Neck pain is no longer a condition that only affects the elderly. Increasingly, younger children are also complaining about neck pain. There are numerous reasons why a child may suffer or complain of neck pain.
One of the most common causes of neck pain in children is strain. Strain can be caused by a variety of factors. For example, improper posture while sleeping can lead to strain and neck pain in children.
Strain can also occur because a child was playing a sport, sitting improperly at a computer, reading in bed, or some similar activity. For example, children who carry extra weight on their shoulders might suffer from neck problems. Strain can also be caused by injuries.
Neck injuries also can occur in children who are actively engaged in sports and other activities that require vigorous motions. For example, children who engage in contact sports are susceptible to neck injuries that would result in neck pain. It is fairly rare, but another potential cause of neck pain in children is rheumatoid arthritis. Neck pain caused by autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis will almost always be accompanied by other symptoms.
In more serious cases, neck pain in children is caused by meningitis. Meningitis is a disease that can be fatal if left untreated. Of course, a child who experiences pain because of meningitis will have other symptoms as well. These symptoms will usually include a fever, headache, and vomiting. If a child has an extremely stiff neck and is unable to touch his chin with his neck, there is a possibility that the child could have meningitis.
In most cases, neck pain in children is not severe and can easily be treated. In those cases, the child may simply need to rest, and the pain should go away on its own within a few days. In some cases, neck pain could last for one to two weeks.
A doctor should examine neck pain that lasts longer than a week or two. Neck pain can be treated with an ice pack or by taking pain relief medication specifically for children. In more severe cases, a chiropractor or physician could be an option. A doctor should be called immediately if a child has pain that persists for more than two hours, has a high temperature, or has numbness or tingling in the arms with their neck pain. These could be signs of a severe health issue.
