Causes and treatment of neck pain

The neck is considered the life-determining part of the human body. The main blood arteries, veins, capillaries and nerve fibers pass through it, forcing the whole body to work properly. Blood channels provide the brain with a supply of nutrients and oxygen, without which the most important organ of the nervous system cannot function normally. If a person has neck pain, you should look for the causes of the disorder and, as far as possible, eliminate them.

Types of neck pain

The pain syndrome is divided into two main groups:

1. Cervicalgia (lumbago) - regularly, with varying strength and dynamics, spreads to the shoulders and beyond. It often has a pulling, painful nature. The cause is a painful spasm of the neck muscles.
2. Cervicago is a sharp pain that occurs unexpectedly with unexpected sharp turns of the head, long stay in an awkward position. At the same time, one cannot turn one's neck freely, nod due to severe pain. "Shoot" on the shoulders, chest, arms. This pain is associated with the effect of stimuli on the nerve endings that pass close to the brain.

Causes of the disorder

Often patients have pain in the cervix. Sometimes back spasms occur due to unintentional head movements. Sometimes there is discomfort in the occipital region. It is especially unpleasant when the pain syndrome manifests itself in the morning due to uncomfortable posture during sleep.

Under adverse circumstances, pain can occur due to the consequences of untreated infectious diseases. They are so unbearable that it is impossible to think about the reason for their occurrence.

Neck pain occurs for various reasons:

• Non-specific.
• Vertebrogenic.
• In case of malfunction of the internal organs.
• With the development of oncological formations of benign and malignant nature.
• In case of injury.
• In inflammation of the bone tissue (acute osteomyelitis, purulent lymphadenitis, spinal paralysis, meningitis, acute thyroiditis).

Non-specific causes

Patients often have to experience non-specific pain. They occur in response to strain on the neck muscles and are considered a natural reaction of the body. This feeling usually occurs when a person lies in an awkward position for a long time or is physically overwhelmed.

Neck pain from severe loads of a dynamic nature. To get rid of unpleasant sensations, the body must rest well. This pain is not too intense, does not last long and goes away on its own without the need for special treatment.

When the overload is constant, the physiological pain acquires a chronic form - a degenerative-dystrophic process begins. Harmful factors should be eliminated immediately when anxious symptoms appear, and not wait for the disease to develop.

The statistical cause of pain can be:

• Improper position during sleep.
• Frequent head movements.
• Highly firm pillow.

Vertebral causes

Dysfunction of the cervical spine, discs, joints, ligaments and muscles is the answer to the question of why the neck hurts. When the pain syndrome is constantly observed, degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine are registered in such patients during an X-ray examination. The neck is susceptible to this disease due to its anatomical structure:

• The neck joints are extremely flexible.
• The vertebrae have a very fragile structure and small size.
• They endure enormous loads every second, supporting the skull.
• Neurovascular fibers are located inside the vertebrae.

Degenerative-dystrophic pathologies include:

• Osteochondrosis.
• Kyphosis.
• Spondylolisthesis (listosis).
• lordosis.
• Spondylopathy.
• Spinal stenosis.
• Intervertebral hernia. Her neck hurts, mostly on one side.

Complications such as torticollis, disc protrusion, spinal cord compression, sciatica progression, spinal deformity, persistent headache, dizziness, and tinnitus may occur with such disorders.

Internal problems

Neck pain that appears in the front is associated with a malfunction of the thyroid gland. They usually present with inflammatory lesions of the gland (thyroiditis), are acute, subacute, chronic or autoimmune in nature. The disorder is referred to as:

• Rising body temperature.
• Lethargy, drowsiness.
• Redness, possible swelling of the skin in front of the neck.
• Choking, difficulty swallowing.

Thyroiditis causes systemic throbbing pain. It grows when swallowing, turning the head, probing the gland.

Unexpected pain in the side of the neck signals inflammation of the lymph nodes in diseases of the ENT organs. Provokers of this condition can be:

• ENT diseases of various nature (pharyngitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, otitis media).
• Tooth decay.
• Gum disease.
• Retropharyngeal abscess.
• Infectious diseases.

