Back and Neck Pain
The upper back, neck and shoulder region are the most complex area of the body because of the numerous joints and how they conglomerate. Common issues such as pulled muscles, disc problems and arthritis affect thousands of people every day. Whether the pain is temporary or chronic, back and neck pain transforms every day lives. Activities that were once named as simple tasks for some may become very difficult because of the pain.
There are many causes of back and neck pain.
Injury - specifically to the soft muscles, tendons and ligaments surrounding the back and neck areas
Whiplash
Broken bone - shoulder blade, collarbone
Bursitis (a sac over the joints that provides a cushion between joints and muscles that can become swollen and painful after certain injuries)
Tendon separations/ dislocations
Other Cases
Symptoms of Back and Neck Pain
Pain:
Sometimes sharp pain
Other times dull, burning, crampy, shock like, etc
Stiff neck
Loss of range of motion
Headache
Weakness
Numbness
Coolness
Color changes
Swelling
Deformity
Tension Headaches
Most headaches are tension headaches that happen again and again, especially if one is under a lot of stress. A tension headache usually presents throbbing feelings and affects the front, top or sides of the head. These can be very painful to live with but are usually not a sign of something serious.
A tension headache is a mild to moderate pain that, unlike migraines, isn't associated with visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness or slurred speech. Physical activity doesn't make tension headaches worse. About 30%-80% of American adults suffer from occasional headaches while 3% suffer from chronic daily tension headaches. Women are twice as likely as men to develop tension headaches.
Causes
There is no one single cause for tension headaches. Sometimes the cause is unknown and sometimes, tightened muscles in the back of the neck and scalp region cause it.
This muscle tension may be caused by:
Other times, stress can trigger a tension headache. Stressors include, but are not limited to:
Problems at home/ a difficult family life
Having a new child
Lack of social life
Studying for tests or training
Starting a new job/ losing your job
Moving to a new city
Being unhappy with the way you look
Deadlines at school or work
Not getting enough sleep
Symptoms of Tension Headaches
Mild to moderate pain at both sides of your head (temples) or the back of your head and neck
Irritability
Chronic fatigue
Mild sensitivity to light and sound
General muscle aching
Headache that occurs later in the day
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