Neck pain is an unpleasant problem that can significantly affect your mood and quality of life.The symptom occurs in 30-40% of the population and can lead to restricted movement and disability.
Due to the causes, the treatment methods also differ.Early diagnosis and high-quality treatment initiated after the problem is discovered will help you forget about this unpleasant symptom.
Why does your neck hurt?
The etiopathogenesis (formation mechanism) of pain is divided into three main groups:
- somatogenic.These include pain due to injury and inflammation, ischemic processes and mechanical tissue damage.
- neurogenic.Occurs when the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems are disrupted.
- psychogenic.Psychological and social factors play a role.Emotional activity can trigger reflexive muscle contraction, resulting in pain.
The pain can be acute or chronic.If your neck hurts acutely, it is most likely a normal reaction to an injury.In order for the pain to stop, you have to wait until the tissue heals completely or speed up this process.Chronic pain has a different mechanism of development - damage occurs constantly and maladaptations occur.The body cannot cope with the damaging factor on its own.
The causes of pain are divided into two main groups: vertebrogenic (associated with the spine) and non-vertebral.They can develop through both somatogenic and neuropathic mechanisms.In the first case, the structures of the spine and muscles are involved in the process, in the second case, the roots of the spinal nerves and peripheral nerve endings.A little later, the psychogenic mechanism comes into play and worsens the current situation.
Vertebrogenic neck pain can be divided into the following subtypes:
- myogenic.Pain occurs when muscles are stretched or compressed.The cause can also be a prolonged contraction of the muscle fibers.
- arthrogenic.Damage occurs to the joints that connect the vertebrae.The distance between the structural elements of the spine decreases, there is constant mutual damage, which causes pain.
- discogenic.Occurs when intervertebral discs protrude, shift, and herniate.
- spondylologists.The cause of pain in this case is damage to the structures of the vertebra, its tissue or processes.This can be a destructive process or a voluminous new formation influenced from the outside.
- neuropathic.The neck hurts due to compression of a root or nerve ending.The reasons can be a voluminous new growth, a hernia or hypertrophy of individual structures.
Non-vertebral neck pain is divided into:
- myofascial syndrome;
- pain caused by psychological factors;
- Radiation of pain during a pathological process to other parts of the body;
- Symptoms of inflammatory processes.
We'll go over each cause of pain below, but first, understand the risk factors that can cause this symptom:
- incorrect position when working;
- lack of anatomical position of the spine during sleep;
- low physical activity;
- too much strain on the spine;
- obesity;
- lack of a rational approach to nutrition;
- impaired drinking regime;
- frequent stress;
- bad habits (alcohol, nicotine).
Causes of neck pain
Let's consider the main causes of pain and the mechanism of symptom development in these diseases.
Osteochondrosis
With this pathology, the connections between the joints of the spine are disrupted, disc protrusions occur and hernias form.The disease occurs in people who have a hereditary predisposition and do not pay attention to their posture, diet and lifestyle.In addition to neck pain, a person experiences general weakness and tinnitus.Faintings and loss of consciousness occur.There may be pain in the arms, back of the head and in the area between the shoulder blades.When you turn your head, your joints may creak and you may experience numbness.
The pain associated with this disease is chronic and painful.It can reach such intensity that sleeping becomes difficult.In the early stages, the process can be easily corrected, but the more the pathology progresses, the more difficult it becomes to correct it.
Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine
The disease is destructive in nature - intervertebral joints are destroyed, their structure is disrupted and bone tissue overgrowth occurs.The neck may hurt on one side, and the pain also radiates to the upper limbs and chest.
Injury to blood vessels and nerve endings leads to impaired hearing and vision, a person becomes more tired, suffers from memory loss and absentmindedness.Lack of effective treatment can lead to complications and disability.
Herniated disc
The pathology begins with a bulging of the disc contents and then progresses beyond its normal anatomical position.Even a slight shift can manifest itself as a pronounced symptom.The spinal canal is narrow and all the nerve roots are close to each other.As soon as a hernia occurs, the neck and back hurt.If the patient tries to eliminate the pain with conventional painkillers, the symptom disappears, but the problem remains and is remembered over time.
Strain of the neck muscles
Almost everyone knows this problem - prolonged tension in the cervical spine or intensive training becomes noticeable after a while in severe muscle pain.The pain occurs acutely and often only begins to bother you after you sleep.Swelling and swelling are noticeable on the injured side of the neck.It becomes difficult to turn the head, the patient tries to give his head the most comfortable position so as not to feel pain.The pain will go away on its own, you just need to give the damaged area rest.To alleviate the situation, consult a doctor: he may recommend a compress or ointment with an analgesic.
Spondylosis
The disease is a complication of osteochondrosis, which could not be treated.The disease is serious and can limit a person's physical activity.In addition to osteochondrosis, spondylosis can be caused by trauma.The patient feels constant pain, which can spread to the back of the head and collar area.Sometimes the neck has a throbbing pain, accompanied by stiffness and difficulty turning the head.
To eliminate the disease, complex treatment is required, combining an effect on the cause and individual symptoms of the disease.
