The Prevalence of Pain – Part 2: Neck Pain

The Prevalence of Pain – Part 2: Neck Pain

While low back pain gets much of the attention in health blogs, articles, and even chiropractic journals, neck pain is a serious and common condition as well.

In fact, an astounding 15% of all Americans report that neck pain is their most common medical problem, or about one out of every six or seven people!

In fact, about one out of every eight adults (13%) report suffering from neck pain within the last three months.

About neck pain

Neck pain is characterized by stiff or aching muscles, usually inhibiting movement when you try to move or turn your neck.

For instance, s disc injury, inflammation, or punched never can cause pain throughout the neck, head, shoulders, and down one or both arms.

It’s also worth noting that neck pain is reported more frequently in woman than in men, although we’re not sure if the prevalence is higher with females or just the reporting of the problem.

Neck pain and car accidents

Neck pain is also the leading type of injury suffered in car crashes and motor vehicle accidents (followed closely by low back pain).

In fact, neck pain (often caused by whiplash at the point of impact) accounts for 49% of all injuries sustained in car accidents.

Lower back pain is second at 42%, followed by headaches (39%), shoulder pain (37%), and more – which may even be related to neck conditions. So, too, are difficulty sleeping (31%), anxiety (25%), and loss of feeling in one part of the body (12%).

There are several causes of neck pain, including: 

• Working long hours at a desk or the computer, looking down as you read and write, etc.
• Poor everyday posture.
• Wrong pillow or sleeping position.
• Stress and fatigue.
• Athletic injury.
• An accident such as whiplash in a car crash or fall at work.

Other causes of neck pain

There are often other more serious causes of the pain we experience in our necks. These can include a cervical disc degeneration that causes pain in the neck, shoulder, or arm.

Neck pain can even be caused by dental problems, tonsil issues, or temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ).

There are also certain diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, swollen lymph nodes, and others that can contribute to neck pain.

The Text Neck epidemic

These days, most people – and just about every older child or teen – has a smartphone. In fact, you’ve probably noticed that people are spending more time staring down at their phones and devices than looking up or talking to each other, even in public or social situations.

The problem is that the posture we assume our eyes are glued to their phones has led to a new medical condition, informally tagged as “Text Neck.” Studies reveal that 90 percent of people who use smartphones hold their necks at least 10 degrees forward of neutral alignment while texting.

The human form was meant to be upright but when we bend our necks and crouch to use our phones, our heads – which weigh about 10-12 pounds when upright – exert far more stress on our upper vertebrae in order to stabilize. So, a 10-pound head essentially weighs 27 pounds when held at a 15-degree angle, 40 pounds at a 30-degree angle, and takes 60 pounds force to hold up at a 60-degree angle.

All of that burden ends up straining the upper fibers of your trapezius muscles and stretches and starts pulling your spine out of alignment – often resulting in neck pain. 

With the average person on their devices between 2-4 hours every day, that adds up to 700-1,400 hours every year in an unnatural position. But it can be way worse among youth. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, children and teens 8 to 18 years-old spend an average of 7 ½ hours each day texting, checking social media, emailing, or gaming.

A 2011 study published by the International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics revealed that 53 percent of mobile phone users suffer numbness or neck aches.

The effects of neck pain

Neck pain can lead to serious health complications and a loss of quality of life, impacting everything from sleep to work, relationships and other aspects of your health.

In fact,

• 25–33% of adults with neck pain report only fair or even poor health (twice the rate of those without neck pain),
• 15–22% say that they are unable to work (four times as many),
• 12–17% report that they are only able to sleep 6 hours per day or less due to their pain and discomfort (twice as many), and
• 6–13% of those with neck pain surveyed report psychological distress.

Neck pain and painkillers

Too often, neck pain is quickly treated with over-the-counter and then, prescription painkillers. In fact, 27% of adults with neck pain – more than one in four – report taking prescription analgesic drugs in the past month. And 21% of them use those painkillers every day for a month or longer.

While those may provide temporary relief, they fail to treat the root problem and cause of the neck pain, which can lead to it being undiagnosed, returning or becoming chronic, or more serious complications.

Chiropractic treatment for neck pain

When it comes to treating neck pain and related conditions, chiropractic care is often a great first option. While some cases may warrant visiting an MD for treatment or even surgery, there are always serious risks inherent in taking prescription opioid painkillers or opting for cervical spine surgery.

If you’re experiencing neck pain or any of these symptoms listed above, come make an appointment to see me so we can try to isolate the root cause and provide some relief without addicting painkillers or expensive, risky surgeries.

I can treat neck pain with a variety of gentle and safe techniques that will leave you healthier, happier, and, ideally, free from that pain in the neck.