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 suddenly bends or turns his head.Acute pain can last for 10 days and then disappear.If it lasts a long time and does not give peace, then you need to urgently seek help from a specialist.You can get neck pain, diseases and injuries that cause it in a specialized clinic.
Causes of neck pain
Pain in the neck area occurs for 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 causes degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs and is accompanied by severe pain in the neck that radiates 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.
Factors that cause neck pain include:
- febrile condition;
- sudden weight loss;
- impaired movement coordination;
- physical fatigue;
- cervical injuries;
- vitamin B deficiency;
- bad posture;
- genetic predisposition;
- unhealthy lifestyle.
A common cause of neck pain in children is lymphadenitis, a complication of tonsillitis.When infected, 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 location of the pain, neck pain is divided into the following types:
Cervicalgia
The pain is only in the neck area.If it spreads to the arms, then this syndrome is called cervico-brachialgia.When it radiates to the head, it is cervicocranialgia.
Cervical lumbago or cervicago
It is characterized by severe acute pain with any movement of the neck and head.It can radiate to the back of the head or the thoracic spine.The duration of the attack 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 in order to determine the nature of the pain and the cause of its occurrence.To confirm the diagnosis, the clinic conducts laboratory tests and recommends the patient to undergo a simple X-ray if an injury or disease of the bone system is suspected, computer tomography or MRI if the specialist suspects that the cause of the pain may be diseases of the cervical vertebrae.Electromyography will be needed to check the functioning of the nervous system.
In clinics, the cause of neck pain is determined using the following methods:
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- Ultrasound (ultrasound examination)
- Double-sided scanning
- Computed tomography
- Computer electroencephalography
- Comprehensive body examination (control)
Treatment of neck pain
The treatment strategy is selected taking into account the pathology or injury that caused neck pain.Conservative and surgical treatment is usually carried out using modern technologies.If the underlying disease can be cured, the patient is prescribed analgesics, glucocorticoids, local anesthetics, antioxidants and muscle relaxants.If necessary, antidepressants and anticonvulsants can be used.Painkillers are the basis of drug treatment aimed at relieving pain, swelling and inflammation.
Physiotherapy procedures - osteopathy, physical therapy, 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 for the treatment of neck pain, the following methods are used:
- Manual therapy
- Kinesio taping
- Physiotherapy
- Therapeutic massage
- Reflexology
- Ozone therapy
- Plasma therapy
- SVF therapy
- Therapeutic exercise
- Shock wave therapy
- Interstitial electrical stimulation
Complications of neck pain
Neck pain is a symptom in itself;it cannot cause complications, but it worsens a person's quality of life.But without treating neck pain, its causes can lead to serious consequences.If it is caused by an injury to the scapula, then 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.At first, the patient will feel numbness in the fingers and hands at night or after physical activity.Then the paralysis of the legs will gradually begin to develop.It is characterized by numbness of the fingers and a disturbed gait.
A hernia in the cervical spine can lead to compression of nerve roots and disruption of blood flow to the brain.Without a well-chosen treatment regimen, deformation of the spine will occur.It is accompanied by neurological disorders, disorders of the digestive system and migraine attacks.
Preventing neck pain
To prevent neck pain, you should properly organize your workplace.During sitting 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 be caused by excess weight.Therefore, you should control your weight, eat properly, visit the pool and the gym.It is recommended to sleep on a medium-hard mattress and use one pillow so that your head is at the same level as your body.