Understanding Neck Pain
Watch the video below to learn more.
Neck Sprains & Strains
Your cervical spine, or neck, is built from seven bones stacked on top of each other along with a shock-absorbing disc between each level.
Your neck is actually quite flexible and it relies on muscles and ligaments for support. "Sprains" and "strains" in your neck are the result of these tissues being stretched in a way that is too hard or too far, much like a rope that frays when it is stretched beyond its normal capacity.
The medical term, "sprain" refers to a situation where the tough, durable ligaments that hold your bones together have been damaged, while "strain" means that your muscles or tendons that move your neck have been partially torn.
What Are The Common Causes Of Neck Pain?
The two most common causes of neck sprains and strains are auto accidents and sports injuries.
In other cases, less traumatic activities such as reaching, pushing, pulling, moving heavy objects and falls can also trigger these problems. For most people who suffer from neck pain that is brought on by sprains and strains, the pain is not the result of any single event but rather from repeated overloading.
Tendons and ligaments for the most part are able to handle these small isolated stressors quite well, but repetitive challenges lead to injury in much the same way that constantly bending a piece of copper wire will cause it to break. Some common types of these less acute types of cervical sprain/strain injuries include bad posture, poor workstations, repetitive movements, prolonged overhead activity, sedentary lifestyles, improper sleep positions, poor bra support and obesity.
