neck pain

Almost two-thirds of people experience neck pain (neck pain). Causes include acute conditions such as muscle strains and whiplash, as well as chronic conditions such as cervical spondylosis and myofascial pain syndrome. Neck pain can also be caused by pinched nerves, infections, fractures, and spinal cord problems.For effective treatment, it is necessary to understand the cause of neck pain. To this end, a comprehensive inspection was carried out. Based on the diagnosis obtained, the doctor will develop a treatment plan. You should not self-medicate as many conditions cannot be delayed. Pain that seems harmless at first can lead to serious complications.

General characteristics

The neck is a sensitive area of the body – the cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae. Muscles, ligaments, and nerves provide stability—the muscular framework. Poor posture or excessive tension can cause overload, which reduces blood flow and leads to muscle pain and myositis (inflammation).Rarely, localized neck pain may be felt. Most often, it spreads to the shoulders and sometimes the arms, down to the fingers. You may feel a sensation in the back of your head, causing headaches, dizziness, and vision problems. When the neck is stiff, turning and tilting the head becomes difficult and can be associated with severe discomfort.Neck pain varies in nature and severity. Numbness of the hands or back of the head, congestion and swelling of the skin may occur. The discomfort may be short-term or long-term, making daily activities difficult.Acute neck pain usually goes away within a few days to two weeks and is no cause for concern. Neck pain is considered chronic pain if it lasts for more than three months. If you have neck pain that is accompanied by symptoms different from the above, such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, fever, chills, neurological disorders, paralysis, etc. , you should consult a doctor.

Types of neck pain

Depending on its nature, neck pain can be nonspecific and specific. In the first case, we are talking about discomfort but lack of a clear cause. Most commonly it occurs due to overtightness of the trapezius muscle. Specific pains have specific causes associated with specific diseases.Depending on the duration, there are:

• Acute neck pain - lasts no more than 10 days and disappears after the triggering factors are eliminated.
• Chronic neck pain - lasts for more than three weeks, comes back, or persists.

According to the classification of causes, neck pain can be divided into vertebral pain and non-vertebral pain. In the first case, we are talking about primary lesions of the osteochondral structures in the cervical region. It occurs in the context of spinal and discogenic neck pain due to compression of the spinal cord, damage to bony structures, and disc deformation.According to the localization area, pain syndrome can be divided into anterior cervical area, posterior cervical area and lateral cervical area. Each of them has a specific reason. Therefore, each case requires an individual treatment plan.

causes of neck pain

Most neck pain is nonspecific. This means the doctor cannot determine the specific medical cause of the complaint, such as an injury to the disc or vertebrae. Often, incorrect posture causes discomfort, which can lead to muscle fascial strain.Neck pain occurs for several reasons:

• Sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time;
• Overexertion, such as during sports or manual labor;
• Underdeveloped muscles;
• increased muscle tone;
• Hypothermia, exposure to drafts;
• Incorrect sleeping position;
• Accidents (cervical sprain, cervical spine injury);
• degenerative dystrophic changes in the spine;
• colds and viral infections;
• hormonal changes during menopause;
• stress, depression and anxiety;
• Mineral deficiency.

In rare cases, neck pain is a symptom of inflammation or injury to the cervical spine. The most common cause is excessive tension in the shoulder muscles and fascia. These complaints usually go away on their own after a few days. If the discomfort lasts longer, becomes chronic, or other symptoms develop, you need to consult a specialist.

Front of Neck Pain: Causes

Various degrees of discomfort will be felt on the front surface of the neck. There are many structures here, each of which can cause pain. Without a thorough diagnosis, it can be difficult to determine the true cause.Causes of front neck pain include:

