Neck pain is a common symptom that everyone has experienced at least once in their life. This may indicate a disease of the internal organs, stretching of muscles and ligaments or occur against the background of hypothermia. If your neck hurts, you should seek medical attention. Only after examination and other diagnostic measures can the cause of the disease be determined and the right treatment chosen.
Neck pain can occur for many different reasons. If your neck hurts, you should see a doctor
Why do adults have neck pain?
Neck pain is divided into 2 types:
- cervicalgia - spasm occurs in one place, is characterized by a gradual course and varying degrees of intensity;
- cervicago - manifests itself with unexpected pain with sudden movements of the head or prolonged stay in one position.
Doctors identify the following causes of neck pain:
- Osteochondrosis of the cervix. The disease develops with a sedentary lifestyle and improper diet. Patients complain that the neck and head ache in the back, there is tinnitus and dizziness, it becomes difficult to turn the neck, the movements are accompanied by crunch.
- Disc herniation. In such pathology, the neck on the left side hurts, the disc protrudes, provoking pain in the lower back. Hernia can be cured with vacuum therapy and acupressure.
- Crick. After intense exercise, a person may feel sharp pain in the neck. The affected area swells, it becomes impossible to turn the head, the risk of seizures increases. To alleviate the patient's condition, an analgesic is given, a hot or cold compress is applied, and the stretched area is massaged.
- Cervical spondylosis. A dangerous disease that often leads to injury. It is often diagnosed in athletes with injuries or in the elderly. They complain that the neck and back of the head are constantly sore and there is discomfort when turning the head. To relieve inflammation and pain it is necessary to take medication, physiotherapy in combination with physiotherapy exercises to restore performance.
- Cervical myelopathy. It develops after narrowing of the spinal canal. the person feels weakness and pain in the neck. His speech slows down and coordination of movements is impaired. The cause of the pathology may be a traffic accident or a fall from a height. The patient is advised to undergo physiotherapy, wear a soft neck collar and perform strengthening exercises.
- Trauma with a blow. Occurs after a fall, accident or fight. It is accompanied by sharp pain in every area of the neck. In a whiplash injury, the ligaments are damaged, leading to loss of cervical lordosis and a protruding head position. The treatment can last from 1 month to six months.
- Damage to the cervical spine. One notices that his neck is constantly hurting and hematomas appear. In this case it is necessary to wear a special collar for 3 to 6 months.
- Infectious diseases. Skin infections provoke acute pain and inflammation. With rubella or sore throat, the lymph nodes in the neck expand and hurt.
- Diseases of the internal organs. If the pain syndrome occurs in the right hypochondrium and the neck hurts on the right side, then the cause may be cholecystitis. If the neck hurts and gives out whiskey in the morning, it is a symptom of hypertension. In angina and myocardial infarction, the neck and arms ache. Spasms in the neck and pain in the front can signal a disorder of the esophagus and thyroid gland. Nerve damage is observed in case of poisoning with poisonous substances. With severe pain in the cervical spine, blood pressure spikes are possible. If the right neck hurts and it is impossible to move, these are signs of meningitis. In laryngitis and pharyngitis, the pain can be localized on both the right and left.
Often the neck hurts after sleep due to uncomfortable body position or a firm pillow.
Frequent stress and psycho-emotional stress can cause discomfort in the neck and back. Pain and tingling in the neck and shoulders will require an injection or anesthetic.
If the neck hurts under the jaw, this may signal a fracture, osteomyelitis of the jaws or dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. With a broken lower jaw, the patient experiences a severe pain syndrome, his soft facial tissues swell, it becomes painful or impossible to chew. Osteomyelitis is accompanied by an infectious and inflammatory process, fever, headache and chills.
Causes of neck pain in a child
In a child, neck pain can occur against the background of such causes:
- Muscle strain or sprains during sports.
- Pain after a fall or car accident.
- Awkward posture while sleeping or sitting in front of the computer.
- Meningitis: accompanied by increased irritability, headache, fever, photosensitivity, decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting. If left untreated, the disease can lead to serious complications and death.
- Lyme disease. The pathology is often spread by tick bites, so it is necessary to check the neck for signs of a bite while you are outdoors.
Painkillers are prescribed to treat neck pain and inflammation in children. Applying a heating pad to the neck for 20 minutes will help reduce muscle spasm. Also, the child should sleep with a towel around his neck or padded collar to prevent frequent head movements.
