Neck pain is an unpleasant problem that can significantly affect 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 cause, treatment methods also differ.Early diagnosis and quality treatment, started after the problem is detected, 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.These include pain due to injury and inflammation, ischemic processes and mechanical tissue damage.
- neurogenic.It occurs when the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system is disturbed.
- psychogenic.In this case, psychological and social factors play a role.Emotional activity can cause reflex muscle contraction, leading to pain.
Pain can be acute or chronic.If your neck hurts acutely, it is most likely a normal reaction to an injury.In order for the pain to stop, it is necessary to wait until the tissues are completely healed or to speed up this process.Chronic pain has a different mechanism of development - damage occurs constantly and maladaptation occurs.The body cannot deal with the harmful factor on its own.
The causes of pain are divided into two main groups: vertebrogenic (those related to the spine) and non-vertebrogenic.They can develop by both somatogenic and neuropathic mechanisms.in the first case, the spine and muscle structures are involved in the process, and in the second - spinal nerve roots and peripheral nerve endings.The psychogenic mechanism takes effect 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.Prolonged contraction of muscle fibers can also be the cause.
- arthrogenic.Damage occurs in the joints that connect the vertebrae.The distance between the structural elements of the spine decreases, there is constant mutual damage, which causes pain.
- discogenic.It occurs when discs protrude, shift and herniate.
- spondylogenic.The cause of pain in this case is damage to the structures of the vertebra, its tissues or processes.It can be a destructive process or an extensive neoplasm that is influenced from the outside.
- neuropathic.Neck pain due to root compression or nerve endings.The reasons can be voluminous neoplasm, hernia or hypertrophy of certain structures.
Non-vertebrogenic pain in the neck is divided into:
- myofascial syndrome;
- pain caused by psychological factors;
- radiation of pain during the pathological process in other parts of the body;
- symptoms of inflammatory processes.
We'll look at the individual causes of pain below, but for now, familiarize yourself with the risk factors that can cause this symptom:
- improper position at work;
- lack of anatomical position of the spine during sleep;
- low level of physical activity;
- excessive stress on the spine;
- overweight;
- lack of a rational approach to nutrition;
- disturbed drinking regime;
- frequent stresses;
- bad habits (consumption of 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 disturbed, there is a protrusion of the disc and the formation of a hernia.The condition occurs in those who have a hereditary predisposition and do not take care of their posture, diet and lifestyle.In addition to neck pain, a person feels general weakness and ringing in the ears.Fainting and disturbance of consciousness occur.Pain can occur in the hands, the back of the head and the area between the shoulder blades.The joints may creak when turning the head and numbness may be felt.
The pain associated with this disease is chronic and excruciating.It can reach such an intensity that it becomes difficult to fall asleep.In the early stages, the process can be easily corrected, but the further 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 disturbed and there is excessive growth of bone tissue.The neck can hurt on one side, the pain spreads to the upper extremity and chest.
Damage to blood vessels and nerve endings leads to hearing and vision impairment, the person becomes more tired, experiences memory loss and distraction.Lack of effective treatment can lead to complications and disability.
Herniated discs
The pathology begins with the bulging of the disc's contents, and then with going beyond its normal anatomical position.Even a slight movement can manifest as a pronounced symptom.The spinal canal is narrow and all the nerve roots are in close proximity to each other.As soon as the hernia starts to appear, the neck and back hurt.If the patient tries to eliminate the pain with conventional painkillers, the symptom disappears, but the problem remains and over time it reminds itself again.
Neck muscle strain
Almost everyone has encountered this problem - prolonged tension in the cervical spine or intense training after some time is reflected in severe muscle pain.The pain occurs acutely and often begins to bother you after sleeping.Swelling and swelling are noticeable on the injured side of the neck.It becomes difficult to turn the head, the patient tries to give his head the most comfortable position so as not to feel pain.The pain will disappear by itself, you just need to rest the damaged area.To alleviate the situation, consult a doctor: he can recommend a poultice or ointment with an analgesic.
