Neck pain is a rather unpleasant phenomenon that can affect anyone. Let's see why neck pain occurs, what it is like, how to properly diagnose and treat it.
The neck has many functions, it is responsible for the functioning of the spine and supports the head. Neck pain occurs frequently and is usually the result of heavy loads on this fragile but multifunctional part of the body. There are many reasons that cause neck pain. So, first things first.
Causes of neck pain
The causes of neck pain can be related to various types of diseases or injuries. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the main factors that cause pain:
- Chronic diseases (osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis) are degenerative and can appear in the neck muscles, ligaments or any part of the spine.
- Injuries - pain occurs when intervertebral discs, ligaments, vertebrae and joints are injured.
- Hernia of intervertebral discs.
- Reference pain from esophageal disease, muscle spasms, heart, lungs.
- Tumors in the cervical spine or metastases from kidney, thyroid or breast cancer.
- Infectious bone diseases, tetanus, meningitis, etc.
How does neck pain manifest itself?
There are different symptoms of neck pain and each person experiences them differently. Let's look at the most common of them.
- It is difficult to turn your head from side to side or make up and down movements.
- The neck hurts on the left or right side, and a particular pain is felt when trying to raise the head.
- When turning the neck, painful sensations appear in the temples and shoulders.
- Pain can also occur in the back of the neck, causing a feeling of numbness.
- Sleeping in the wrong position, immobile sitting work - the cause of pain in the neck, shoulders and back.
Pain in neck and head
Pain in the neck and head occurs due to injury, mechanical damage or disease. If the pain is caused by an injury or spasm, it stops after 1-2 weeks. Other causes of pain:
- Damage to the base of the neck, muscles or ligaments of the spine.
- Muscle cramps.
- Keeping the head in an irregular and uncomfortable position for a long time.
- Consequences of injuries or tumors.
- Acute thyroiditis.
- Ankylosing spondylitis.
- Infections and rheumatoid arthritis.
If neck and head pain causes discomfort, pain or interferes with your normal activities, see your doctor immediately. The doctor will help determine the cause of the pain and eliminate it.
Headache in neck area
Headache in the neck area can occur due to active movements of the neck vertebrae. The cause of pain can be fatigue, lack of sleep, pressure spikes and general ailments. Headaches in the neck area also occur due to chronic diseases or old injuries. Pain may occur due to exacerbation of osteochondrosis or chronic tonsillitis. Unpleasant sensations pervade the bottom of the head, sometimes the pain radiates to the temples when trying to lean or turn the head.
With such symptoms, it is necessary to take timely treatment measures. If the pain is not related to muscle entrapment, but to a progressive disease, then the consequences will be very unfavorable. Damage to blood vessels will negatively affect the supply of oxygen and blood to the brain, or lead to vascular insufficiency. As a result, hearing will decrease significantly, vision and memory will decrease, and concentration will decrease. To avoid this, you should consult a surgeon or neurologist.
Pain in the region of the neck on the right side
Pain in the right side of the neck, as a rule, is caused by cervical osteochondrosis (disease of the intervertebral discs). Elderly people mostly suffer from this disease. Pain is treated with rubbing, ointments, massages, manual therapy and orthopedic exercises.
But pain in the neck area on the right can also appear for other reasons. Thus, injury to the intervertebral discs, joints, vertebrae, muscles or ligaments will cause pain on the right side of the neck. Various immune disorders, infections and spinal diseases also cause pain. Do not forget about referred pains and tumors localized in the neck area. They significantly undermine the immune system and cause pain.
Severe pain in the neck
Severe pain in the neck can occur due to already existing diseases, injuries or rather ordinary situations. Let's look at the causes of severe neck pain.
- Increased stress on the spine and prolonged stay in an uncomfortable or incorrect position lead to spasms and severe muscle pain.
- Chronic diseases, infections, problems with the immune system.
- Sudden movements, emotional stress.
- Hypothermia of the muscles hinders blood circulation, which causes neck pain.
- Being overweight is another cause of severe pain.
Pain in the left part of the neck
Pain in the left neck area is a signal of problems, they can be caused by injuries, diseases or mechanical damage. If the pain is not related to the disease, it disappears within 1-2 weeks. But some pain is chronic and can last for years, causing discomfort and pain.
Pain in the left side of the neck occurs in patients of all ages. Pain can occur due to spinal disease, neck muscle damage or ligament problems. In children, pain occurs due to cervical lymphadenitis, that is, complications after sore throat and other colds. A neurologist or chiropractor can diagnose the pain and prescribe treatment.
