The neck is an important part of the body. Lymphatic vessels, large nerves, arteries and spinal cord pass through it. Neck pain can be a symptom of various medical conditions. Unpleasant sensations that last a long time signal a serious pathology.
Varieties
Unpleasant sensations can manifest as neck pain or lumbago. Cervicago is an acute syndrome that prevents you from turning your head. Neck pain - cervical pain. Happens:
- Superficial somatic. Occurs when the skin is damaged.
- Deep somatic. It occurs when muscles and vertebrae are affected.
- visceral. Occurs as a sign of infectious disease or pathology of internal organs.
If the neck pain covers the adjacent areas, they diagnose either cervicobrachialgia (cervicobrachial syndrome) or cervicocranialgia (the discomfort extends to the back of the head and then to the entire head).
Causes
Most often, the discomfort occurs due to muscle cramps or muscle tension. They occur for the following reasons:
- hypothermia;
- sharp rotation of the head;
- prolonged stay in the same position;
- muscle strain during work.
The discomfort caused by these factors does not require complex treatment. As a rule, they pass on their own in 1-3 weeks.
If there is severe discomfort, numbness, the patient suffers from dizziness, impaired mobility, the causes of the disease can be much more serious. It is mandatory to consult a specialist.
Acute pain syndrome is observed when:
- spinal problems: bruises, soft tissue injuries;
- inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- radiculitis;
- intervertebral disc herniation;
- curvature of the spine in the cervical spine;
- osteochondrosis, arthrosis;
- neurological diseases;
- fibromyalgia;
- oncology.
The pain syndrome can vary depending on the disease and its degree. The pathology can be suspected by a number of concomitant signs.
Causes of pain according to location
The location of the unpleasant sensations is an important factor that allows you to accurately diagnose the problem during the initial examination. After determining the cause, using other methods, the degree of damage is determined.
Painful sensations in the front of the neck
Unpleasant sensations under the chin or all over the neck in front can indicate a number of pathologies. The list is impressive:
- inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- angina pectoris;
- cysts and abscesses;
- inflammation of muscles, ligaments and nerves;
- pathology of the thyroid gland.
It is impossible to determine for yourself which disease has this symptom. The cause of the pain can also be pinching of blood vessels or nerves from the intervertebral disc, which is deformed.
A set of programs aimed at eliminating diseases without surgery and pills has been developed. It is necessary to consult with experienced doctors: neurologists, osteopaths, chiropractors, physiotherapists, masseurs.
Neck pain in the back
Changes in the spine are the main cause of painful, sharp or pulling pain in the neck. They occur due to low physical activity, constant work in front of the computer. Discomfort can be a symptom of the following diseases:
- osteochondrosis - changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs;
- protrusion of the intervertebral discs (protrusion);
- intervertebral hernia;
- spondylosis - bone growths on the vertebrae;
- muscle spasms;
- vertebral fractures as a result of whiplash or osteoporosis.
Back pain in the neck is an unusual symptom and spinal tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, Reiter's syndrome.
Syndrome of pain in the lateral surfaces of the neck
Discomfort in these areas is manifested by burning, throbbing pain, sometimes accompanied by a tingling sensation. The discomfort extends to the shoulder or ear on the right or left. Sometimes they are accompanied by the appearance of secondary torticollis due to the constant tilting of the head to the affected side.
This symptom is inherent in the following pathologies:
- blood vessel problems, atherosclerosis;
- muscle spasm due to sudden dizziness, hypothermia or exercise;
- malignant tumors localized in the larynx, thyroid, pharynx.
In the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, the pain can spread to the cervical region, the back of the head and the head. Increase when turning the head or bending the neck.
Symptoms
If the discomfort is rarely bothersome, it may be the result of an awkward sleep position or an awkward head movement. No special treatment is required. To eliminate the discomfort, do exercises, light rubbing, take warm baths, it is recommended to use an orthopedic mattress and pillows. But there are situations when a consultation with a neurologist or chiropractor is urgently needed.
