Neck pain is a rather unpleasant phenomenon that can affect anyone. Let's find out why neck pain occurs, what it looks like, how to diagnose and treat it correctly.
The neck has many functions; it is responsible for the functioning of the spine and supports the head. Neck pain is common and is usually due to heavy loads placed on this fragile but multifunctional part of the body. There are many reasons that cause neck pain. So, let's start at the beginning.
Causes of neck pain
The causes of neck pain can be associated with various types of illnesses or injuries. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the main factors causing pain:
- Chronic diseases (osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis) are degenerative and can appear in the neck muscles, ligaments or one part of the spine.
- Injuries – pain occurs with injuries to the intervertebral discs, ligaments, vertebrae and joints.
- Intervertebral disc herniation.
- Referred pain due to diseases of the esophagus, muscle spasms, heart and lungs.
- Cervical spine tumors or metastases from kidney, thyroid or breast cancer.
- Infectious bone diseases, tetanus, meningitis and others.
How does neck pain manifest?
There are different symptoms of neck pain and each person experiences them differently. Let's look at the most common of them.
- It is difficult to turn your head from side to side or move up and down.
- The neck hurts on the left or right side, and special pain is felt when trying to raise the head.
- When turning the neck, painful sensations appear in the temples and shoulders.
- Pain may also occur in the back of the neck, causing a feeling of numbness.
- Sleeping in the wrong position, immobile sedentary work - causes neck, shoulder and back pain.
Neck and head pain
Neck and head pain occurs due to injury, mechanical damage, or illness. If the pain is due to an injury or spasm, it will stop after 1 to 2 weeks. Other causes of pain:
- Damage to the base of the neck, muscles or ligaments of the spine.
- Muscle spasms.
- Holding the head in an incorrect and uncomfortable position for a long period of time.
- Consequences of injuries or tumors.
- Acute thyroiditis.
- Ankylosing spondylitis.
- Infections and rheumatoid arthritis.
If neck and head pain causes discomfort, pain, or interferes with your normal activities, see your doctor immediately. The doctor will help determine the cause of the pain and eliminate it.
Headaches in the neck area
Headaches in the neck area can occur due to active movements of the cervical vertebrae. The cause of pain can be fatigue, lack of sleep, water hammer and general ailments. Neck headaches also occur due to chronic illnesses or old injuries. Pain may appear due to exacerbation of osteochondrosis or chronic tonsillitis. Unpleasant sensations permeate the base of the head, sometimes the pain radiates to the temples when trying to tilt or turn the head.
With such symptoms, it is necessary to take therapeutic measures in a timely manner. If the pain is associated not with pinched muscles, 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 lead to vascular insufficiency. As a result, hearing will significantly decrease, vision and memory will diminish, and concentration will decrease. To avoid this, you should consult a surgeon or neurologist.
Pain in the neck area on the right
Pain in the neck area on the right is usually due to cervical osteochondrosis (disease of the intervertebral discs). Most often, older people suffer from this disease. Pain is treated with friction, ointments, massage, manual therapy and orthopedic exercises.
But pain in the neck area on the right can also occur for other reasons. Thus, an injury to the intervertebral discs, joints, vertebrae, muscles or ligaments will cause pain on the right side of the neck. Various immune disorders, infections and spinal diseases also cause pain. Don’t forget about referred pain and tumors located in the neck area. They significantly weaken the immune system and cause pain.
Severe neck pain
Severe neck pain can occur due to illnesses, injuries, or rather ordinary situations. Let's look at the causes of severe neck pain.
- Increased stress on the spine and prolonged stay in an uncomfortable or incorrect position leads to spasms and severe muscle pain.
- Chronic illnesses, infections, immune system problems.
- Sudden movements, emotional stress.
- Hypothermia of the muscles impairs blood circulation, causing neck pain.
- Excess weight is another cause of severe pain.
Pain in the left neck region
Pain in the left neck area is a sign of problems; they can be caused by injury, illness or mechanical damage. If the pain is not associated with an illness, it disappears within 1-2 weeks. But some pain is chronic and can persist for many years, causing discomfort and pain.
