Neck pain can occur for several reasons. Answer the question "What to do if your neck hurts? "and advises on the best treatment methods.
Neck pain can cause significant discomfort for all of us. At the same time, the usual way of life is disrupted and the person is deprived of the opportunity to work on a daily basis. He often has dizziness, tinnitus, and impaired vision. The reasons for such infringements can be of a very different nature. We will talk about them below.
What kind of neck pain are there?
Neck pain can be temporary and can cause only mild discomfort to a person, or it can be stronger and disrupt the normal rhythm of life. Usually, patients experience sharp muscle cramps in this part of the body, which is accompanied by severe pain. It can be throbbing, sore or tingling.
In this case, an increase in discomfort is observed during periods of physical activity or prolonged stay in one position. For these reasons, a person should turn their whole body to avoid increased strain on the neck.
Thus, neck pain can be classified as follows:
- Sharp. Duration up to 10 days;
- Chronic. It disturbs the person for a long time;
- Vertebrogen. They occur in degenerative-dystrophic changes of the cervical spine, including compression of the roots of the spinal cord and damage to the intervertebral discs;
- Not vertebrogenic. There are other negative factors behind it, including inflammatory and infectious processes in the muscle area, disorders of the lymph nodes and thyroid gland.
In case of vertebrogenic pain, discomfort may occur in the upper extremities, back of the head, shoulder joint and hands. In this case, loss of sensitivity, restriction of motor activity, and numbness of the limb region occur, resulting in compression of the roots of the spine. In addition, in these cases, the patient experiences acute pain syndrome, dizziness, and fainting, indicating the presence of an intervertebral disc herniation.
The need for an urgent visit to a specialist is indicated by acute painful feelings accompanied by loss of sensitivity in the back of the head, tinnitus and dizziness.
Causes of neck pain
Before deciding what to do if your neck hurts, you need to determine the exact nature of the disease. In some cases, it can be difficult to distinguish between a sore throat and an unpleasant sensation in the cervical spine, as the feelings can be intense and involve whole neck pain. If the patient is experiencing fever or sore throat at the same time, this may indicate the presence of viral infections, which include: pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, ARVI, etc. In addition, similar symptoms may occur if:
- insufficient intake of vitamins in the body;
- In the presence of foreign objects in the throat area;
- Increased synthesis of cortisol in the adrenal cortex;
- Presence of pathological neoplasms in the throat;
- Gastroesophageal reflux.
But in general, patients can distinguish diseases in the throat region from neck pain, which can be localized in the front, back, and sides of the neck.
Causes of pain in the front of the neck
The appearance of discomfort in the front of the neck or under the chin can be seen in the background:
- Inflammation of the muscles associated with nerves and ligaments;
- Pathological processes in the thyroid gland;
- Acute insufficiency of the blood supply to the heart muscle;
- In the presence of abscesses and cystic formations;
- Destructive processes in the area of the lymph nodes.
It should be noted that the factors that cause pain in this part of the body are difficult to identify. In such cases, it is better to make an appointment with an experienced professional for an accurate diagnosis of the disease.
It is important to note that compression of the nerve roots and abnormalities in the intervertebral discs can cause discomfort in the front of the neck.
Causes of pain in the back of the neck
One of the most frequently asked questions by modern people is, "What to do if your neck hurts from behind? " In fact, physical inactivity, prolonged use of a computer, the presence of addictions, and a lack of a healthy lifestyle can all lead to abnormalities in the vertebrae. and as a result, it can cause the appearance of neck pain.
