Pain in the neck

There is no adult who has never felt neck pain in their life. One in four women and one in six men experience it constantly. A sedentary lifestyle and time spent in front of the computer aggravate the problem. Neck pain can also occur due to osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint and any other disease in this area, the upper back and arms or the nape of the neck. In this article you can learn everything about neck pain and how to eliminate it.

Causes of neck pain

The most common causes are the following diseases:

• Cervical osteochondrosis, complicated by protrusion or herniation of intervertebral discs. The most common and important cause of neck pain. The pain is associated with pinching of the spinal nerve roots due to the total or partial destruction of the intervertebral discs. The pain is very strong, sudden, it can be localized only in the neck (on one or both sides) or radiate to other areas: the head, the back of the neck, the arm, the back, under the shoulder blade, etc. Treatment consists of pain therapy, restoration of the cartilage tissue of the discs, and strengthening of the neck muscles. Sometimes these patients require the help of a neurosurgeon to remove the destroyed disc.
• Ankylosing spondylitis (rheumatoid spondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis) is an autoimmune inflammatory process in the joints of the cervical spine. The disease usually develops gradually imperceptibly and spreads along the spine from bottom to top. The cervical region is the last to be affected. It manifests itself as pain in the neck, stiffness of movement, which disappears after the start of physical activity. Over time, the pain intensifies and the spine becomes immobile. Long-term treatment with a rheumatologist will help.
• Osteoarthritis of the facet joints of the cervical spine (uncovertebral osteoarthritis). The cause of pain in the neck and back of the head in this case is degenerative-dystrophic changes in the small joints that connect the cervical vertebrae. It often has an occupational origin, developing when working in a stationary state with the head tilted or forcibly turned, or after suffering injuries. Symptoms: pain at the site of injury, radiating to the shoulder and crunching when moving, sometimes headaches, dizziness, high or low blood pressure, hearing impairment. Treatment by neurologist and rheumatologist.
• Torticollis is a change in neck position that prevents head rotation and other movements. It can be congenital (in children) and acquired (in adults) after injuries, against the background of rough skin scars, persistent spasms of the cervical and occipital muscles during degenerative, dystrophic and inflammatory processes in the spine and surrounding soft tissues. Symptoms: head tilt and elevated shoulder on the affected side, pain in the neck and neck when trying to tilt the head in the opposite direction. Pain increases with physical activity and stress. Treatment can be conservative (for spasms) or surgical, performed by an orthopedic surgeon or traumatologist.
• Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is associated with irritation of the nerve endings in the muscles, causing spasms and pain.

Clinical anatomy of the neck.

In case of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine, as well as arthritis of the facet joints (between individual vertebrae), bone growths or inflammation of soft tissues can compress the vertebral artery, leading to poor blood supply to the brain, headaches and dizziness. . Pain can also result from compression of the spinal roots that extend from the spinal cord. Along the brachial nerve plexus, this pain radiates to the arm.

First aid for neck pain: what to do

Neck pain can increase gradually, but sometimes it appears acutely, suddenly in the form of lumbago with radiation to other areas. It is difficult to endure such suffering. What to do, how to get rid of them?

Pills and ointments for neck pain.

Emergency self-help algorithm:

• Take a sedative - panic only aggravates the situation; you can take: 20 drops of soothing drops or one tablet with the substance solution of levomenthol in menthyl isovalerate under the tongue; These medications not only soothe, but also dilate blood vessels, which in turn helps reduce muscle spasms and associated pain; You can also take 1 – 2 tablets of valerian extract or any other sedative you have on hand.
• Take pain relievers (optional).
• To get rid of pain, you can use external pain relievers: ointments, gels, patches.

Exercises for neck pain.

If the pain is not very strong, is painful in nature and is combined with stiffness, you can try to get rid of it with the help of exercises. They should be done gently, without making sudden movements. An approximate set of exercises that relieve pain:

• starting position (IP): lying on your back, head on a flat pillow; Press your head firmly into the pillow and hold it until you count to 5; take a break and repeat; do 5 – 7 sets;
• IP: lying on his left side, with his head on a flat pillow; raise your head and hold it in this position for a count of 5; take a short rest and then at least five approaches;
• IP: lying on the side on the right; repeat the previous exercise on the right side;
• IP: lying face down, hands clasped behind the head; raise your head resisting with your hands; each set – 5 seconds with a short rest, repeat 5 – 7 times.

Relieving severe acute pain with exercises is contraindicated.

In such cases, it is better to keep the neck still using, for example, a Shants collar. But prolonged immobilization leads to weakening of the muscle corset and aggravation of the situation. Therefore, the Shants necklace can be used to reduce pain before consulting a doctor. Only a specialist can determine the duration of immobilization.

