The neck is an important part of the body. Lymphatics, large nerves, arteries and spinal cord pass through it. Neck pain can be a symptom of various diseases. Prolonged discomfort indicates severe pathology.
Types
Unpleasant sensations may 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. Occurs when the skin is damaged.
- Deep somatic. It appears when the muscles and vertebrae are affected.
- Visceral. This is a sign of an infectious disease or pathology of the internal organs.
If the neck pain engages adjacent areas, either cervicobrachialgia (cervicobrachial syndrome) or cervicocranialgia (the discomfort in the back of the head and then the entire head) is diagnosed.
Causes of occurrence
Most often, the discomfort is due to muscle cramps or muscle tension. They occur for the following reasons:
- hypothermia;
- sharp turn of the head;
- long stay in the same situation;
- muscle overload at work.
The discomfort caused by these factors does not require complex treatment. They usually go away on their own within 1-3 weeks.
If the patient develops severe discomfort, numbness, dizziness, or mobility impairment, the causes of the disease may be more severe. Be sure to consult a professional.
Acute pain syndrome is observed when:
- spine problems: bruises, soft tissue injuries;
- inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- radiculitis;
- intervertebral disc herniation;
- curvature of the spine in the cervical spine;
- osteochondrosis, arthrosis;
- neurological diseases;
- fibromyalgia;
- oncology.
Pain syndrome can vary depending on the disease and its extent. The pathology is suspected by a number of concomitant signs.
Causes of pain by location
The localization of discomfort is an important factor that allows the problem to be accurately diagnosed during the initial examination. Once the cause has been established, the extent of the damage is determined by other methods.
Painful feelings in the front of the neck
Unpleasant sensations under the chin or along the front of the entire 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;
- pathology of the thyroid gland.
It is impossible to determine independently which disease this symptom is suffering from. Pain may be caused by pinching of blood vessels or nerves by an intervertebral disc that is deformed.
A complex of programs has been developed to eliminate diseases without surgery and pills. Consultation with experienced doctors is required: neurologists, chiropractors, chiropractors, physiotherapists, masseurs.
Neck pain in the back
Changes in the spine are the main cause of aching, sharp, or pulling pain in the neck region. They occur due to low physical activity, constant computer work. The discomfort may be a symptom of the following conditions:
- osteochondrosis - changes in the structure of intervertebral discs;
- protrusion of the intervertebral discs (protrusion);
- intervertebral hernia;
- spondylosis - bone growth in the vertebrae;
- muscle cramps;
- vertebral fractures due to whiplash or osteoporosis.
Cervical back pain is a non-standard symptom and spinal tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, Reiter syndrome.
Pain syndrome on the side surfaces of the neck
In these areas, the discomfort is manifested by burning, throbbing pain, sometimes accompanied by a tingling sensation. The discomfort spreads to the shoulder or ear to the right or left. They are sometimes associated with the appearance of a secondary torticollis due to the constant tilting of the head to the affected side.
This symptom is due to the following pathologies:
- vascular problems, atherosclerosis;
- muscle cramps due to sharp turns of the head, hypothermia, or physical exertion;
- malignancies localized in the larynx, thyroid gland, pharynx.
In the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, the pain can spread to the neck region, the back of the head, and the head. Increases when turning the head or bending the neck.
Symptoms
If the discomfort rarely bothers you, it is the result of an uncomfortable posture in the dream or an awkward movement of the head. No special treatment is required. Exercises, mild rubbing, hot baths, and the use of orthopedic mattresses and pillows are recommended to eliminate discomfort. But there are situations where there is an urgent need to consult a neurologist or chiropractor.
The alarm signals are:
- stiffness of movements;
- the duration of the painful feeling is more than 1-2 days;
- simultaneous onset of pain in the shoulder, arm;
- frequent headaches, especially in the back of the head, accompanied by dizziness;
- numbness of fingers and hands.
