Neck Pain? How To Tell If Your Neck Injury Is Serious

Should I Go to the Doctor?

With medical bills being so expensive, a lot of us put off going to the doctor. However, there are times when you should bite the bullet and go.

If you’ve recently been dealing with car accident injuries or the effects of a serious fall, don’t wait to get your neck pain checked out by a doctor. The neck pain and nausea from car accident injuries can be more severe than you think.

You should also head to the doctor immediately if you’re experiencing ongoing neck pain and unexplained weight loss. This could be a sign of colon or ovarian cancer.

Your neck pain might also be severe if it’s been going on for more than six weeks, is getting significantly worse or not better at all, or is causing nerve pain in your arms or legs.

It can be easy to avoid the doctor due to anxiety or fear of bills, but it’s crucial to take care of your health and body. A serious neck injury can quickly snowball in severity over time.

When Is It Okay Not to Go to the Doctor?

There are situations in which it’s okay to not run to the doctor. In these situations, it’s suggested you still take the appropriate time to rest.

If you experience a quick, sharp pain every once in a while, it’s probably not a red flag. When there are no other symptoms other than an immediate pain, it’s probably just an irritated nerve.

Do you have pain when yawning? It could just be a painful neck cramp. Drink a warm glass of water, and place a hot compress on the cramp.

Did you wake up with a stiff neck this morning? It’s most likely not a cause to worry. You probably just slept on your neck in a weird position and caused an agitated structure.

No matter what the pain is in your neck, use your common sense, and remain calm. Take your health seriously, but don’t think every sharp pain points to you having a chronic disease.

Neck Pain for Months Could Mean a Trip to the Doctor

We’ve all slept on our neck in an unusual way or have had weird, shooting pains at random times. Not all neck pain means something serious, but you should know when to visit your doctor. Usually, you would want to see a neurologist, pain management doctor, physiatrist, acupuncturist, or a chiropractor for neck pain.

If you’ve had cervical pain for months or have been involved with a recent car accident, you need to make an appointment to see a doctor for whiplash. Take time to check in with your body.

If you’re experiencing ongoing neck pain, call 1-800-897-8440 to find an experienced neck injury doctor near you.