There is no adult who has never experienced neck pain in his life. Every fourth woman and every sixth man experience it constantly. Sedentary lifestyles and computer time exacerbate the problem. Neck pain can also occur due to arthrosis of the shoulder joint and any other disease in this area, the upper back and arms or the back of the head. From this article you can learn everything about neck pain and how to eliminate it.
Causes of neck pain
The most common causes are the following diseases:
- Cervical osteochondrosis, complicated by protrusion or herniation of intervertebral discs. The most common and important cause of neck pain. The pain is associated with pinching of the spinal nerve roots by partially or completely damaged intervertebral discs. The pain is very strong, sudden, can be located only in the neck (on one or both sides) or radiate to other areas - in the head, back of the head, arm, back, under the shoulder blade, etc. etc. The treatment includes pain treatment, restoration of the cartilage tissue of the discs and strengthening of the neck muscles. Sometimes such patients need the help of a neurosurgeon to remove the damaged disc.
- Ankylosing spondylitis (rheumatoid spondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis) is an autoimmune inflammatory process in the joints of the cervical spine. The disease usually develops gradually imperceptibly, spreading along the spine from the bottom up. The cervical region is the last to be affected. It manifests itself as neck pain, stiffness of movement, which subsides after the start of physical activity. Over time the pain intensifies and the spine becomes immobile. Long-term treatment with a rheumatologist will help.
- Arthropathy of the joints of the cervical spine (uncovered arthropathy). The cause of pain in the neck and back of the head in this case is the degenerative-dystrophic changes in the small joints connecting the cervical vertebrae. It often has an occupational origin, develops when working in a stationary position with a bent or forcibly turned head, or after injuries. Symptoms: pain at the site of the lesion, radiation to the shoulder and tingling when moving, sometimes headaches, dizziness, high or low blood pressure, hearing problems. Treatment by neurologist and rheumatologist.
- Torticollis is a change in the position of the neck that prevents the head from turning and other movements. It can be congenital (in children) and acquired (in adults) after injuries, against the background of rough skin scars, persistent spasm of the neck and occipital muscles during degenerative-dystrophic and inflammatory processes in the spine and surrounding soft tissues. Symptoms: tilting of the head and raised shoulder on the affected side, pain in the neck and back of the head when trying to tilt the head in the opposite direction. Pain increases with physical activity and stress. Treatment can be conservative (for spasms) or surgical, performed by a surgeon or orthopedic traumatologist.
- Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is associated with irritation of the nerve endings in the muscles, leading to muscle spasm and pain.
Clinical anatomy of the neck
In case of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine, as well as facet arthritis (between individual vertebrae), joints, bone growths or swollen soft tissues can compress the vertebral artery, which leads to reduced blood supply to the brain, headaches and dizziness. Pain can also be a consequence of compression of the spinal roots that extend from the spinal cord. Along the plexus of the brachial nerve such pain radiates into the arm.
First aid for neck pain - what to do
Neck pain can increase gradually, but sometimes it appears acute, suddenly in the form of back pain with radiation to other areas. It is hard to endure such suffering. What to do, how to get rid of them?
Tablets and ointments for neck pain
Emergency self-help algorithm:
- Take a sedative - panic only makes the situation worse. you can take: 20 drops of soothing drops or a tablet with the substance levomenthol solution in menthyl isovalerate under the tongue. these drugs not only soothe, but also dilate blood vessels, which in turn helps reduce muscle spasm and associated pain. You can also take 1-2 tablets of valerian extract or any other sedative you have on hand.
- Take painkillers (optional).
- To get rid of pain, you can use external analgesics: ointments, gels, patches.
Exercises for neck pain
If the pain is not very strong, aching in nature and combined with stiffness, then you can try to get rid of it with the help of exercises. They must be performed smoothly, without sudden movements. An approximate set of exercises that relieve pain:
- initial position (IP) – lying on your back, head on a flat pillow. Press your head firmly into the pillow and hold until the count of 5. take a break and repeat; do 5 – 7 approaches.
- IP - lying on the left side, the head on a flat pillow. raise your head and hold it in this position until you count 5. take a short break and then at least five approaches.
- IP - lying on the side on the right. repeat the previous exercise on the right side.
- IP - lying on your stomach, hands clasped behind your head. lift your head up, resisting with your hands. each approach – 5 seconds with a short break, repeat 5 – 7 times.
Contraindicated for the relief of severe acute pain with exercises.
In such cases, it is best to keep the neck still, using, for example, a Shants collar. But prolonged immobilization leads to weakening of the muscle corset and worsening of the condition. Therefore, the Shants collar can be used to reduce pain before consulting a doctor. Only an expert can determine the duration of immobilization.