If you have had a neck, head or spine injury and you are constantly in pain in these areas, you should seek help.
How to relieve neck pain with osteochondrosis
In case of acute pain, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug should be used or an anti-inflammatory gel or cream should be used. Rub the product where you feel pain and numbness. If the pain gets worse when you turn your head, you need to restrict movement. Do not make sudden head movements. Do not load the lever in case of shoulder pain. It is possible to use warming painkillers.
All of these recommendations will help relieve pain for 1-2 days. But a complete cure for osteochondrosis is needed to prevent recurrent attacks. There are also the most modern and oldest treatment methods: UHT therapy, kinesitherapy, therapeutic massage, acupuncture, osteopathy, manual therapy, taping.
Diagnostics
The neurologist is primarily concerned with the treatment of neck pain. At the reception, the specialist listens to the patient's complaints and performs an examination. Identifies the cause of the problem. Most often, there will be a deviation from the norm of the condition of the spine. These changes are the cause of concomitant diseases of the internal organs.
Each segment of the spinal cord is responsible for the work of a particular organ. When the position of the vertebrae changes or the height of the intervertebral discs decreases, the transmission of nerve impulses from the spinal cord to the internal organs is interrupted.
If the problem is in the cervical spine, the ear-nose-throat organs, vocal cords, thyroid and parathyroid glands, neck muscles, or forearms are affected. Those. they are more often diagnosed with spinal problems and diseases of the internal organs. Therefore, in case of aching neck pain, examination by a chiropractor is recommended. If other diseases are detected, further examination by narrow specialists: cardiologist, endocrinologist, otolaryngologist.
A patient who complains of cervical spinal discomfort undergoes a comprehensive diagnosis. The list of procedures includes:
- blood test: general and biochemical;
- blood tests for thyroid hormone levels;
- computed tomography of the cervical spine;
- magnetic resonance imaging of the neck;
- ultrasound examination of cervical vessels, salivary glands, thyroid gland with USDG.
With the help of MRI, the specialist examines the condition of the intervertebral discs in detail. The method makes it possible to diagnose diseases at an early stage. Your doctor will assess the condition of your blood flow. If the spinal cord and its roots are compressed, you will see them in the picture.
Treatment of pathology of the cervical spine
Once the diagnosis is made, the doctor develops individual treatment tactics for each patient. It shall take into account the severity of the changes in the area concerned, the co-morbidities, the age and the level of physical development. A number of measures are taken to eliminate the symptoms and causes of the pathology.
Physiotherapy
Classes are conducted with modern shockwave therapy devices and equipment. These procedures remove swelling, inflammation, and improve blood flow to the affected area. After UHT therapy, the elasticity of the ligaments and tendons is restored and the metabolism is accelerated.
Taping
This method of manual therapy relieves pain and restores damaged muscles. Special thermal coated dressings are used. It is carefully fixed to the damaged part of the body.
Manual therapy
In the case of cervical spine pathologies, it is performed by several techniques. The session begins with a relaxing massage with an increasing rate of kneading. The effect can be felt after 1 procedure. After the course, the vertebrae return to the anatomically correct position and the muscle cramps disappear. Blood circulation improves and soft tissues recover.
Acupuncture
The procedure is recommended for various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The effect on the biologically active points of the body makes it possible to eliminate neck pain and weakness and increase the blood supply in this area.
Massage therapy
Complementary therapy is effective for osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine. After the procedures, the discomfort, swelling, cramps and fatigue disappear. The blood circulation, the patient's well-being and emotional state improve. Local or general massages are prescribed. The techniques are selected individually in each case.
Physiotherapy
Practice therapy and lessons on special decompression simulators are prescribed to strengthen the muscle band. During the procedures, the load is removed from the spine and the risk of cartilage wear is minimized. A large room is equipped with additional equipment - rollers, balls - for training. The exercises are supervised by doctors and experienced instructors.