• Thyroid diseases (toxic goiter, Hashimoto's thyroiditis) - discomfort occurs due to inflammatory processes and endocrine pathology. Increased pain is observed with forward bending and movement. This is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, increased heart rate, sensation of heat, and increased sweating.
• Sialadenitis is an injury to the salivary glands in the jaw. The pain worsens with swallowing, chewing movements, and turning the head. and is accompanied by the formation of swelling and compaction. It is characterized by dry mouth and difficulty eating. It occurs with weakness, chills, and fever.
• Purulent inflammation of the pharynx - the spread of the inflammatory process to adjacent tissues, leading to the formation of a retropharyngeal abscess. The discomfort is also accompanied by redness of the skin on the front of the neck, which turns bright pink and feels hot to the touch. The pain is severe and intense, so the patient may refuse to eat. Related to fever. This is the result of an extensive paratonsillar abscess.
• Cervical plexitis - The intensity of the clinical manifestations depends on the number of damaged neural structures. Most often, severe pain occurs in the anterolateral part of the neck. Coughing and difficulty speaking. The discomfort radiates to the ears, chest, and back of the head. There is a "crawling" and paresthesia sensation. Occurs due to injury, hypothermia, or following vaccination.
• Rheumatic diseases are systemic diseases of connective tissue (collagen degeneration) that damage the skin and muscles. Dermatomyositis and scleroderma are characterized by persistent and persistent pain. The skin appears swollen and thickened. Shooting pain can radiate into the neck and front of the spine.
• Lymphadenitis - discomfort located in the upper neck. Lymphoid tissue is affected. The discomfort is concentrated in the submandibular area, usually on one side. Symptoms progress with head tilt and talking. The skin becomes congested and swollen. It is accompanied by inflammation of the lymph nodes, general weakness, and fever.

Pain in the front of the neck can also occur during an atypical angina attack. The pain becomes more pronounced and is accompanied by shortness of breath. Speech becomes difficult and swallowing becomes difficult.The pain is limited to the front and is also accompanied by inflammation of the tracheal and esophageal mucosa. Discomfort is the result of painful coughing and bronchitis. Rare causes include cervical compression syndrome and spinal pathology.

Back of Neck Pain: Causes

Discomfort in the back of the neck is caused by long hours working in front of a computer and low-intensity physical activity. Pain occurs due to pathological changes in the spine.Pain in the back of the neck can be caused by:

• Osteochondrosis is associated with degenerative dystrophic disease of the intervertebral disc, loss of disc strength, and loss of height.
• Herniation is a complication of osteochondrosis, accompanied by disc herniation. The herniation is caused by invasion of the vertebral arteries and neural structures.
• An intervertebral hernia occurs when the protrusion pushes forward. The internal contents of the intervertebral disc enter the spinal canal and compress the nerve endings.
• Spondylosis - bony protrusions (osteophytes) appear at the edges of the vertebral bodies, along with a reduction in disc size, fusion of adjacent vertebrae, and limited movement of the neck.

Pain in the back of the neck is characteristic of myofascial syndrome, in which individual muscles spasm. Severe pain occurs when the back of the neck is pressed and when physical activity is performed.Among systemic diseases we can distinguish ankylosing spondylitis, which affects joint structures and is characterized by limited mobility. This is accompanied by the formation of a fixed and durable aggregate as the individual vertebrae fuse to each other. Less commonly, back of the neck pain is associated with spinal tuberculosis, Reiter syndrome, and osteomyelitis.A more serious cause that requires emergency medical care is a spinal compression fracture. Occurs due to whiplash.

Side Neck Pain: Causes

Pain on one side of the neck may be throbbing, stinging, or burning. It radiates to the shoulders or ears. And accompanied by the formation of secondary torticollis. This causes the head to tilt toward the affected side. Typical of atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases.It is also caused by muscle spasms that occur with sudden movement, excessive stress, and hypothermia. Pain on one side of the neck is associated with malignant processes in the larynx, pharynx and thyroid gland. You shouldn't leave things to chance. If major symptoms occur, you should consult your doctor. This method allows you to take prompt treatment measures and eliminate the development of complications.

Diagnosis of causes of neck pain

Examination consists of laboratory tests and instrumental diagnostics aimed at visualizing the affected areas and identifying signs of pathology:

• Submandibular Salivary Gland and Thyroid Ultrasound - Used to quickly visualize neck structures and identify internal organ disorders causing neck pain. A duplex scan is performed to scan large vessels and determine blood flow status.
• X-ray or CT (computed tomography) - determines displacement of vertebrae and bone deformation. Enables you to determine the extent of spinal disease and the nature of the disease.
• Functional Diagnosis - Use cervical spine MRI to identify injuries to the musculature.

