The neck is an important part of the body. Lymphatic vessels, large nerves, arteries and the spinal cord pass through it. Neck pain can be a symptom of various medical conditions. Unpleasant sensations that last for a long time signal a serious pathology.
variety
Unpleasant sensations can manifest themselves as neck pain or lumbago. Cervicago is an acute syndrome that prevents you from turning your head. Neck pain - neck pain. Happens:
- superficial somatic. It occurs when the skin is damaged.
- Deep somatic. It appears when the muscles and vertebrae are affected.
- Visceral. It occurs as a sign of an infectious disease or pathology of the internal organs.
If neck pain affects adjacent areas, they diagnose cervicobrachialgia (cervicobrachial syndrome) or cervicocranialgia (discomfort extends to the back of the head and then to the entire head).
Causes of the event
Most often, discomfort occurs due to muscle cramps or muscle fatigue. They happen for the following reasons:
- hypothermia;
- a sharp turn of the head;
- prolonged stay in the same position;
- excessive strain on the muscles during work.
The discomfort caused by these factors does not require complex treatment. As a rule, they go away on their own in 1-3 weeks.
If there is severe discomfort, numbness, the patient suffers from dizziness, impaired mobility, the causes of the disease can be much more serious. It is imperative to consult a specialist.
Acute pain syndrome is observed when:
- spinal problems: bruises, soft tissue injuries;
- inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- radiculitis;
- herniated intervertebral discs;
- curvature of the spine in the cervical spine;
- osteochondrosis, arthrosis;
- neurological diseases;
- fibromyalgia;
- oncology.
Pain syndrome can vary depending on the disease and its degree. Pathology can be suspected from a number of accompanying signs.
Causes of pain by location
Localization of unpleasant sensations is an important factor that allows you to accurately diagnose the problem during the initial examination. After establishing the cause, using other methods, the degree of damage is established.
Painful sensations in the front of the neck
Unpleasant sensations under the chin or along the entire neck in the front can indicate a number of pathologies. The list is impressive:
- inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- angina pectoris;
- cysts and abscesses;
- inflammation of muscles, ligaments and nerves;
- pathology of the thyroid gland.
It is impossible to independently determine which disease has this symptom. The cause of pain can also be pinching of blood vessels or nerves by the intervertebral disc, which is deformed.
A complex of programs aimed at eliminating diseases without surgery and pills has been developed. It is necessary to consult experienced doctors: neurologists, osteopaths, chiropractors, kinesotherapists, massage therapists.
Back neck pain
Changes in the spine are the main cause of aching, sharp, or pulling pain in the neck region. They occur due to low physical activity, constant work at the computer. Discomfort can be a symptom of the following diseases:
- osteochondrosis - changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs;
- protrusion of the intervertebral discs (protrusion);
- intervertebral hernia;
- spondylosis - bone growths on the vertebrae;
- muscle spasms;
- fractures of the vertebrae as a result of whiplash or osteoporosis.
Back pain in the neck is a non-standard symptom and spinal tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, Reiter's syndrome.
Pain syndrome in the lateral surfaces of the neck
Discomfort in these areas is manifested by burning, throbbing pain, sometimes accompanied by a tingling sensation. The unpleasant sensation extends to the shoulder or ear to the right or left. Sometimes they are accompanied by the appearance of secondary torticollis due to the constant tilting of the head to the affected side.
This symptom is inherent in the following pathologies:
- blood vessel problems, atherosclerosis;
- muscle spasm due to a sharp turn of the head, hypothermia, or physical exertion;
- malignant formations localized in the larynx, thyroid gland, pharynx.
In the initial stage of rheumatoid arthritis, pain can spread to the cervical region, the back of the head, and the head. When turning your head or bending your neck, step up.
Symptoms
If the discomfort rarely bothers, it can be the result of an awkward posture in a dream or an awkward movement of the head. No special treatment is required. To eliminate discomfort, they do exercises, light rubbing, take hot baths, it is recommended to use an orthopedic mattress and pillows. But there are situations when consultation with a neurologist or chiropractor is urgent.
