Strained Neck: Another Cause of Pain in the Back Between the Shoulder Blades
Neck strain is a common disorder.
It is often referred to as a "crick in the neck.
" While trauma occasionally is a cause, neck strain often arises from relatively trivial episodes such as coughing, sneezing, a rapid turn of the head, or even sleeping in an awkward position.
Holding the head in an awkward position (i.
e.
staring at a computer terminal) is another cause.
Neck strain is characterized by pain that is present in the middle or lower part of the neck.
The pain is usually felt in the back part of neck.
Pain may be felt on one side or on both sides.
The pain may cover a wide area.
Radiation of the pain may occur into the back of the head or into the shoulders.
On rare occasion, pain may radiate down between the shoulder blades.
It is not uncommon for patients to wake up with the pain.
Clinical examination shows loss of range of motion as well as tenderness in the neck muscles as well as the muscles in the back of the shoulders.
Muscle strength testing and reflexes are normal.
X-rays show the loss of the normal smooth curve in the neck.
Laboratory testing as well as other imaging tests such as CT scanning as well as MRI scanning are generally unremarkable.
It is important not to base the diagnosis of neck pain on nonspecific MRI findings nor to attribute mild to moderate disc bulging as the cause of the neck problem.
Only if persistence of the pain as well as worsening of the pain or the addition of neurologic symptoms occurs should further investigation be considered.
While is it is important to exclude other possibilities, most neck strains come on quickly and heal on their own.
In fact, neck strains often last only a few days or perhaps a little longer.
Treatment is fairly straightforward.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, muscle relaxants, and the use of a soft cervical collar are recommended.
In addition, occasionally injection of local anesthetics into the area of muscle spasm may be helpful for symptom relief.
Physical therapy is often very helpful.
Gentle exercises to improve range of motion and to maintain muscle strength are important.
Massage therapy and chiropractic are also useful.
The alternate use of ice and moist heat may be helpful as well.
If there are certain conditions involved in the patient's lifestyle that predispose them to developing neck strain, modification of these conditions will help tremendously.
Neck strain is generally self-limited.
What that means is that it usually improves on its own in a fairly short period of time.
It is often referred to as a "crick in the neck.
" While trauma occasionally is a cause, neck strain often arises from relatively trivial episodes such as coughing, sneezing, a rapid turn of the head, or even sleeping in an awkward position.
Holding the head in an awkward position (i.
e.
staring at a computer terminal) is another cause.
Neck strain is characterized by pain that is present in the middle or lower part of the neck.
The pain is usually felt in the back part of neck.
Pain may be felt on one side or on both sides.
The pain may cover a wide area.
Radiation of the pain may occur into the back of the head or into the shoulders.
On rare occasion, pain may radiate down between the shoulder blades.
It is not uncommon for patients to wake up with the pain.
Clinical examination shows loss of range of motion as well as tenderness in the neck muscles as well as the muscles in the back of the shoulders.
Muscle strength testing and reflexes are normal.
X-rays show the loss of the normal smooth curve in the neck.
Laboratory testing as well as other imaging tests such as CT scanning as well as MRI scanning are generally unremarkable.
It is important not to base the diagnosis of neck pain on nonspecific MRI findings nor to attribute mild to moderate disc bulging as the cause of the neck problem.
Only if persistence of the pain as well as worsening of the pain or the addition of neurologic symptoms occurs should further investigation be considered.
While is it is important to exclude other possibilities, most neck strains come on quickly and heal on their own.
In fact, neck strains often last only a few days or perhaps a little longer.
Treatment is fairly straightforward.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, muscle relaxants, and the use of a soft cervical collar are recommended.
In addition, occasionally injection of local anesthetics into the area of muscle spasm may be helpful for symptom relief.
Physical therapy is often very helpful.
Gentle exercises to improve range of motion and to maintain muscle strength are important.
Massage therapy and chiropractic are also useful.
The alternate use of ice and moist heat may be helpful as well.
If there are certain conditions involved in the patient's lifestyle that predispose them to developing neck strain, modification of these conditions will help tremendously.
Neck strain is generally self-limited.
What that means is that it usually improves on its own in a fairly short period of time.
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