There are many causes of neck pain, because this component of the human body in turn consists of many tissues and organs that regulate not only the musculoskeletal system, but also other systems: respiration, metabolism, sensory systems and others. Neck pain can be caused by even the slightest manifestation of any inflammation, for example, an unexplained lymph node reaction.
The modern rhythm of life is increasingly contributing to the appearance of this unpleasant symptom. Low mobility, the ecological situation in the region, malnutrition, hidden systemic diseases - all this can provoke pain in the neck. Whether it's worth sticking around or starting treatment right away depends on the signal.
How does his neck hurt?
The neck is connective, quite mobile and prone to different types of injuries for the same reason. If pain appears in the neck, this may be an accident caused by sharp and awkward movements, or it may be a pattern so that a person is used to the fact that this part of the spine hurts. Much depends on the type of neck pain itself, as it can be so different that it is difficult to list its characteristics:
- unexpected sharp pain (indicates cervical - cervical lumbago, when nerve receptors, sinuvertebral ones, are compressed; in addition, this may be an indicator of muscle spasm or neuralgia);
- pain in the neck (occurs with muscle numbness, overwork, problems with the cervical spine, for example, with ligaments);
- periodically the neck hurts for unexplained reasons;
- constant pain in this area;
- radiating pain: in the head, arms, sternum, collar, shoulders;
- pain in the neck, which occurs only when moving the head, or is restrained even when the neck and all its muscles are not used, calm position;
- pain with numbness (can be caused by pinched nerves, disc herniation, disc prolapse);
- the neck sometimes hurts on the right, or on the left, or closer to the shoulder area, or closer to the head.
The reason why the neck hurts
Neck pain can be caused by many factors originating from mechanical and non-mechanical. There are cases where they cannot be explained at all and, accordingly, this leads to the fact that the actual treatment cannot be determined. However, the world of practice of specialists in various fields of medicine has put forward a list of the most common causes of neck pain, and not the rest of the spine.
Formation of large salt deposits in the neck
Evidence of diseases such as osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis. These diseases cause not only pain, but also crunch, clicks when turning the head, which cannot be confused with anything. If treatment is not started on time, the fourth stage of the disease occurs, which is fraught with the formation of bone growths, which causes the neck to lose mobility.
tense muscles
With muscle spasms arising from an awkward or too sharp turn of the head to the right or left side. This often occurs during injuries sustained in car accidents and the like. Neck pain is relieved when these spasms are relieved by various manipulations performed by massage therapists, osteopaths, and manual therapy specialists. But, in principle, if the seizures are not strong, the symptoms can go away on their own.
Intervertebral hernia
They appear not on the neck, but in the shoulder area, but extend to the upper region. Due to its appearance, the functional abilities of the nerves may be impaired, so patients often complain of numbness of the damaged area and adjacent departments.
Work
The appearance of pain in the neck due to monotonous work that is forced by a person in one position, such as sewing, or sitting in front of a computer. Often in such cases, the neck begins to go numb and at the same time it hurts with a dull ache.
Tumor
The tumor is localized both in the neck and in other organs, tissues, departments. For example, cancers of the lung, breast or prostate, kidney, thyroid, and other types can cause these symptoms, not to mention tumors that occur in the neck itself. It can come and go, which should prompt someone to do a full check.
Cervical myelopathy
This provokes stenosis of the spinal canal in the neck, which is why it hurts. But the pain can spread not only in this area. Symptoms have various manifestations, and the treatment of such a disease is quite complex and has consequences.
Polymyalgia rheumatica or fibromyalgia
Pain in the neck in this case can be a secondary symptom, but, nevertheless, it is quite noticeable and bothersome.
Systemic diseases of the body
The symptom is pain in various parts of the musculoskeletal system, among which the neck is very prominent. These are rheumatoid arthritis, infections, ankylosing spondylitis and others.
Muscle hypothermia
Hypothermia in the muscles that move the head. If the draft has passed through the neck, then it hurts so much that it becomes very difficult to make any movements with it, in other cases it is almost unbearable.
What to do if the neck hurts a lot?
The neck performs an important function for the body, its damage can lead to instant death, so if it hurts, doing nothing and waiting for the pain to go away on its own is the worst option. You should definitely get a consultation from one of the specialists: rheumatologist, osteopath, oncologist, therapist, surgeon, traumatologist, orthopedist, neurologist.
If it is not possible to visit a doctor at this time, contact a massage therapist to at least hear his opinion on this matter. But that does not mean massage is mandatory and when done will relieve pain in the neck. It is also possible that a specialist cannot prescribe treatment, because the problem is not the profile. It is important to hear the opinions of at least three doctors.
In each case, the treatment will be different. Sometimes it is enough to do daily exercises - and symptoms localized in the neck will go away on their own. With a complex diagnosis, such as a tumor or stenosis, or a herniated disc, the pain will not go away until surgical treatment is applied. In this case, the question of whether to carry out the operation is not even worth it: the person has practically no choice.
For many types of injuries, treatment can be reduced to wearing over time, orthopedic products such as neck corsets. To make a person feel better, it is often prescribed to sleep in a certain position of the body and use a special pillow, lying on which the neck takes the correct position in relation to the body.
To break up salt deposits in the cervical region, treatment based on physical procedures, such as shock wave therapy or intensive massage of this zone, may be prescribed.
The use of drug therapy is appropriate when it comes to systemic disease or infection that causes pain in the cervical region. Medicines will help cure or slow the progression of the disease, support the body's regenerative powers, aimed at combating and diagnosing.
Masseurs, chiropractors, osteopaths are specialists who can help with the symptoms mentioned above, if they are professionals in their field. Therefore, when pain occurs in the neck, the patient most often turns to it. Sometimes a simple massage can improve blood circulation in the cervical area so that not only these symptoms, but also headaches will disappear.
In any case, with pain in the neck, in order not to recur, you need to start treatment and take care of your health.