Covid-19 has made a massive impact on the world. While the outbreak has slowed, we’re still dealing with the effects of the disease. As a result, the number of people suffering from back of neck pain COVID has risen dramatically.
The majority of us have been working from home for a long time now, and this is taking its toll on our bodies. Many of us have experienced some form of neck pain at some point in our lives. And if you’re struggling with neck pain, you’ll probably know exactly what I mean.
Types of Back of Neck Pain Covid
Neck pain can start in various forms ranging from dull pain to a burning sensation. Sometimes it may be on a single point but in another way, it can radiate toward another region of the body. Post-Covid symptoms include muscular pain especially lower back pain and back of neck pain. For proper treatment, there should be a good diagnosis. There are the following types of neck pain:
1. Axial Neck Pain
Neck pain is characterized by axial pain, also called mechanical pain, and is the most common type. It usually feels dull, achy, or throbbing, but can also be sharp or stinging. It does not move or radiates. It is often associated with certain movements and poor posture.
2. Referred Pain
The second type of neck pain is referred pain. Referred pain is pain that comes from a different area of the body and travels to the neck. This type of pain usually is caused by a problem in the lower back, which causes the nerves to become irritated and sends pain signals to the neck.
3. Radicular Pain
Other types of neck pain include radicular pain, which is pain that moves down the arm from the neck. The pain may be felt in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. Radicular pain is usually caused by a problem with the nerve roots, which are the nerves that branch off from the spinal cord to the arms and legs.
4. Myelopathic Pain
Myelopathic pain is caused by injury to the spinal cord or its nerve roots. Injury to the spinal cord may occur from trauma, infection, tumor, vascular disease, or degenerative changes. The location of the injury determines the type of pain and associated symptoms.
Causes of Back of Neck Pain Covid
There may be the following causes of neck pain:
- The muscles and ligaments in your neck and back can become strained and/or injured from stress and strain. This can be caused by repetitive motions, poor posture, poor sleeping habits, or even lifting heavy objects.
- A pinched nerve in your neck or back can cause pain. If you have a pinched nerve, you may feel sharp, stabbing pain, tingling,, or numbness. You may also feel weakness, loss of coordination, or dizziness.
- Muscle spasms in the neck or back can cause pain. You may feel stiffness, tenderness, or soreness.
- A slipped disc in your neck or back can cause pain. You may feel stiffness, tingling, or numbness.
- Arthritis, which is a condition that causes inflammation and damage to the joints, can cause pain in your neck or back.
- Arthritis in your neck and back can be caused by wearing a neck collar or brace for a long time.
- A herniated disc in your neck or back can cause pain. This is when the soft, jelly-like material that makes up the center of an intervertebral disc protrudes out of the disc space.
- A torn disc in your neck or back can cause pain. This is when the ligament that holds the two vertebrae together is damaged.
- A bulging disc in your neck or back can cause pain. This is when the soft, jelly-like material that makes up the center of an intervertebral disc bulges out of the disc space.
- Bone spurs in your neck or back can cause pain. This is when a small bone forms on a joint in your neck or back.
- Osteoporosis in your neck and back can cause pain. This is a condition where bones become brittle and weak.
- An infection in your neck or back can cause pain. This is when there is an infection in your spine.
- A tumor in your neck or back can cause pain. This is when a tumor forms in your spine.
- A fracture in your neck or back can cause pain. This is when a bone breaks in your neck or back.
Effects of Covid on Our Life
We must keep in mind that COVID-19 is a viral disease and it attacks the respiratory system. The virus invades the lungs, causing the respiratory tract to become inflamed and the person may experience difficulty breathing.
It also affects the heart, causing chest pain and palpitations. It may also cause muscle pain and stiffness, especially back and neck pain, headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
How to treat Back of Neck Pain Covid
If you are experiencing neck pain, it is important to see your doctor. Your doctor will take a thorough history and do a physical exam. He or she will look for signs of infection or other medical conditions that may be causing your neck pain.
Your doctor will also ask you about your symptoms, how long they have been present, and how severe they are. Some of the diagnostic tools are the following:
- Ultrasound – A device placed on your skin, which sends sound waves through your neck. These sound waves create images of your neck.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – A machine uses magnets to make an image of your spine. This test can be done with or without contrast.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan – A series of X-rays taken from different angles of your head, neck, and chest.
- Myelogram – A dye is injected into the spinal fluid in your spinal canal. The dye shows the shape of your spinal cord.
- Cervical spine – The area of your neck that includes your neck bones and spinal cord.
Home Remedies for Back of Neck Pain Covid
Some tips for easing neck pain at home include:
- Rest your head and neck regularly. Try to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night and avoid doing any activities that aggravate your neck pain. If you have regular pain, consider seeing a doctor for further evaluation.
- Avoid using your neck muscles excessively. Don’t do anything that makes it difficult to take restful breaks during the day or that keeps you from sleeping at night.
- Use heat and ice cautiously. Heat may help reduce swelling and inflammation, while ice may help reduce the amount of shock delivered to the spine in the event of an injury or sudden change in temperature. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully for using these treatments safely and effectively.
- Remove any unnecessary pressure from your neck by wearing a properly fitted collar (unless your health care provider prescribes otherwise) or using a support strap around your torso when lifting heavy objects or typing for long periods of time.
Conclusion
Neck pain can be extremely frustrating, and it’s difficult to know what to do about it. If you’re experiencing back or neck pain, there are a few things you can try in order to ease the discomfort. First and foremost, keep your head elevated as much as possible when you’re resting or sleeping.
Additionally, make sure that you’re using proper posture when working or exercising – keeping your back straight is key! Finally, if all else fails and the pain persists, see a doctor for further diagnosis and treatment.