After complete or partial elimination of the pain syndrome on your own, you need to see a doctor, otherwise it will return and it will be quite difficult to relieve it.
Exercises for neck pain
What not to do if you have neck pain
If you often have neck pain, you should remember that you should not:
- to be in a forced position for a long time with a strained neck - a painful muscle spasm develops.
- lift weights, perform heavy work - microtrauma occurs in the spine with the tissues located near it, gradual destruction of cartilage and bone structures.
- they are often exposed to stress - they are accompanied by vascular spasms, which negatively affect blood circulation and the condition of the spine.
- smoking, frequent alcohol consumption – contributes to persistent vasoconstriction.
- hypothermia - the muscles near the spine become inflamed, myositis develops.
- Sleeping on a high soft pillow means staying in an uncomfortable static position for a long time.
- make sudden turns of the head - sudden pinching of the nerve and the appearance of severe pain are possible.
When you need to see a doctor urgently
Do not hesitate to seek medical help if:
- neck pain occurs regularly and is not always completely relieved by painkillers.
- you have experienced a painful attack for the first time or have already experienced it repeatedly, when any movement brings severe discomfort.
- the pain syndrome is accompanied by general disorders: fever, chills, etc.
- suddenly there was a sharp short-term pain in the neck on the left, radiating to the arm, shoulder blade or back of the head - a sign of an acute circulatory disorder in the region of the heart muscle (angina involvement )
- sudden attacks of headache and dizziness appeared, sometimes with loss of consciousness - a sign of compression of the vertebral artery.
If such symptoms appear, there is no point in treating yourself: this will only aggravate the problem. No folk remedies or grandmother's advice will help.
Only a doctor can help relieve pain by developing an individual treatment plan based on examination and establishing an accurate diagnosis. If you are in doubt about which doctor to contact, go to an appointment with a therapist, he will understand the situation and, if necessary, refer you to another specialist.
Types of neck pain and how to treat it
The pain syndrome can manifest itself in different ways: only on one side of the neck or everywhere, locally or radiating to other parts of the body. Let's try to understand what the appearance of pain indicates and what to do in each specific case.
Severe neck pain due to coronavirus and ARVI
Any viral infections can be accompanied by neck pain. This is due to poisoning caused by the infectious agent. Once the person recovers, these symptoms go away.
But in some people, after a few days or weeks after a viral infection, the pain syndrome appears again, sometimes accompanied by swelling in the spine and stiffness of movement (the head has difficulty turning to the sides) in the morning.
This condition requires immediate examination as it may be related to autoimmune processes in the facet joints (connecting vertebrae) of the spine.
The coronavirus infection has a serious impact on the immune system, causing various disturbances in its functioning. If a person is predisposed to an autoimmune process (close relatives suffering from such diseases), then it is very likely that a viral infection will serve as a starting point (trigger) for its appearance. What to do: see a therapist or rheumatologist.
Severe neck pain and fever
If severe neck pain appears suddenly and is accompanied by fever, then this indicates the presence of an acute inflammatory process:
- viral infection or exacerbation of some chronic inflammatory process (bronchitis, sinusitis, etc. ) - in this case, the disease is also accompanied by catarrhal symptoms - cough and runny nose. what to do: if the pain is not too severe and the temperature is not high, you can wait to see a doctor. persistence of pain after recovery should be a reason to consult a doctor.
- bacterial purulent inflammatory processes - abscesses, phlegm. what to do: consult a surgeon, as the symptoms can only be eliminated by surgery.
- autoimmune process in the joints of the cervical spine. the first symptoms appear a few days or weeks after the acute inflammatory process, there are no catarrhal symptoms. what to do: consult a doctor immediately. self-medication is contraindicated.
Severe pain in the neck, radiating to the head
Sometimes there is a sharp, sudden pain in the neck in the region of the spine, radiating to the head (cervical cranialgia), associated with pinching of the spinal roots extending from the 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae (C1 - C2) with transmission ofpain in the trigeminal nerve, the nuclei of which are located in the upper parts of the spinal cord. This is the so-called root pain syndrome, it can be very strong and quite long-lasting. What to do: as self-help, you can take a pain-relieving tablet and apply an anesthetic pad to the sore throat.
If the pain does not go away, then call an ambulance; the doctor can temporarily remove the pain. But after their removal, you should definitely consult a neurologist.
Pain in the neck and back of the head can be a result of compression of the vertebral artery. In such cases, it is often accompanied by dizziness and fainting, as the brain suffers from a lack of oxygen.
