tasks and sleeping can significantly prevent long-term problems.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

• The causes of neck pain
• How to cure neck pain
• Using a cervical collar for neck pain, and
• Using a neck support pillow

What Are the Main Causes of Neck Pain?

Neck pain can result from either our daily habits, lifestyle, injuries, or health factors. Here are the common causes of neck pain:

• Poor Posture: Slouching or sitting with your head forward can strain the muscles and tissues in your neck. Sleeping in unbalanced positions and using too many or too few pillows can also trigger neck pain.
• Muscle Strain: Tension or pressure on the neck is often triggered by your daily routine and daily habits. It can be from sudden jerking movements, long periods of looking at a computer or phone, reading in an awkward position, or lifting something heavy the wrong way.
• Repetitive Movements: Neck pain may result from repeated neck motion. This can happen when frequently looking down to type or write, turning your head while driving, or when doing your favorite hobby. These kinds of activities can overwork or irritate your neck muscles, thereby causing chronic tightness.
• Joint Wear and Tear: Your neck joints usually degenerate as you grow older. You may hear about this condition as cervical spondylosis. This experience causes stiffness and neck pain when moving your head.
• Nerve Compression: A herniated or bulging disc in the neck can press on nerves branching from the spinal cord. This can cause radiating pain, numbness, or tingling in the shoulders, arms, or hands.
• Injuries/Trauma: Occur from sudden impacts or accidents that force the head to move extensively beyond its normal range.
• Age-Related Disorders: Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis affects neck joints. A degenerative disc disease leads to reduced cushioning between vertebrae. The cervical spinal stenosis narrows the spinal canal, applying more pressure on your neck nerves.
• Infections/Medical Causes: Meningitis may cause severe neck stiffness and pain. Other rare conditions, such as thyroid dysfunction, fibromyalgia, can also cause it.
• Workplace Setups: Pain can develop gradually when you sit on unsupported chairs or desks.
• Lack of Physical Activity: Your neck muscles lose flexibility and restrict proper blood flow without regular movement or exercise. Gradually, you will start to experience stiffness, muscle fatigue, inflammation, or muscle imbalance.

How Can I Relieve Neck Pain Quickly?

Here are effective ways to quickly relieve neck pain with home remedies:

• Cold or Heat Application: Use an ice pack or a cold compress in the early hours of experiencing pain for 15 to 20 minutes to reduce inflammation. Apply a warm towel or heating pad after 48 hours to relax tight muscles and improve blood flow.
• Stretching: Do gentle stretches, like tilting your head side to side, turning your head left to right, or rolling your shoulders forward and backward.
• Correct Your Posture: Keep your phone, computer, or laptop screen at eye level. Sit with your back supported and shoulders relaxed. Consider using Leeford Ortho Cervical Collar and Contoured Cervical Pillow. This helps maintain a safe posture during the day and while sleeping, respectively.
• Massage Your Neck: Use your fingers to gently rub or massage the sore neck or surrounding muscles. You can use a handheld massager or massage ball to relieve stiffness.
• Use Pain Relievers: You can apply pain-relieving creams, gels, tablets, or oils
• Adjust Your Sleeping Setup: Sleep on your back or side, not your stomach. Use a supportive pillow, like a Leeford Ortho Contoured Pillow, that keeps your head aligned with your spine.
• Try Relaxation Techniques: Tension and stress often worsen neck pain. Practice deep breathing, gentle yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation.
• Reduce Activities: Refrain from doing activities that involve rapid neck movement. Take regular breaks from your tasks, as this enhances natural recovery.

Remember to seek healthcare expert guidance if pain continues or worsens after doing these neck pain treatment tips.

Can a Cervical Pillow Help with Neck Pain?

Most people wonder if it really helps with pain.” The answer is yes; however, only when used correctly or properly. The pillow supports the natural curve of your neck while promoting safe spinal alignment and balancing applied pressure on nerves and muscles. A Leeford Ortho Contoured Cervical Pillow is designed with a contoured shape to keep the head and neck in a neutral position throughout the night, which can alleviate pain and stiffness caused by poor sleep posture. 

Can Stress Cause Neck Pain?

According to experts, stress can cause neck pain, and here’s how:

• Muscle Tension: When you're stressed, your body tightens muscles as a natural reaction.
• Chronic Stress: If stress is ongoing, muscles remain tense for longer periods, which can cause them to become stiff and painful.
• Poor Posture: Stress can cause you to hunch your shoulders, and most of us unconsciously clench our jaw when anxious, both of which strain the neck.
• Other Physical Responses: Stress can also lead to poor sleep and may exacerbate pre-existing conditions like arthritis, contributing to neck pain.

How Does a Cervical Collar Help Neck Pain?

A cervical collar is a supportive orthopedic aid that you wear around your neck when you need extra support or are recovering. Here’s how it helps:

Neck Immobilization: A cervical collar balances or keeps your head and neck in a proper position. This helps prevent further neck pain or strain.

Pain Relief: Restricting unnecessary movement prevents sharp jerks and eases discomfort.

Precautions to Follow When Using a Cervical Collar

How you use an orthopedic cervical collar contributes to your recovery journey. Always keep these neck support pillow tips for effective healing:

• Consult a healthcare provider first, before wearing the collar.
• Do not wear the collar for longer than your doctor advised you to do so.
• Avoid overtightening, as it can affect blood circulation.
• Combine its use with rest, medication, or physiotherapy as advised.
• Switch to a new cervical collar when it becomes worn out or loses firmness.

Wrapping Up

Neck pain (minor/severe) can interfere with your daily comfort. The good news is, you can manage or treat the pain by incorporating simple home remedies with orthopedic neck supports. Consulting a healthcare professional for examination is crucial to understanding what is causing pain in your neck and the proper measures to treat it. 

Cervical collars and cervical pillows are effective in managing neck pain and injuries. They help stabilize the neck, reduce neck movement, and speed up recovery, especially when used properly. Even if wearing a collar feels noticeable, the priority is to stick to medical guidance and support proper recovery. All you need to do is just make sure you give your neck the care it deserves.

For the best-quality neck support, Leeford Ortho Cervical Collar and Contoured Cervical Pillow are a great choice. It combines comfort, long-lasting healing, and effective or quicker pain relief. After all, your neck works hard every day and deserves the right care to keep you moving.