Neck pain can occur for a variety of reasons. Let's give an answer to the question "What to do if the neck hurts? "and advise on the best treatment methods.
Pain in the neck can cause significant discomfort to each of us. At the same time, the usual way of life is disrupted and the person is deprived of the opportunity to perform daily work. Often he has dizziness, tinnitus and deterioration of the visual organs. The reasons for such violations can be of very different nature. We will talk about them further.
What neck pains are there?
Pain in the neck can be temporary and cause only slight discomfort to a person, or be more intense and disrupt the usual rhythm of life. As a rule, patients notice a sharp muscle spasm in this part of the body, which is accompanied by severe pain. It can be throbbing, aching, or tingling.
In this case, an increase in discomfort is observed during the period of physical activity or with a prolonged stay in one position. For these reasons, a person has to make turns with the whole body in order to prevent an increased load on the neck.
Thus, pain in the neck can be classified as follows:
- Sharp. Duration no more than 10 days;
- Chronic. Bother the person for a long period;
- Vertebrogenic. They occur in the presence of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical spine, including compression of the roots of the spinal cord and damage to the intervertebral discs;
- Nonvertebrogenic. They manifest themselves against the background of other negative factors, including inflammatory and infectious processes in the area of muscles, disorders in the area of the lymph nodes and the thyroid gland.
With painful sensations of a vertebrogenic nature, discomfort is observed in the area of the upper limbs, the back of the head, the shoulder joint and the hands. In this case, there is a loss of sensitivity, limitation of motor activity and numbness in the limb region, which is considered a consequence of compression of the spinal roots. In addition, in these cases, the patient notes an acute pain syndrome in the head, dizziness and the appearance of fainting conditions, which indicates the presence of a herniated disc.
The need for an urgent visit to a specialist is indicated by the presence of painful sensations of an acute nature, which are accompanied by loss of sensitivity in the back of the head, the appearance of tinnitus and dizziness.
Causes of neck pain
Before deciding what to do if your neck hurts, you should accurately diagnose the nature of the disease. In some cases, it can be difficult for a person to distinguish between pain in the throat and discomfort in the cervical spine, since the sensations can be intense and associated with pain in the entire neck. If at the same time the patient feels a fever or a sore throat, this may indicate the presence of viral infections, which include: pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, ARVI, etc. In addition, similar symptoms can occur when:
- Insufficient intake of vitamins into the body;
- In the case of the presence of foreign objects in the throat area;
- Increased synthesis of cortisol by the adrenal cortex;
- The presence of pathological neoplasms in the throat;
- Gastroesophageal reflux.
But, as a rule, patients are able to distinguish diseases in the throat region from pain in the neck, which can be localized in the anterior, posterior and lateral parts of it.
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 observed against the background of:
- Inflammation in the area of muscles associated with nerves and ligaments;
- Pathological processes in the thyroid gland;
- Acute insufficiency of blood supply to the myocardium;
- In the presence of abscesses and cystic formations;
- Destructive processes in the area of the lymph nodes.
It should be noted that the factors causing pain in this part of the body are difficult to determine. In such cases, it is better to get an appointment with an experienced specialist for an accurate diagnosis of the disease.
It is important to note that discomfort in the front of the neck can occur when the nerve roots are compressed and with pathological changes in the intervertebral discs.
Causes of pain in the back of the neck
One of the frequently asked questions among modern people sounds like this: "What to do if the neck hurts from behind? "Indeed, physical inactivity, prolonged use of the computer, the presence of addictions, unwillingness to practice a healthy lifestyle - all this can lead to pathological disorders in the vertebrae and, as a result, provoke the appearance of pain in the neck.
Therefore, if your neck hurts from behind, and you do not know what to do with unpleasant manifestations, we first of all recommend contacting an experienced vertebrologist or manualist. The fact is that the above signs most often indicate serious pathologies of the spine, which include:
- Osteochondrosis. It is characterized by degenerative-dystrophic disorders in the area of intervertebral discs, as well as a decrease in their strength and height;
- Protrusion. We are talking about the protrusion of the intervertebral disc, which increases the likelihood of pinching of the arteries and nerve roots;
- Herniated disc of the spine. In the absence of timely therapeutic measures, the nucleus pulposus can increase and penetrate into the spinal canal. In this case, the spinal cord and nerve roots are compressed. In advanced stages, 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 of the spine;
- Spondylosis. This is an ailment in which pathological bone growths appear on the extreme part of the vertebrae. In this case, flattening of the intervertebral discs occurs, which can gradually provoke pathological connections of nearby vertebrae and a decrease in motor activity in the neck;
- Myofascial syndrome. A pathological process characterized by the appearance of spasms in the muscle tissue and, as a result, the occurrence of an acute pain syndrome during the period of movement;
- Compression fractures. This process occurs in the area of the vertebrae in the elderly. It manifests itself as a result of whiplash or as a result of osteoporosis, and is a serious hazard to the human body;
- Ankylosing spondylitis. It is accompanied by pathological fusion of the vertebrae, damage to all joints and a total decrease in motor activity.
