Neck pain is a rather unpleasant phenomenon that can affect anyone. Let's see why neck pain occurs, what it is like, and how to correctly diagnose and treat it.
The neck has many functions, it is responsible for the functioning of the spine and supports the head. Neck pain is common and usually develops due to heavy loads on this fragile but multifunctional part of the body. Neck pain can have many causes. So first things first.
Causes of neck pain
The causes of neck pain can be related to various types of diseases or injuries. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the main factors that cause pain:
- Chronic diseases (osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis) are degenerative in nature and can appear in the neck muscles, ligaments or some part of the spine.
- Injuries – pain occurs when there are injuries to the intervertebral discs, ligaments, vertebrae and joints.
- Intervertebral disc herniation.
- Pain due to diseases of the esophagus, muscle spasms, heart, lungs.
- Tumors in the cervical spine or metastases from kidney, thyroid or breast cancer.
- Infectious bone diseases, tetanus, meningitis and others.
How is neck pain manifested?
Neck pain has different symptoms and everyone experiences them differently. Let's look at the most common of these.
- Difficulty turning your head from side to side or making up and down movements.
- The neck hurts on the left or right side, and it hurts especially when raising the head.
- When turning the neck, painful sensations appear in the temples and shoulders.
- Pain may also occur in the back of the neck, which can cause numbness.
- Sleeping in the wrong position, sedentary work - the cause of neck, shoulder and back pain.
Pain in the neck and head
Pain in the neck and head occurs as a result of injury, mechanical damage or illness. If the pain is caused by an injury or spasm, it will disappear after 1-2 weeks. Other causes of pain:
- Damage to the base of the neck, the muscles or ligaments of the spine.
- Muscle cramps.
- Keeping the head in an incorrect and uncomfortable position for a long time.
- Consequences of injuries or tumors.
- Acute thyroiditis.
- Ankylosing spondylitis.
- Infections and rheumatoid arthritis.
If neck and headache pain causes discomfort, pain, or interferes with your normal activities, see your doctor right away. The doctor will help determine the cause of the pain and eliminate it.
Headache in the neck area
Headaches may occur in the neck area due to the active movement of the cervical vertebrae. Pain can be caused by fatigue, lack of sleep, increased pressure and general illnesses. Headaches in the neck region also occur due to chronic diseases or old injuries. Pain may occur due to exacerbation of osteochondrosis or chronic tonsillitis. Unpleasant sensations pass through the base of the head, sometimes the pain radiates to the temple when trying to tilt or turn the head.
In case of such symptoms, treatment measures should be taken in time. If the pain is not associated with tight muscles, but with a progressive disease, then the consequences will be very unfavorable. Violation of blood vessels negatively affects the oxygen and blood supply to the brain, i. e. leads to vascular insufficiency. As a result, hearing is significantly reduced, vision and memory, and concentration are reduced. To avoid this, you should consult a surgeon or neurologist.
Pain on the right side of the neck
Right-sided neck pain is usually caused by cervical osteochondrosis (disease of the intervertebral discs). Most often, elderly people suffer from this disease. Pain is treated with rubbing, ointments, massage, manual therapy and orthopedic exercises.
But pain in the right neck area can also occur for other reasons. Thus, damage to the intervertebral discs, joints, vertebrae, muscles or ligaments causes pain on the right side of the neck. Various immune system disorders, infections and spinal diseases also cause pain. Do not forget about referred pain and localized tumors in the neck area. They significantly undermine the immune system and cause pain.
Severe pain in the neck
Severe pain in the neck can occur due to already developed diseases, injuries or more ordinary situations. Let's look at the causes of severe neck pain.
- Increased strain on the spine and prolonged stay in an uncomfortable or incorrect posture lead to spasms and severe muscle pain.
- Chronic diseases, infections, immune system problems.
- Sudden movements, emotional stress.
- Hypothermia of the muscles impairs blood circulation, which causes neck pain.
- Being overweight is another cause of severe pain.