Pain in the left neck region occurs in patients of all ages. Pain can occur due to spinal diseases, neck muscle injuries, or ligament problems. In children, pain occurs due to cervical lymphadenitis, that is, complications after sore throat and other colds. A neurologist or chiropractor can diagnose 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 (malignant) neoplasm. The tumor appears near the spine, esophagus, thyroid gland or larynx. Angina is another cause of pain. But pain can also occur due to inflammatory processes or styloid process syndrome. If the pain appears due to needle syndrome (styloid process), painful sensations cause sharp pain in the ear and throat area. Very often with this disease patients have their tonsils removed, which is a mistake.
The cause of front neck pain can be accurately diagnosed using x-rays. Determining the cause yourself is difficult, even dangerous. Because an incorrect diagnosis will lead to incorrect treatment. To prevent this from happening, seek qualified medical help.
Pain in the neck
Neck pain can be caused by muscle spasms or muscle tension (often occurring during prolonged seated work). The muscles exert pressure on the vessels responsible for supplying oxygen to the brain, the functioning of the nerves and the cervical vertebrae. To eliminate muscle spasms, manual therapy and a complex of massage procedures are used.
If neck pain is due to chronic illnesses, tumors, or infections, the first step is to diagnose the condition. Thanks to this, you can create an effective treatment plan and take all measures to eliminate painful symptoms.
Shooting pain in the neck area
Nagging pain in the neck area is usually caused by sleeping in the wrong position, muscle spasms, or pinched nerves. The pain will appear if you have a neck cold or have recently had a cold. To accurately determine the cause of the pain, you need to consult a doctor. The doctor will refer you for an ultrasound and an x-ray of the cervical spine.
If the throbbing pain in the neck is not associated with diseases or infections, the doctor will prescribe frictions and ointments that will relieve the pain. Don't forget about preventive exercises that will avoid the appearance of pain in the future. A little neck warm-up in the morning will relieve pain and be a good start to the work day.
Acute neck pain
Acute pain in the neck area occurs in both adults and children. There are many causes of pain. Painful sensations may occur due to deformation of the spine, that is, osteochondrosis or osteoarthritis. Injuries, damage to ligaments or muscles, also cause severe neck pain. Only a doctor can diagnose the cause of acute pain.
As for the treatment of painful sensations, first of all, it is necessary to minimize physical activity and pressure on the neck. It is also important to ensure that the neck is in the correct position during sleep, and especially during sedentary work. Don’t forget regular neck exercises, which will prevent muscle atrophy.
Who to contact?
- Vertebrologist
- Neuropathologist
Diagnosis of neck pain
The diagnosis of neck pain should be carried out by a specialist. The following methods are used for diagnosis: x-ray, ultrasound, MRI. The method by which the cause of pain will be diagnosed is chosen by the doctor after examination, studying the symptoms and complaints of the patient.
Diagnosis and treatment of pain in the neck area is carried out by a surgeon, orthopedist, rheumatologist and chiropractor. In some cases, the patient undergoes diagnosis and treatment by a physiotherapist, massage therapist or traumatologist. If the cause of the pain is a malignant tumor, the patient undergoes a biopsy and the diagnosis is made by an oncologist, surgeon, ENT specialist or therapist.
Treatment of neck pain
The treatment of neck pain depends on the causes that caused it. If the pain is due to an illness, then it needs to be treated (only in this case the pain will disappear). If the cause of pain is injury, muscle spasms or inflammation, then the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, minimal physical activity and special ointments.
In the event of an emergency, the patient benefits from total neck immobility; for this purpose, cervical corsets are used. If a sharp pain pierces the neck, the first rule of treatment is to abandon physical activity. This will cleanse your muscles and eliminate muscle spasms. A massage won't go amiss, it will improve blood circulation and work stagnant muscles. In case of severe pain, patients are prescribed muscle relaxants. Remember that chronic neck pain is not normal. Therefore, at the first painful symptoms, consult a qualified doctor.
Neck pain prevention
Prevention of neck pain involves completely eliminating the factors that cause pain. First of all, you need to make sure that the neck and spine are in a normal position. Don't sit in one place for a long time, do basic exercises for your neck and back regularly. Neck pain can be caused by smoking. In this case, prevention involves giving up the bad habit. Another factor that causes neck pain is being overweight. A healthy lifestyle, regular physical activity and healthy sleep are the main preventive measures that will protect you from pain in the cervical spine.
Neck pain is a problem that everyone faces sooner or later. There are many causes of pain; only a doctor can accurately diagnose it. But regular preventive measures - neck exercises, healthy lifestyle and giving up bad habits will protect you from painful sensations.