There are many reasons for neck pain, because this component of the human body, in turn, consists of many tissues and organs that make up not only the musculoskeletal system, but also other systems: respiratory, metabolic, sensory system, etc. Neck pain can be caused by even a small manifestation of any inflammation, for example, an unexplained reaction of a lymph node.
The modern rhythm of life contributes more to the emergence of this unpleasant symptom. Low mobility, environmental conditions in the area, nutrition, hidden system diseases - all these can cause pain in the neck. Whether it is worth to endure it or start treatment urgently depends on its signal.
How does the neck hurt?
The neck is a connecting link, it is quite mobile and for the same reason it is prone to various types of injuries. If pain occurs in the neck, it can be an accident caused by a sharp and awkward movement, or it can be so common that a person is already used to pain in this part of the spine. A lot depends on the type of neck pain, because it can be so different that it is difficult to list its features:
- sharp unexpected pain (cervicago - cervical lumbago, when the receptors of the sinuvertebral nerve are compressed; in addition, this may be an indication of muscle spasm or neuralgia);
- aching pain in the neck (muscle numbness, overwork, problems with the cervical spine, for example, occurs with ligaments);
- from time to time the neck hurts for unknown reasons;
- constant pain in this area;
- radiating pain: in the head, arm, sternum, collar, shoulders;
- pain in the neck occurs only when the head is moved or is maintained even when the neck and all its muscles are not used, in a quiet position;
- pain accompanied by numbness (can be caused by a pinched nerve, herniated disc, prolapsed disc);
- the neck sometimes hurts on the right or left, or near the shoulder or near the head.
Causes of neck pain
Neck pain can be caused by many factors, both mechanical and non-mechanical in origin. There are cases in which they cannot be explained at all, and therefore this leads to the fact that treatment cannot actually be prescribed. Nevertheless, the world experience of specialists in various fields of medicine has revealed the most common causes of neck pain, not another part of the spine.
The formation of large salt deposits on the neck
Evidence of diseases such as osteochondrosis and arthrosis. These diseases cause not only pain, but also a dizzy clicking crisis that cannot be confused with anything else. If the treatment is not started in time, the fourth stage of the disease begins, which is full of the formation of bone growths, due to which the neck loses its mobility.
muscle spasm
With muscle spasm caused by an awkward or excessively sharp turn of the head to the right or left. This is often caused by car accidents, etc. occurs during injuries. When this spasm is eliminated by various manipulations performed by a massage therapist, osteopath and manual therapy specialist, neck pain disappears. However, in principle, if the spasm is not strong, the symptom can pass by itself without results.
Intervertebral hernia
They do not originate in the neck, but in the shoulder region, but extend to the upper region. Due to its appearance, the functional abilities of the nerve may be impaired, so patients often complain of numbness of the damaged area and adjacent departments.
work
The appearance of neck pain from monotonous work in which a person has to sit in one position, for example, sewing or at the computer. Often, in such cases, the neck begins to go numb and at the same time it hurts with a dull pain.
Tumors
Tumors localized both in the neck and in other organs, tissues, departments. For example, lung cancer, breast or prostate cancer, kidney, thyroid gland and other types of it can cause this symptom, not to mention tumors that form in the neck. It may come and go, which should encourage one to do a full examination.
Cervical myelopathy
It causes stenosis of the spinal canal in the neck, which is why it hurts. But the pain cannot spread only in this area. Symptoms have a wide range of manifestations, and the treatment of such a disease is quite complex and has consequences.
Polymyalgia rheumatica or fibromyalgia
In this case, neck pain can be a secondary symptom, but nevertheless, it is quite noticeable and annoying.
Systemic diseases of the body
One symptom is pain in various parts of the musculoskeletal system, where the neck is especially prominent. These are rheumatoid arthritis, infection, ankylosing spondylitis and others.
Muscle hypothermia
Hypothermia of the muscles that move the head. If a draft passes through the neck, it hurts so much that it is very difficult to do any movement with it, in other cases it is almost unbearable.
What to do if the neck hurts a lot
The neck performs important functions for the body, damage to it can cause 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 consult one of the specialists: rheumatologist, osteopath, oncologist, therapist, surgeon, traumatologist, orthopedist, neurologist.
If it is not possible to consult a doctor at this time, at least call a massage therapist to hear his opinion on this matter. But this does not mean that the massage is mandatory and when it is done it will relieve the pain in the neck. It is also possible that a specialist will not be able to prescribe treatment, because the problem will not be his profile. It will be necessary to hear the opinion of at least three doctors.
Treatment will be different in each case. Sometimes it will be enough to do daily exercises - and the localized symptom in the neck will disappear by itself. With complex diagnoses such as tumor or stenosis or 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 practically has no choice.
Treatment for various types of injuries can be reduced by wearing orthopedic products such as a neck brace for a period of time. In order for a person to feel better, it is often recommended to sleep in a certain position of the body and to use a special pillow that takes the correct position of the neck in relation to the body.
Treatment based on physical procedures such as shock wave therapy or intensive massage of this area can be prescribed to break up salt deposits in the cervical region.
When it comes to systemic or infectious diseases that cause pain in the cervical region, the use of drug therapy is appropriate. Medicines will help treat or slow down the progression of the disease, support the body's regenerative forces, and are aimed at combating and diagnosing.
A massage therapist, chiropractor, osteopath, if they are professionals in their field, are specialists who can help to overcome the above-mentioned symptom. Therefore, when pain occurs in the neck, patients often turn to them. Sometimes a seemingly simple massage can improve blood circulation in the cervical region so much that not only this symptom but also headaches will disappear.
In any case, with neck pain, you need to start treatment and take care of your health so that it does not recur.