After completely or partially eliminating the pain syndrome on your own, you should consult a doctor; otherwise it will come back and be quite difficult to relieve.

Exercises for neck pain.

What not to do if you have neck pain

If you frequently suffer from neck pain, you should remember not to:

• being in a forced position for a long time with a tense neck - a painful muscle spasm develops;
• lifting weights, performing heavy work - microtrauma occurs in the spine with the tissues located near it, gradual destruction of cartilaginous and bone structures;
• they are often exposed to stress: they are accompanied by vascular spasms, which negatively affect blood circulation and the condition of the spine;
• smoking, frequent drinking of alcohol – contributes to persistent vasoconstriction;
• hypothermia - the muscles located near the spine become inflamed and myositis develops;
• sleeping on a high, soft pillow means staying in an uncomfortable static position for a long time;
• make sharp turns of the head - sudden pinching of the nerve and the appearance of severe pain are possible.

When you need to see a doctor urgently

Don't hesitate to seek medical help if:

• pain in the neck occurs regularly and is not always completely relieved by painkillers;
• you have experienced a painful attack for the first time or have already experienced it repeatedly, when any movement brings severe suffering;
• pain syndrome is accompanied by general disorders: fever, chills, etc. ;
• Suddenly, a short-term acute pain appeared in the neck on the left, radiating to the arm, shoulder blade or back of the head - a sign of an acute circulatory disorder in the area of the heart muscle (angina attack ). );
• Sudden attacks of headache and dizziness appeared, sometimes with loss of consciousness, a sign of compression of the vertebral artery.

If such symptoms appear, there is no point in treating yourself: this will only make the problem worse. No folk remedies or grandmother's advice will help.

Only a doctor can help relieve pain by developing an individual treatment plan based on examination and establishing an accurate diagnosis. If you have doubts about which doctor to go to, go to an appointment with a therapist, he will understand the situation and, if necessary, will refer you to another specialist.

Types of neck pain and how to treat it

Pain syndrome can manifest itself in different ways: only on one side of the neck or everywhere, locally or radiating to other parts of the body. Let's try to find out what the appearance of pain indicates and what to do in each specific case.

Severe neck pain due to coronavirus and ARVI

Any viral infection can be accompanied by neck pain. This is due to intoxication caused by the infectious agent. Once the person recovers, these symptoms disappear.

But in some people, a few days or weeks after a viral infection, the pain syndrome reappears, sometimes accompanied by swelling in the spine and stiffness of movement (the head has difficulty turning to the sides) in the morning.

This condition requires immediate examination as it may be associated with autoimmune processes in the facet joints (connecting vertebrae) of the spine.

Coronavirus infection has a serious impact on the immune system, causing various alterations in its functioning. If a person has a predisposition to an autoimmune process (close relatives suffering from such diseases), then it is quite possible that a viral infection will serve as a starting point (trigger) for its appearance. What to do: Consult a therapist or rheumatologist.

Severe neck pain and fever.

If severe pain in the neck appears suddenly and is accompanied by fever, this indicates the presence of an acute inflammatory process:

• viral infection or exacerbation of a chronic inflammatory process (bronchitis, sinusitis, etc. ); in this case, the disease is also accompanied by catarrhal symptoms: cough and runny nose; what to do: if the pain is not too intense and the temperature is not high, you can wait to see a doctor; persistence of pain after recovery should be a reason to consult a doctor;
• bacterial purulent inflammatory processes: abscesses, phlegmons; what to do: consult a surgeon, since the symptoms can only be eliminated by surgery;
• autoimmune process in the joints of the cervical spine; the first symptoms appear a few days or weeks after the acute inflammatory process, there are no catarrhal symptoms; what to do: consult a doctor immediately; self-medication is contraindicated.

Intense pain in the neck, which radiates to the head.

Sometimes a sudden sharp pain in the neck appears in the spinal region, radiating to the head (cervicocranialgia), associated with pinching of the spinal roots extending from the first and second cervical vertebra (C1 - C2) with transmission of pain to the trigeminal nerve. , the nuclei of which are located in the upper sections of the spinal cord. This is the so-called radicular pain syndrome, it can be very strong and quite long-lasting. What to do: For self-help, you can take a painkiller pill and apply a numbing patch to the sore spot.

If the pain does not go away, call an ambulance; The doctor may temporarily relieve the pain. But after eliminating them, you should definitely consult a neurologist.

Pain in the neck and back of the head may be the result of compression of the vertebral artery. In such cases, it is usually accompanied by dizziness and fainting, as the brain suffers from a lack of oxygen.

