Neck pain is a rather unpleasant phenomenon that can affect anyone. Let's look at why neck pain occurs, how it is, how to correctly diagnose and treat it.
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 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 associated with different 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 occur in neck muscles, ligaments or one of the parts of the spine.
- Injuries - pain occurs when there is damage to the intervertebral discs, ligaments, vertebrae and joints.
- Herniated intervertebral discs.
- Referred pain from diseases of the esophagus, muscle spasms, heart, lungs.
- Tumors in the cervical spine or metastases from kidney, thyroid or breast cancer.
- Infectious bone diseases, tetanus, meningitis and others.
How is neck pain manifested?
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 the head from side to side or make up and down movements.
- The neck hurts on the left or right side, and you feel particular pain when you try to lift your head.
- When you turn your neck, painful sensations arise in the temples and shoulders.
- Pain may also occur in the neck, causing numbness.
- Sleeping in the wrong position, immobile sedentary work - the cause of pain in the neck, shoulders and back.
Pain in the neck and head
Pain in the neck and head occurs due to injury, mechanical damage or illness. If the pain is due to injury or spasms, they stop after 1-2 weeks. Other causes of pain:
- Damage to the base of the neck, muscles or ligaments in the spine.
- Muscle spasms.
- Holds 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 neck and head pain causes you discomfort, pain or interferes with your normal activities, contact your doctor immediately. The doctor will help determine the cause of the pain and eliminate it.
Headache in the neck area
Headaches in the neck area can occur due to active movements of the cervical vertebrae. The cause of pain can be fatigue, lack of sleep, pressure shocks 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 permeate the base of the head, sometimes the pain radiates to the temples when trying 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 decrease significantly, vision and memory will decrease, and concentration will decrease. To avoid this, consult a surgeon or neurologist.
Pain in the neck area on the right
Pain in the neck area on the right usually occurs due to cervical osteochondrosis (disease of the intervertebral discs). Most often, elderly people suffer from this disease. Pain is treated with rubs, ointments, massage, manual therapy and orthopedic exercises.
But pain in the neck area on the right can also occur for other reasons. Damage to intervertebral discs, joints, vertebrae, muscles or ligaments will thus cause pain on the right side of the neck. Various immune disorders, infections and diseases of the spine also cause pain. Do not forget about referred pain and tumors located 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 formed diseases, injuries or rather ordinary situations. Let's look at the causes of severe pain in the neck.
- Increased stress on the spine and prolonged stays 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 impairs blood circulation, causing neck pain.
- Being overweight is another cause of severe pain.
Pain in the left neck area
Pain in the left neck area is a signal of trouble; they can be caused by injuries, diseases or mechanical damage. If the pain is not associated with an illness, it goes away within 1-2 weeks. But some pain is chronic and can last for many years, causing discomfort and pain.
Pain in the left neck area occurs in patients of all ages. Pain can occur due to diseases of the spine, injuries to the neck muscles or problems with ligaments. In children, pain occurs due to cervical lymphadenitis, that is, complications after a sore throat and other colds. A neurologist or chiropractor can diagnose pain and prescribe treatment.
Pain in the front of the neck
Severe pain in the front of the neck is often a symptom of a neoplasm (malignancy). The tumor appears 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 needle syndrome (styloid process), then the painful sensations give a sharp pain in the ear and throat. Very often, with this disease, patients 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. It is difficult and even dangerous to determine the cause on your own. Because wrong diagnosis will lead to wrong treatment. To prevent this from happening, seek qualified medical attention.
Pain in the neck
Pain in the neck can be caused by muscle spasms or muscle tension (often occurs when you work for a long time in a sitting position). The muscles put pressure on the vessels responsible for the supply of oxygen to the brain, the function of nerves and cervical vertebrae. To eliminate muscle spasms, manual therapy and a complex of massage procedures are used.
If neck pain 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.
Nagging pain in the neck area
Nagging pain in the neck area is usually caused by sleeping in an incorrect position, muscle spasms or pinched nerves. Pain will occur if you have a cold in the neck or have recently had a cold. To accurately determine the cause of pain, seek medical attention. 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 associated with diseases or infections, the doctor will prescribe rubs 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 neck heating in the morning will relieve pain and be a good 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 causes of pain. Painful sensations can occur due to spinal deformation, that is, osteochondrosis or osteoarthritis. 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, it is first of all 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. Do not forget about regular neck exercises, which will prevent the muscles from atrophying.
Who to contact?
- Vertebrologist
- Neuropathologist
Diagnosis of neck pain
Diagnosis of neck pain must be carried out by a specialist. The following methods are used for diagnosis: radiography, ultrasound, MRI. The method by which the cause of pain will be diagnosed is chosen by the doctor after examination, studying the patient's symptoms and complaints.
Diagnosis and treatment of pain in the neck area is carried out by a surgeon, orthopaedist, 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, the patient undergoes a biopsy, and the diagnosis is made 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 due to a disease, then it must be treated (only in this case the pain will go away). If the cause of the pain is injury, muscle spasms or inflammation, the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, a minimum of physical activity and special ointments.
In an emergency, the patient is provided with 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 clean up your muscles and eliminate muscle spasms. A massage will not be wrong, it will improve blood circulation and exercise stagnant muscles. In case of severe pain, the patients are prescribed muscle relaxants. Don't forget that chronic neck pain is not normal. Therefore, seek qualified medical attention at the first painful symptoms.
Prevention of neck pain
Prevention of neck pain is to completely eliminate the factors that cause pain. First of all, 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, a healthy lifestyle and giving up bad habits will protect you from painful sensations.