Do you sometimes feel so sore that you can't even move your neck when you wake up in the morning? Or is it so hard to turn your neck to the side in the evening after staring at the computer? Maybe this pain goes down your shoulder and into your arm, and you feel like your arm is tingling. This may not be a normal neck sprain. We call this condition Cervical Disk Disease. The cause of this is a soft 'disk' between the vertebrae (spine) in our neck that protrudes and presses on a nerve (herniated disk) or this disk wears out over time ( Degenerative Disk Disease ). So let's talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.
What can be done at home for this pain?
Yes, there are many things you can do at home to help manage this pain.
First, get some rest . Don't do anything that makes your neck pain worse. Especially stop doing things like sports and lifting weights for a few days.
Next, Ice and Heat treatment .
- Ice: Within the first 24-48 hours of the pain , wrap some ice cubes in a towel and apply them to the painful area for about 20 minutes. This will reduce swelling and pain. Do not apply ice directly to the skin, as it can burn the skin.
- Heat: After two days, apply a hot water bottle or heated towel to the area. This will help relax the tight muscles in your neck and provide good pain relief.
Also, doing light stretching exercises is very important. Instead of twisting your neck forcefully, do exercises that stretch the muscles by bending your neck from side to side, up and down. This will maintain the flexibility of your neck and reduce stiffness.
If the pain is unbearable, you can use a painkiller like Paracetamol, which you can buy from the pharmacy, or a type of medicine called NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) (e.g. Ibuprofen, Naproxen). However, you should definitely talk to your doctor before continuing to use these medications. Because taking these medications long-term is not suitable for everyone.
When should you see a doctor?
If the pain does not subside after a week or two of home treatments, or if the pain is getting worse, be sure to see a doctor. It is best to seek medical advice as soon as possible, especially if you have any of the symptoms below.
| Symptoms to watch out for | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Very severe pain | A severe pain that is hard to bear, that even ordinary painkillers cannot control. |
| Pain/tingling along the arm | If the neck pain radiates down the shoulder, down the arm to the fingers, or if it feels like tingling, this means that a nerve is compressed. |
| Weakness in the hand or fingers | If you feel like your hand is losing strength, if you have difficulty gripping something, if your fingers feel numb. |
| Difficulty walking or loss of balance | If you stumble while walking or have difficulty controlling your balance (although these are uncommon, they can be serious symptoms). |
When you see your doctor, he or she will ask you about the pain, how it started, and what activities make it worse or worse. Then, you may be asked to take an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan to find out exactly what the problem is. An MRI can show you very clearly whether a nerve is pinched or what has happened to the disc.
Will physical therapy provide relief?
Absolutely! In most cases, a doctor will first refer you to physical therapy in this situation. That is the main and first-line treatment for this.
A physical therapist will examine your neck muscles and joints, help reduce pain, and help restore neck movement.
Sometimes they use a technique called 'neck traction' . This involves using a special device to gently pull your head upwards. This increases the space between the vertebrae, reducing pressure on the pinched nerve and disc, which provides great relief. In addition, they will teach you exercises that are right for you and how to maintain proper posture.
How long will it take to heal?
This varies from person to person. It depends on the severity of your condition and the treatment you receive. However , for most people, medication and physical therapy can help improve symptoms within about 3 months. So, you need to be patient with your treatment.
When is surgery necessary?
First of all, most people with this condition do not need surgery, as it can be successfully treated with other treatments.
However, if the pain is unbearable after a few months of treatment, or if the numbness and weakness in the hand are increasing, the doctor may consider surgery. However, it is considered a last resort.
If surgery is necessary, there are different types of surgery, such as disk replacement, which replaces the damaged disk with an artificial disk , or fusion surgery, which fuses two vertebrae together. The results after surgery depend on your age, medical condition, and the type of surgery performed.
How can we prevent this kind of situation from happening again?
There are several things you can do to prevent a neck problem from recurring.
- Exercise regularly: Do aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, for at least 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week.
- Neck Exercises (Stretching): Do light neck exercises every day.
- Avoid smoking: If you are a smoker, you should definitely stop . Smoking reduces the blood supply to the discs between our vertebrae, causing them to wear out more quickly.
- Take care of your posture (Good Posture): Always try to keep your back straight and your neck straight. Especially,
- When using the computer, keep the screen at eye level.
- When looking at your phone, try raising it to eye level instead of hunching your neck.
- When sleeping, use a pillow that provides good support for your neck and is not too high.
If you incorporate these habits into your life, it will greatly help you live a healthy life free from neck pain.
Take-Home Message
- Most neck pain can be managed at home with rest, ice/heat, and light exercise in the early stages.
- If the pain is severe, lasts for several weeks, or there is numbness/weakness that radiates down the arm, see a doctor immediately.
- Physical therapy is the most effective and commonly used treatment for this condition.
- Only a very small number of people need surgery, and it is usually considered a last resort.
- Maintaining correct posture, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking are essential to prevent recurrence of the disease.
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