The neck may swell noticeably, lose its shape. The temperature rises rapidly, there are symptoms of the development of the underlying disease.

Development of oncological neoplasms

Neck pain provokes cancer of the spinal tissues, blood vessels and internal organs located in the neck. Tumors of the spine can be:

• Primary (mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, osbolithosarcoma, lymphangioma).
• Secondary (myeloma, lymphogranulomatosis).

It happens that the causes of neck pain are hidden in tumors of the spinal cord and nerve fibers.

Neck injury

The spine in the neck area is quite fragile and vulnerable, which means that it is prone to injuries of varying severity, such as:

• Fractures, blows, bruises.
• Dislocations, subluxations.
• Sprains, tears of ligaments and muscles.
• Rupture of the fragment of the intervertebral disc.
• Extensive hematomas, bruises.
• Compression of spinal cord tissues.

Neck injuries are extremely dangerous. This area contains important centers that allow the spinal cord to function. Involvement of the brain at levels 1 and 2 of the cervical vertebrae leads to instant death. Injuries to the lower segments can leave a person unable to feel their body under their neck and move. Injury to the 7th and 8th vertebrae affects the lower limbs.

Inflammation of the bones

The cervical spine can suffer from inflammation. They often have the character of systemic connective tissue diseases:

• Limban-Sachs disease.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Nodular periarteritis.
• Wagner's disease.
• MCTD (Sharpe syndrome).
• Progressive systemic sclerosis.
• vasculitis.
• Ankylosing spondylitis

When a patient's neck hurts and hurts, the causes are often related to ankylosing spondylitis (ankylosing spondylitis). In this case, the spinal joints become inflamed, deformed and complete immobility of the cervical vertebrae occurs.

Neck pain in a child

In children, unlike adults, the pain in the cervix lies not in the damage to spinal tissues and structures, but in:

• Lymphadenopathy.
• Bone tuberculosis.
• Earring (pig).
• Meningitis.
• tetanus.
• Pneumonia.
• Retropharyngeal abscess.
• Rheumatic diseases (polyarthritis, oligoarthritis).

When a child experiences pain and discomfort in the neck, this cannot be ignored. A consultation with a pediatrician is necessary, as the causes of this condition can be extremely serious.

Therapies and diagnostics

You can completely get rid of the pain by identifying its root cause. You can relieve symptomatic pain with the following medications:

• Analgesic and anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs.
• Muscle relaxants that relieve muscle tone and spasms.
• Glucocorticoid hormonal agents. They are used to enhance the effect of painkillers.
• Chondroprotectors have been used for a long time to restore cartilage tissue and stop the process of its decomposition.
• Decongestants, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, vitamin therapy to eliminate chronic pain.

An experienced specialist should be involved in the treatment of the disease. You must first see a therapist. He, according to the complaints, will assess the general condition of the patient, will tell you why the neck hurts, how to treat the pathology, what irritating factors should be avoided.

Depending on the causes of the disease, the therapist will recommend a visit to such narrow specialists:

• Rheumatologist.
• orthopedist.
• Traumatologist.
• neurologist.
• Masseur, chiropractor.
• Physiotherapist.

In case of pain in the cervix, such examination methods are prescribed as:

• General blood test.
• Determination of ESR.
• Study for rheumatoid factors.
• X-ray of the spine.
• CT and MRI (computerized magnetic resonance imaging) of the spine.

When an adult or child develops neck pain, it may be a sign of osteochondrosis, meningitis, a consequence of stress, or a side effect of certain medications. Doctors need to find out exactly why their patient has constant neck pain.

If after the examination it is found that the inflammation of the lymph nodes has become the main cause of neck pain, they are prescribed:

• UHF.
• Massage of the back and base of the skull.
• Therapeutic gymnastics.
• Medications.

You can't ignore the disease. In the later stages of its development, surgery will be needed to open the lymph nodes and clear them of accumulated pus.