Diagnosis
To determine why the neck muscles hurt, the doctor performs a palpation examination, after which additional examination methods are used:
- radiography;
- myelography;
- neurological examination of reflexes and sensitivity;
- computed tomography of the spine;
- NMR;
- nuclear magnetic resonance.
If you suspect osteomyelitis of the jaws, you will need to consult an otolaryngologist and dentist. In addition to the X-ray, the patient must have a blood test to identify the source of the infection.
Medication treatment
When the neck hurts badly with osteochondrosis, the doctor prescribes a complex therapy, including a special diet, a set of exercises, medications and preventive measures. The following groups of drugs are used to relieve pain and treat the disease:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Antispasmodics.
- Antioxidant drugs: ascorbic acid, vitamins E and N.
- Means to improve blood circulation.
- Preparations for the prevention of degenerative changes in cartilage tissue.
Medicines can be used in various forms. Acute complications will require nerve block. There are several types of blockages: intraosseous, paravertebral, faceted and epidural. All of them help to relieve the muscle-toning syndrome.
In combination with drugs it is useful to perform physiotherapy procedures. They relieve pain and increase the therapeutic effect of drugs. The most effective procedures are considered to be magnetic therapy, laser therapy and treatment with low frequency currents. Kinesitherapy and physiotherapy exercises are prescribed to correct the posture and strengthen the ligament apparatus. If you exercise regularly, then metabolic processes will be normalized, the location of the vertebrae and discs will be restored, the load will be evenly distributed in the musculoskeletal system.
The principle of the diet in osteochondrosis is to add to the diet foods that contain large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants to improve metabolic processes. Meals should be partial, up to 6 times a day.
It is recommended to include the following products in the menu:
- lean meat and fish;
- fresh fruits and vegetables;
- dairy and fermented dairy products;
- cereals;
- nuts;
- seeds;
- mushrooms;
- olive oil.
It is recommended that the dishes be steamed, boiled or baked. You should also limit the consumption of flour, spices, smoked meats, canned foods, saturated meat broths, confectionery and high-sugar fruits.
Important!Strong black tea needs to be replaced with herbal decoctions, unsweetened fruit drinks and dried fruit compotes. Completely limit alcohol and carbonated beverages.
Persistent pain often makes the patient irritable, so the doctor prescribes sedatives and antidepressants. If your left neck hurts, you can relieve the symptom with a warm heating pad or wrap a scarf around your neck.
Decongestants and anti-inflammatory drugs are used in cervical myelopathy. If the nerve endings are compressed, injections of steroid hormones will be needed. When an infectious agent is found in the body, antibiotics are included in the course of treatment.
Note!In ischemic cervical myelopathy, it is effective to use neuroprotectors and drugs that have a vasodilating effect.
If the patient is diagnosed with cervical spondylosis, then he is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors. In severe pain, analgesics are used, in severe muscle spasms, muscle relaxants. Manual therapy and a gentle massage are also shown. In acute pain syndrome, blockades of the affected areas are recommended. In combination with drugs it is useful to conduct physiotherapy procedures - electrophoresis with novocaine, ultrasound treatment and special complexes of physiotherapy exercises.
Complications
If the neck hurts due to osteochondrosis, improper treatment or lack thereof can lead to serious complications:
- intervertebral hernia;
- kyphosis;
- protrusion of the intervertebral disc;
- radiculitis;
- salt deposits in the spine;
- spinal stroke;
- circulatory disorders;
- amyotrophy;
- paralysis of the lower limbs.
Prevention
To prevent neck pain, a number of guidelines must be followed:
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Quit smoking.
- Proper weight.
- Perform physiotherapy exercises daily.
- Take a contrast shower.
- Visit the pool.
- Do not pull weights.
- Watch your posture.
- Warm your neck during the cold season.
- If you are in a static position for a long time, take breaks every 50 minutes and restore blood circulation by warming up.
- Choose an orthopedic mattress and sleeping pillow.
- Wear comfortable shoes to reduce stress on the spine.
- Walking barefoot on uneven surfaces in the summer to strengthen the muscles of the foot and relieve tension from the musculoskeletal system.
- Stick to proper nutrition.
- Take massage courses.
- Learn methods of relaxation with increased anxiety and emotionality.