Neck pain is a rather unpleasant phenomenon that can affect anyone. Let's see why neck pain occurs, what it feels like, how to properly diagnose and treat it.
The neck has many functions; it is responsible for the function of the spine and supports the head. Neck pain is common and is usually caused by heavy loads placed on this fragile but versatile part of the body. There are many causes of neck pain. So, first things first.
Causes of neck pain
The cause of neck pain can be associated with a variety of illnesses or injuries. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the main factors that cause pain:
- Chronic diseases (osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis) are degenerative and can appear in the neck muscles, ligaments or one of the parts of the spine.
- Injury – pain occurs when there is injury to the intervertebral discs, ligaments, vertebrae, and joints.
- Herniated intervertebral disc.
- Referred pain from esophageal disease, muscle spasms, heart, lungs.
- Tumors in the cervical spine or metastases from kidney, thyroid or breast cancer.
- Infectious bone disease, tetanus, meningitis and others.
How does neck pain manifest?
There are different symptoms of neck pain, and everyone experiences them differently. Let's look at the most common of them.
- Difficulty turning your head from side to side or making up and down movements.
- The neck hurts on the left or right side, and a certain pain is felt when trying to lift the head.
- When turning the neck, painful sensations occur in the temples and shoulders.
- Pain may also occur in the back of the neck, causing numbness.
- Sleeping in the wrong position, sedentary work does not move - the cause of pain in the neck, shoulders, and back.
Pain in the neck and head
Pain in the neck and head occurs as a result of injury, mechanical damage or disease. If the pain is due to an injury or spasm, it will stop after 1-2 weeks. Other causes of pain:
- Damage to the base of the neck, muscles or ligaments of the spine.
- Muscle cramp.
- Holding the head in an incorrect and uncomfortable position for a long time.
- As a result of injury or tumor.
- Acute thyroiditis.
- Ankylosing spondylitis.
- Infections and rheumatoid arthritis.
If neck and head pain causes you discomfort, pain, or interferes with your normal activities, consult your doctor immediately. The doctor will help determine the cause of the pain and eliminate it.
Headache in the neck area
Headaches in the neck area can occur due to the active movement of the cervical vertebrae. The cause of pain can be fatigue, lack of sleep, stress surges and general illness. Headaches in the neck also occur as a result of chronic diseases or long-term injuries. Pain may appear due to exacerbation of osteochondrosis or chronic tonsillitis. An unpleasant sensation permeates the base of the head, sometimes the pain radiates to the temple when trying to tilt or turn the head.
With such symptoms, it is necessary to take timely treatment measures. If the pain is not associated with a pinched muscle, but with a progressive disease, then the consequences will be very unfavorable. Violation of blood vessels will negatively affect the supply of oxygen and blood to the brain, that is, it will cause a lack of vascularity. As a result, hearing will decrease significantly, vision and memory will decrease, and concentration will decrease. To avoid this, you need to consult a surgeon or neurologist.
Pain in the neck on the right side
Pain in the neck area on the right side, as a rule, occurs as a result of cervical osteochondrosis (disease of the intervertebral disc). Often, the elderly suffer from this disease. Pain is treated with rubs, ointments, massage, manual therapy and orthopedic exercises.
But pain in the neck area on the right side can also occur for other reasons. Therefore, injuries to intervertebral discs, joints, vertebrae, muscles or ligaments will cause pain in the right side of the neck. Various immune disorders, infections and spinal diseases also cause pain. Do not forget about referred pain and tumors localized in the neck area. They significantly affect the immune system and cause pain.
Severe pain in the neck
Severe pain in the neck can occur due to an already formed disease, injury or normal situation. Let's look at the cause of severe pain in the neck.
- Increased pressure on the spine and long stays in an uncomfortable or incorrect position lead to severe muscle spasms and pain.
- Chronic diseases, infections, problems with the immune system.
- Sudden movements, emotional stress.
- Muscle hypothermia affects blood circulation, which causes neck pain.
- Being overweight is another cause of severe pain.
Pain in the left side of the neck
Pain in the left neck area is a signal of a problem; it can be caused by injury, illness or mechanical damage. If the pain is not associated with an illness, it will disappear within 1-2 weeks. But some pain is chronic and can last for years, causing discomfort and pain.
Pain in the left neck area occurs in patients of all ages. Pain may occur due to spinal disease, damage to neck muscles or problems with ligaments. In children, pain occurs as a result of cervical lymphadenitis, which is a complication after sore throat and other colds. A neurologist or chiropractor can diagnose the pain and prescribe treatment.
