Is Tramadol for Cervical Pain effective enough?

Tramadol for Cervical Pain

One of the issues that people complain about is neck pain or a stiff neck. It is especially common in people having a desk job or who are less active physically. Also, neck pain can get overwhelming and may affect the quality of life and daily movements. However, a solution like Tramadol for cervical pain can become a great aid for people.

Neck pain, also known as cervicalgia, occurs due to problems in the cervical spine. Studies show that around 30% – 50% of people annually experience neck pain severe enough to interfere with daily activities. Now, the neck contains the cervical part of the spine. So, the neck consists of the first seven bones of the backbone i.e. from C1-C7.

Cervical pain: How does it feel?

Firstly, most neck pains occur due to problems with cervical discs. Now, the seven bones known as vertebrae are separated with discs between them. These discs are a gel-like substance that provides cushioning between the bones. Therefore, they are responsible for providing movement and stability.

Now, sometimes there is injury, wear or tear inflammation, or other problems with discs. Also, normal neck pain stays in one place while cervical, pain i.e. pain in the cervical spine may radiate to arms and shoulders.

In fact, any problem with the spine can be a reason for neck pain. While the upper neck provides movement to the head, the lower neck and upper back support the head. Most of the neck pain occurs due to problems in the lower neck and upper back. Now, let us see what neck pain can feel like and how it affects you.

Symptoms of Neck Pain

The symptoms and severity of the problem are different for everyone. In some people, neck pain can result in serious complications causing problems with daily movements and activities. So, neck pain in people looks like this:

A persistent ache
Worsening pain due to positioning the head in one place for a long time like during driving, working, or studying.
Limited mobility
A stabbing or burning pain
Pain traveling from the neck to the shoulders or arms

However, there are other symptoms that may occur along with the pain which are:

Headaches
Muscle tightness
Spasms
Not able to tilt or move your neck
Feelings like numbness or tingling in shoulders or arms

Also, the risk for neck pain increases with age and women are more likely to suffer from neck pain.

What causes neck pain?

There are different reasons why one suffers from neck pain. Some of the common causes that produce neck pain among people are

Muscle Strain and tension:

Having bad posture, heavy weight, and weak abdominal muscles can all contribute to neck pain. However, sitting too long without changing position or reading in bed can strain the neck too much. So, muscle strain is one of the common problems for neck pain in people.

Medical Conditions:

In some cases, stiff neck or neck pain can be a sign of some severe health disorders. It can be a symptom of health conditions like

Meningitis
Cancer
Rheumatoid arthritis
Heart attack
Osteoporosis
Fibromyalgia
Herniated Cervical disc

For better information, consult your doctor if you experience any other symptoms apart from neck pain. As it can indicate some severe problems that can cause problems in the future.

Injuries:

Apart from the brain, there are ligaments, muscles, discs, and nerve roots that are also present in the neck area. Therefore, apart from the spine or vertebrae, they can also affect surrounding tissues, ligaments, and muscles. In addition, whiplash injury is one of the most common causes of damage to the neck causing pain.

Aging:

Age is a big factor that can cause back pain. Because with age, wear and tear can deteriorate the cervical bones. Also, osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis are common and mostly occur in older adults. Moreover, with time and excessive stress on the neck, it can also result in a herniated disk or a pinched nerve.

Mental Stress:

Some people tend to tighten their necks, during stress or agitation. But they are unaware and may notice it when it causes pain. Therefore, mental health problems may also cause stiff neck and pain.

Nerve compression:

Growths like tumors, bone spurs, cysts, etc. can put pressure on the neck and nerves around them. Therefore, this can result in nerve compression that results in neck pain.

