Neck pain can be painful for many reasons. In most cases, you first need to 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
The neck includes:
- cervical spine,
- muscles,
- bundles,
- larynx,
- thyroid.
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 bodies and processes that connect muscles and ligaments.
Between the vertebrae - discs with an outer rigid part, consisting of fibrous fibers, and an inner, soft pulp core, which provides the spine with shock absorption.
Causes of neck pain
Traumatic injury
It can be obtained while playing sports, falling head down, in an accident or on the road. Sudden braking in the process of rapid movement in the cervical spine causes a "whip symptom", as a result of which dislocations of ligaments and muscles, compression fractures, movement of cervical discs with the formation of hernias are possible.
Bad posture
Prolonged work in a monotonous position, sleeping on an uncomfortable or too soft pillow and prolonged static stress are prerequisites. As a result, bending occurs, the head begins to move forward relative to the body, the ligaments and neck muscles begin to feel increased tension.
Spinal osteochondrosis
In osteochondrosis, the disc trophism is violated by its flattening and changes in the surrounding tissues. As a result, there is a decrease in the amortization function and the appearance of neck pain.
The cause of osteochondrosis can be malnutrition, back injuries, increased physical activity, unfavorable environment, chronic stress, inactive lifestyle, bad habits. In addition, there is a genetic predisposition.
Osteochondrosis causes pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, dizziness and fainting. Impairment of hearing, sight, memory. "Vertebral artery syndrome" - flickering flies in front of the eyes, tinnitus. Impaired coordination and insecurity of gait.
Protrusion or disc herniation
This is the name of the protrusion of the disc from the spine. In a hernia, the outer ring is destroyed by moving the central part in any direction - sideways, backwards or forwards.
The most difficult pathology is the movement of the nucleus inwards - this can lead to spinal cord injury. With age, a hernia can be joined by spinal osteochondrosis. All of the above factors can be the cause of hernias, as well as carrying heavy bags, scoliosis, flat feet, and age-related changes in the body.
The symptoms are similar to the symptoms of osteochondrosis, except for instability of blood pressure, insomnia, weakness of the hands and numbness of the fingers.
Ischemic heart disease - heart attack, angina attack
With this pathology, radiating pains radiating to the neck and independent pains in the neck and lower jaw are also possible. They are usually combined with other signs of myocardial ischemia: fear of death, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea and vomiting.
Benign or malignant growths
A growing tumor puts pressure on the nerve roots, causing neck pain and other symptoms of spinal cord compression. Benign tumors (neuromas, hemangiomas) are usually of a regular rounded shape and clear borders.
Neck pain is mild. There is basically discomfort from tissue compression by a growing tumor. Malignant (lymphogranulomatosis, sarcoma, thyroid cancer) have virtually no boundaries and metastasize to adjacent tissues.
Tissue destruction causes pain and worsening of the general condition. Anterior neck pain occurs in tumors of the oral cavity, larynx, thyroid gland. Along with the pain, there are difficulties in swallowing, impaired phonation, swelling of the face and neck.
A bone tumor often damages the spinal cord and nerve roots, causing paralysis.
Myositis of the neck
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 hypertonia and sometimes hard, painful nodules. Chronic myositis leads to disruption of blood supply, trophism and replacement of muscle cells (myocytes) with connective tissue.
This causes pain and weakness of the neck muscles, violation of the symmetrical work of the muscles on the sides of the spine with the appearance of torticollis: inability to keep the head strictly in an upright position.
Other diseases that cause neck pain
Spondylolisthesis: one vertebra "slips" from the other with a disc jam.
Bechterew's disease - ankylosing spondylitis.
Meningitis. Hypertension and stiffness of the neck muscles cause severe back pain in the neck when trying to tilt the head.
How to relieve neck pain with medication
You must first determine the possible cause of the neck pain. In any case, limit your mobility. In case of injury - ensure immobilization of the damaged part and deliver the patient to the trauma center.
If you have a history of ischemic disease, call an ambulance and stop the pain with sublingual vasodilators, try to calm the patient.
If there is a possibility of meningitis - if there has been contact with a sick person - call an ambulance. But in all cases - to stop the pain yourself. Do not heat the sore spot!
There is a good effect of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - acetic acid. They also reduce morning stiffness and have an antiplatelet effect - they prevent the adhesion of erythrocytes.
Propionic acid derivatives also contribute to pain relief. They are low-toxic, well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract with a sufficient breadth of action.
Option to replace tablets - suppositories.
If your neck, shoulders and arms hurt
Gels are useful for treating shoulder and arm pain.
Relieve neck pain and tension by cramping muscles
To relieve existing muscle cramps, along with analgesics, it is good to give muscle relaxants.
External remedies for severe cervical pain
To relieve neck pain in case of cervical osteochondrosis or other diseases, local therapy will not be superfluous - the use of various rubs and compresses. After applying these rubs, wrap your neck with a warm handkerchief, avoiding getting water.
How to relieve neck pain with folk remedies
Attach a whole leaf of kale or burdock to the neck.
Mix 50 ml of horseradish root juice with the same amount of vodka. Rub or apply dressings.
Use kerosene that has been precipitated and passed through activated carbon as a heating medium for grinding.
Make a honey cake from honey and flour, apply to the sore spot.
Use whole honey to grind, you can - half with aloe juice.
The mixture obtained by mixing equal parts of radish juice, honey and vodka, is used for grinding.
Use an infusion of chamomile or calendula for dressings in the neck area. Grind horseradish root, add a little water, apply to the sore spot.
Add hot pepper, ammonia or honey to the medicinal bile. Use for dressings.