Neck pain is an unpleasant problem that can significantly destroy your mood and quality of life.The symptom occurs in 30-40% of the population and can lead to loss of movement and disability.
Depending on the causes, treatment methods also vary.Early diagnosis and quality treatment, started after the problem is discovered, will help you forget about this unpleasant symptom.
Why does your neck hurt?
Etiopathogenesis (mechanism of development) of pain is divided into three main groups:
- somatogenic.This includes pain due to injuries and inflammation, ischemic processes and mechanical tissue damage.
- neurogenic.It occurs when the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system breaks down.
- psychogenic.In this case, psychological and social factors play a role.Emotional activity can cause reflex muscle contraction, which leads to pain.
Pain can be acute or chronic.If your neck hurts a lot, it is most likely a normal reaction to injury.In order for the pain to stop, it is necessary to wait until the tissues have completely healed or accelerate this process.Chronic pain has a different mechanism of development - damage occurs over and over again and maladaptation occurs.The body cannot cope with the damaging factor itself.
The causes of pain are divided into two main groups: vertebral (those related to the spine) and non-vertebral.They can develop from 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.The psychogenic mechanism comes into play a little later and worsens 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 can be a 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, continuous mutual damage occurs, which provokes pain.
- discogenic.It occurs when discs protrude, displace and herniate.
- spondylogenic.The cause of pain in this case is damage to the structures of the vertebra, its tissues or processes.This can be a destructive process or a voluminous neoplasm that is affected from the outside.
- neuropathic.The neck hurts due to compression of a nerve root or end.The reasons may be a voluminous 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 a pathological process in other parts of the body;
- symptoms of inflammatory processes.
Below we will consider the individual causes of pain, but for now, familiarize yourself with the risk factors that can cause this symptom:
- incorrect position during work;
- lack of anatomical position of the spine during sleep;
- low level of physical activity;
- excessive stress on the back;
- 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 these conditions.
Osteochondrosis
With this pathology, the connections between the joints of the spine are broken, disc protrusion appears and hernias are formed.The condition appears in those who have a hereditary predisposition and do not take care of their posture, food and lifestyle.In addition to neck pain, a person feels general weakness and tinnitus.Fainting and disturbances of consciousness occur.The pain can appear in the arms, in the back of the head and in the area between the shoulder blades.The joints may crackle when you turn your head and numbness may be felt.
The pain associated with this disease is chronic and painful.It can reach such an intensity that it becomes difficult to sleep.In the early stages, the process can be easily corrected, but the more the pathology progresses, the more difficult it is to correct.
Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine
The disease is destructive in nature - the intervertebral joints are destroyed, their structure is interrupted and an excessive growth of bone tissue occurs.The neck can hurt on one side, the pain also radiates to the upper limb and chest.
Damage to blood vessels and nerve endings leads to impaired hearing and vision, a person gets more tired, experiences memory loss and lack of mind.Lack of effective treatment can lead to complications and disability.
Disc herniation
The pathology begins with swelling of the contents of the disc, and then goes beyond its normal anatomical position.Even a slight displacement can appear as a pronounced symptom.The spinal canal is narrow and all the nerve roots are in close proximity to each other.As soon as a hernia begins to appear, the neck and back hurt.If the patient tries to eliminate the pain with common pain relievers, the symptom goes away, but the problem remains and, over time, recalls itself.
Neck muscle strain
Almost everyone has encountered this problem - prolonged tension in the cervical spine or intensive training after a while is reflected in severe muscle pain.The pain appears acute and often starts to bother you after sleep.there is swelling and swelling on the injured side of the neck.It becomes difficult to turn the head, the patient tries to give the head the most comfortable position so as not to feel pain.The pain will go away on its own, you just need to rest the damaged area.To ease the situation, consult a doctor: he can recommend a compress or ointment with an analgesic.
spondilosis
The disease is a complication of osteochondrosis, which cannot be treated.The disease is serious and can lead to the 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 neck area.Sometimes, the neck hurts in a throbbing manner, accompanied by stiffness and difficulty in turning the head.
To eliminate the disease, complex treatment is required, which combines an effect on the cause and individual symptoms of the disease.