Similar pain can occur with high blood pressure (BP). The attack is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. What to do: pain in the neck and back of the head is dangerous, so if they appear, you need to call an ambulance.
Neck and shoulders hurt
Neck pain can radiate to the shoulders. Typically, neck and shoulder pain is associated with spasm and muscle strain when the neurovascular bundle between the scalene muscles is compressed. Morning stiffness occurs, due to constant pain, the head is in a forced position: it is slightly tilted forward and to the affected side. If a blood vessel is also compressed, dizziness, dark eyes and fainting may occur. The radiation of pain from the neck to the shoulders is also characteristic of osteochondrosis and arthrosis of the facet joints of the 5-6 vertebrae (C5-C6). When the pathological focus is located at C5, the pain radiates along the anterior outer surface of the shoulder, as a result of which the patient cannot move the arm to the side.
What to do: you can't tolerate such symptoms, you can't treat them yourself, you need to consult a neurologist.
Neck pain on the right or left side
If your neck hurts on one side:
- very strong sudden attack– a sign of violation of the roots of the spine on the right or left side. A patch with lidocaine can help, but this is a temporary measure, it is necessary to contact a neurologist.
- sudden paroxysmal short but sharp pain in left neck– may be a symptom of angina pectoris. if such symptoms recur, you should seek help from a therapist or cardiologist.
- pain on the left or right side– often develops with a prolonged tense position of the head due to spasm of the neck muscles. To relieve spasms, use analgesic ointments and patches. When painful muscle spasms occur, you need to monitor your posture and avoid work in which your head is in a static stretched position for a long time.
What to do: if you have constant or regularly recurring pain on the right or left side of the neck, it is better to start consulting a therapist.
Severe back and neck pain
Painful sensations in the back, transmitted to the neck, are usually a consequence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. There is a gradual destruction of the cartilaginous intervertebral shock-absorbing cushion - the disc. The disc becomes thinner, cracks and can partially or completely extend beyond the spine, pressing on the nerve roots, which is accompanied by severe back pain that radiates to the neck. Painful sensations are aggravated by spasms of the muscles of the back and neck.
When C6 is affected, neck pain radiates to the shoulder blade, shoulder girdle, shoulder, forearm and 1 finger. At the same time, muscle strength decreases and hand movements require additional effort. Damage to C7 - waves of pain are transmitted to the shoulder blade, back of the hand, index and middle fingers. Symptoms of damage to C8 - possible radiation of pain along the back inner surface of the hand to the little finger.
What to do: to relieve the pain, you need to take an anesthetic by mouth and apply an anesthetic gel to the skin. After the pain subsides, consult a neurologist.
Such pain in the back of the neck can also occur with scoliosis - a lateral curvature of the spine. Scoliosis can lead to compression and compression of the vertebrae, pinched nerves and constant back pain. What to do: the treatment is carried out by an orthopedic traumatologist.
Severe radiating neck pain
Sometimes neck pain spreads to other areas. These are the so-called referred pains, in which pain impulses from the main focus spread along nerve fibers connecting individual parts of the body and internal organs.
Pain waves can emit:
In the ear -Painful sensations have different origins. most often associated with:
- with inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs - sore throat, chronic tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis. It is usually a sore throat and ear, accompanied by symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough. in chronic inflammatory processes, the disease is not so acute, without fever, the pain is moderate.
- with degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the cervical spine (osteochondrosis) and its consequences - disc protrusion and herniation. Cervical pain syndrome is associated with pinching of the spinal roots by a disc that protrudes beyond the spine or the overgrown bone tissue of the vertebrae. referred ear pain with osteochondrosis is a sign of nerve root compression of the 3rd cervical vertebra (C3).
- with arthritis (inflammation) or arthropathy (metabolic disorders) in the joints of the C3 - C4 folds, which connect the cervical vertebrae.
in the teeth -painful radiation in the teeth:
- usually associated with osteochondrosis - damage to the C3 – C4 vertebrae.
- they have a reflexive character. this is due to dental problems: deep caries and periodontitis of the teeth of the lateral part of the maxillary dentition. various anomalies; The pain can radiate from the oral cavity to the throat, often there is a feeling that it is the throat that hurts, radiating to the teeth on the right or left. what to do: treat or remove damaged teeth, restore the bite. Reflected pain syndrome can be related to arthritis or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis - it feels like your teeth are hurting and the pain is radiating to the neck.
in the eyes -if the upper cervical vertebrae are affected (osteochondrosis, arthritis or facet joint arthritis), pain along the sensitive branches of the nerves in the neck may radiate to the eyes or the tissues around the eyeball.
in the temple -often a sign of cervical osteochondrosis or arthritis (arthritis) of the TMJ.
