The neck is an important part of the body. Lymphatic vessels, large nerves, arteries, and spinal cord pass through it. Neck pain can be a symptom of various medical conditions. Unpleasant sensations that last for a long time signal a serious pathology.
varieties
Unpleasant sensations may appear as pain in the neck or lumbago. Cervicago is an acute syndrome that prevents you from turning your head. Neck pain - cervical pain. Happens:
- Somatic superficial. Occurs when the skin is damaged.
- Deep somatic. Appears when muscles and vertebrae are affected.
- Viscerale. It arises as a sign of an infectious disease or pathology of the internal organs.
If neck pain seizes adjacent areas, they diagnose either cervicobrachialgia (cervicobrachial syndrome) or cervicocranialgia (the concern extends to the back of the head and then to the entire head).
Causes of occurrence
Most often, the discomfort occurs due to muscle cramps or muscle strain. They occur for the following reasons:
- hypothermia;
- a sharp turn of the head;
- prolonged stay in the same position;
- excessive muscle strain during work.
The discomfort caused by these factors does not require complex treatment. As a rule, they leave on their own in 1-3 weeks.
If there is severe discomfort, numbness, the patient suffers from dizziness, impaired mobility, the causes of the disease can be much more serious. It is necessary to consult a specialist.
Acute pain syndrome is observed when:
- problems with the spine: bruising, soft tissue injuries;
- inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- radiculitis;
- intervertebral disc herniation;
- 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. Pathology can be suspected by a number of accompanying signs.
Causes of pain by location
The localization of unpleasant sensations is an important factor that allows you to accurately diagnose the problem during the initial examination. Once the cause is determined, using other methods, the degree of damage is determined.
Painful sensation in the front of the neck
Unpleasant sensations under the chin or along the entire neck in the front can indicate a variety of pathologies. The list is impressive:
- inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- angina pectoris;
- cysts and abscesses;
- inflammation of muscles, ligaments and nerves;
- thyroid gland pathology.
It is impossible to independently determine which disease this symptom has. The cause of the pain can also be a constriction of blood vessels or nerves from the intervertebral disc, which is deformed.
A complex of programs has been developed aimed at eliminating diseases without surgery and pills. It is necessary to consult with experienced doctors: neurologists, osteopaths, chiropractors, film therapists, masseurs.
Neck pain in the back
Changes in the spine are the leading cause of pain, sharp or pulling pain in the neck region. 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 intervertebral discs;
- protrusion of the intervertebral discs;
- intervertebral hernia;
- spondylosis - growth of bone in the vertebrae;
- muscle spasms;
- vertebral fractures as a result of whipping or osteoporosis.
Back pain in the neck is a non-standard symptom and spinal tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, Reiter syndrome.
Pain syndrome in the lateral surfaces of the neck
Discomfort in these areas is manifested by burning, throbbing pain, sometimes accompanied by tingling sensation. The discomfort 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 tilting of the head to the affected side.
This symptom is natural in the following pathologies:
- vascular problems, atherosclerosis;
- muscle spasms due to a sharp turn of the head, hypothermia or physical exertion;
- malignant formations localized in the larynx, thyroid gland, pharynx.
In the initial stage of rheumatoid arthritis, the pain can spread to the cervical region, the back of the head, and the scalp. When turning your head or bending your neck, intensify.
Symptoms
If anxiety rarely bothers you, they may be the result of an uncomfortable dream posture or a difficult head movement. No special treatment is required. To eliminate discomfort, they do exercises, light rubbing, take warm baths, the use of orthopedic mattresses and pillows is recommended. But there are situations when it is urgently necessary to consult a neurologist or chiropractor.
The alarming signs are:
- stiffness of 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 suffered an injury to the neck, head or spine and pain in these areas constantly bothers you, you should seek help.
How to relieve neck pain with osteochondrosis
In case of acute pain, it is necessary to take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or use a gel, cream with anti-inflammatory effect. You should rub the product wherever you feel pain and numbness. If the pain worsens when you turn your head, you need to restrict movement. Do not make sudden head movements. For shoulder pain, do not load the arm. It is possible to use painkillers with a warming effect.
All of these recommendations will help relieve pain for 1-2 days. But to prevent recurrent attacks, a complete cure for osteochondrosis is needed. There are both the most modern and popular methods of treatment: UHT therapy, kinesitherapy, therapeutic massage, acupuncture, osteopathy, manual therapy, taping.
Diagnosing
A neurologist mainly deals with the treatment of neck pain. While waiting, the specialist listens to the patient's complaints, performs an examination. He identifies the cause of the problem. Most often, it becomes a deviation from the norm of the condition 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 particular organ. When the vertebrae change 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, the ENT organs, vocal cords, thyroid and parathyroid glands, neck muscles or forearms are affected. those. most often they diagnose both spinal problems and diseases of the internal organs. Therefore, for painful neck pain, an examination by a chiropractor is recommended. If other diseases are detected, an additional examination of close specialists: a cardiologist, an endocrinologist, an otolaryngologist.
A patient who complains of cervical spine discomfort undergoes 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 vessels of the neck, salivary glands, thyroid gland with USDG.
With the help of an MRI, a specialist examines in detail the condition of the intervertebral discs. The method allows you to diagnose diseases at an early stage. The doctor will assess the condition of the blood flow. If there is compression of the spinal cord and its roots, he will see them in the picture.
Treatment of cervical spine pathology
After diagnosis, the doctor develops an individual treatment tactic for each patient. It takes into account the severity of changes in the affected area, concomitant diseases, age and level of physical development. A number of measures are being taken to eliminate the symptoms and causes of the pathology.
Physiotherapy
Sessions are conducted using modern apparatus and equipment for shock wave therapy. With the help of these procedures, swelling, inflammation is removed and blood flow to the affected area is improved. After the course of UHT therapy, the elasticity of the ligaments and tendons is restored, the metabolism is accelerated.
tapping
This method of manual therapy relieves pain and repairs damaged muscles. Special bandages with thermal coatings are used. They are carefully fixed to the injured part of the body.
Manual therapy
For cervical spine pathologies, it is performed using several techniques. The session begins with a relaxing massage with increasing kneading rhythm. The effect is felt after 1 procedure. After the course, the vertebrae return to the correct anatomical position, muscle spasms are eliminated. Blood circulation is improved, soft tissues are restored.
Acupuncture
The procedure is indicated for various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Acting on biologically active points of the body allows you to eliminate neck pain and weakness, to increase blood supply to the area.
Masotherapy
An adjunctive therapy method is effective for osteochondrosis and other spinal diseases. After the procedures, discomfort, swelling, spasms and fatigue are eliminated. Blood flow, the patient's well-being and his emotional state are improved. Local or general massage is prescribed. Techniques are selected individually for each specific case.
Kinesitherapy
Exercise therapy and classes in special decompression simulators are prescribed to strengthen muscle corsets. During the procedures, the load is removed from the spine and the risk of cartilage erosion is minimized. A large gym is equipped with additional equipment - rollers, balls. Exercises are supervised by experienced doctors and instructors.