Pain in the front of the neck
Severe pain in the front of the neck is often a symptom of neoplasm (malignancy). The tumor appears near the spine, esophagus, thyroid gland, or larynx. Another cause of pain is angina pectoris. But pain can also occur due to inflammatory processes or styloid process syndrome. If the pain occurs due to needle syndrome (styloid process), then painful sensations give a sharp pain in the ear and throat. Very often, patients with this disease have their tonsils removed, which is a mistake.
The cause of pain in the front of the neck can be accurately diagnosed using X-rays. Determining the cause on your own is difficult and even dangerous. Because an incorrect diagnosis will lead to the wrong treatment. To prevent this from happening, seek qualified medical help.
Pain in the back of the neck
Pain in the back of the neck can be caused by muscle spasms or muscle strain (often occurs when working for a long time in a sitting position). The muscles exert pressure on the vessels that are responsible for the delivery of oxygen to the brain, the functioning of the nerves and the cervical vertebrae. Manual therapy and a complex of massage procedures are used to remove muscle spasms.
If pain in the back of the neck occurs due to chronic diseases, tumors or infections, then the first step is to diagnose the disease. Thanks to this, you can create an effective treatment plan and take all measures to eliminate painful symptoms.
Agonizing pain in the neck area
Agonizing pain in the neck area is usually caused by sleeping in the wrong position, muscle spasms or pinched nerves. Pain will occur if you have a cold in your neck or have recently had a cold. To determine the exact cause of the pain, you should seek medical help. The doctor will refer you to an ultrasound and an X-ray of the cervical spine.
If the nagging pain in the neck is not related to diseases or infections, then the doctor will prescribe rubbing and ointments that will relieve the pain. Do not forget about preventive exercises, which will prevent the occurrence of pain in the future. Warming up the neck a little in the morning will relieve the pain and be a great start to the working day.
Acute neck pain
Acute neck pain occurs in both adults and children. There are many reasons for pain. Painful sensations can arise due to deformation of the spine, i. e. osteochondrosis or osteoarthrosis. Injuries, damage to ligaments or muscles also cause severe pain in the neck. Only a doctor can diagnose the cause of acute pain.
Regarding the treatment of painful sensations, first of all, it is necessary to minimize physical activity and pressure on the neck. It is also worth taking care that the neck is in the correct position during sleep, and especially during sitting work. Do not forget about regular exercises for the neck, which will prevent muscle atrophy.
Who to contact?
- Vertebrologist
- neuropathologist
Diagnosis of neck pain
The diagnosis of neck pain should be made by a specialist. The following methods are used for diagnosis: radiography, ultrasound, MR. The method used to diagnose the cause of pain is chosen by the doctor after examination, study of the patient's symptoms and complaints.
Diagnosis and treatment of neck pain is carried out by a surgeon, orthopedist, rheumatologist and chiropractor. In some cases, the patient undergoes diagnosis and treatment by a physiotherapist, massage therapist or traumatologist. If the cause of the pain is a malignant neoplasm, then a biopsy is performed on the patient, and the diagnosis is carried out by an oncologist, surgeon, ENT doctor or therapist.
Treatment of neck pain
Treatment of neck pain depends on the causes that caused it. If the pain is caused by a disease, then it must be treated (only then the pain will disappear). If the cause of the pain is injury, muscle spasms or inflammation, then the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, minimal physical activity and special ointments.
In emergency cases, the patient is ensured complete immobility of the neck, for this purpose neck corsets are used. If acute pain pierces the neck, then the first rule of treatment is to give up physical activity. This will straighten your muscles and remove muscle spasms. A massage will not be missing, it will improve blood circulation and work out stagnant muscles. In severe pain, patients are prescribed muscle relaxants. Remember that chronic neck pain is not normal. Therefore, at the first painful symptoms, seek qualified medical help.
Prevention of neck pain
Prevention of neck pain is the complete elimination of factors that cause pain. First of all, you need to make sure that the neck and spine are in a normal position. Do not sit in one place for a long time, regularly do basic exercises for the neck and back. Neck pain can be caused by smoking. In this case, prevention consists of giving up a bad habit. Problems with excess weight are another factor that causes neck pain. A healthy lifestyle, regular exercise and healthy sleep are the main preventive measures that will protect you from cervical spine pain.
Neck pain is a problem that everyone faces sooner or later. The causes of pain are numerous, and only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. But regular preventive measures - exercises for the neck, a healthy lifestyle and giving up bad habits will protect you from painful sensations.