By virtue of being very close to each other on the body, the neck and the shoulders are related both anatomically and in their functionality. There are a number of structures that connect the shoulders to the cervical region. These include muscles, bones, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels. This is the main reason as to why pain originating from the cervical region may also be felt on the neck. There are a number of important things relating to neck and shoulder pain Edmonton residents should know.
The pain may either be acute or chronic. The acute type is that which has been experienced for less than two weeks and is mostly the result of trauma or an infective process. The chronic type, on the other hand, is that which has been experienced for at least two weeks. The most common causes include trauma, prolonged infections (such as tuberculosis and osteomyelitis), fibromyalgia and degenerative conditions.
Most of the cases seen in hospitals relate to injuries affecting soft tissues in the shoulders, the cervical region or both. Whiplash injury is often seen in the case of motor vehicle accidents. In this injury the back of the neck and the shoulders are injured due to sudden deceleration. Admission to the hospital is often necessary. The majority of the other causes are due to simple strains of muscles and ligaments.
One of the things that you need to do is to have a rest and to elevate the injured area. This serves to reduce further injury and to initiate the process of healing. Self made remedies that can be considered include the use of cold packs, heat therapy, pain medications and massage therapy. Cold packs are useful in reducing the inflammatory response and the warm compressions help in improving blood flow to the area.
Symptoms that fail to respond to home remedies such as cold compressions and analgesics should be reevaluated by the doctor. One of the things that the doctor will do is to take a history and perform a physical with the aim of establishing the exact cause of your condition. Various investigations may be required to help in making this diagnosis. These include radiographic images such as the CT scan and the MRI.
Imaging studies have the capability to pick a wide range of abnormalities. Degenerative arthritis in the cervical spine is one of them. In this condition, intervertebral disc spaces are narrowed over time due to the formation of bone spikes (osteophytes). Consequently, the structures which exit the spinal column are frequently pinched leading to pain in the neck and shoulder regions. This is what is known as cervical radiculopathy.
Some of the other conditions that may be seen include dislocated joints, fractures, tumors and bursitis among others. The management is dependent on the exact cause of the problem. Many of them tend to respond to drugs with just a small proportion requiring surgical management. Persons that are at a high risk of these injuries should ensure that they put on protective gear whenever possible.
There is a close relationship between the nerve supply of the shoulders and that of some abdominal structures such as the diaphragm. Irritation or injury of to these structures is a cause of referred pain to the shoulder region. Such cases are, however, quite rare.
The pain may either be acute or chronic. The acute type is that which has been experienced for less than two weeks and is mostly the result of trauma or an infective process. The chronic type, on the other hand, is that which has been experienced for at least two weeks. The most common causes include trauma, prolonged infections (such as tuberculosis and osteomyelitis), fibromyalgia and degenerative conditions.
Most of the cases seen in hospitals relate to injuries affecting soft tissues in the shoulders, the cervical region or both. Whiplash injury is often seen in the case of motor vehicle accidents. In this injury the back of the neck and the shoulders are injured due to sudden deceleration. Admission to the hospital is often necessary. The majority of the other causes are due to simple strains of muscles and ligaments.
One of the things that you need to do is to have a rest and to elevate the injured area. This serves to reduce further injury and to initiate the process of healing. Self made remedies that can be considered include the use of cold packs, heat therapy, pain medications and massage therapy. Cold packs are useful in reducing the inflammatory response and the warm compressions help in improving blood flow to the area.
Symptoms that fail to respond to home remedies such as cold compressions and analgesics should be reevaluated by the doctor. One of the things that the doctor will do is to take a history and perform a physical with the aim of establishing the exact cause of your condition. Various investigations may be required to help in making this diagnosis. These include radiographic images such as the CT scan and the MRI.
Imaging studies have the capability to pick a wide range of abnormalities. Degenerative arthritis in the cervical spine is one of them. In this condition, intervertebral disc spaces are narrowed over time due to the formation of bone spikes (osteophytes). Consequently, the structures which exit the spinal column are frequently pinched leading to pain in the neck and shoulder regions. This is what is known as cervical radiculopathy.
Some of the other conditions that may be seen include dislocated joints, fractures, tumors and bursitis among others. The management is dependent on the exact cause of the problem. Many of them tend to respond to drugs with just a small proportion requiring surgical management. Persons that are at a high risk of these injuries should ensure that they put on protective gear whenever possible.
There is a close relationship between the nerve supply of the shoulders and that of some abdominal structures such as the diaphragm. Irritation or injury of to these structures is a cause of referred pain to the shoulder region. Such cases are, however, quite rare.
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