Blood tests are done to confirm the inflammatory process. Thyroid hormone levels are also measured. If general symptoms of infection are present, a bacterial culture or throat swab will be taken. Serological testing (PCR, ELISA, RIF) is also required.

Neck pain treatment

For neck pain, conservative treatment is used rather than surgery. The goal of medication is to relieve pain, eliminate the cause of discomfort, and restore the body. The treatment plan is developed based on the pathological stage, the cause of the disease, the age and physical characteristics of the patient.In order to increase the effectiveness of the drugs used, physical therapy and physical therapy are required. Manual techniques are effective. In some cases, surgery is required if the desired results are not achieved.

Pre-diagnosis help

Tilt and rotation of the head and gentle massage will help relieve acute neck pain. The tension gradually subsides and helps the condition improve. There are muscle knots or trigger points in the neck muscles that can cause discomfort when irritated. Gentle rubbing and kneading can help relieve pain.You can use cold or hot compresses for the first 24 hours after discomfort occurs. Only use the heating pad to heat the neck from the side or back.

Pills and Ointments for Neck Pain

It is recommended to take any analgesic medication that can temporarily improve the condition. Your doctor will prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which not only relieves pain but also has anti-inflammatory properties.For topical effects, you can use warming patches or ointments. They relieve congestion and swelling, thereby taking pressure off nerve endings and reducing spasms.

Exercises for Neck Pain

For moderate pain, you can perform light gymnastics exercises on your own. It is important to monitor your health to avoid injury.Smooth, non-strenuous movements will help reduce discomfort:

• Lie on your back with your head on a flat but not soft pillow until you count to 5 (from 5 to 7);
• Lie on your side, lift your head and hold until you count 5 (at least 5 is close);
• Lie on your stomach with your arms crossed behind your head and your head raised, providing light resistance (4 to 6 reps).

In case of acute and severe pain, any exercise is contraindicated. If you feel dizzy or weak, you should stop exercising. In this case, a Shants collar will help reduce pain. The fixation time should not be too long. Otherwise, the muscles will weaken and the condition will worsen.

What not to do if you have neck pain

If discomfort occurs frequently in the cervical spine, the following situations are unacceptable:

1. Maintaining a forced position for a long time puts the neck under tension.
2. Lift heavy objects and perform physical tasks.
3. Experiencing severe stress can cause blood vessels to spasm, which can negatively impact circulation.
4. Regular drinking and smoking can lead to persistent narrowing of blood vessel structures.
5. Wear clothes that are inappropriate for the weather, do not dress in the cold season, and do not wear hats or scarves.

Sleeping on soft mattresses and high pillows is unacceptable. It is necessary to avoid sudden movements of the head, which can cause sudden compression of the nerves.

When you need to see a doctor urgently

If the pain does not subside or worsens after 5-7 days, expert help is needed. If you experience severe pain that prevents you from sleeping and does not relieve pain after changing positions, you should talk to your doctor.An absolute indication for visiting a clinic is a deterioration in general health - nausea, dizziness and weakness. Numbness in the hands also requires professional help.

medical treatement

A combination of treatments is often used, including:

• NSAIDs – Relieve discomfort and swelling and eliminate residual inflammation;
• Analgesics - relieve pain and improve general condition, but do not eliminate the cause;
• Corticosteroids – reduce inflammation and affect muscle excitability;
• Muscle Relaxants – Relieve painful muscle tension and improve motor activity.

If the pain is severe, an injection may be needed at the trigger point. Doctors also prescribe antioxidants, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants.Chondroprotectants stop the inflammatory and degenerative processes of the spine. Vitamins improve blood circulation and have therapeutic properties.