Alarming signs are:
- stiffness of movements;
- the duration of the painful sensation is more than 1-2 days;
- the appearance of concomitant pain in the shoulder, arm;
- frequent headaches, especially in the back of the head, accompanied by dizziness;
- numbness of fingers, hands.
If you have suffered a neck, head, or spine injury and the pain in these areas is constantly bothering you, you need to seek help.
How to relieve neck pain with osteochondrosis
In case of acute pain, it is necessary to take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or use a gel, cream with an anti-inflammatory effect. It is necessary to rub the product wherever you feel pain and numbness. If the pain gets worse when you turn your head, you should limit your movement. Don't make sudden head movements. For shoulder pain, do not load the arm. It is possible to use painkillers with a warming effect.
All these recommendations will help relieve pain for 1-2 days. But to prevent repeated attacks, a comprehensive cure for osteochondrosis is required. There are both the most modern and the most established methods of treatment: UHT therapy, kinesitherapy, therapeutic massage, acupuncture, osteopathy, manual therapy, taping.
Diagnostics
A neurologist is primarily concerned with the treatment of neck pain. At the reception, the specialist listens to the patient's complaints, conducts an examination. You identify the cause of the problem. Most often, it becomes a deviation from the norm of the state of the spine. These changes are the reason for the development of concomitant diseases of the internal organs.
Each segment of the spinal cord is responsible for the work of a specific organ. When the vertebrae change position or the height of the intervertebral discs decreases, the transmission of nerve impulses from the spinal cord to the internal organs is disrupted.
If the problem is in the cervical spine, the ENT organs, vocal cords, thyroid and parathyroid glands, neck muscles, or forearms are affected. Those. more often they diagnose both problems with the spine and diseases of the internal organs. Therefore, for aching neck pain, an examination by a chiropractor is recommended. If other diseases are detected, further examination by narrow specialists - a cardiologist, an endocrinologist, an otolaryngologist.
A patient complaining of cervical spine discomfort undergoes a full diagnosis. The list of procedures includes:
- blood test: general and biochemical;
- a blood test for the level of thyroid hormones;
- computed tomography of the cervical spine;
- MRI of the neck area;
- ultrasound examination of the vessels of the neck, salivary glands, thyroid gland with USDG.
With the help of an MRI, a specialist examines in detail the condition of the intervertebral discs. The method allows you to diagnose diseases at an early stage. The doctor will assess the condition of the blood flow. If there is compression of the spinal cord and its roots, he will see them in the photo.
Treatment of the pathology of the cervical spine
After diagnosis, the doctor develops an individual treatment tactic for each patient. He takes into account the severity of changes in the affected area, concomitant diseases, age and the level of physical development. A number of measures are underway to eliminate the symptoms and causes of the pathology.
Physiotherapy
Sessions are conducted using modern shock wave therapy apparatus and equipment. With the help of these procedures, swelling, inflammation are removed, and blood flow to the damaged area improves. After the course of UHT therapy, the elasticity of the ligaments and tendons is restored, the metabolism is accelerated.
taping
This manual therapy method relieves pain and repairs damaged muscles. Special bandages with thermal coating are used. They are carefully fixed on the damaged part of the body.
Manual therapy
For pathologies of the cervical spine, it is performed using different techniques. The session begins with a relaxing massage at the rhythm of increasing dough. The effect is felt after 1 procedure. After the course, the vertebrae return to the anatomically correct position, muscle spasms are eliminated. Blood circulation improves, soft tissues are restored.
Acupuncture
The procedure is indicated for various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The action on the biologically active points of the body allows to eliminate neck pain and weakness, to increase the blood supply to this area.
Massage therapy
An auxiliary method of therapy is effective for osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine. After the procedures, discomfort, swelling, spasms and fatigue are eliminated. Blood flow, the patient's well-being and his emotional state improved. A local or general massage is prescribed. The techniques are selected individually for each specific case.
kinesitherapy
Physical therapy and classes on special decompression simulators are prescribed to strengthen the muscle corset. During the procedures, the load is removed from the spine and the risk of cartilage abrasion is minimized. A large room is equipped for training with additional equipment: rollers, balls. The exercises are supervised by experienced doctors and instructors.