Neck pain can be painful for many reasons. In most cases, you must first determine what is causing the pain and muscle tension in order to choose the right pain reliever. Both medicines and folk remedies help to quickly relieve neck pain.
Neck structure
Neck includes:
- cervical spine,
- muscles,
- pack,
- larynx,
- thyroid gland.
There are seven vertebrae in the cervical spine. Compared to the rest of the spine, the cervical vertebrae are not large. They consist, like everyone else, of the body and the processes by joining muscles and ligaments.
Between the vertebrae - discs with a rigid outer part, consisting of fibrous fiber and a soft inner pulpal nucleus, which provides the spine with shock absorption.
Causes of neck pain
Traumatic Injury
Can be taken while playing sports, falling upside down, in an accident or road accident. With sudden inhibition in the process of rapid movement in the back of the cervix, a "whip symptom" occurs, as a result of which spasms and muscles, compression fractures, displacement of the cervical discs are possible.
Poor attitude
Prolonged work in a monotonous position, sleeping on an uncomfortable or too soft pillow, and prolonged static stress are predisposing factors. As a result, a bend appears, the head begins to move forward in relation to the body, the ligaments and muscles of the neck begin to experience increased tension.Spinal osteochondrosis
In osteochondrosis, there is a violation of disc trophism with its flattening and changes in the surrounding tissues. As a result, a decrease in cushioning function and the appearance of neck pain.
The cause of osteochondrosis can be malnutrition, back injuries, increased physical activity, unfavorable environment, chronic stress, inactive life, bad habits. In addition, there is a genetic predisposition.
With osteochondrosis, pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, dizziness and fainting occurs. Impairment of hearing, sight, memory. "Vertebral Artery Syndrome" - flies in front of the eyes, tinnitus. Impaired coordination and gait instability.
Exit or herniated disk
This is the name of the disk extension from the backbone. With a hernia, the outer annulus is destroyed by a displacement of its central part in any direction - sideways, backwards or forwards.
The most difficult pathology is internal displacement of the nucleus - this can lead to a spinal cord injury. With age, spinal osteochondrosis can join with hernia. All of the above factors can be the cause of a hernia, as well as carrying heavy bags, scoliosis, flat feet, and age-related changes in the body.
The symptoms are similar to those of osteochondrosis, except for blood pressure instability, insomnia, weakness in the hands and numbness of the fingers.
Ischemic heart disease - heart attack, angina attack
With this pathology, radiating pain in the neck and independent pain in the neck and lower jaw are possible. As a rule, they are combined with other signs of myocardial ischemia: fear of death, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea and vomiting.
Benign or malignant growths
The growing tumor puts pressure on the nerve roots, causing neck pain and other symptoms of spinal cord compression. Benign tumors (neuroma, hemangioma) are most often the exact rounded shape and a clear border.
Cervical pain is mild. Basically, there is concern about tissue compression by a growing tumor. Malignancy (lymphogranulomatosis, sarcoma, thyroid cancer) has virtually no borders and metastasizes to neighboring tissues.
Tissue destruction causes pain and worsening of the general condition. Neck pain in the front occurs with tumors of the oral cavity, larynx, thyroid gland. Along with the pain, difficulties arise during swallowing, impaired phonation, swelling of the face and neck.
In a bone tumor, the spinal cord and nerve roots are often damaged, resulting in paralysis.
Neck myositis
Occurs after hypothermia or prolonged muscle strain. It is characterized by the appearance of acute pain when moving. Pain can occur both with inflammation of the superficial muscles (sternocleidomastoid) and deep around the spine, involved in neck movements.
Palpation reveals muscle hypertension and sometimes difficult and painful joints. Chronic myositis leads to disruption of blood supply, trophism, and replacement of muscle cells (myocytes) with connective tissue.
This causes pain and weakness in the neck muscles, a violation of the symmetrical work of the muscles on the sides of the spine with the appearance of the torticollis: the inability to hold the head strictly in a vertical position.
Other diseases that cause neck pain
Spondylolistema: one vertebra "slips" from the other by blocking the disc.
Bechterew's disease - ankylosing spondylitis.Meningitis. Hypertension and stiffness of the neck muscles cause severe back pain in the neck when you try to tilt your head.
How to relieve neck pain with medication
First, you need to determine the probable cause of your neck pain. In any case, restrict your movement. In case of injury - to ensure immobilization of the damaged section and send the patient to the trauma center.
If you have a history of ischemic disease, call an ambulance and stop the pain by using sublingual vasodilators, try to calm the patient.
If meningitis is possible - if there has been contact with a sick person - call an ambulance. But in all cases - to stop your pain. Do not heat the injured area!
A good effect is observed by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - acetic acid. They also reduce morning stiffness and have an antiplatelet effect - they prevent erythrocytes from sticking together.
Option to replace drugs with tablets - suppositories.
If your neck, shoulders and arms hurt
Gels are useful for treating shoulder and arm pain.
Relieve neck pain and tension during muscle spasm
To relieve existing muscle spasms, along with analgesics, it is best to give muscle relaxants.
External Remedies for Severe Cervical Pain
To relieve neck pain with cervical osteochondrosis or other diseases, topical therapy will not be superfluous - the use of various rubs and compresses. After using these rubs, wrap the neck with a warm handkerchief, avoiding water ingress.
How to relieve neck pain with folk remedies
Attach a whole neck or burdock leaves to your neck.
Mix 50 ml horseradish root juice with the same amount of vodka. Rub or apply compresses.
Use kerosene, pre-set and passed through activated carbon, as a heating agent for grinding.
Make a honey cake from honey and flour, place it on a sore spot.
Use whole honey for grinding, you can - in half with aloe juice.
A mixture obtained by mixing equal parts of radish juice, honey and vodka, used for grinding.
Use chamomile infusion or calendula for compresses on the neck area. Grind horseradish root, add a little water, place on the sore spot.
Add hot pepper, ammonia or honey to the bile. Use for bandages.