Surgery

Surgery is performed to restore function to the cervical spine. The most common decompression strategies are used in compression syndromes in which the nerve roots are compressed due to pathological defects. Microsurgical discectomy, laminectomy, and nucleoplasty were used. In addition, for cervical spine pain, stabilization techniques are popular - arthrodesis, vertebroplasty, implantation of bone tissue fragments and installation of fixed metal structures. The aim of surgical intervention is to eliminate the cause (hernia, tumor, osteophytes, etc. ). The purpose of surgery is to restore the movement-supporting function of the spine. After surgical treatment, long-term recovery is required, which is necessary to prevent various complications, which are not uncommon. The outcome of surgery depends on the timeliness of the surgery and compliance with medical rehabilitation recommendations.

manual therapy

Minimally invasive techniques involve the use of manual techniques. Effectiveness targets joints, muscles, ligaments joints and skeletal structures. Manual therapy can improve conditions such as spinal hernias, poor posture, protrusion, and osteochondrosis. Improve neck pain.Manual therapy sessions can restore mobility, restore damaged tissue, and eliminate dizziness. The pain gradually subsides and the muscles in the back and neck relax. The patient's health improves.

physiotherapy

Physiotherapy targets the effects of magnetic fields, electrical currents, temperature and mechanical effects on the body. If you follow your doctor's recommendations, the procedure is painless and causes no adverse reactions or complications. Physical therapy is used to treat chronic conditions and for preventive purposes. Used to strengthen the immune system, treat chronic inflammation, and improve posture. These procedures can increase the effectiveness of medications.Physical therapy for neck pain includes:

• SMT (Sinusoidal Modulated Current) – Stimulates the production of bioactive substances in the body. Electrophoresis can relieve pain and restore mobility, activating your own defenses. The complex procedure allows you to achieve significant and long-lasting analgesia, complemented by anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects.
• MLT (Magnetic Field and Laser Beam) – Provides significant therapeutic effects. The purpose of this procedure is to activate specific enzymes, change capillary osmotic pressure and improve blood circulation.
• UVT (Shock Wave Therapy) - with the help of low-frequency sound waves, initiates the process of improving microcirculation. Inflammation is reduced, swelling is eliminated, and pain is relieved.

To achieve significant results, a series of physical therapy procedures are recommended. Usually, improvements are noticed after the first session. Physical therapy is contraindicated in acute inflammation. Prescribed when the process is chronic and in the recovery phase.

exercise therapy

The aim of therapeutic physical exercises is to sculpt the muscular framework of the neck, relieve tension and restore blood circulation. An individual approach is taken taking into account each patient's abilities and needs.Physical therapy plans are developed by your doctor based on medical history and contraindications. If necessary, adjustments are made to the dynamics of the patient's condition, eliminating complications and allowing you to achieve the desired results.When starting a set of exercises, it is important to consider:

• The main task is to exercise muscles and make them elastic;
• Movements should be smooth, as violent and rapid movements will only aggravate the condition;
• Exercises should be performed on a flat surface using special mats and rollers.

It is important to observe regularity and frequency. If discomfort occurs, the load needs to be reduced.Exercises to restore the plasticity of the muscle structure and improve the mobility of the vertebrae:

• Exercise 1 – Turn your head to the far right, then to the left. Provides mobility of the cervical spine.
• Exercise 2 – Lower your head and press your chin toward your chest to feel your ribcage. This exercise can improve neck mobility and relieve muscle stiffness.
• Exercise 3 – Tilt your head back and retract your chin. Exercise can improve the posture of your cervical spine.

A set of exercises has also been developed to strengthen weak muscles to create muscle tightness and reduce pain. While seated, place your hands on your forehead and tilt your head forward to create resistance. You can also perform similar tilts to the left and right.

Which doctors should I contact for neck pain?

If discomfort occurs, you should see a therapist. Based on the complaint, the general practitioner will conduct an examination and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist - a neurologist, endocrinologist or oncologist.

in conclusion

Between 30% and 70% of the population suffer from neck pain. This problem reduces quality of life and often leads to disability. If prompt medical attention and treatment are provided, the prognosis is usually good.Treatment for neck pain includes physical, behavioral, and pharmaceutical approaches. The most effective are therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, proper organization of the work space, and observance of ergonomic rules. Doctors may prescribe NSAIDs, injections, and antidepressants. Surgery is required in advanced cases and when conservative treatment fails.