Neck pain is a common symptom characterized by pain in the cervical spine.It is caused by mechanical damage or systemic disease.A person complains that his neck hurts when he bends or turns his head sharply.Acute pain can last for 10 days, after which it disappears.If it lasts for a long time and does not give rest, then you should urgently seek help from specialists.You can get treatment for neck pain, diseases and injuries that provoke them in a specialized clinic.
Causes of neck pain
Pain in the neck area occurs due to the following reasons:
- acute torticollis - a pain syndrome caused by neck muscle injuries, lifting heavy objects or prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, usually disappears in 1-2 days;
- wear and tear of the spine - deformation of the joints and bones of the spine;
- Whiplash - a sudden movement of the head that damages the tendons and ligaments of the neck;
- pinched nerve - cervical radiculopathy, which occurs due to damage to the intervertebral disc;
- cervical osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine that provokes degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs and is accompanied by severe pain in the neck radiating to the arm;
- hernia in the cervical spine - a disease that leads to pinching of nerve roots, pain in the neck and shoulder, reduced sensitivity in the hand and reduced muscle strength;
- Acute thyroiditis is a rare disease characterized by inflammation of the thyroid gland.
Precipitating factors for neck pain include:
- feverish condition;
- sudden weight loss;
- impaired coordination of movements;
- physical fatigue;
- cervical injuries;
- deficiency of B vitamins;
- bad posture;
- genetic predisposition;
- unhealthy lifestyle.
A common cause of neck pain in children is lymphadenitis, a complication of tonsillitis.In case of infection, discomfort is noticed in the head and neck area.Intracranial hemorrhages, neoplasms, and abscesses can also cause a painful syndrome.
Types of neck pain
Depending on the localization of the pain, neck pain is divided into the following types:
Cervical pain
The pain is only in the neck area.If it spreads to the arms, this syndrome is called cervicobrachialgia.When it radiates to the head, it is cervicocranialgia.
Cervical lumbago or cervicago
It is characterized by severe sharp pain with any movement of the neck and head.It may radiate to the back of the head or chest.The duration of attacks can reach 10 days.In rare cases, the pain lasts for 2-3 months.
Diagnostic methods
First of all, the doctor conducts a visual examination and palpation of the neck to determine the nature of the pain and the cause of its occurrence.To confirm the diagnosis, the clinic conducts laboratory tests and recommends that the patient undergo a simple X-ray if there is a suspicion of an injury or disease of the skeletal system, a computed tomography or MRI if the specialist suspects that the cause of the pain may be a disease of the cervical vertebrae.An electromyography will be required to check the functioning of the nervous system.
In clinics, the cause of neck pain is determined by the following methods:
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- Ultrasound (ultrasound examination)
- Two-sided scanning
- Computed tomography
- Computed electroencephalography
- Full body examination (check-up)
Neck pain treatment
The treatment strategy is chosen taking into account the pathology or injury that caused neck pain.Conservative and surgical treatment is usually carried out with the help of modern technologies.If the underlying disease can be cured, the patient is prescribed analgesics, glucocorticoids, local anesthetics, antioxidants and muscle relaxants.Antidepressants and anticonvulsants can be used if necessary.Pain relievers are the mainstay of drug treatment aimed at relieving pain, swelling and inflammation.
Physiotherapy procedures - osteopathy, physiotherapy, neck massage, manual therapy - will also help to get rid of pain.Ultrasound therapy is recommended to relieve spasms and improve blood circulation.The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the pathological process.
If the patient is diagnosed with an intervertebral hernia and damage to the spinal cord, he is referred for surgery.
In specialized clinics, the following methods are used to treat neck pain:
- Manual therapy
- Kinesio taping
- Physiotherapy
- Therapeutic massage
- Reflexology
- Ozone therapy
- Plasma therapy
- SVF therapy
- Physical therapy
- Shock wave therapy
- Interstitial electrical stimulation
Complications of neck pain
Neck pain is itself a symptom;it cannot cause complications, but it worsens the quality of life of a person.But without treating neck pain, its causes can lead to serious consequences.If it is caused by a whiplash injury, it is fraught with blurred vision, dizziness, post-traumatic osteoarthritis and neurosis.Cervical osteochondrosis without medical help leads to irreversible damage to the spine and death.
If left untreated, cervical spine pathology can cause tetraparesis.Initially, the patient will feel numbness in the fingers and hands at night or after physical activity.After that, paralysis of the legs will gradually begin to develop.It is characterized by numbness in the fingers and impaired gait.
A herniated disc in the cervical spine can compress nerve roots and disrupt blood flow to the brain.Without a well-chosen treatment regimen, spinal deformity will occur.It is accompanied by neurological disorders, disorders of the digestive system and migraine attacks.
Preventing neck pain
To prevent neck pain, you need to properly organize your workplace.With sedentary work, it is necessary to periodically take breaks and perform several exercises for all parts of the spine and muscle groups.It is also recommended to do gymnastics in the morning.
Many diseases of the cervical spine can occur due to excess weight.Therefore, you need to control your weight, eat right, visit the pool and the gym.It is recommended to sleep on a medium-firm mattress and use one pillow so that your head is at the same level as your body.