In your hand -with cervical osteochondrosis or arthritis (arthritis) of the C6 – C8 joints, as well as with spasm of the neck muscles.
On the shoulder blade &ndah;damage to C6 – C7, as well as glenohumeral periarthritis.
In the key -The pain syndrome can develop after an injury to the clavicle and be transmitted along the nerve fibers of the brachial plexus to the neck, as well as with arthritis or arthropathy of the shoulder joint.
When pain waves radiate to other organs and tissues, it is difficult for the patient himself to understand what hurts and which specialist to contact. Therefore, it is best to start with a therapist; they will know where to refer the patient next.
Intense pain in neck muscles
Pain in the neck muscles is usually associated with various injuries and diseases of the spine, but it can also manifest itself as an independent disease - myofascial pain syndrome.
What to do: treatment can be started by a neurologist, but consultation with a rheumatologist may be required.
The back of the neck hurts a lot
Pain in the back of the head and neck is most often associated with cervical osteochondrosis and pathology of the joints of the cervical vertebrae. This is accompanied by a painful spasm of the neck muscles.
What to do: it is better to start consult a neurologist; maybe after the examination he will refer the patient to a rheumatologist.
Pain in the front of the neck in the region of the larynx
Painful sensations in the area of the neck in front, combined with swallowing disorder, may occur with the development of thyroid tissue (inflammatory process, goitre). At the same time, the external increase is not always noticeable, since the goitre can develop behind the sternum.
What to do: urgently contact an endocrinologist.
The larynx can hurt due to acute and chronic diseases of the ENT organs. Such diseases are accompanied by cough, sore throat and sometimes an increase in body temperature. Laryngitis is particularly dangerous, accompanied by pain, cough with peeling and the risk of swelling of the larynx.
What to do: contact a therapist or otolaryngologist.
Neck pain when turning or bending
Myofascial pain syndrome with reflection in the area of the ear and eyeball when turning
Painful turns and tilts of the head can be a consequence of:
- osteochondrosis and violation of the roots of the spine. the pain syndrome is intense and sudden, it is almost impossible to turn or tilt the head. what to do: see a neurologist urgently.
- acute neck injury or prolonged microtrauma. in the absence of bone changes (fractures, dislocations), the pain syndrome is associated with spasm and subsequent inflammation of the neck muscles. what to do: seek help from a neurologist.
- curvature of the spine - scoliosis. the pain is aching in nature and intensifies when you bend the neck. what to do: contact an orthopedic traumatologist.
Neck pain after sleep
Typically, such pains rarely appear out of nowhere; more often they are related to some hidden disease of the spine or neck muscles. After sleep, they appear with a prolonged incorrect position of the head, which leads to compression of blood vessels and nerves. After sleep, this manifests as pain, numbness and limitation of movement. After some time this goes away.
What to do: contact a neurologist and make sure that you do not have a serious pathology.
Intense pain and tingling in the neck
The causes of pain in the neck accompanied by a twist can be osteochondrosis, arthropathy of the facet joints or increased mobility of the cervical vertebrae. In any case, this is a sign of a pathological process, which can be established only after examination.
What to do: contact a neurologist, but you may also need help from other specialists.
Treatment of diseases that cause neck pain
There are painkillers for temporary pain relief, but in order to completely relieve the patient from suffering, the doctor must conduct an examination and find out the cause of the pain. The patient cannot do it on his own; he has to go to a clinic.
Diagnostics
Clinical examination of the neck - the first stage of diagnosis
During the initial appointment, the doctor conducts a clinical examination of the patient and, based on its results, may prescribe the following additional studies:
- Laboratory Tests– general clinical, biochemical and immunological blood tests. The data obtained make it possible to identify inflammatory, metabolic and autoimmune processes.
- Instrumental diagnostic methods:X-ray of the affected part of the spine, if necessary– shoulder jointSoft tissue ultrasound;MRI or CT– more detailed examination of the cervical region.electroneuromyography– to assess the condition of the spinal nerve roots.
After the examination, the doctor can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Methods for treating neck pain
The treatment of neck pain syndrome can only be individual, as it depends on the established disorders and the final diagnosis. Concomitant diagnoses - the presence of various other diseases in the patient - must also be taken into account.
The combination of modern and traditional oriental techniques allows the patient to immediately relieve acute pain.
This restores hope for a normal life even in patients with long-term severe pain syndrome. After the course, they regularly come to the clinic for preventive treatment, which allows them to completely get rid of pain and lead a normal life. Contact the medical center, the doctors will definitely help you!