Therefore, if your neck hurts from behind and you do not know what to do with the unpleasant manifestations, we recommend that you first consult an experienced vertebrologist or specialist. The fact that the above signs most often indicate severe pathologies of the spine, which include:
- Osteochondrosis. Degenerative-dystrophic disorders are characterized in the area of the intervertebral discs and a decrease in their strength and height;
- Protrusion. We speak of a protrusion of the intervertebral disc, which increases the likelihood of pinching of the arteries and nerve roots;
- Spinal disc injured. In the absence of timely therapeutic measures, the nucleus pulposus may grow and penetrate the spinal canal. In this case, the spinal cord and nerve roots are compressed. At an advanced stage, the contents of the intervertebral disc are able to separate and "float freely" along the spinal canal. This, in turn, can cause a complete lack of motor activity in the spine;
- Spondylosis. We are talking about a disease in which abnormal bone growths appear in the extreme part of the vertebrae. In this case, flattening of the intervertebral discs occurs, which can gradually provoke pathological connections in the nearby vertebrae and a decrease in motor activity in the neck;
- Myofascial syndrome. A pathological process characterized by the appearance of cramps in muscle tissue and the resulting occurrence of acute pain syndrome during the period of movement;
- Compression fractures. This process occurs in the vertebrae in the elderly. It manifests as a result of whiplash or osteoporosis and poses a serious threat to the human body;
- Ankylosing spondylitis. This is accompanied by abnormal fusion of the vertebrae, damage to all joints, and a complete decrease in motor activity.
In rare cases, pain in the back of the neck is the cause of osteomyelitis or tuberculosis of the spine.
What is the cause of the pain on the side of the neck?
Typically, the pain on the side of the neck is throbbing or tingling. In addition, pain can radiate to the ear or shoulder joint, often leading to curvature of the neck. Similar situations occur in the presence of the following diseases:
- Vascular pathologies, including cholesterol deposition on the inner wall of blood vessels;
- Muscle cramps due to excessive strain on the neck, exposure to thermal factors, or a sharp change in the position of the head;
- Presence of malignant formations in the larynx, pharynx or thyroid gland.
Diagnosis of neck pain
So to understand what to do if your neck hurts, you must first find the etiology of the origin of the disease. The most common cause of discomfort is an abnormal process in the cervical vertebrae. Therefore, when the first unpleasant symptoms occur, it is advisable to consult a vertebrologist, neurologist or manual.
After listening to the patient's complaints and taking the necessary diagnostic measures, the doctor will make clear recommendations for further treatment. Not only can you figure out what to do if your shoulders and neck hurt, but you can also figure out the cause of the discomfort you are experiencing.
However, it is precisely the pathological changes in the spine that most often cause the development of the above disease. In fact, even minor pathologies in the vertebral region can cause disturbances in the transmission of neural signals from the spinal cord to the body’s internal systems.
This is due to the fact that each part of the spinal cord controls the work of an organ, in the case of disorders in the neck region, the muscles of the neck and shoulders, as well as the ear-nose-throat organs and the thyroid gland. glands affected. The intensity of the pain syndrome depends on the extent to which the disease develops.
Therefore, if you have pain in the back of your head and neck, you should make a comprehensive diagnosis before looking for a way out. In doing so, the following activities will take place:
- They do a blood test;
- Ultrasound examinations of the thyroid gland, cervical vessels, and salivary glands are performed;
- Blood tests are performed for the presence of thyroid hormones;
- X-rays of the cervical spine are performed;
- Electromyography is prescribed;
- MRI;
- CT.
In this case, the most informative diagnostic method is MRI. In this process, it is possible to analyze the condition of the intervertebral discs in detail, to examine the condition of the blood supply organs, and to identify the compression symptoms of the spinal roots. Thanks to this method, the presence of a particular disease in the early stages of development can be predicted, which significantly increases the effectiveness of future therapeutic measures.
Treatment of neck pain
To understand what to do if the left, front, or back of the neck hurts, you need to consider each point, which includes the intensity of the pain syndrome, the severity of the changes that exist, the presence of chronic pathologies, and the appropriate expert. opinion. In addition, different therapeutic measures may be recommended for patients with the same type of disorder, as they take into account the age factor and the individual characteristics of the body.
However, even if someone has a very strong back pain, there is no concrete way to do what to do to improve the situation. The recommended therapeutic measures are always complex in nature and are aimed both at eliminating the negative manifestations of the disease and at combating the causes.
The main components of the treatment are:
- Use of drugs;
- manual treatment;
- Osteopathy;
- Massage procedures;
- Application of physiotherapy methods;
- Visit to a rehabilitation specialist.
In addition, if an abnormal process is detected in the region of the cervical vertebrae, the patient should correct their normal lifestyle. For example, office workers and drivers are encouraged to introduce regular physical exercise and change their posture more often during the work day.
You should also enrich your diet with healthy foods. This allows you to speed up the recovery process of your body.
