Neck pain is quite an unpleasant phenomenon that can happen to anyone. Let's see why neck pain occurs, what it is, how to correctly 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 caused by the heavy load placed on this fragile but multi-functional part of the body. There are many causes of neck pain. So first things first.
Causes of neck pain
The causes of neck pain can be related to various 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 one part of the spine.
- Injuries - pain occurs during injuries of the intervertebral discs, ligaments, spine and joints.
- Hernia of intervertebral discs.
- It is indicated for esophageal diseases, muscle spasm, heart, lung pain.
- Tumors in the cervical spine or metastases from kidney, thyroid, or breast cancer.
- Bone infectious 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 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, sedentary work - the cause of neck, shoulder and back pain.
Pain in the neck and head
Neck and head pain occurs due to trauma, mechanical damage or disease. If the pain is caused by trauma 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 spasms.
- Holding the head in the wrong and uncomfortable position for a long time.
- Consequences of injuries or tumors.
- Acute thyroiditis.
- Ankylosing spondylitis.
- Infections and rheumatoid arthritis.
If your neck or headache causes discomfort, pain, or interferes with your normal activities, see your doctor right away. The doctor will help you determine the cause of the pain and eliminate it.
Headache in the neck
Headache in the neck can occur due to active movements of the cervical spine. The cause of pain can be fatigue, lack of sleep, increased pressure and general illnesses. Headaches in the neck also occur due to chronic diseases or old injuries. Pain may appear due to exacerbation of osteochondrosis or chronic tonsillitis. Unpleasant sensations occur at the base of the head, sometimes pain radiates to the temples when trying to bend or turn the head.
In case of such symptoms, it is necessary to take timely treatment measures. If the pain is not related to strained muscles, but to a progressive disease, then the results 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 failure. As a result, hearing will decrease significantly, vision and memory will decrease, concentration will decrease. To avoid this, you need to consult a surgeon or a neurologist.
Pain in the right side of the neck
Pain in the right side of the neck usually occurs due to cervical osteochondrosis (disease of the intervertebral discs). Most often, the elderly suffer from this disease. Pain is treated with rubs, ointments, massages, manual therapy and orthopedic exercises.
But pain in the right side of the neck can also occur for other reasons. Thus, damage to the intervertebral discs, joints, spine, muscles or ligaments will cause pain on the right side of the neck. Various disorders of the immune system, spine infections and diseases also cause pain. Do not forget about the indicated pain and localized tumors in the neck. They significantly weaken the immune system and cause pain.
Severe pain in the neck
Severe pain in the neck can occur due to already established diseases, injuries or quite ordinary situations. Let's look at the causes of acute neck pain.
- Increased stress on the spine and staying in an uncomfortable or incorrect posture for a long time causes spasms and severe muscle pain.
- Chronic diseases, infections, immune system problems.
- Sudden movements, emotional stress.
- Hypothermia of the muscles inhibits blood circulation, which causes neck pain.
- Being overweight is another cause of severe pain.
Pain in left neck
Pain in the left neck 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 in 1-2 weeks. But some pain is chronic and can last for many years, causing discomfort and pain.
Pain in the left neck occurs in patients of all ages. Pain can occur due to spinal diseases, neck muscle damage or ligament problems. Pain in children occurs due to cervical lymphadenitis, that is, sore throat and other complications after a cold. 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 a neoplasm (malignancy). The tumor occurs 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 pain occurs due to needle syndrome (styloid process), then painful sensations cause sharp pain in the ear and throat. Very often, with this disease, patients remove their tonsils, which is a mistake.
The cause of pain in the front of the neck can be accurately determined using an X-ray. Determining the cause independently is difficult and even dangerous. Because wrong diagnosis will lead to wrong treatment. To avoid this, 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 strains (often occurs when working in a sitting position for long periods of time). The muscles put pressure on the blood vessels, which are responsible for the supply of oxygen to the brain, the functioning of the nerves and the cervical spine. Manual therapy and a complex of massage procedures are used to eliminate muscle spasm.
If pain in the neck is 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.
Aching pain in the neck
Aching pain in the neck is usually caused by sleeping in the wrong position, muscle spasm or pinched nerves. Pain will appear if you have a cold in the neck or have recently had a cold. To determine the exact cause of the pain, you should seek medical help. The doctor will send you 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 rubs and ointments that will relieve the pain. Do not forget about preventive exercises that will prevent pain in the future. A little warming up of your neck in the morning will ease your pain and be a great start to your workday.
Acute pain in the neck
Acute pain in the neck can be found in both adults and children. There are many causes of pain. Painful sensations can occur 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 determine the cause of acute pain.
As for the treatment of painful sensations, first of all, it is necessary to minimize physical exertion and pressure on the neck. It is also worth making sure that the neck is in the right position when sleeping and especially when working while sitting. Do not forget about regular neck exercises, which will prevent muscle atrophy.
Who should I 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: X-ray, ultrasound, MRI. The doctor chooses the method to determine the cause of the pain after examination, studying the patient's symptoms and complaints.
Neck pain is diagnosed and treated 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 tumor, then the patient undergoes a biopsy, the diagnosis is made by an oncologist, surgeon, otolaryngologist or therapist.
Treatment of neck pain
Treatment of neck pain depends on its causes. If the pain is due to a disease, then it is necessary to treat it (only in this case the pain will disappear). If the cause of the pain is an injury, muscle spasm or inflammation, then the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, minimal physical activity and special ointments.
In an emergency, the patient is given complete immobility of the neck, neck corsets are used for this purpose. If acute pain has reached the neck, then the first rule of treatment is to refuse physical activity. This will tone your muscles and eliminate muscle spasms. Massage will not help, it will improve blood circulation and work inactive muscles. In severe pain, muscle relaxants are prescribed to patients. Don't forget 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 to completely eliminate 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 the neck and back. Neck pain can be caused by smoking. In this case, prevention is giving up a bad habit. Excess weight problems 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. There are many causes of pain, only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. But regular preventive measures - neck exercises, healthy lifestyle and giving up bad habits will protect you from painful sensations.