In rare cases, pain in the back of the neck occurs against the background of osteomyelitis or tuberculosis of the spine.
What is the reason for pain in the side of the neck?
Typically, the pain in the side of the neck is throbbing or tingling. In addition, pain can radiate to the ear or shoulder joint, which often leads to a curvature of the neck towards the lesion. Similar situations arise in the presence of the following ailments:
- Vascular pathologies, including the deposition of cholesterol on the inner walls of blood vessels;
- Muscle spasms, which are manifested due to excessive stress on the neck, exposure to thermal factors or a sharp change in the position of the head;
- The presence of malignant formations in the larynx, pharynx or thyroid gland.
Neck pain diagnosis
So, in order to understand what to do if the neck hurts, first of all, one should find out the etiology of the origin of the disease. The most common cause of discomfort is a pathological process in the cervical vertebrae. That is why, when the first unpleasant symptoms occur, it is recommended to visit a vertebrologist, neurologist or manualist.
After listening to the patient's complaints and performing the necessary diagnostic measures, the doctor will give clear recommendations for further treatment. You will not only be able to figure out what to do if your shoulders and neck hurt, but you can also figure out the cause of the discomfort that has arisen.
However, it is precisely the pathological changes in the spinal column that most often provoke the onset of the above ailment. Indeed, even minor pathologies in the vertebral region can provoke disturbances in the transmission of nerve signals from the spinal cord to the internal systems of the body.
This is due to the fact that each part of the spinal cord controls the work of a certain organ, and in case of any disorders in the cervical region, the muscles of the neck and shoulder region, as well as the ENT organs and the thyroid gland, are affected. The intensity of the pain syndrome depends on the degree of development of the disease.
Therefore, if you have pain in the back of your head and neck, before looking for a way out, what to do, you should perform a comprehensive diagnosis. In the course of it, the following activities are implemented:
- A blood test is performed;
- An ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland, cervical vessels and salivary glands is carried out;
- A blood test is performed for the presence of thyroid hormones;
- X-ray of the cervical spine is performed;
- Electromyography is prescribed;
- MRI;
- CT.
In this case, the most informative diagnostic method is MRI. In the course of it, it is possible to make a detailed analysis of the state of the intervertebral discs, to study the state of the blood supply organs, and to identify the symptoms of compression of the spinal roots. Thanks to this method, it is possible to judge the presence of a particular ailment in advance, at its initial stages of development, which significantly increases the effectiveness of future therapeutic measures.
Neck pain treatment
To understand what to do if the left, front or back side of the neck hurts, individual points should be taken into account, which include the intensity of the pain syndrome, the severity of existing changes, the presence of chronic pathologies and the corresponding expert opinion. Moreover, patients with the same type of disorders can be recommended different therapeutic measures, since in this case the age factor and individual characteristics of the organism are taken into account.
However, even if a person has a very bad back neck pain, there is no specific way of what to do to correct the situation. Recommended therapeutic measures are always complex in nature and are aimed at both eliminating the negative manifestations of the disease and combating its causes.
Key components of the treatment provided include:
- The use of medications;
- Manual treatment;
- Osteopathy;
- Massage procedures;
- The use of physiotherapy methods;
- Visit to a rehabilitation specialist.
In addition, when a pathological process is detected in the region of the cervical vertebrae, the patient needs to correct his usual way of life. For example, office workers and drivers are encouraged to introduce regular physical workouts and change body positions more frequently during the workday.
You should also enrich your diet with healthy foods. This will make it possible to speed up the recovery process of the body.
