Most neck pain is due to strain and spasm of the neck muscles. the common crick in the neck upon arising is one example of neck muscle strain. this type of neck pain can be adequately treated at home. neck pains that require the attention of a doctor include those due to meningitis or a pinched nerve. 







Meningitis:
With fever and headache, there is possibility of meningitis. it may cause intense spasms of the neck muscles and make the neck very stiff. more commonly, though, neck pain is part of a flu syndrome that includes fever, muscle aches, and headache. when generalized aching throughout the muscles is present, a visit to a doctor is seldom useful. when stiff neck is due to one of the more common causes of muscles spasm, the sufferer can usually touch the chin to the chest., though perhaps with difficulty. if in doubt, it is better to see the doctor for an ordinary muscle spasm than to attempt to treat meningitis at home.






Pinched Nerve:
Arthritis or injury to the neck can result in a pinched nerve. when this is the source of neck pain, the pain may extend down the arm, or there may be numbness or tingling sensations in the arm or hand. this pain is only on one side, and neck stiffness is not prominent.

Home Treatment:
Neck pain in the morning may be due to poor sleeping habits. sleep on firm surface; a firm mattress firmer. stop using a pillow that keep the head from twisting without raising it. if you fold an ordinary bath towel lengthwise into a long strip four inches (10cm) wide, wrap it around the neck at bedtime, and secure it with tape or a safety pin, the overnight relief is often striking. warmth may be of benefit in relieving spasms and pain. heat may be applied with hot shower, hot compress, or a heating pad. heat may be used as often as practical, but don't burn the skin. aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen will help relieve pain and inflammation. neck pain, like back pain, is slow to improve and may take several weeks to completely resolve. if pain doesn't lessen in a week, call a doctor.


 Neck Pain:
1. Is this pain associated with fever and headache, or is the neck so stiff that the chin cannot be touched to the chest.
* if yes, see a doctor
*if no, use home treatment

2. Does the pain travel down one arm, or is there numbness or tingling in the arms?
* if yes, see a doctor
* if no, use home treatment

Aside from injuries, the main causes of elbow pain are BURSITIS and TENNIS ELBOW

Bursitis
The elbow bursa is a fluid- filled sac located right at the tip of the elbow. when it is irritated, the amount of fluid increases, causing a swelling that looks very much like a small egg right at the end of the elbow. the swelling is the cause of discomfort. there should be no fever and only a little redness, if any.


Tennis Elbow
Of the cases of tennis elbow that reach the doctor's office, less than are actually associated with playing tennis. the rest usually result from work that requires a twisting motion of the arm-- such as using a screwdriver-- or have no obvious cause. the doctor's help is needed only for prolonged cases that don't get better; perhaps one person in 1,000 needs such help.

The diagnostic of tennis elbow doesn't depend on tests or special examinations. tennis elbow is simply defined as a pain in the lateral (outer) portion of the elbow and upper forearm. the pain occurs after repeatedly rolling or twisting the forearm, wrist and hand. tennis elbow is usually caused by the tremendous impact transmitted to the backhand motion. the risk that this force will increase tennis elbow is raised by:

* Hitting the ball with the elbow bent rather than locked in a position of strength.
* Trying to put top spin on the ball by rolling the wrist on contract (this doesn't work)
* Holding the thumb behind the racket
* Using a racket that is head- heavy, especially a wood racket
* using heavier balls, such as those of foreign make or the pressureless type.
* Using a very stiff racket

According to the experts, the most important preventive measure for tennis players is to use a two- handed backhand stroke.

Home Treatment:
Bursitis of the elbow is turned very much like bursitis of the shoulder. at the first sign of tennis elbow, you should, of course, take preventive measures. but suppose that you already use a two handed backhand, have switched to alight and supple metal racket, and so on. or suppose your job or favorite hobby requires repeated use of screwdrivers or other tools that aggravate the problem. what now? resting the arm will surely make it hurts less, but most likely taking two weeks off won't cure it forever. interestingly, most authorities now think that you can "play with the pain" and not cause permanent injury.

We advocate a commonsense approach to tennis elbow; cut down on your playing time. when you do play, warm up slowly and do some stretching exercises of the wrist and elbow before you begin to hit the ball. using a tennis elbow strap may help. applying ice after playing may also help.

ELBOW PAIN
Is the pain due to an injury?
* if yes, see a doctor
* if no, use home treatment

Are any of the following present?
a. fever
b. swelling & redness
c. inability to use the joint
* if yes, see a doctor
* if no, use home treatment

Is the pain associated with sports or physical activity involving use of the elbow?
* if no, see a doctor
* if yes, use home treatment