Neck pain can be painful for many reasons. In most cases, you must first determine what is causing the pain and muscle tension to choose the right painkiller. Both medicines and folk remedies help to quickly relieve neck pain.
Neck structure
The neck includes:
- cervical spine,
- muscles,
- packages,
- larynx,
- thyroid gland.
There are seven vertebrae in the cervical vertebrae. Compared to the rest of the spine, the cervical vertebrae are not large. They consist, like all others, of the body and the processes of strengthening muscles and ligaments.
Between the vertebrae - discs with the outer hard part, consisting of fibrous fibers, and the inner, soft pulpal nucleus, which provides the spine with shock absorption.
Causes of neck pain
Traumatic injury
Can occur during sports, head down, in an accident or a car accident. A sudden stop in the process of rapid movement in the cervical spine causes a "whip symptom", as a result of which sprains and muscles, compression fractures, displacement of the cervical discs with the formation of a hernia are possible
Bad stand
Prolonged work in a monotonous position, sleeping on an uncomfortable or too soft pillow and prolonged static stress are predisposing factors. As a result, bending occurs, the head begins to move forward relative to the body, the ligaments and muscles of the neck begin to experience increased tension.
Osteochondrosis of the spine
In osteochondrosis there is a violation of the trophic of the disc with its flattening and changes in the surrounding tissues. As a result, the damping function is reduced and neck pain occurs.
The cause of osteochondrosis can be malnutrition, back injuries, increased physical activity, unfavorable environment, chronic stress, inactive lifestyle, bad habits. In addition, there is a genetic predisposition.
Osteochondrosis causes pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, dizziness and fainting. Hearing, vision, memory impairment. "Vertebral artery syndrome" - blinking flies in front of the eyes, tinnitus. Impaired coordination and gait instability.
Protrusion or herniated disc
This is the name of the protrusion of the disc from the spine. In hernia, the outer ring is destroyed by displacing its central part in any direction - sideways, backward or forward.
The most difficult pathology is the displacement of the nucleus - this can lead to a violation of the spinal cord. With age, osteochondrosis of the spine can join the hernia. The cause of hernia can be all of the above factors, as well as carrying heavy bags, scoliosis, flat feet and age-related changes in the body.
The symptoms are similar to those of osteochondrosis, in addition to instability of blood pressure, insomnia, weakness in the hands and numbness of the fingers.
Ischemic heart disease - heart attack, angina
In this pathology, both radiating pains radiating to the neck and independent pains in the neck and lower jaw are possible. As a rule, they are combined with other signs of myocardial ischemia: fear of death, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea and vomiting.
Benign or malignant tumors
There is pressure from the growing tumor on the nerve roots, causing neck pain and other symptoms of spinal cord compression. Benign tumors (neuromas, hemangiomas) most often have a regular rounded shape and a clear border.
The pain in the cervix is mild. In general, there is discomfort from the compression of the tissues by a growing tumor. Malignant (lymphogranulomatosis, sarcoma, thyroid cancer) have virtually no boundaries and metastasize to adjacent tissues.
Tissue destruction causes pain and worsening of the general condition. Pain in the front of the neck occurs in tumors of the oral cavity, larynx, thyroid gland. Along with the pain there are difficulties in swallowing, impaired phonation, swelling of the face and neck.
A bone tumor often damages the spinal cord and nerve roots, causing paralysis.
Myositis of the neck
Occurs after hypothermia or prolonged muscle strain. It is characterized by the appearance of sharp pain when moving. The pain can occur both in inflammation of the superficial muscles (sternocleidomastoid) and deep around the spine, involved in neck movements.
Palpation reveals muscle hypertension and sometimes hard, painful nodules. Chronic myositis leads to impaired blood supply, trophism and replacement of muscle cells (myocytes) with connective tissue.
This causes pain and weakness in the muscles of the neck, a violation of the symmetrical work of the muscles on the side of the spine with the appearance of torticollis: the inability to keep the head strictly in an upright position.
Other diseases causing neck pain
Spondylolisthesis: one vertebra "slides" from the other with the disc being caught.
Bechterew's disease - ankylosing spondylitis.
Meningitis. Hypertension and stiffness of the neck muscles cause severe back pain in the neck area when trying to tilt the head.
How to relieve neck pain with medication
First, you need to determine the possible cause of your neck pain. In any case, limit your mobility. In case of trauma, ensure immobilization of the damaged area and deliver the patient to the trauma center.
If you have a history of ischemic disease, call an ambulance and stop the pain with sublingual vasodilators, try to calm the patient.
If there is a possibility of meningitis - if there has been contact with a sick person - also call an ambulance. But in any case - to stop the pain yourself. Do not heat the sore spot!
There is a good effect of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - preparations with acetic acid. They also reduce morning stiffness and have an antiplatelet effect - preventing the adhesion of erythrocytes.
Propionic acid derivatives also help relieve pain. They are low toxic, well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract with a sufficient range of action.
Option to replace tablet drugs - suppositories.
If your neck, shoulders and arms hurt
Gels are useful for treating pain in the shoulders and arms.
Relieve neck pain and tension during muscle spasm
To relieve existing muscle spasm, along with analgesics, it is good to give muscle relaxants.
External remedies for severe cervical pain
To relieve neck pain in case of cervical osteochondrosis or other diseases, local therapy will not be superfluous - the use of various rubs and compresses. After applying these rubs, wrap your neck with a warm towel, avoid water
How to relieve neck pain with folk remedies
Attach a whole leaf of cabbage or burdock to your neck.
Mix 50 ml of horseradish root juice with the same amount of vodka. Rub or apply compresses.
Use kerosene, pre-precipitated and passed through activated carbon, as a warming agent.
Make a honey cake from honey and flour, apply on the sore spot.
Use whole honey to grind, you can - half with aloe juice.
Mixture obtained by mixing equal parts of radish juice, honey and vodka, use for grinding.
Use an infusion of chamomile or calendula for compresses around the neck. Grind horseradish root, add a little water, apply on the sore spot.
Add hot pepper, ammonia or honey to the healing bile. Use for compresses.