The neck is an important part of the body. Lymph vessels, large nerves, arteries and the spinal cord run through it. Neck pain can be a symptom of various medical conditions. Unpleasant sensations that last for a long time signal a serious pathology.
sorts
Unpleasant sensations can manifest as neck pain or lumbago. Cervicago is an acute syndrome that prevents you from turning your head. Neck pain - cervicalgia. It happens:
- Superficial somatic. It occurs when the skin is damaged.
- Deeply somatic. It occurs when muscles and vertebrae are affected.
- Visceral. It appears as a sign of an infectious disease or pathology of internal organs.
If the pain in the neck spreads to the adjacent areas, they diagnose either cervicobrachialgia (cervicobrachial syndrome) or cervicocranialgia (discomfort extends to the back of the head and then the entire head).
Causes of occurrence
The most common symptoms are muscle spasms or pulled muscles. They happen for the following reasons:
- Hypothermia;
- a sharp turn of the head;
- prolonged stay in the same position;
- Muscle overexertion at work.
The discomfort caused by these factors does not require complex treatment. They usually go away on their own in 1-3 weeks.
In the case of severe discomfort, numbness, dizziness, restricted mobility, the causes of the disease can be much more serious. It is imperative to consult a specialist.
Acute pain syndrome is observed when:
- Problems with the spine: bruises, soft tissue injuries;
- inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- Radiculitis;
- Disc prolapse;
- Curvature of the spine in the cervical spine;
- Osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis;
- neurological diseases;
- Fibromyalgia;
- Oncology.
Pain syndrome can vary depending on the disease and its degree. A number of accompanying signs can be used to suspect a pathology.
Causes of pain by location
The localization of unpleasant sensations is an important factor that will allow you to accurately diagnose the problem at the initial examination. After determining the cause using other methods, the degree of damage is determined.
Painful sensations in the front of the neck
Unpleasant sensations under the chin or along the entire front of the neck can indicate a number of pathologies. The list is impressive:
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- Angina pectoris;
- Cysts and abscesses;
- Inflammation of muscles, ligaments, and nerves;
- Thyroid pathology.
It is impossible to independently determine which disease has this symptom. Pain can also be caused by the pinching of blood vessels or nerves by the deformed intervertebral disc.
A complex of programs has been developed to eliminate disease without surgery and pills. It is necessary to consult experienced doctors: neurologists, osteopaths, chiropractors, kinesitherapists, masseurs.
Neck pain in the back
Changes in the spine are the main cause of sore, stabbing, or pulling pain in the neck area. They occur due to low physical activity, constant work on the computer. Discomfort can be a symptom of the following diseases:
- osteochondrosis - changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs;
- Protrusion of the intervertebral discs (protrusion);
- Intervertebral hernia;
- Spondylosis - bone growths on the vertebrae;
- Muscle cramps;
- Vertebral fractures as a result of whiplash or osteoporosis.
Back pain in the neck is a non-standard symptom and spinal tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, Reiter's syndrome.
Pain syndrome in the side surfaces of the neck
Discomfort in these areas manifests itself in burning, throbbing pain, which is sometimes accompanied by a tingling sensation. The uncomfortable feeling extends to the shoulder or ear to the right or left. Sometimes they are accompanied by the appearance of secondary torticollis due to the constant inclination of the head to the affected side.
This symptom is inherent in the following pathologies:
- Blood vessel problems, atherosclerosis;
- Muscle spasms due to sharp turning of the head, hypothermia, or physical exertion;
- malignant formations localized in the larynx, thyroid gland, pharynx.
In the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, the pain can spread to the cervical spine, the back of the head, and the head. Intensify when turning your head or bending your neck.
Symptoms
If complaints rarely bother, they can be the result of an uncomfortable posture in a dream or an awkward movement of the head. No special treatment is required. To get rid of discomfort, do exercises, rub gently, take warm baths, it is recommended to use an orthopedic mattress and pillow. However, there are situations when the consultation of a neurologist or chiropractor is urgent.
