Neck pain is an unpleasant problem that can significantly damage your mood and quality of life.This symptom occurs in 30-40% of the population and can cause loss of movement and disability.
Based on the cause, the treatment methods are also different.Early diagnosis and quality treatment, starting after the problem is discovered, will help you forget about these unpleasant symptoms.
Why does your neck hurt?
Etiopathogenesis (mechanism of development) of pain is divided into three main groups:
- somatogenic.These include pain due to injury and inflammation, ischemic processes, and mechanical tissue damage.
- neurogenic.Occurs when the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system is disrupted.
- psychogenic.In this regard, psychological and social factors play a role.Emotional activity can trigger reflex muscle contractions, leading to pain.
Pain can be acute or chronic.If your neck hurts badly, it is most likely a normal response to an injury.In order for the pain to stop, it is necessary to wait until the tissues heal completely or speed up this process.Chronic pain has a different developmental mechanism - damage occurs continuously and maladaptation occurs.The body cannot cope with damaging factors on its own.
The causes of pain are divided into two main groups: vertebrogenic (related to the spine) and non-vertebrogenic.They can develop with both somatogenic and neuropathic mechanisms.in the first case, spinal structures and muscles are involved in the process, and in the second - spinal nerve roots and peripheral nerve endings.Psychogenic mechanisms come into play a little later and worsen the current situation.
Vertebrogenic neck pain can be divided into the following subtypes:
- myogenic.Pain occurs when muscles are stretched or squeezed.Also, the cause may be prolonged contraction of muscle fibers.
- arthrogenic.Damage occurs in the joints that connect the vertebrae.The distance between the structural elements of the spine decreases, joint damage continues, which causes pain.
- discogenic.Occurs when discs protrude, shift, and herniate.
- spondylogenic.The cause of pain in this case is damage to the vertebral structure, tissue or process.This can be a destructive process or a large neoplasm that is influenced from the outside.
- neuropathic.Neck pain due to compression of nerve roots or ends.The reason may be a large neoplasm, hernia or hypertrophy of individual structures.
Non-vertebrogenic neck pain is divided into:
- myofascial syndrome;
- pain caused by psychological factors;
- radiation of pain during pathological processes in other parts of the body;
- symptoms of the inflammatory process.
We'll look at individual causes of pain below, but for now, familiarize yourself with the risk factors that can cause these symptoms:
- incorrect position while working;
- lack of anatomical position of the spine during sleep;
- low level of physical activity;
- too much pressure on the spine;
- overweight;
- lack of a rational approach to nutrition;
- impaired drinking regime;
- frequent stress;
- bad habits (drinking alcohol, nicotine).
Causes of neck pain
Let's consider the main causes of pain and the mechanism of development of symptoms in this condition.
Osteochondrosis
With this pathology, the connection between the joints of the spine is disrupted, disc protrusion occurs and a hernia is formed.This condition occurs in those who have hereditary tendencies and do not take care of their posture, diet and lifestyle.In addition to neck pain, a person feels general weakness and tinnitus.Fainting and loss of consciousness occur.Pain may occur in the arms, back of the head, and the area between the shoulder blades.Joints may creak when turning the head, and numbness may be felt.
The pain associated with this disease is chronic and painful.It can reach such an intensity that it is difficult to sleep.In the early stages, the process can be easily corrected, but the further the development of the pathology, the more difficult it is to correct it.
Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine
The disease is destructive - the intervertebral joints are destroyed, their structure is disturbed and excessive growth of bone tissue occurs.The neck may hurt on the side, the pain also radiates to the upper part and chest.
Violation of blood vessels and nerve endings leads to impaired hearing and vision, a person becomes more tired, experiences memory loss and loses consciousness.Lack of effective treatment can lead to complications and disability.
Herniated disc
The pathology begins with the bulging of the disc contents, and then goes beyond its normal anatomical position.Even a slight shift can manifest as a clear symptom.The spinal canal is narrow and all the nerve roots are close to each other.As soon as the hernia begins to appear, the neck and back hurt.If the patient tries to relieve the pain with conventional painkillers, the symptoms disappear, but the problem remains and, over time, reminds itself again.
Neck muscle tension
Almost everyone has faced this problem - prolonged tension in the cervical spine or intense training after some time is reflected in severe muscle pain.The pain occurs acutely and often begins to bother you after sleep.swelling and significant swelling of the injured neck.It becomes difficult to turn the head, the patient tries to give his head the most comfortable position so as not to feel pain.The pain will go away by itself, you just need to give rest to the damaged area.To alleviate the situation, consult a doctor: he can recommend compresses or ointments with analgesics.
Spondylosis
This disease is a complication of osteochondrosis, which cannot be treated.This disease is serious and can cause limitation of a person's physical activity.In addition to osteochondrosis, spondylosis can be caused by trauma.The patient feels pain constantly, it can move to the back of the head and the collar area.Sometimes, the neck hurts throbbing, accompanied by stiffness and difficulty turning the head.
To eliminate this disease, a complex treatment is needed, which combines effects on the causes and individual symptoms of the disease.