Similar pain can occur with high blood pressure (BP). The attack is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. What to do: Pain in the neck and in the back of the head is dangerous, so if they appear, it is necessary to call an ambulance.

Neck and shoulder pain

Pain in the neck may radiate to the shoulders. Typically, pain in the neck and shoulders is associated with muscle spasms and strains when the neurovascular bundle between the scalene muscles is compressed. Morning stiffness appears, due to constant pain, the head is in a forced position: it is slightly tilted forward and to the affected side. If a blood vessel is also compressed, dizziness, darkening of the eyes, and fainting may occur. Radiation of pain from the neck to the shoulders is also characteristic of osteochondrosis and arthrosis of the facet joints of the 5-6 vertebrae (C5-C6). When the pathological focus is located at C5, the pain radiates along the outer anterior surface of the shoulder, which is why the patient cannot move his arm to the side.

What to do: such symptoms cannot be tolerated, they cannot be cured on their own, it is necessary to consult a neurologist.

Neck pain on the right or left side.

If your neck hurts on one side:

• sudden very strong attack– a sign of infringement of the spinal roots on the right or left side; A patch with lidocaine can help, but this is a temporary measure, it is necessary to contact a neurologist;
• Sudden, short but sharp paroxysmal pain in the left neck.– may be a symptom of angina pectoris; if these symptoms reappear, it is necessary to seek help from a therapist or cardiologist;
• aching pain on the left or right side– often develops with a prolonged tense position of the head due to spasms of the neck muscles; To relieve spasms, use pain-relieving ointments and patches; When painful muscle spasms appear, you should monitor your posture and avoid work where the head is in a static, tense position for a long time.

What to do: If you have constant or recurring pain on the right or left side of your neck, it is best to start by seeing a therapist.

Severe back and neck pain.

Painful sensations in the back, transmitted to the neck, are usually a consequence of osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine. There is a gradual destruction of the cartilaginous intervertebral shock-absorbing pad - the disc. The disc becomes thinner, cracks and can partially or completely extend beyond the spine, squeezing the nerve roots, which is accompanied by intense back pain that radiates to the neck. Painful sensations are aggravated by spasms of the muscles of the back and neck.

When C6 is affected, neck pain radiates to the scapula, shoulder girdle, shoulder, forearm and 1 finger. At the same time, muscle strength decreases and hand movements require additional effort. Damage to C7 - pain waves are transmitted to the scapula, back of the hand, index and middle fingers. Symptoms of damage to C8: possible irradiation of pain along the posterior inner surface of the hand to the little finger.

What to do: To relieve pain, you need to take an anesthetic orally and apply an anesthetic gel to the skin. Once the pain has subsided, see a neurologist.

This pain in the back of the neck can also occur with scoliosis, a lateral curvature of the spine. Scoliosis can cause compression and compression of the vertebrae, pinched nerves, and constant back pain. What to do: treatment is carried out by an orthopedist-traumatologist.

Severe neck pain with radiation.

Sometimes the pain in the neck spreads to other areas. These are the so-called referred pains, in which painful impulses from the main focus spread along the nerve fibers connecting individual parts of the body and internal organs.

Pain waves can radiate:

In the ear -painful sensations have different origins; most often they are related:

1. with inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs: sore throat, chronic tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis; It is generally a sore throat and ear, accompanied by symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough; in chronic inflammatory processes, the disease is not so acute, without fever, the pain is moderate;
2. with degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the cervical spine (osteochondrosis) and its consequences: protrusion and herniated disc; cervical pain syndrome is associated with pinching of the spinal roots by a protruding disc beyond the spine or by excessive growth of bone tissue of the vertebrae; Referred ear pain with osteochondrosis is a sign of compression of the nerve root of the third cervical vertebra (C3);
3. with arthritis (inflammation) or arthrosis (metabolic disorders) in the C3 - C4 facet joints, which connect the cervical vertebrae;

in the teethpainful irradiation on the teeth:

1. usually associated with osteochondrosis: damage to the C3 – C4 vertebrae;
2. have a reflected character; This is due to dental problems: deep caries and periodontitis of the teeth on the lateral part of the dentition of the upper jaw; various malocclusions; the pain can radiate from the oral cavity to the neck, often there is a feeling that it is the neck that hurts and it radiates to the teeth on the right or left; what to do: treat or remove damaged teeth, restore bite; reflected pain syndrome may be associated with arthritis or osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ): your teeth seem to hurt, and the pain radiates to the neck;

In the eyes -if the upper cervical vertebrae are affected (osteochondrosis, arthritis or arthrosis of the facet joints), pain along the sensitive branches of the neck nerves may radiate to the eyes or tissues around the eyeball;

In the temple -It is often a sign of cervical osteochondrosis or osteoarthritis (arthritis) of the TMJ;

In your hand -with cervical osteochondrosis or arthritis (arthrosis) of the C6 - C8 joints, as well as with spasms of the cervical muscles;

On the shoulder blade:damage to C6 – C7, as well as glenohumeral periarthritis;

on the claviclePain syndrome can develop after injury to the clavicle and be transmitted along the nerve fibers of the brachial plexus to the neck, as well as in arthritis or arthrosis of the shoulder joint.

