Numbness in the neck can stem from a variety of potential causes.

When this is the case, it is critical that you see your physician and have the issue resolved immediately. The sooner you seek treatment options, the better your chances of a favorable outcome.

Let’s take a look at a few of the most common causes of numbness right now.

Muscular Tension

Pain and numbness in the neck can be caused by muscular tension. Regardless of the underlying cause, treating this type of neck discomfort requires addressing muscular tension to help reduce and prevent further muscle tightness. Muscle tension in the neck is caused by activities that require long periods in a static position or from recurrently performing the same motion over an extended period, such as leaning forward over a computer for hours.

Sensory Nerve Impingement

This occurs when a nerve is compressed and has difficulty sending signals to the brain. The most common location for sensory nerve impingement to happen in the neck is at the cervical spine, the base of the neck.

Impingement of this nerve can occur due to trauma or a slipped disk, or arthritis, causing narrowing of the area around the spine. The result is usually pain and tenderness at the neck and a referred pain felt elsewhere, such as the arm, hand, and fingers.

Posture Misalignment

Prolonged sitting in a crooked posture can cause the spine to become compressed and irritated, leading to numbness in the back of the neck. Misalignment of the vertebrae can cause pressure on the nerves of the neck, which also results in numbness. Poor posture can also lead to muscle tightness, resulting in pinched nerves and restricted blood flow, which can affect the sensory nerves of the neck and cause numbness.

In some cases, numbness may be caused by medical conditions such as cervical spondylosis or cervical stenosis, which can lead to nerve damage and numbness in the neck. Visiting the best neck surgeon for a consultation is vital if you suffer from neck numbness.

Nervous System Dysfunction

Numbness in the neck can be caused by various issues related to the nervous system, including injury, infection, and disorders. Trauma or mechanical injury to the neck, such as whiplash, can contribute to neck numbness. A person’s spine also plays an important role in neck numbness as it can be compressed or pinched due to spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, or a degenerative disorder like arthritis.

The peripheral and central nervous systems can be affected by disorders like meningitis and multiple sclerosis, causing widespread nerve pain and numbness. Numbness in the neck can also be a side-effect of certain medications, like certain diuretics and cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Unmasking the Causes Of Numbness

There are several causes of numbness in the neck. Whether it be from a traumatic injury, poor alignment of the head and neck, a pinched nerve, maintaining a poor posture for prolonged periods, or just plain sleeping incorrectly, it can be treated if caught early enough.

In all cases, it is necessary to get it checked by a qualified professional to ensure the cause is accurately identified and offers the best solution. Don’t wait; seek medical advice if you are feeling numbness in your neck.

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