Cervical myelopathy
In this case, the patient has neck pain due to narrowing of the spinal canal.In order to detect the pathology in a timely manner, it is necessary to pay attention to the following symptoms: The patient feels weakness, numbness and tingling in the limbs.The disease is accompanied by problems with speech, coordination and balance.The gait becomes unsteady and the position of the body in space is disturbed.If you have recently suffered injuries, falls or traffic accidents, it is most likely that you have myelopathy.
Whiplash
In this case, the neck hurts due to soft tissue damage.The mechanism of formation is strong flexion and subsequent extension.After a fall or fight, the patient usually feels pain.An injury can be recognized by the following sign: The head protrudes slightly forward and the physiological curvatures of the cervical spine are disturbed.
trauma
The causes of injury are impacts, accidents and unsuccessful diving.The patient feels aching pain in the neck and back of the head.Motor activity is severely limited, soft tissues swell, hematomas and bruises appear.
Infectious diseases
The inflammatory reaction, which is a response to an infectious disease, leads to acute pain.The mechanism of development is an enlargement of the lymph nodes.Lymphatic vessels that put pressure on the muscles and cause them to spasm.This condition is observed in sore throats and rubella.
An infectious disease in which neck pain is the main symptom is meningitis.The pathology is accompanied by tension in the muscles of the back of the head, the patient cannot bend his head and is in an unnaturally stretched position.
Diseases of the internal organs
Some diseases of the internal organs can cause pain that radiates to the neck.This is facilitated by the peculiarities of innervation and reflex mechanisms.Pain in the gallbladder, esophagus and heart can radiate to the neck.In addition, pain is observed in diseases of the thyroid gland, larynx and throat.
Some of the pathologies can occur normally and are easily treatable.But sometimes the neck hurts due to serious medical conditions that require emergency care.
Other reasons
The neck may hurt if the patient was in a draft or very cold.This leads to muscle spasms that are accompanied by pain.It also happens that when sleeping, a person simply “lies down” and finds himself in an uncomfortable position.This symptom can also occur after prolonged work, stress or intensive training.
Types of Neck Pain
This symptom can be divided into the following subtypes:
- Cervicago.This is a stabbing pain and restriction of movement, which is also known as “cervical lumbago”.
- Cervicalgia.Neck pain due to diseases of the internal organs, spine and other causes.You can classify the pain depending on the cause, as described above.The type of pain also depends on its nature: acute or chronic.
There is a special commission to examine neck pain.She suggested identifying the following types of pain depending on the stage:
Stage 1
Short-term cervicalgia that resolves on its own after some time or after a lifestyle change.There are no symptoms indicating structural damage.Additional diagnostic and treatment methods are not required.
Stage 2
There are no signs of serious violations of the anatomical structures, however, the patient's daily activity is impaired: there is a need to take painkillers.The condition can be corrected with lifestyle changes and some exercise.
Stage 3
Neurological symptoms appear, additional diagnostics and comprehensive treatment are required.
Stage 4
Signs of organic lesions appear.The patient suffers from severe, intense pain resulting from tumors, myelopathies or systemic pathologies.High-quality, comprehensive diagnostics and specialized treatment are required.
Basic principles of treating neck pain
How neck pain is treated depends on the specific situation and the mechanisms that cause the disease.The choice of method is also influenced by the stage of the process and its nature.The attending physician can determine the tactics after a complete examination and additional diagnostic methods.
The beginning of any treatment is a change in lifestyle.This depends solely on the patient and determines the success of other treatment procedures.
These methods also apply to preventative measures to prevent neck pain:
- Gymnastics and warm-up for the neck muscles, thereby relieving tension in the muscles;
- general strengthening of the back muscle corset;
- correct position at the table, during work and at rest;
- If you have a sedentary job, get up regularly and do simple exercises.
- When sitting for long periods of time, place a pillow under your lower back.
- Adjust the position of the monitor so that you do not strain your neck.This applies to both the computer and the phone.
- If you make frequent calls, use a headset or speakerphone.
- When working with documents, use a stand so that the papers are at eye level.
- Pay attention to your bed - give preference to an orthopedic mattress and an orthopedic pillow.
- Always wear the seat belt when traveling - this prevents injuries and strain on the neck muscles;
- Make sure your diet is balanced and rational.In addition to the normal combination of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, the diet should contain trace elements, minerals and vitamins;
- drink enough clean water in addition to tea, coffee and juices;
- Avoid stress or learn to react to it correctly;
- Give up nicotine and other bad habits.
Pain treatment should be comprehensive and take into account not only the symptoms, but also the cause of its development.Conservative methods, medication and physiotherapy are used for neck pain.In severe stages of some diseases, surgical treatment is recommended.
Medicines for pain treatment:
- nonsteroidal drugs relieve inflammation, swelling and pain;
- ointments for pain relief;
- muscle relaxants;
- glucocorticosteroids;
- Vitamin injections.
Physiotherapeutic methods are also effective for neck pain.You must first consult your doctor as these methods are used depending on the stage of the process.
The following methods are considered effective:
- Massage;
- exercise therapy;
- Acupuncture;
- medicinal baths;
- healing shower;
- Mud therapy.
The treatment of neck pain must be carried out promptly and with high quality - only then can you expect success and pain relief.