Cervical myelopathy
The patient has neck pain in this case due to narrowing of the spinal canal.To recognize the pathology in time, you should pay attention to the following symptoms: the patient feels weakness, numbness and tingling in the limbs.The condition is associated with disorders in speech, coordination and balance.Walking becomes unstable, the position of the body in space is disturbed.If you have recently experienced injuries, falls or traffic accidents, this is most likely myelopathy.
Whiplash
In this case, the neck hurts as a result of soft tissue damage.The mechanism of occurrence is strong bending and subsequent extension.The patient usually feels pain after a fall or fight.An injury can be recognized by the following sign: the head protrudes slightly forward and the physiological curves of the cervical spine are disrupted.
Trauma
The causes of injury are blows, accidents and unsuccessful diving.The patient feels excruciating 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 for 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 the head and is in an unnaturally elongated position.
Diseases of internal organs
Certain internal organ conditions can lead to pain that radiates to the neck.This is facilitated by the features of innervation and reflex mechanisms.So, pain in the gallbladder, esophagus and heart can radiate to the neck.Also, pain is observed with pathologies of the thyroid gland, larynx and pharynx.
Some of the pathologies can occur normally and are easily treatable.But sometimes the neck hurts due to serious pathologies that require urgent care.
Other reasons
The neck may hurt after the patient has been electrocuted or has become very cold.This leads to muscle spasm, which is accompanied by pain.It also happens that a person simply "lies" while sleeping in an uncomfortable position.After prolonged work, stress or intense training, this symptom can also appear.
Types of neck pain
This symptom can be divided into the following subtypes:
- cervicago.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.She suggested identifying the following types of pain, depending on the stage:
Phase 1
Short-term cervicalgia, which stops after some time on its own or after lifestyle modification.There are no symptoms indicating structural damage.Additional diagnostic and treatment methods are not needed.
Phase 2
There are no signs of serious violations of anatomical structures, however, the daily activity of the patient is impaired: there is a need to take sedatives.The condition can be corrected with lifestyle modifications and some exercise.
Phase 3
Neurological symptoms appear, additional diagnostics and comprehensive treatment are required.
Phase 4
Signs of organic lesions appear.The patient is disturbed by strong intense pain, corresponding to tumors, myelopathy or systemic pathology.High-quality, comprehensive diagnostics and specialized treatment are required.
Basic principles of neck pain treatment
The way to treat neck pain depends on the specific situation and the mechanisms of disease development.Also, the choice of method is influenced by the stage of the process and its nature.The attending physician can determine the tactics after a complete examination and additional diagnostic methods.
The beginning of any treatment is a lifestyle modification.It depends only on the patient and determines the success of other treatment procedures.
These methods also apply to preventive measures to prevent neck pain:
- gymnastics and warm-up for neck muscles, which relieves muscle tension;
- general strengthening of the corset of the back muscles;
- the right position at the desk, during work and rest;
- if you do sedentary work, get up periodically and do simple exercises;
- place a pillow under the lower back during prolonged sitting;
- Adjust the position of the monitor so that you do not strain your neck.This applies to both the computer and the phone;
- if you often talk on the phone, use a headset or speakerphone;
- when working with documents, use a stand so that the papers are at eye level;
- Pay attention to your bed - give preference to an orthopedic mattress and pillow.
- always use a seat belt when traveling - this prevents injuries and strains of the neck muscles;
- 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 juices;
- avoid stress or learn to react correctly to it;
- give up nicotine and other bad habits.
Treatment of pain should be comprehensive, affecting not only the symptoms, but also the cause of development.If your neck hurts, conservative methods, medications and physiotherapy are used.In the severe stages of some conditions, surgical treatment is recommended.
Medicines used to treat pain:
- non-steroidal drugs relieve inflammation, swelling and pain;
- ointments to reduce pain;
- muscle relaxants;
- glucocorticosteroids;
- vitamin injections.
Physiotherapy methods are also effective for neck pain.You should first consult your doctor, because these methods are used depending on the stage of the process.
The following methods are considered effective:
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- acupuncture;
- medicinal baths;
- healing shower;
- mud therapy.
Treatment of neck pain should be timely and of high quality - only then you can count on success and elimination of pain.