Spondylosis
The disease is a complication of osteochondrosis that cannot be treated.The disease is serious and can limit a person's physical activity.In addition to osteochondrosis, spondylosis can also be caused by trauma.The patient constantly feels pain, it can move to the back of the head and collarbone.Sometimes, the neck hurts throbbing, accompanied by stiffness and difficulty turning the head.
In order to eliminate the disease, a complex treatment is required that combines action on the cause and individual symptoms of the disease.
Cervical myelopathy
The patient in this case has neck pain due to the narrowing of the spinal canal.In order to recognize the pathology in time, it is necessary to pay attention to the following symptoms: the patient feels weakness, numbness and tingling in the limbs.The condition is accompanied by disturbances in speech, coordination and balance.The gait becomes uncertain, the position of the body in space is disturbed.If you have recently experienced injuries, falls or car accidents, it is most likely a myelopathy.
Whiplash
In this case, the neck hurts as a result of soft tissue damage.The mechanism of occurrence is strong flexion and subsequent extension.The patient usually feels pain after a fall or struggle.The injury can be recognized by the following sign: the head protrudes slightly forward and the physiological curves of the cervical spine are disturbed.
Trauma
The causes of injuries are blows, accidents and unsuccessful diving.The patient feels excruciating pain in the neck and back of the head.Motor activity is severely 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 increase of lymph nodes.lymphatic vessels that put pressure on the muscles and cause them to spasm.This condition occurs with strep throat and rubella.
An infectious disease in which neck pain is the leading symptom is meningitis.The pathology is accompanied by tension in the muscles of the back of the head, the patient cannot bend his head and is in an unnaturally extended position.
Diseases of internal organs
Some conditions of the internal organs can lead to pain that radiates to the neck.This is facilitated by the peculiarities of innervation and reflex mechanisms.Therefore, pain in the gallbladder, esophagus and heart can radiate to the neck.Also, pain is observed in pathologies of the thyroid gland, larynx and pharynx.
Some of the pathologies can appear normally and are easily treated.But sometimes the neck hurts due to serious pathologies that require emergency care.
Other reasons
The neck may hurt after the patient has had a draft or is 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 long work, stress or intensive training, this symptom can also occur.
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 for the study of 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 a change in lifestyle.There are no symptoms to indicate structural damage.Additional diagnostic and treatment methods are not required.
Phase 2
There are no signs of serious injuries to anatomical structures, however, the patient's daily activity is impaired: there is a need to take painkillers.The condition can be corrected with lifestyle modifications and a little exercise.
Phase 3
Neurological symptoms appear, additional diagnostics and comprehensive treatment are required.
Phase 4
Signs of organic lesions appear.The patient suffers from severe intense pain, which corresponds to tumors, myelopathies or systemic pathology.Quality, comprehensive diagnostics and specialized treatment are required.
Basic principles of neck pain treatment
How to treat neck pain depends on the specific situation and mechanisms of disease development.Also, the choice of method is influenced by the stage of the process and its nature.The doctor can determine the tactics after a complete examination and additional diagnostic methods.
The beginning of every treatment is a lifestyle modification.It depends only on the patient and determines the success of other treatment procedures.
These methods are also applied to preventive measures to prevent neck pain:
- gymnastics and warm-up for the neck muscles, which relieves muscle tension;
- general strengthening of the back muscle corset;
- correct position at the table, during work and rest;
- if you do a sedentary job, get up occasionally and do simple exercises;
- place a pillow under the lower back during prolonged sitting;
- Adjust the position of the monitor so that it does not strain the neck.This applies to both the computer and the phone;
- if you often talk on the phone, use headphones or a 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 neck muscle strain;
- 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 properly 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, drugs and physiotherapy are used.In 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 must first consult with 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;
- medicinal shower;
- mud therapy.
Neck pain treatment must be timely and of high quality - only then can you count on success and pain relief.