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 health conditions. Unpleasant sensations that last for a long time signal serious pathology.
Sorte
Unpleasant sensations can manifest as neck pain or lumbago. Cervicago is an acute syndrome that prevents you from turning your head. Neck pain - cervical pain. It happens:
- Superficially somatic. Occurs when the skin is damaged.
- Deep somatic. It occurs when muscles and vertebrae are affected.
- Visceral. It occurs as a sign of an infectious disease or pathology of internal organs.
If neck pain affects adjacent areas, either cervicobrachialgia (cervicobrachial syndrome) or cervicocranialgia (discomfort extends to the nape of the neck and then to the entire head) is diagnosed.
Causes
Most often, discomfort occurs due to muscle cramps or muscle tension. They happen for the following reasons:
- hypothermia;
- sharp turning of the head;
- extended stay in the same position;
- muscle strain during work.
Discomfort caused by these factors does not require complex treatment. As a rule, they disappear on their own in 1-3 weeks.
If there is severe discomfort, numbness, the patient suffers from dizziness, reduced mobility, the causes of the disease can be much more serious. It is necessary to consult specialists.
Acute pain syndrome occurs 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.
The pain syndrome can vary depending on the disease and its degree. The pathology can be suspected through the accompanying signs.
Causes of pain by location
The location of unpleasant sensations is an important factor that allows you to accurately diagnose the problem during the initial examination. After determining the cause, other methods determine the degree of damage.
Painful sensations in front of neck
Unpleasant sensations under the chin or along the entire neck in front 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;
- thyroid pathology.
It is impossible to independently determine which disease has this symptom. The cause of pain can also be pinching of blood vessels or nerves with an intervertebral disc, which is deformed.
A complex of programs aimed at eliminating the disease without surgery and pills has been developed. It is necessary to consult experienced doctors: neurologists, osteopaths, chiropractors, kinesitherapists, masseurs.
Neck pain in the back
Changes in the spine are the main cause of painful, sharp or pulling pain in the neck area. They occur due to low physical activity, constant work at the computer. Discomfort can be a symptom of the following diseases:
- osteochondrosis - changes in the structure of intervertebral discs;
- protrusion of intervertebral discs (protrusion);
- intervertebral hernia;
- spondylosis - bone growths on the vertebrae;
- muscle cramps;
- vertebral fractures as a result of convulsions or osteoporosis.
Back pain in the neck is a non-standard symptom of tuberculosis of the spine, osteomyelitis, Reiter's syndrome.
Pain syndrome on the lateral surfaces of the neck
Discomfort in these areas is manifested by burning, throbbing pain, sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation. The uncomfortable feeling extends to the shoulder or ear on the right or left side. 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 characteristic of the following pathologies:
- blood vessel problems, atherosclerosis;
- muscle spasm due to sharp turning of the head, hypothermia or physical exertion;
- malignant formations localized in the larynx, thyroid, pharynx.
In the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, the pain can spread to the cervical region, neck and head. Reinforce when turning the head or bending the door.
Symptoms
If discomfort rarely bothers you, it may be the result of uncomfortable sleeping position or uncomfortable head movements. No special treatment is required. To remove the discomfort, do exercises, light rubbing, take warm baths, it is recommended to use an orthopedic mattress and pillows. But there are situations when a consultation with a neurologist or chiropractor is urgently needed.
Alarm signs are:
- stiffness of movement;
- the duration of the painful sensation is more than 1-2 days;
- the appearance of simultaneous 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 the pain in these areas is constantly bothering you, you need to seek help.
How to relieve neck pain in 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 action. You need to rub the product wherever you feel pain and numbness. If the pain worsens when you turn your head, you should limit movement. Do not make sudden head movements. Do not strain your arm for shoulder pain. It is possible to use painkillers with a warming effect.
All these recommendations will help relieve pain in 1-2 days. But in order to prevent recurrent attacks, a complete cure for osteochondrosis is necessary. There are also the most modern and long-established methods of treatment: UHT therapy, kinesitherapy, therapeutic massage, acupuncture, osteopathy, manual therapy, taping.
Diagnosis
A neurologist is primarily concerned with treating neck pain. At the reception, the specialist listens to the patient's complaints, conducts an examination. Identifies the cause of the problem. Most often it becomes a deviation from the norm of the spine. These changes are the reason for the development of concomitant diseases of internal organs.
Each segment of the spinal cord is responsible for the work of a certain 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 disturbed.
If the problem is in the cervical spine, the ENT organs, vocal cords, thyroid and parathyroid glands, neck muscles or forearms are affected. One. they more often diagnose problems with the spine and diseases of internal organs. Therefore, a chiropractor's examination is recommended for painful neck pain. If other diseases are detected, additional examination by specialists: cardiologist, endocrinologist, otorhinolaryngologist.
A patient who complains of discomfort in the cervical spine undergoes a comprehensive diagnosis. The list of procedures includes:
- blood test: general and biochemical;
- 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 MRI, the specialist examines the condition of the intervertebral discs in detail. The method allows you to diagnose diseases at an early stage. The doctor will assess the condition of the bloodstream. If there is compression of the spinal cord and its roots, he will see them in the picture.
Treatment of cervical spine pathology
After the diagnosis, the doctor develops individual treatment tactics for each patient. It takes into account the severity of changes in the affected area, comorbidities, age and level of physical development. A number of measures are taken to eliminate the symptoms and causes of the pathology.
Physiotherapy
The sessions are performed using modern devices and equipment for shock wave therapy. With the help of these procedures, swelling, inflammation are removed and blood flow in the damaged area is improved. After the course of UHT therapy, the elasticity of ligaments and tendons is restored, and metabolism is accelerated.
Taping
This method of manual therapy relieves pain and restores damaged muscles. Special bandages with thermal coating are used. They are carefully fixed to the damaged part of the body.
Manual therapy
In cervical spine pathologies, several techniques are performed. The session begins with a relaxing massage with an increasing pace of kneading. The effect is felt after 1 procedure. After the course, the vertebrae return to the anatomically correct position, and muscle cramps are eliminated. Blood circulation improves, 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 the blood supply in this area.
Mass therapy
The auxiliary method of therapy is effective for osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine. Discomfort, swelling, cramps and fatigue are removed after the procedure. Blood flow, the patient's condition and his emotional state are improved. Local or general massage is prescribed. Techniques are chosen individually for each specific case.
Kinesitherapy
To strengthen the muscular corset, exercise and classes on special decompression simulators are prescribed. During the procedure, the load is removed from the spine and the risk of cartilage abrasion is minimized. The large gym is equipped for training with additional equipment - rollers, balls. Exercises are supervised by doctors and experienced instructors.