Neck pain is a common symptom characterized by pain in the cervical spine.It is caused by mechanical damage or systemic diseases.A person complains that his neck hurts when he bends or turns his head sharply.Acute pain can last for 10 days and then disappear.If it persists for a long time and there is no peace, you need to urgently seek help from specialists.You can have neck pain, illnesses and injuries that cause it treated at a specialist clinic.
Causes of neck pain
Pain in the neck area occurs for the following reasons:
- acute torticollis – a pain syndrome caused by injuries to the neck muscles, lifting heavy objects or a long stay in an uncomfortable position and usually disappears after 1-2 days;
- Spinal wear and tear – deformation of the joints and bones of the spine;
- Whiplash – a sudden movement of the head that damages the tendons and ligaments of the neck;
- pinched nerve – cervical radiculopathy, which occurs due to damage to the intervertebral disc;
- Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine that causes degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs and is accompanied by severe pain in the neck that radiates to the arm.
- Hernia in the cervical spine - a disease that causes pinched nerve roots, pain in the neck and shoulder, reduced sensitivity in the arm and reduced muscle strength;
- Acute thyroiditis is a rare disease characterized by inflammation of the thyroid gland.
The triggering factors for neck pain include:
- feverish condition;
- sudden weight loss;
- impaired coordination of movements;
- physical fatigue;
- cervical injuries;
- lack of B vitamins;
- bad posture;
- genetic predisposition;
- unhealthy lifestyle.
A common cause of neck pain in children is lymphadenitis, a complication of tonsillitis.An infection causes discomfort in the head and neck area.Intracranial hemorrhages, neoplasms and abscesses can also cause pain syndrome.
Types of Neck Pain
Depending on the location of the pain, neck pain is divided into the following types:
Cervicalgia
The pain is only in the neck area.When it spreads to the arms, this syndrome is called cervicobrachialgia.If it radiates to the head, it is cervicocranialgia.
Cervical lumbago or cervicago
It is characterized by severe acute pain with any movement of the neck and head.It can radiate to the back of the head or the thoracic spine.The duration of the attacks can be up to 10 days.In rare cases the pain lasts 2-3 months.
Diagnostic methods
First, the doctor conducts a visual examination and palpation of the neck to determine the nature of the pain and the cause of its occurrence.To confirm the diagnosis, the clinic carries out laboratory tests and recommends that the patient undergo a simple x-ray if an injury or disease of the skeletal system is suspected, and a computer tomography or MRI if diseases of the cervical vertebrae are suspected.Electromyography is required to check the function of the nervous system.
In clinics, the cause of neck pain is determined using the following methods:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- Ultrasound (ultrasound examination)
- Duplex scanning
- Computed tomography
- Computer electroencephalography
- Comprehensive examination of the body (check-up)
Neck pain treatment
The treatment strategy is selected taking into account the pathology or injury that caused neck pain.Conservative and surgical treatments are usually carried out using modern technologies.If the underlying disease can be cured, the patient is prescribed painkillers, glucocorticoids, local anesthetics, antioxidants and muscle relaxants.If necessary, antidepressants and anticonvulsants can be used.Painkillers are the basis of drug treatment to relieve pain, swelling and inflammation.
Physiotherapeutic procedures - osteopathy, physiotherapy, neck massage, manual therapy - also help to relieve pain.Ultrasound therapy is recommended to relieve spasms and improve blood circulation.The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the pathological process.
If a patient is diagnosed with an intervertebral hernia and spinal cord damage, he or she is referred for surgery.
In specialized clinics, the following methods are used to treat neck pain:
- Manual therapy
- Kinesio taping
- Physiotherapy
- Therapeutic massage
- Reflexology
- Ozone therapy
- Plasma therapy
- SVF therapy
- Therapeutic exercise
- Shock wave therapy
- Interstitial electrical stimulation
Neck pain complications
Neck pain itself is a symptom;It may not cause complications, but it worsens a person's quality of life.But if neck pain is not treated, the causes can have serious consequences.When caused by whiplash, it is fraught with blurred vision, dizziness, post-traumatic arthrosis and neurosis.Cervical osteochondrosis without medical attention leads to irreversible damage to the spine and death.
If left untreated, pathology of the cervical spine can lead to quadriparesis.Initially, the patient feels numbness in the fingers and hands at night or after physical activity.Then paralysis of the legs gradually begins to develop.It is characterized by numbness of the fingers and gait disturbances.
A hernia in the cervical spine can lead to compression of the nerve roots and impaired blood flow to the brain.Without a well-chosen treatment regimen, deformation of the spine occurs.It is associated with neurological disorders, digestive system disorders and migraine attacks.
Prevent neck pain
To prevent neck pain, you should organize your workspace correctly.When performing sedentary work, it is necessary to take regular breaks and perform several exercises for all parts of the spine and muscle groups.It is also recommended to do gymnastics in the morning.
Obesity can cause many diseases of the cervical spine.Therefore, you should control your weight, eat right, visit the pool and gym.It is recommended to sleep on a medium-firm mattress and use a pillow so that your head is at the same level as your body.