Neck pain is a common problem in this day and age. It can be problematic in many ways, ranging from discomfort to difficulty performing everyday tasks. Most people will experience some degree of neck pain at one point or another, yet it remains challenging to diagnose its real cause. A person experiencing neck pain might feel stiffness, tenderness, or aching. The discomfort can also be associated with tingling, numbness, and weakness of the arms. This problem has many causes: poor posture, whiplash injuries after car accidents, herniated disks in the spine, or osteoarthritis. If you have back pain, you may want to know when to see a Friendswood neck pain specialist. Here is some information.
1. Headaches, Fever, and Weightloss
In some cases, you may experience neck pain alongside other symptoms. If you are experiencing headaches, fever, or weight loss, it may be more severe. These symptoms could indicate more severe tumors, osteomyelitis, discitis, meningitis, or spinal infection. Symptoms vary depending on what is causing the problem; make sure to talk with your doctor if you are unsure of what is causing them.
2. Difficulty Walking
If you are experiencing pain limiting your movement, it may be time to consider seeing a Friendswood chiropractic neck pain specialist. As mentioned before, there are many different causes for this problem; however, the average person should see an expert if they have difficulty walking or standing. If your inability to move your neck is so severe that you cannot stand up, lose bladder or bowel control, or cannot perform everyday tasks like feeding yourself, it may be time to see your doctor.
3. Discomfort or Pressure in the Chest
If you are experiencing pressure or pain in the chest area and neck pain, it may be time for a chiropractic neck pain specialist to take a look. This pain could indicate problems like costochondritis, inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your sternum, or pleurisy, an inflammatory condition of the pleura surrounding your lungs.
4. Pain That Gets Worse At Night
If you are experiencing unbearable neck pain at night, it may be time to call a chiropractic neck pain specialist. This sort of neck pain should not be underestimated, as it can indicate problems like cervical spondylosis, age-related degeneration of the spine, or arthritis in your spine. The first step in fixing the problem is determining what is causing it; consulting a Friendswood neck pain specialist can help.
5. Whiplash Injuries
A whiplash injury happens when you experience a sudden and forceful movement of your head, such as in a car accident. While they do not happen often, they are extremely painful and need to be treated immediately. Treating whiplash typically will involve a chiropractic neck pain specialist adjusting your spine to reduce pain and inflammation.
To summarize, many people often ignore neck pain as they do not know when to see a specialist. If you have neck pain after a whiplash injury, you need to see a doctor immediately. You should also schedule an appointment if your neck pain gets worse at night, causes headaches, fever, or weight loss, or makes it hard for you to walk. Neck pain accompanied by pressure or discomfort in the chest also needs urgent medical attention.