The face and neck comprise a complex structure of hundreds of tiny muscles that allow us to show expressions and to move. Pain in the face and neck can severely affect our overall quality of life, making it difficult to present ourselves in social situations or do something as simple as smiling. Neck pain can cause us to become tense, which can make the pain even worse over time. Thankfully there are several treatments available for this type of pain.
Types
There are several different types of face and neck pain. The type of pain a person experiences depends on what the cause of the pain is. For instance, stiffness and numbness with pins and needles is often a result of a nervous system or neck injury from a car accident. Pain that is described as soreness or throbbing is often the result of an injury to the muscles within the face or neck.
Causes
There are many things that can cause neck and face pain, but this type of pain is often a result of an injury. The delicate muscles in the face can be affected by a car accident, stroke or nervous system problem. One of the most common causes of face and neck pain is jaw problems from a misaligned jaw or joint conditions such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
The pain is the result of pressure and tightness from the joints in the jaw. This type of condition can affect the entire face and neck, resulting in a stiff neck and headaches. Other things that cause face and neck pain are fibromyalgia, cancer or arthritis in the joints of the neck and face.
Effects
The effects of head and neck pain can be life-altering because in many cases the pain can lead to headaches. This makes it difficult to focus or concentrate on tasks that need to be accomplished. Head and neck pain can also affect a person's confidence; he may shy away from interacting with others. Even making facial expressions can be painful depending on the cause and region of the pain. A person suffering with head and neck pain of any kind may find it difficult to relax or drift off to sleep at night.
Time Frame
The length of time that head and neck pain lasts depends on the cause of the pain. If a person was injured in a car accident, she may have pain for several months or even years. If the injury affected the muscles in the face and neck, she will most likely experience pain for only a few months. But the pain resulting from a spinal injury or broken bones in the face may last for a year or even longer. Every person is different and some people will suffer from pain for a longer period of time. Pain as the result of a TMJ injury will continue until the cause of the problem is corrected. Stroke victims may experience pain for months or even years after an incident.
Considerations
There are many things you can do to heal from head and neck pain, but again it all depends on what the exact cause is. Consider seeing a dentist first to be sure your jaw and teeth are not causing the problem. Getting more than one opinion is another important thing to consider. Visit a medical doctor and possibly a chiropractor to find out about treatment options. If the pain is caused from a muscle injury, physical therapy may also be helpful.
Expert Insight
Dr. Jack Cherin is a dentist specializing in TMJ disorders, craniofacial pain and headaches. He advises that proper diagnosis is very important because there are so many different causes of neck and facial pain. Finding the cause is a key component needed to diagnose the problem. An improper bite from a poorly aligned jaw is a possibility. He says that trigger-point injections can prove helpful because they help to relax the muscles in the face. Anti-inflammatory anesthetic medication injected for pain relief is a helpful solution for most people. But surgery is the only way to correct the problem over the long run if the cause is from a poor bite, .
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