Pain in the front of the neck
Severe pain in the front of the neck is often a symptom of a neoplasm (malignancy). Tumors appear near the spine, esophagus, thyroid gland or larynx. Another cause of pain is angina. But pain can also occur due to an inflammatory process or styloid process syndrome. If the pain appears as a result of needle syndrome (styloid process), then the painful sensation produces a sharp pain in the ear and throat. Often, with this disease, the patient removes the tonsils, which is a mistake.
The cause of pain in the front of the neck can be accurately diagnosed using x-rays. Determining the cause yourself is difficult and even dangerous. Because wrong diagnosis will lead to wrong treatment. To prevent this from happening, seek qualified medical help.
Pain in the back of the neck
Pain in the back of the neck can be caused by muscle spasms or muscle tension (often occurs when working for a long time in a sitting position). The muscles put pressure on the channels responsible for the delivery of oxygen to the brain, nerve function and cervical vertebrae. To eliminate muscle spasms, manual therapy and complex massage procedures are used.
If the pain in the back of the neck occurs due to a chronic disease, tumor or infection, then the first step is to diagnose the disease. Thanks to this, you can create an effective treatment plan and take all measures to eliminate painful symptoms.
Disturbing pain in the neck area
Pain in the neck area is usually caused by sleeping in an incorrect position, muscle spasms, or pinched nerves. Pain will appear if you have a cold in your neck or have recently had a cold. To determine the exact cause of the pain, you need to seek medical help. The doctor will refer you for an ultrasound and x-ray of the cervical spine.
If the annoying pain in the neck is not associated with a disease or infection, then the doctor will prescribe rubs and ointments that will relieve the pain. Do not forget about preventive exercises, which will prevent the occurrence of pain in the future. Warming up the neck a little in the morning will relieve the pain and be a good start to the working day.
Acute pain in the neck
Acute pain in the neck area occurs in adults and children. There are many reasons for pain. Painful sensations can occur due to deformation of the spine, that is, osteochondrosis or osteoarthrosis. Injuries, damage to ligaments or muscles, also cause severe pain in the neck. Only a doctor can diagnose the cause of acute pain.
For the treatment of painful sensations, first of all, it is necessary to minimize physical activity and pressure on the neck. It is also worth making sure that the neck is in the right position during sleep, and especially during sedentary work. Do not forget about regular neck exercises, which will prevent the muscles from atrophying.
Who to contact?
- Vertebrologist
- Neuropathologist
Diagnosis of neck pain
Diagnosis of neck pain should be carried out by a specialist. The following methods are used for diagnosis: radiography, ultrasound, MRI. The method by which the cause of the pain will be diagnosed is chosen by the doctor after examination, studying the patient's symptoms and complaints.
Diagnosis and treatment of pain in the neck area is carried out by surgeons, orthopedists, rheumatologists, and chiropractors. In some cases, patients undergo diagnosis and treatment by physiotherapists, massage therapists or traumatologists. If the cause of the pain is a malignant neoplasm, then the patient undergoes a biopsy, and the diagnosis is carried out by an oncologist, surgeon, ENT doctor or therapist.
Neck pain treatment
Treatment for neck pain depends on the cause. If the pain is caused by a disease, then it must be treated (only in this case the pain will disappear). If the cause of the pain is injury, muscle spasm or inflammation, then the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, at least physical activity and special ointments.
In case of emergency, the patient is provided with complete immobility of the neck, for this purpose, a neck corset is used. If acute pain stabs the neck, then the first rule of treatment is to give up physical activity. This will tone your muscles and relieve muscle spasms. A massage will never go wrong; it will increase blood circulation and relax stagnant muscles. For severe pain, the patient is given muscle relaxation. Remember that chronic neck pain is not uncommon. Therefore, at the first painful symptoms, seek qualified medical help.
Prevention of neck pain
Prevention of neck pain is to completely eliminate the factors that cause pain. First of all, you need to make sure that the neck and spine are in a normal position. Do not sit in one place for a long time, regularly do basic exercises for your neck and back. Neck pain can be caused by smoking. In this case, prevention consists of giving up bad habits. Being overweight is another factor that causes neck pain. A healthy lifestyle, regular exercise and sound sleep are the main preventive measures that will protect you from cervical spine pain.
Neck pain is a problem that everyone faces sooner or later. There are many causes of pain; only a doctor can diagnose it accurately. But regular preventive measures - neck exercises, healthy lifestyle and abandoning bad habits will protect you from painful sensations.