Neck pain is a rather unpleasant phenomenon that can affect anyone. Let's look at 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 due to heavy loads on this fragile but multifunctional part of the body. There are many reasons that cause neck pain. So, first of all.
Causes of neck pain
The causes of neck pain can be related to 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 the muscles of the neck, ligaments or one of the parts of the spine.
- Injuries – pain occurs with injuries to the intervertebral discs, ligaments, vertebrae and joints.
- Herniated intervertebral discs.
- Indicated pains 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, 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, and a particular pain is felt when trying to raise the head.
- When turning the neck, painful sensations arise in the temples and shoulders.
- Pain may also appear in the back of the neck, causing a tingling sensation.
- Sleeping in an incorrect position, motionless sedentary work - the cause of pain in the neck, shoulders and back.
Neck and head pain
Pain in the neck and head occurs due to injury, mechanical damage or disease. 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 neck and head pain causes discomfort, pain, or interferes with your normal activities, consult your doctor immediately. The doctor will help you determine the cause of the pain and eliminate it.
Headache in the region of the neck
Headache in the neck area can occur due to active movements of the cervical vertebrae. The cause of the pain can be fatigue, lack of sleep, pressure spikes and general malaise. Headaches in the neck area also occur due to chronic diseases or old traumas. 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 measures for treatment. If the pain is not associated with muscle pinching, 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, i. e. it will lead to vascular insufficiency. As a result, hearing will significantly decrease, vision and memory will decrease, and concentration will decrease. To avoid this, you should 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, elderly people suffer from this disease. Pain is treated with rubs, ointments, massages, manual therapy and orthopedic exercises.
But pain in the neck area on the right can also occur for other reasons. Thus, an 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 diseases of the spine also cause pain. Do not forget about the pain and tumors localized in the neck area. They significantly undermine the immune system and cause pain.
Severe neck pain
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 neck pain.
- Increased load on the spine and prolonged stay in an uncomfortable or incorrect posture lead to spasms and severe muscle pain.
- Chronic diseases, infections, problems with the immune system.
- Sudden movements, emotional stress.
- Hypothermia of the muscles disrupts 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 signal of problems, they can be caused by injuries, diseases or mechanical damage. If the pain is not related to a disease, it disappears within 1-2 weeks. But some pains are chronic and can last for many years, causing discomfort and pain.
Pain in the neck region on the left occurs in patients of all ages. The pain can occur due to diseases of the spine, damage to the neck muscles or ligament problems. In children, pain occurs due to cervical lymphadenitis, i. e. 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 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 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 with the help of 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 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 tension (often occurs with prolonged work 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. Manual therapy and a complex of massage procedures are used to eliminate muscle spasms.
If the pain in the back of the neck appears 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.
A stabbing pain in the neck
A stabbing 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 for an ultrasound and an X-ray of the cervical vertebrae.
If the unpleasant 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 the occurrence of pain in the future. A little neck warm-up in the morning will ease the pain and be a great start to the work day.
Sharp pain in the neck
Acute neck pain occurs in both adults and children. There are many causes of pain. Painful sensations can occur due to deformation of the spine, that is, osteochondrosis or osteoarthrosis. Injuries, damage to ligaments or muscles also cause severe neck pain. Only a doctor can diagnose the cause of acute pain.
As for the treatment of painful sensations, in the first place it is necessary to minimize physical activity and pressure on the neck. It is also worth making sure that the neck is in the correct position during sleep and especially during sedentary work. Do not forget about regular neck exercises that will protect the muscles from atrophy.
Who should I contact?
- Vertebrologist
- A 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, MRI. 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.
Diagnosis and treatment of pain in the neck area is carried out by a surgeon, orthopedist, rheumatologist and manual therapist. 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 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 disappear). If the cause of the pain is an injury, muscle spasms or inflammation, then the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, minimal physical activity and special ointments.
In case of emergency, the patient is provided with complete immobility of the neck, for this purpose neck corsets are used. If sharp pain pierces the neck, then the first rule of treatment is to give up physical activity. This will condition your muscles and eliminate muscle spasms. Massage will not be superfluous, it will improve blood circulation and exercise 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.
Preventing 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 the neck and back. Neck pain can be caused by smoking. In this case, prevention consists in giving up the harmful 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 diagnose it accurately. But regular preventive measures - neck exercises, a healthy lifestyle and giving up bad habits will protect you from painful sensations.