Medications for neck pain
The nature of the prescribed drugs depends on the diagnosis and the presence of chronic pathologies. Below we give a list of drugs that are recommended for most patients when diagnosing such an ailment:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They have a powerful anesthetic effect, relieve inflammation;
- Corticosteroid hormones. Helps cope with inflammation in situations in which non-steroidal drugs are inactive;
- The use of drugs that eliminate muscle spasms, which can significantly reduce the intensity of the pain syndrome;
- A group of drugs, the main components of which are glycosaminoglycans (chondroprotectors). Promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue, have increased efficiency in the early stages of spinal diseases;
- Vitamin D. Promotes the restoration of brain function, improves the condition of the skeletal system;
- Vitamins of group B. Allow to improve the process of transmission of impulses from the spinal cord to the internal systems, as well as to normalize their normal functioning;
- Antibacterial drugs, antihypertensive drugs, hormonal drugs, etc.
In case of painful manifestations of significant intensity, a solution is injected into the area of the nerve endings on the neck, which contains an anesthetic drug and a corticosteroid hormone. However, during the implementation of the blockade, there is a possibility of injury and infection of the nerve, which requires high professional training from a specialist.
Manual neck treatment
One of the most effective methods of eliminating pain in the neck and the reasons that provoked their appearance is manual therapy. The method is based on a direct effect on the spinal column and nearby tissues. The key difference between this procedure and therapeutic massage is the ability to work out not only the muscles of the neck and back, but also to influence the spine.
With the implementation of manual treatment by a competent specialist, it is possible to achieve a noticeable improvement in the patient's condition after the first procedures. It is possible to get a healing effect due to:
- Bringing the vertebrae into the correct position and restoring the axis of the spinal column;
- Expansion of the intervertebral space and release of squeezed vessels and roots. This allows you to normalize the functioning of the internal systems of the body, in particular the brain;
- Relief of muscle spasm and stiffness in the neck, which can reduce the intensity of pain;
- Restoration of tissue blood supply.
Physiotherapy treatment for neck pain
The key goal of physiotherapeutic procedures is to increase the effectiveness of the implemented therapeutic measures. They are resorted to only outside the exacerbation stage. With a competent professional approach, physiotherapy has a pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, and also allows you to improve blood flow in tissues and restore muscle tone.
Most often, the patient is recommended to take courses that include 10-15 sessions. These include:
- Ultrasonic method;
- Use of laser radiation;
- Exposure to the affected area with constant electric current in combination with the administration of medicinal substances;
- Shock wave therapy;
- Traction of the spinal column;
- Mud treatment, etc.
The number of procedures and the frequency of their implementation is determined on an individual basis. Separate methods of influence can be carried out simultaneously, the rest must be carried out at specified intervals.
Action of shock wave therapy for neck pain
You should refuse the possibility of any self-medication, since this can not only worsen your condition, but also lead to irreversible consequences. For example, if your neck hurts from behind at the base or a pinched nerve, it is better to contact an experienced specialist at a proven clinic.
In good clinics, modern and effective methods of treatment are implemented, thanks to which each patient has the opportunity to normalize the condition of the neck without dangerous consequences for the body. Thanks to the use of innovative and highly efficient equipment, as well as the participation of top-level specialists in medical procedures, you can count on a long-term and reliable result.
The implemented course of shock wave therapy will allow you to quickly stop pain syndrome, cope with the causes of the disease, as well as eliminate the likelihood of complications in the bone tissue and in the muscle area. You will be able to feel a noticeable improvement in your condition already after the first procedure of exposure to shock waves.
Physiotherapy exercises for neck pain
If your neck hurts after sleep or it hurts to turn your head, an obligatory stage of treatment, along with other methods, is exercise therapy. Since the cause of pain in the cervical spine is often excessive muscle tension and concomitant degenerative-dystrophic changes in the vertebrae, exercise therapy should be performed on a daily basis.
For each patient, the exercise therapy program is compiled individually. In this case, the individual characteristics of the organism, the age factor, the severity of disorders and the degree of physical fitness of a person are taken into account. The participation of a rehabilitation physician in the development of the above program is mandatory. In this case, the patient must avoid overload and sudden movements.
Preventive actions
To prevent the occurrence of pain in the neck, first of all, the patient should pay attention to the organization of his working day. If his work involves a long stay in one position, a prerequisite for maintaining health is the periodic performance of gymnastics. Obesity is often the cause of pathological conditions in the cervical spine. This speaks of the need for the introduction of the correct diet, going to the gym and exercising in the swimming pool. A special orthopedic mattress should be used when sleeping at night.