Medications for neck pain
The nature of the drugs prescribed depends on the diagnosis and the presence of chronic pathologies. The following are the medications that are recommended for most patients to diagnose such a disease:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They have a strong anesthetic effect, relieving inflammation;
- Corticosteroid hormones. It helps cope with inflammation in situations where non-steroidal drugs are inactive;
- The use of drugs that eliminate muscle cramps, which can significantly reduce the intensity of pain syndrome;
- A group of drugs whose main components are glycosaminoglycans (chondroprotectors). Promotes cartilage tissue regeneration, increases efficiency in the early stages of spinal diseases;
- Vitamin D Helps restore brain function, improves the condition of the skeletal system;
- Group B vitamins. They allow the process of transmitting impulses from the spinal cord to the internal systems and normalize their normal functioning;
- Antibacterials, antihypertensives, hormonal drugs, etc.
In the case of painful manifestations of significant intensity, a solution is injected into the area of the nerve endings in the neck, which contains an anesthetic medicine and a corticosteroid hormone. However, during the execution of the blockade, there is a possibility of injury or infection of the nerve, which requires a high level of professional training from a specialist.
Manual neck treatment
One of the most effective ways to eliminate neck pain and the causes that cause it is through manual therapy. The method is based on the direct effect on the spinal column and nearby tissues. The most important difference between this procedure and therapeutic massage is the ability to train not only the muscles of the neck and back, but also the spine.
By performing the manual treatment by a skilled professional, a noticeable improvement in the patient's condition can be achieved after the first procedures. It is possible to achieve a healing effect due to the following:
- Positioning the vertebrae and restoring the axis of the spine;
- Expansion of the intervertebral space and release of compressed blood vessels and roots. This makes it possible to normalize the internal systems of the body, especially the brain;
- Relieving muscle cramps and neck stiffness, which can reduce the intensity of pain;
- Restoration of blood supply to tissues.
Physiotherapy for neck pain
The main goal of physiotherapy procedures is to increase the effectiveness of the implemented therapeutic measures. They are used only outside the exacerbation phase. With a competent professional approach, physiotherapy has a pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect and allows for improved blood flow to the tissues and restoration of muscle tone.
Courses of 10 to 15 sessions are most often recommended for the patient. These include:
- Ultrasound method;
- Use of laser radiation;
- Exposure of the affected area to a constant current of electricity in combination with the administration of medicinal substances;
- Shock wave therapy;
- Traction of the spine;
- Sludge treatment, etc.
The number of procedures and the frequency with which they are carried out are determined individually. Separate methods of influencing can be performed simultaneously, the rest must be performed at specified intervals.
The effect of shock wave therapy on neck pain
You must reject the possibility of self-healing, as this can not only worsen your condition but also lead to irreversible consequences. For example, if your neck hurts at the base of your back or you have pinched your nerve, it is better to contact an experienced professional at a proven clinic.
Good clinics implement modern and effective treatment methods that allow all patients to normalize the condition of the neck without dangerous consequences for the body. You can expect long-term and reliable results through the use of innovative and highly efficient equipment and the participation of top-level professionals in medical procedures.
The course of shockwave therapy allows you to quickly stop the pain syndrome, cope with the causes of the disease, and eliminate the likelihood of complications in the bone tissue and muscle area. You will feel a noticeable improvement in your condition after the first exposure to the shockwaves.
Physiotherapy exercises for neck pain
If you have a sore neck or headache after falling asleep, a mandatory phase of treatment is other methods of movement therapy. Because cervical spine pain is often caused by excessive muscle tension and the associated degenerative-dystrophic lesions in the vertebrae, movement therapy should be performed on a daily basis.
The gym therapy program is compiled individually for each patient. In this case, the individual characteristics of the body, the age factor, the severity of the disorders and the degree of physical fitness of the person are taken into account. The participation of a rehabilitation doctor is mandatory in the development of the above program. In this case, the patient should avoid overload and sudden movements.
Preventive measures
To prevent the occurrence of neck pain, the patient should first of all pay attention to the organization of the working day. If your job involves a long stay in a position, a prerequisite for maintaining good health is to perform the exercise periodically. Obesity is often the cause of pathological conditions in the cervical spine. This suggests the need to introduce a proper diet, go to the gym and exercise in the pool. A special orthopedic mattress should be used for sleeping at night.