Neck pain is a rather unpleasant phenomenon that can affect anyone. Let's see why neck pain occurs, what it is like, how to diagnose it and treat it properly.
The neck has many functions, it is responsible for the function of the spine and supports the head. Neck pain occurs frequently and is usually due to heavy loads placed on this fragile but multifunctional part of the body. There are many reasons that cause neck pain. Well, 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 conditions (osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis) are degenerative and can occur in the neck muscles, ligaments or one of the parts of the spine.
- Injuries – pain occurs when there are injuries to the intervertebral discs, ligaments, vertebrae and joints.
- Intervertebral disc herniation.
- Referred pain from diseases of the esophagus, muscle spasms, heart, lungs.
- Tumors in the cervical spine or metastasis from kidney, thyroid or breast cancer.
- Infectious bone diseases, tetanus, meningitis and others.
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 feels especially painful when you try to raise the head.
- When turning the neck, painful sensations appear in the temples and shoulders.
- Pain can also appear in the back of the neck, causing a numb feeling.
- Sleeping in the wrong position, sedentary sedentary work - the cause of pain in the neck, shoulders and back.
Pain in neck and head
Neck and head pain occurs due to injury, mechanical damage or illness. If the pain is due to an injury or spasm, it will stop after 1-2 weeks. Other causes of pain:
- Damage to the base of the neck, muscles or ligaments of the spine.
- Muscle spasms.
- Holding the head in an incorrect and uncomfortable position for a long time.
- Consequences of injuries or tumors.
- Acute thyroiditis.
- Ankylosing spondylitis.
- Infections and rheumatoid arthritis.
If your neck and head pain causes discomfort, pain, or interferes with your normal activities, consult your doctor immediately. The doctor will help determine the cause of the pain and eliminate it.
Headache in the neck area
Headache in the neck area can occur due to active movements of the cervical vertebrae. The cause of pain can be fatigue, lack of sleep, increases in pressure and general ailments. Headache in the neck area also occurs due to chronic diseases or old injuries. Pain may occur due to exacerbation of osteochondrosis or chronic tonsillitis. Unpleasant sensations penetrate the base of the head, sometimes the pain radiates to the temples when you try to tilt or turn the head.
With such symptoms, it is necessary to take timely treatment measures. If the pain is not associated with pinched muscles, but with a progressive disease, then the consequences will be very unfavorable. Violation of blood vessels will negatively affect the supply of oxygen and blood to the brain, that is, it will lead to vascular insufficiency. As a result, hearing will be significantly reduced, vision and memory will decrease, and concentration will decrease. To avoid this, you need to consult a surgeon or neurologist.
Pain in the neck area on the right
Pain in the neck area on the right, as a rule, occurs due to cervical osteochondrosis (disease of the intervertebral discs). Most often, the elderly suffer from this disease. Pain is treated with rubbing, ointments, massage, 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 disc, joints, vertebrae, muscles or ligaments will cause pain on the right side of the neck. Various immune disorders, infections and diseases of the spine also cause pain. Do not forget the referred pain and tumors located in the neck area. They significantly undermine the immune system and cause pain.
Severe neck pain
Intense neck pain can occur due to already formed diseases, injuries or rather ordinary situations. Let's look at the causes of severe neck pain.
- Increased pressure on the spine and prolonged stay in an uncomfortable or incorrect position leads to spasms and severe muscle pain.
- Chronic diseases, infections, problems with the immune system.
- Sudden movements, emotional stress.
- Muscle hypothermia impairs blood circulation, which causes neck pain.
- Being overweight is another cause of severe pain.
Pain in the left side of the neck
Pain in the left area of the neck is a sign of problems; they can be caused by injuries, diseases or mechanical damage. If the pain is not related to any disease, it subsides within 1-2 weeks. But some pains are chronic and can persist for many years, causing discomfort and pain.
Pain in the left side of the neck occurs in patients of all ages. Pain can occur due to diseases of the spine, damage to the neck muscles or problems with the ligaments. 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 front of neck
Severe pain in the front of the neck is often a symptom of a neoplasm (malignant). The tumor occurs near the spine, esophagus, thyroid gland, or larynx. Another cause of pain is angina. But pain can also occur due to inflammatory processes or styloid process syndrome. If the pain occurs due to the needle syndrome (styloid process), then painful sensations radiate sharp pain to the ear and throat. Very often, with this disease, patients remove their tonsils, which is wrong.
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 wrong diagnosis will lead to wrong treatment. To prevent this from happening, seek professional 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 you work for a long time in a sitting position). The muscles put pressure on the vessels that are responsible for the supply of oxygen to the brain, the functioning of the nerves and the cervical vertebrae. To eliminate muscle spasms, manual therapy and a complex of massage procedures are used.
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.
Irritating pain in neck region
Annoying pain in the neck area is usually caused by sleeping in the wrong position, muscle spasms or pinched nerves. The pain will occur if you have a cold in your neck or have had a cold recently. To accurately determine the cause of the pain, you need to seek medical help. The doctor will refer you for an ultrasound and an X-ray of the cervical spine.
If the annoying 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. A little warm-up of the neck in the morning will relieve the pain and be a great start to the working day.
Acute pain in the neck
Acute pain in the neck area occurs in both adults and children. There are many reasons for pain. Painful sensations can occur due to deformation of the spine, that is, osteochondrosis or osteoarthritis. Injuries, ligament or muscle damage also cause severe neck pain. 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 making sure that the neck is in the right position during sleep, and especially during sedentary work. Don't forget regular neck exercises, which will prevent muscle atrophy.
Who to contact?
- Vertebrologist
- Neurologist
Diagnosis of neck pain
The diagnosis of neck pain should be made by a specialist. The following methods are used for diagnosis: x-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging. The method by which the cause of the pain will be diagnosed is chosen by the doctor after an examination, studying the patient's symptoms and complaints.
The diagnosis and treatment of pain in the neck area is carried out by a surgeon, orthopedist, rheumatologist and chiropractor. In some cases, the patient is diagnosed and treated by a physical therapist, massage therapist, or traumatologist. If the cause of the pain is a malignant neoplasm, then the patient undergoes a biopsy and the diagnosis is made by an oncologist, surgeon, ENT doctor or therapist.
Treatment of neck pain
Treatment for neck pain depends on the causes that caused it. If the pain is due to a disease, then it must be treated (only in this case the pain will subside). 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 an emergency, the patient is provided with complete immobility of the neck; neck corsets are used for this purpose. If sharp pain pierces the neck, then the first rule of treatment is to give up physical activity. This will straighten your muscles and eliminate muscle spasms. A massage will not go to waste, it will improve blood circulation and work stagnant muscles. For severe pain, patients are prescribed muscle relaxants. Don't forget that chronic neck pain is not normal. Therefore, at the first painful symptoms, seek specialized medical help.
Prevention of neck pain
Prevention of neck pain is the complete elimination of the 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 your neck and back. Neck pain can be caused by smoking. In this case, prevention consists in giving up the bad habit. Problems with excess weight are another factor that causes neck pain. A healthy lifestyle, regular exercise and sound 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. There are many causes of pain; only a doctor can accurately diagnose it. But regular preventive measures - neck exercises, healthy lifestyle and giving up bad habits will protect you from painful sensations.