Alarming signs are:
- stiff movements;
- the duration of the painful sensation is more than 1-2 days;
- the appearance of accompanying pain in the shoulder, arm;
- frequent headaches, especially in the back of the head, accompanied by dizziness;
- Numbness of fingers, hands.
If you have had an injury to your neck, head, or spine and are constantly experiencing pain in these areas, you should seek help.
How to relieve neck pain in osteochondrosis
For acute pain, it is necessary to take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or use a gel or cream with anti-inflammatory effects. You need to rub the product wherever you feel pain and numbness. If the pain worsens when turning your head, limit movement. Do not make sudden head movements. Do not put weight on your arm if you have shoulder pain. It is possible to use pain relievers with a warming effect.
All of these recommendations will help relieve pain for 1-2 days. However, complete healing of osteochondrosis is required to prevent recurring seizures. There are both the most modern and well-tried treatment methods: UHT therapy, movement therapy, therapeutic massage, acupuncture, osteopathy, manual therapy, taping.
diagnosis
A neurologist is primarily concerned with treating neck pain. At the reception, the specialist listens to the patient's complaints, conducts an examination. It identifies the cause of the problem. Most often it will deviate from the norm of the state of the spine. These changes are the reason for the development of concomitant diseases of the internal organs.
Each segment of the spinal cord is responsible for the work of a specific organ. When the vertebrae change their position or the height of the intervertebral discs decreases, the transmission of nerve impulses from the spinal cord to the internal organs is disrupted.
If the problem is in the cervical spine, ENT organs, vocal cords, thyroid and parathyroid, neck muscles or forearms are affected. Those. more often they diagnose both problems with the spine and diseases of the internal organs. Therefore, an examination by a chiropractor is recommended for painful neck pain. If other diseases are detected, an additional examination by narrow specialists: a cardiologist, an endocrinologist, an ENT doctor.
A patient who complains of discomfort in the cervical spine is subjected to a comprehensive diagnosis. The list of procedures includes:
- Blood test: general and biochemical;
- a blood test for thyroid hormone levels;
- Computed tomography of the cervical spine;
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the neck area;
- Ultrasound examination of the neck vessels, salivary glands, thyroid with USDG.
With the help of an MRI, a specialist examines the condition of the intervertebral discs in detail. The method allows you to diagnose diseases at an early stage. The doctor will assess the condition of the blood flow. When the spinal cord and its roots are compressed, he will see them in the picture.
Treatment of the pathology of the cervical spine
After the diagnosis, the doctor develops individual treatment tactics for each patient. It takes into account the severity of the changes in the affected area, concomitant diseases, age and physical development level. A number of measures are taken to eliminate the symptoms and causes of the pathology.
physical therapy
The sessions are carried out with modern equipment and devices for shock wave therapy. With the help of these procedures, swelling, inflammation, and improved blood flow to the damaged area are removed. After UHT therapy, the elasticity of the ligaments and tendons is restored and the metabolism accelerated.
Taping
This method of manual therapy relieves pain and repairs damaged muscles. Special bandages with a thermal coating are used. They are carefully attached to the damaged part of the body.
Manual therapy
In the case of pathologies of the cervical spine, it is carried out using various techniques. The session begins with a relaxing massage with increasing kneeling speed. The effect can be felt after 1 treatment. After the course, the vertebrae return to the anatomically correct position, muscle spasms are eliminated. The blood circulation is improved, soft tissues are restored.
acupuncture
The procedure is indicated for various musculoskeletal disorders. The action on biologically active points on the body allows you to get rid of neck pain and weakness, increasing the blood supply to that area.
Massotherapy
A supportive therapy method is effective for osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine. After the procedure, discomfort, swelling, cramps and tiredness are eliminated. The blood circulation, the patient's well-being and his emotional state are improved. Either local or general massage will be prescribed. The techniques are selected individually for each specific case.
Kinesitherapy
To strengthen the muscle corset, exercise therapy and courses on special decompression simulators are prescribed. During the interventions, the spine is relieved and the risk of cartilage abrasion is minimized. A large hall is equipped with additional equipment for training - rollers, balls. The exercises are supervised by doctors and experienced instructors.