Home Remedies and Prevention tips for Managing Cervical Pain

People, especially those who sit or stand for long periods are bound to suffer from neck pain and stiffness. So, home remedies can help manage mild pain at home with these simple options:

Exercise: Practicing stretching and neck exercises daily can reduce the chances of getting a stiff neck. However, if you have an injury or extreme pain, first take advice from your doctor and then perform the exercises.
Hot and Cold Therapy: After an injury or pain, first apply cold compression for a few days as it will reduce inflammation and swelling. Afterward, apply heat or take a hot shower which will help loosen the muscles and relieve pain.
Stress Management: Stress produces stiffness in the neck and can also result in pain. Therefore, practicing stress management in life can improve your condition.
Lifestyle Habits: Some habits like less smoking, an active lifestyle, maintaining good posture, and sleeping in the right position with special pillows can improve significant neck pain.
Proper Rest: If you have severe neck pain, then take proper rest. Also, avoid sports or other strenuous physical activity as it can worsen the stress on the neck area. After the neck pain gets better, one needs to resume the activity slowly.
Pain relievers: One can take OTC (Over the counter) pain medications to get instant pain relief like Tramadol, ibuprofen, etc.

These tips and tricks for cervical pain can help lower the pain. However, if the problem is due to some other medical condition or does not get better with the above remedies. It is best in your interest to consult a doctor and they may give you the right treatment for cervical pain.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you are experiencing neck pain that does not go away or is severely creating problems in daily life, then you must consult a doctor. Now, your doctor will ask about your medical history and for a thorough examination, they may perform certain tests. Some of the common tests include

X-rays
Blood tests
MRI scans
CT scans
Lumbar punctures
Electromyography

Now, after the results, your doctor will prescribe you treatment according to the problem. Here are the common treatment problems that your doctor can prescribe you:

Physical Therapy
Injections
Pain relieving medications
Muscle Relaxants
Neck collar
Antibiotics (in case of infection)
Hospital treatment (especially when the cause is severe like a heart attack)
Surgery (in rare cases)
Transcutaneous Electric nerve stimulation (TENS)

However, among all pain medications, they are the easiest and most effective methods for relieving cervical pain. But there are different painkillers available in the market. Therefore, we are presenting you with one of the most effective medications i.e. Tramadol for cervical pain.

Tramadol Description

It is a drug that is known under the brand name Ultram. Though, Tramadol was first known as “Tramal” and was launched in 1997. But it was available around the mid-1990s in the United States for medical use. However, in 2020 it will become the 35th most-prescribed medication in the United States with more than 17 million prescriptions.

Also, according to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), it is a Schedule IV controlled substance. Therefore, it’s an effective painkiller but also has the potential for abuse, addiction, and overdose. This is the reason that Ultram is a prescription medication and is against the law to use without it.

How does Tramadol for Cervical pain work?

The medication belongs to the drug class of opioids. Therefore, their mechanism of action is to directly affect the central nervous system (CNS). They attach to the opioid receptors in the CNS that are responsible for the transmission of pain signals. Therefore, when the drug attaches to these receptors, then they block the pain signals.

So, when there are no pain signals transmitted throughout the body, a person feels no pain. Also, pain relievers are not a permanent solution to any medical condition. Therefore, use it for temporary neck pain with the doctor’s consultation.

How to use Tramadol for Cervical Pain?

When it comes to the usage of the medication, one must follow the doctor’s advice. As it is a prescription medication and also has negative impacts on the body. So, one must use it according to the prescribed dose. However, the usual starting dosage is around 50 mg to 100mg for pain relief in adults.

But as per the requirement, a doctor can change the dose according to age, gender, medical history, and current situation. So, one needs to take one tablet twice or thrice a day. Also, the maximum dose should not exceed 400 mg in a day. But this is also a high dose and one must consume it only when the doctor prescribes it.

Takeaway

Cervical pain has become common among people, especially with the lifestyle that people are leading. Most people have desk jobs that make them sit all day. So, a stiff neck is something that people experience every day. So, doing some sort of physical activity and maintaining a good posture are essential.

However, due to various reasons, neck pain can get worse or can be extreme which can make it difficult for people to survive it. Therefore, do not exercise or do any treatment without consulting your doctor. However, in extreme cases, one can use Tramadol for cervical pain as it can get you instant relief.

Furthermore, many people tend to get their medications online. So, you can also buy Tramadol for cervical pain online. However, make sure to consult a pharmacy that is licensed like Rite Aid Pharmacy which guarantees to provide genuine medications.

Lastly, neck pain is difficult to deal with and gets irritating. But remember to take rest and proper treatment with precautions.