Non-drug treatment

The complex therapy strengthens the neck muscles, helps to eliminate spasms, makes them flexible and elastic, improves blood flow, restores the maneuverability of the cervical vertebrae, prevents the exacerbation and development of the disease. To do this, use:

• Physiotherapy.
• Acupressure.
• Manual therapy.
• Physiotherapy.
• Wearing splint collars.
• Spa treatment.
• Acupuncture.
• Traction of the spine.

In the acute period physiotherapy, massage, gymnastics are not used until the pain stops. Modern physiotherapy methods allow you to achieve a successful result without powerful drugs and surgery. That:

• Hilamat hardware system (Elgos).
• Laser therapy with a handle.
• Electrophoresis.

Doctors advise patients what to do when their neck hurts. Required:

• Sit up straight, do not stoop when reading, writing, eating.
• The work chair must have an ergonomic back.
• Follow your posture when walking.
• Sleep on a small orthopedic pillow.
• Rub the neck with prescribed ointments or gels with analgesic effect three times a day.
• Do a self-massage to remove the pain.

In case of acute or painful neck pain you should not:

• Throw your head back sharply.
• Refer frequently to the affected party.
• Constantly work, read, write in a bent position.
• Abuse of wearing a splint.
• Sleep on a large high pillow.

What to do if you blow your neck

Severe pain in the back of the neck, accompanied by inflammation of the muscles, occurs with prolonged exposure to cold air currents. People sometimes complain that they have broken their necks. Doctors call this condition myositis. At the same time, the patient cannot calmly turn around, tilt, throw his head back, his neck hurts a lot.

The doctor will help you get rid of the disease quickly and effectively. Before visiting his office, you can take some steps to relieve the discomfort and pain:

• The painful area should be lubricated with a warming ointment (usually such ointments smell unpleasant and cause a burning sensation on the skin).
• Massage the neck with smooth light movements.
• Apply dry heat on the sore spot (wrap in a woolen scarf, attach a towel).
• Try not to make sudden movements.

Do not take painkillers without consulting a doctor. Only a doctor can prescribe them and determine the dosage.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck

Neck problems with osteochondrosis are more common than with the lower back. The lower segments of the vertebrae are often affected - 5-6 or 6-7. The pain manifests itself in the back, shoots in the neck on the left, is especially intense during exacerbation.

Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease that presents with periodic exacerbations that may have vague symptoms for a long time. To treat the patient is prescribed:

• Physiotherapy (hydrotherapy is especially effective in this disease).
• Analgesics.
• Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is recommended to drink within 3 weeks. The patient's condition is then assessed and a decision is made to continue using drugs from this group.
• Special therapeutic gymnastics.
• Manual therapy.
• Along with conservative medicine, treatment with folk remedies is welcomed: lotions, compresses, decoctions, infusions, home ointments and creams.

If it was possible to get rid of osteochondrosis in the early stages, you should not forget about prevention to prevent recurrence of the disease.

Folk recipes

Neck pain can be eliminated with the help of folk recipes:

• The infusion of a series perfectly relieves inflammation. 1 tablespoon is needed for the medicine. l. dry raw materials filled with a glass of boiling water. After 3-4 hours of infusion and straining the drug can be drunk in half a glass before meals.
• An effective ointment is made from a mixture of St. John's wort, pine buds, eucalyptus leaves, mint and snake root. All components are ground to a powder. Then pour 100 ml of boiling water and boil for 4-5 minutes. Gradually add 75 g of melted butter to the broth (vegetable or oil can be used). The ointment is applied after it has hardened. Store it in the refrigerator.
• In the same way you can prepare ointments from plantain, hops, burdock, lavender, white rose, dandelion, yarrow.
• Excellent medicinal composition has an ointment based on dandelion root, birch buds, sown coriander fruit.

Surgical treatment is resorted to in emergencies and in strict indications - if complications of spinal diseases develop, the patient suffers from chronic severe pain, which can not be eliminated with conservative treatment for six months. Surgery to relieve neck pain poses huge risks. Therefore, all available treatment methods to control the disease should be taken first.