Cervical myelopathy
The patient experiences neck pain in this case due to narrowing of the spinal canal.To recognize the pathology in time, it is necessary to pay attention to the following symptoms: the patient feels weakness, numbness and tingling in the limbs.This condition is accompanied by disturbances in speech, coordination and balance.The gait becomes unstable, the position of the body in space is disturbed.If you have recently had an injury, fall or traffic accident, it is most likely myelopathy.
Whiplash
In this case, the neck hurts due to damage to the soft tissue.The mechanism of occurrence is strong bending and subsequent extension.Patients usually feel pain after falling or fighting.The injury can be recognized by the following signs: the head protrudes slightly forward and the physiological curve of the cervical spine is disturbed.
Trauma
Causes of injuries are impacts, accidents, and unsuccessful dives.The patient feels pain in the neck and back of the head.Motor activity is very limited, soft tissues swell, hematomas and bruises appear.
Infectious diseases
The inflammatory response, which is a response to an infectious disease, leads to acute pain.The mechanism of development is the enlargement of the lymph nodes.lymphatic vessels that put pressure on the muscles and lead to their spasms.This condition is observed with sore throat and rubella.
An infectious disease in which neck pain is the main symptom is meningitis.The pathology is accompanied by tension in the muscles of the back of the head, the patient cannot bend his head and it is in an improperly extended position.
Diseases of internal organs
Some internal organ conditions can cause pain to radiate to the neck.This is facilitated by the peculiarities of conservation and reflex mechanisms.So, pain in the gallbladder, esophagus, and heart can spread to the neck.Also, pain is observed with pathology of the thyroid gland, larynx, and pharynx.
Some pathologies may occur normally and are easily treated.But sometimes the neck hurts because of a serious pathology that requires emergency care.
Another reason
The neck may hurt after the patient is in a draft or becomes very cold.This leads to muscle spasms, which are accompanied by pain.It also happens that a person simply "lies" during sleep in an uncomfortable position.After prolonged work, stress or intense training, these symptoms may also occur.
Types of neck pain
These symptoms can be divided into the following subtypes:
- cervical.This is a sharp pain and limitation of movement, which is also known as "cervical lumbago".
- cervicalgia.Neck pain due to diseases of internal organs, spine and other causes.You can divide the pain depending on the cause, as described above.Also, the type of pain depends on its nature: acute or chronic.
There is a special commission to study neck pain.He suggests identifying the following types of pain, depending on the stage:
Stage 1
Short-term cervicgia, which stops after some time on its own or after lifestyle modifications.There are no signs of structural damage.Additional diagnostic and treatment methods are not required.
Stage 2
There are no signs of serious violations of the anatomical structure, however, the patient's daily activities are affected: there is a need to take painkillers.This condition can be corrected with lifestyle modifications and some exercise.
Stage 3
Neurological symptoms appear, additional diagnostics and comprehensive treatment are required.
Stage 4
Signs of organic lesions appear.The patient is disturbed by severe pain, which corresponds to a tumor, myelopathy or systemic pathology.High-quality, comprehensive diagnostics and specialized treatment are required.
Basic principles of treating neck pain
How to treat neck pain depends on the specific condition and the mechanism of disease development.Also, the choice of method is influenced by the stage of the process and its nature.The attending physician can determine tactics after a full examination and additional diagnostic methods.
The beginning of any treatment is lifestyle modification.This only depends on the patient and determines the success of other treatment procedures.
This method is also used for preventive measures to prevent neck pain:
- gymnastics and warm-up for the neck muscles, which relieve tension in the muscles;
- general strengthening of the back muscle corset;
- the correct position at the desk, while working and resting;
- if you do sedentary work, get up periodically and do simple exercises;
- place a cushion under your lower back when sitting for long periods of time;
- Adjust the position of the monitor so as not to strain your neck.This applies to both computers and phones;
- if you often talk on the phone, use a headset or speaker phone;
- when working with documents, use a stand so that the paper is at eye level;
- Pay attention to your bed - give preference to orthopedic mattresses and pillows.
- always use a seat belt when traveling - this prevents injuries and neck muscle strain;
- Make sure your diet is balanced and rational.In addition to the normal combination of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, food should contain trace elements, minerals and vitamins;
- drink enough clean water, in addition to tea, coffee and juice;
- avoid stress or learn to respond properly to it;
- quit nicotine and other bad habits.
Treatment of pain should be comprehensive, affecting not only the symptoms, but also the causes of development.If your neck hurts, conservative methods, medications, and physiotherapy are used.In some severe cases, surgical treatment is recommended.
Medicines used to treat pain:
- non-steroidal drugs relieve inflammation, swelling and pain;
- ointment to reduce pain;
- muscle relaxants;
- glucocorticosteroids;
- vitamin injections.
Physiotherapy methods are also effective for neck pain.You must first consult with your doctor, because this method is used depending on the stage of the process.
The following methods are considered effective:
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- acupuncture;
- medicated bath;
- healing bath;
- mud therapy.
Treatment of neck pain must be timely and of high quality - only then can one count on success and the elimination of pain.