The Common Causes of Neck Pain (and How Massage Therapy Can Help!)

You’re going through your day trying to manage your daily tasks when you feel it. That dull ache, that sharp tension, that soreness in your neck that makes it hard to move.

Neck pain can be a pain in the neck, literally, but if you experience neck pain, you’re not alone. 75% of the world’s population will experience neck pain at some point in their lives. Women are more likely to suffer from neck pain than men. 

But what are the most common causes of neck pain, and what can you do to treat it? In this post, we’ll cover the most common causes of neck pain and how you may benefit from using massage therapy. Keep reading below to find out more information on using massage therapy to treat neck pain.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Common causes of neck pain can vary from person to person. There are also underlying conditions that may cause neck pain.

Managing neck pain effectively requires you to understand what caused your pain in the first place .. Here are the most common causes of neck pain. 

Aging

Aging is one of the most natural and common causes of neck pain. As we age, our bodies begin to break down. Joint tissue and vertebrae start to weaken from continual use.

Over time, the cartilage and protective joint cushioning surrounding the cervical area wears down, leaving the area vulnerable to friction and inflammation that can cause neck pain. These areas can experience frequent flare-ups of pain, causing reduced range of motion.

Injury

Sudden and forceful movement in the neck area from car crashes can result in whiplash. Whiplash is one of the most common causes of neck pain and injury. Getting hit in the head unexpectedly can also cause trauma to the area. 

The soft tissues, muscles and vertebrae in the neck become strained and injured. This makes it difficult to turn your head. Injury to the neck can also lead to ongoing symptoms like frequent headaches, tenderness, and reduced movement.

Underlying Health Conditions

Underlying health conditions can also contribute to neck pain. Certain autoimmune conditions, such as Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, can cause inflammation which can lead to neck pain and stiffness. 

Bone spurs and herniated discs are damaged areas of the cervical spine within the neck. They can inhibit your range of motion and cause pain. If left untreated, this can result in a pinched nerve.

Cysts or tumor growths in the neck or head area can press onto the spine and cause pain in the neck. Cancer and meningitis also cause severe neck pain. If you’re suffering from these illnesses, you should be treated by a doctor right away.

Increased Stress and Anxiety

Consistent stress contributes is another common cause of neck pain. Work and family expectations cause women to feel more stressed than ever. 53% of women are reporting high stress levels, and 46% declare that they feel burnt out.

Stress can worsen your neck pain. When we’re stressed or anxious, we tend to hold in our feelings in our neck and shoulders. Your muscles can stay in this pattern and continue holding the tension, causing ongoing pain.

It’s important to address these feelings of stress and seek out the proper treatments for alleviating and managing your neck pain.

Improper Posture

We spend a lot of time now in front of screen devices. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and TVs provide ways to work and have fun, but they’re also common causes of neck pain. 

Research shows that the average American spends about 3 hours and 15 minutes on their phone each day. All of this time, they’re either looking down or lying in bed looking at their phones from an angle. Holding your neck at an improper angle for too long puts excessive strain on it.

Physical Strain and Overuse

Repetitive stress disorder comes from performing the same actions each day. This can take its toll on your neck muscles and tendons. Your job may rely on you undertaking strenuous tasks that put pressure and strain on your neck.

Using Massage Therapy for Neck Pain

Using massage therapy to treat neck pain is an ideal way to address some of the common causes of neck pain and its symptoms. A massage for neck pain involves targeting key muscles and tendons. It uses gentle to moderate pressure to knead and rub these areas.

Massage therapy helps improve circulation to the affected areas. Increased blood flow allows more oxygen to flow throughout your body. Massage therapy also helps to flush out fluid build-up and lactic acid in the muscles. These can cause swelling and tightness and lead to increased pain. 

There are several types of massages to choose from. Each one uses special techniques and applies different levels of pressure to certain areas of the body based on your unique needs. They also incorporate particular methods to enhance the massage experience.

For example, someone who suffers from chronic pain might benefit the most from a Trigger Point Massage. This specialized massage focuses on the trigger points in your neck that hold onto tension and pain. It can also work well for areas of injury.

For those dealing with chronic stress and anxiety, an Aromatherapy Massage may be the way to go. It incorporates basic massage methods while also including scented essential oils. Combining massage pressure with scented essential oils like lavender can help calm and reduce anxiety and stress in individuals. 

The symptoms and causes of neck pain may be different for everyone. But luckily, there are an array of massage techniques to choose from.

Find Great Spa Massage Services and More at Faces Spa

Managing neck pain effectively can be a challenge if you don’t know how to identify neck pain causes and the proper treatments.

Let Faces Spa help take the stress off and help relieve you of your neck pain. Faces Spa, located in Omaha, NE, offers Med Spa services like facials and laser hair removal. We also offer a variety of posh massage services to help you relax and unwind. Contact us for more information or book an online appointment on our website today.

Book an appointment online or give us a call at (402) 384-8400 to benefit from some of these amazing results.