When pain waves radiate to other organs and tissues, it is difficult for the patient himself to find out what hurts and which specialist to contact. Therefore, it is best to start with a therapist; he will figure out where to refer the patient next.

Intense pain in the neck muscles.

Pain in the neck muscles is usually associated with various injuries and diseases of the spine, but it can also manifest itself as an independent disease - myofascial pain syndrome.

What to do: A neurologist can begin treatment, but a consultation with a rheumatologist may be necessary.

My neck hurts a lot

Pain in the back of the head and neck is most often associated with cervical osteochondrosis and pathology of the facet joints of the cervical vertebrae. This is accompanied by a painful spasm of the neck muscles.

What to do: it is better to start by consulting a neurologist, perhaps after the examination he will refer the patient to a rheumatologist.

Pain in the front of the neck in the larynx area.

Painful sensations in the anterior cervical region, combined with swallowing problems, may appear with the growth of thyroid tissue (inflammatory process, goiter). At the same time, the external increase is not always noticeable, since the goiter can grow behind the sternum.

What to do: urgently contact an endocrinologist.

The larynx can hurt due to acute and chronic diseases of the ENT organs. These diseases are accompanied by cough, sore throat, and sometimes an increase in body temperature. Laryngitis is especially dangerous, accompanied by pain, barking cough and risk of swelling of the larynx.

What to do: Contact a therapist or otolaryngologist.

Neck pain when twisting or bending

Myofascial pain syndrome with reflex in the ear and eyeball area when turning.

Painful turning and tilting of the head can be caused by:

• osteochondrosis and infringement of the spinal roots; the pain syndrome is intense and sudden, it is almost impossible to turn or tilt the head; what to do: urgently consult a neurologist;
• acute neck injury or prolonged microtrauma; in the absence of bone changes (fractures, dislocations), pain syndrome is associated with spasms and subsequent inflammation of the neck muscles; what to do: seek help from a neurologist;
• curvature of the spine - scoliosis; the pain is painful and intensifies when bending the neck; What to do: contact an orthopedist-traumatologist.

Neck pain after sleeping

Typically, these pains rarely appear out of nowhere; more often they are associated with some occult disease of the spine or cervical muscles. After sleeping, they appear with a prolonged incorrect position of the head, which causes compression of blood vessels and nerves. After sleeping, this manifests as pain, numbness, and restriction of movement. After a while this disappears.

What to do: Contact a neurologist and make sure you do not have a serious pathology.

Intense pain and crunching in the neck.

The causes of neck pain accompanied by a crunch may be osteochondrosis, arthrosis of the facet joints, or increased mobility of the cervical vertebrae. In any case, this is a sign of a pathological process, which can only be determined after examination.

What to do: Contact a neurologist, but you may also need the help of other specialists.

Treatment of diseases that cause neck pain.

There are analgesics for temporary pain relief, but to completely relieve the patient's suffering, the doctor must conduct an examination and find out the cause of the pain. The patient cannot do it alone, he needs to go to a clinic.

Diagnosis

Clinical examination of the neck: the first stage of diagnosis.

During the initial appointment, the doctor conducts a clinical examination of the patient and, based on its results, may prescribe the following additional studies:

• Lab tests– general clinical, biochemical and immunological blood tests. The data obtained allow the identification of inflammatory, metabolic and autoimmune processes.
• Instrumental diagnostic methods.:X-ray of the affected part of the spine, if necessary.- shoulder joint;Soft tissue ultrasound.;MRI or CT scan– more detailed examination of the cervical region;electroneuromyography– evaluate the condition of the spinal nerve roots.

After the examination, the doctor can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Methods to treat neck pain.

The treatment of cervical pain syndrome can only be individual, since it depends on the identified disorders and the final diagnosis. Concomitant diagnoses (the presence of other diseases in the patient) should also be taken into account.

The combination of modern and traditional oriental techniques allows the patient to immediately relieve acute pain.

This restores hope for a normal life even to patients with long-term severe pain syndrome. After the course, they periodically come to the clinic for preventive treatment, which allows them to completely get rid of pain and live a normal life. Contact the medical center, the doctors will definitely help you!