Pain in the left neck area
Left neck pain is a sign of problems, it can be caused by injuries, diseases or mechanical damage. If the pain is not associated with an illness, it will go away within 1-2 weeks. However, some pains are chronic and can last for many years, causing discomfort and pain.
Left neck pain occurs in all age groups. Pain can occur due to diseases of the spine, damage to the neck muscles or ligament problems. In children, the pain occurs due to cervical lymphadenitis, i. e. sore throat and other complications after a cold. 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 tumor (malignancy). The tumor appears near the spine, esophagus, thyroid gland, or larynx. Another cause of pain is angina. But pain can also occur due to inflammatory processes or styloid process syndrome. If the pain occurs due to needle syndrome (styloid process), then painful sensations cause sharp pain in the ear and throat. Very often, patients with this disease have their tonsils removed, which is a mistake.
The cause of pain in the front of the neck can be accurately diagnosed with the help of X-rays. Determining the cause on your own is difficult and even dangerous. Because wrong diagnosis leads to wrong treatment. To avoid this, 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 strain (often occurs when you work in a sitting position for a long time). The muscles exert pressure on the blood vessels, which are responsible for supplying oxygen to the brain, nerves and cervical vertebrae. Manual therapy and a complex of massage procedures are used to eliminate muscle spasms.
If neck pain occurs due to chronic diseases, tumors or infections, 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.
Throbbing pain in the neck area
Groaning pain in the neck area is usually caused by improper sleep, muscle spasms or pinched nerves. Pain occurs when your neck has a cold or has recently had a cold. In order to accurately determine the cause of the pain, you should seek medical help. The doctor refers to an ultrasound and an X-ray of the cervical spine.
If the neck pain is not associated with disease or infection, then the doctor will prescribe rubs and ointments that will relieve the pain. Do not forget about preventive exercises that prevent the occurrence of pain in the future. A little neck warm-up in the morning relieves the pain and gives a great start to the work day.
Acute pain in the neck
Acute pain in the neck area occurs in both adults and children. Pain has many causes. Painful sensations may occur due to deformation of the spine, i. e. osteochondrosis or osteoarthrosis. Injuries, damage to ligaments or muscles can also cause severe neck pain. Only a doctor can diagnose the cause of acute pain.
When it comes to treating painful sensations, the first step is to minimize physical activity and pressure on the neck. It is also worth paying attention to ensure that the neck is in the right position while sleeping and especially during sitting work. Don't forget regular neck exercises to prevent muscle atrophy.
Who should we contact?
- Vertebrologist
- Neuropathologist
Diagnosis of neck pain
Neck pain must be diagnosed by a specialist. The following methods are used for diagnosis: radiography, ultrasound, MRI. The method used to diagnose the cause of the pain is chosen by the doctor after the examination, examining the patient's symptoms and complaints.
Neck pain is diagnosed and treated by surgeons, orthopedists, rheumatologists and chiropractors. In some cases, the patient is diagnosed and treated 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, otolaryngologist or therapist.
Treatment of neck pain
Treatment for neck pain depends on the cause of the pain. If the pain is caused by some disease, it must be treated (only in this case the pain will go away). If the cause of the pain is injury, muscle spasm or inflammation, the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, minimal physical activity and special ointments.
In an emergency, they ensure complete immobility of the patient's neck, using a neck brace for this purpose. If acute pain pierces the neck, the first rule of treatment is to give up physical activity. This restores the muscles and eliminates muscle spasms. The massage will not be bad, it improves blood circulation and trains stagnant muscles. In case of severe pain, patients are prescribed muscle relaxants. Remember that chronic neck pain is not normal. That is why qualified medical help should be sought at the first painful symptoms.
Prevention of neck pain
Prevention of neck pain is the complete elimination of the factors that cause pain. First, 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 perform basic exercises for the neck and back. Neck pain can be caused by smoking. In this case, prevention consists of giving up the bad habit. 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. Pain can have many causes, only a doctor can accurately diagnose it. But regular preventive measures - neck exercises, a healthy lifestyle and giving up bad habits will protect you from painful sensations.