The alarming signs are:
- stiffness of movements;
- the duration of the painful sensation is more than 1-2 days;
- the appearance of concomitant pain in the shoulder, arm;
- frequent headaches, especially in the back of the head, accompanied by dizziness;
- numbness of fingers, hands.
If you have suffered an injury to your neck, head or spine and the pain in these areas bothers you constantly, you should seek help.
How to relieve neck pain with osteochondrosis
In case of acute pain it is necessary to take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or use a gel, cream with anti-inflammatory effect. You should rub the product wherever you feel pain and tingling. If the pain worsens when you turn your head, you should limit movement. Do not make sudden movements of the head. Do not strain your arm for shoulder pain. It is possible to use painkillers with a warming effect.
All these recommendations will help relieve pain in 1-2 days. But a complete cure for osteochondrosis is needed to prevent recurrent attacks. There are both the most modern and long-established methods of treatment: UHT therapy, kinesitherapy, therapeutic massage, acupuncture, osteopathy, manual therapy, taping.
Diagnosis
The neurologist deals mainly with the treatment of neck pain. At the reception the specialist listens to the patient's complaints, conducts an examination. He identifies the cause of the problem. Most often it becomes a deviation from the norm of the state of the spine. These changes are the reason for the development of concomitant diseases of the internal organs.
Each segment of the spinal cord is responsible for the work of a particular organ. When the position of the vertebrae is changed or the height of the intervertebral discs is reduced, the transmission of nerve impulses from the spinal cord to the internal organs is disrupted.
If the problem is in the cervical spine, the ENT organs, vocal cords, thyroid and parathyroid glands, neck muscles or forearms are affected. These. more often diagnose both spinal problems and diseases of internal organs. Therefore, a chiropractor's examination is recommended for neck pain. If other diseases are found, additional examination by narrow specialists: cardiologist, endocrinologist, otolaryngologist.
A patient complaining of discomfort in the cervical spine undergoes a comprehensive diagnosis. The list of procedures includes:
- blood test: general and biochemical;
- blood test for thyroid hormone levels;
- computed tomography of the cervical spine;
- magnetic resonance imaging of the neck area;
- ultrasound examination of the vessels of the neck, salivary glands, thyroid gland with USDG.
With the help of MRI, a specialist examines in detail the condition of the intervertebral discs. The method allows you to diagnose diseases at an early stage. The doctor will assess the state of blood flow. If there is compression of the spinal cord and its roots, he will see them in the picture.
Treatment of pathology of the cervical spine
After the diagnosis, the doctor develops individual treatment tactics for each patient. It takes into account the severity of changes in the affected area, comorbidities, age and level of physical development. A set of measures is taken to eliminate the symptoms and causes of the pathology.
Physiotherapy
The sessions are conducted with the help of modern devices and equipment for shock wave therapy. These procedures eliminate swelling, inflammation and improve blood flow to the affected area. After the course of UHT-therapy the elasticity of the ligaments and tendons is restored, the metabolism is accelerated.
Recording
This method of manual therapy relieves pain and restores damaged muscles. Special bandages with thermal coating are used. They are carefully fixed on the damaged part of the body.
Manual therapy
In pathologies of the cervical spine is performed using several techniques. The session begins with a relaxing massage with an increase in the pace of kneading. The effect is felt after 1 procedure. After the course, the vertebrae return to the anatomically correct position, muscle spasms are eliminated. Blood circulation improves, soft tissues are restored.
Acupuncture
The procedure is indicated for various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The action on the biologically active points of the body allows you to eliminate neck pain and weakness, increase blood supply in this area.
Mass therapy
An additional method of therapy is effective in osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine. After the procedures, discomfort, swelling, cramps and fatigue are eliminated. Improves blood circulation, well-being of the patient and his emotional state. Local or general massage is prescribed. The techniques are selected individually for each case.
Kinesitherapy
Exercises and classes on special decompression simulators are prescribed to strengthen the muscular corset. During the procedures, the load is removed from the spine and the risk of cartilage abrasion is minimized. A large hall is equipped for training with additional equipment - rollers, balls. The exercises are supervised by doctors and experienced instructors.