Neck pain is a common symptom characterized by pain in the cervical spine.It is caused by mechanical damage or systemic disease.A person complains that his neck hurts when bending or turning his head sharply.Acute pain may last for 10 days, then goes away.If it persists for a long time and does not give rest, then you need to urgently seek help from specialists.You can get treatment for neck pain, diseases and injuries that provoke it in a specialized clinic.
Causes of neck pain
Pain in the neck area occurs due to the following reasons:
- acute torticollis - a pain syndrome caused by injuries to the neck muscles, lifting heavy objects or prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, it usually goes away in 1-2 days;
- wear and tear of the spine – 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 spinal column that provokes degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs and is accompanied by severe pain in the neck, radiating to the arm;
- hernia in the cervical spine - a disease that leads to pinched nerve roots, pain in the neck and shoulder, decreased sensitivity in the arm and decreased muscle strength;
- acute thyroiditis is a rare disease characterized by inflammation of the thyroid gland.
Provoking factors for neck pain include:
- feverish condition;
- sudden weight loss;
- impaired coordination of movements;
- physical fatigue;
- cervical injuries;
- deficiency of B vitamins;
- poor posture;
- genetic predisposition;
- unhealthy lifestyle.
A common cause of neck pain in children is lymphadenitis, a complication of tonsillitis.Discomfort in the head and neck area is noted when infected.Intracranial hemorrhages, neoplasms and abscesses can also cause a painful syndrome.
Types of neck pain
Depending on the location of pain, neck pain is divided into the following types:
Cervicalgia
The pain is only in the neck area.If it spreads to the arms, then this syndrome is called cervico-brachialgia.When 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 may radiate to the back of the head or thoracic spine.The duration of attacks can reach 10 days.In rare cases, the pain continues for 2-3 months.
Diagnostic methods
First of all, 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 conducts laboratory tests and recommends that the patient undergo a simple x-ray if an injury or disease of the skeletal system is suspected, a computed tomography scan or an MRI if the specialist suspects that the cause of the pain may be diseases of the cervical vertebrae.Electromyography will be required to check the functioning 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)
Treatment for neck pain
The treatment strategy is selected taking into account the pathology or injury that caused neck pain.Conservative and surgical treatment is usually carried out using modern technologies.If the underlying disease can be cured, the patient is prescribed analgesics, glucocorticoids, local anesthetics, antioxidants and muscle relaxants.If necessary, antidepressants and anticonvulsants may be used.Painkillers are the basis of drug treatment aimed at relieving pain, swelling and inflammation.
Physiotherapeutic procedures - osteopathy, physical therapy, neck massage, manual therapy - will also help get rid of 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 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
Complications of neck pain
Neck pain itself is a symptom; it cannot cause complications, but it worsens a person’s quality of life.But without treatment for neck pain, its causes can lead to serious consequences.If it is caused by a whiplash injury, then this is fraught with blurred vision, dizziness, post-traumatic osteoarthritis 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 cause tetraparesis.Initially, the patient will experience numbness in his fingers and hands at night or after physical activity.Then paralysis of the legs will gradually begin to develop.It is characterized by numbness of the fingers and impaired gait.
A hernia in the cervical spine can lead to compression of the nerve roots and disruption of blood flow in the brain.Without a well-chosen treatment regimen, spinal deformation will occur.It is accompanied by neurological disorders, disorders of the digestive system and migraine attacks.
Preventing neck pain
To prevent neck pain, you should properly organize your workplace.When working sedentarily, it is necessary to periodically take breaks and perform several exercises for all parts of the spine and muscle groups.It is also recommended to do gymnastics in the morning.
Many diseases of the cervical spine can occur due to excess weight.Therefore, you should control your weight, eat right, visit the pool and gym.It is advisable to sleep on a medium-hard mattress and use one pillow so that your head is at the same level as your body.