Neck pain is a common problem that worries many people. The symptom may be accompanied by limited movement of the cervical spine, muscle tension and headache. There are many causes of neck pain. Choosing the right treatment requires a thorough diagnosis.
In this article, we will tell you what to do if you have severe neck pain, what can cause the pain, and how to prevent it. The doctors of the clinic have extensive experience in the treatment of neck pain of various origins. Comprehensive therapy is selected individually, taking into account the patient's condition, the causes of pain and other factors affecting the outcome of the treatment.
Types of cervical spine pain
There are two types of neck pain:
- Vertebrogenic— occurs with damage to the intervertebral discs, compression of the spinal cord and spinal roots. The pain can spread from the neck to the back of the head and into the fingers. Muscle weakness and numbness in one or both arms may also be a cause for concern.
- Not vertebrogenic- appear due to the inflammatory process of the neck muscles. This also includes pain due to diseases of the thyroid gland and nearby lymph nodes. In this case, the inflammatory process may be accompanied by an increase in body temperature and excruciating pain.
If the discomfort does not go away within a few days and is aggravated by movement, a doctor should be consulted. The specialist determines the cause of the neck pain and prescribes an effective treatment.
Causes of neck pain
Pain in the neck muscles can be caused by many diseases: from muscle tension to serious pathologies of the spine and internal organs. Sometimes it is very difficult for the patient to independently determine the affected area - in the throat or in the upper part of the spine, since the pain can be felt on all sides of the neck.
The most common causes of acute pain are:
- Myositis- inflammation of one or more neck muscles, accompanied by severe pain, swelling and limited head movement. It develops as a result of infectious diseases, injuries and frequent uncomfortable body positions.
- Cervical osteochondrosis- degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine. The cervical spine, together with the lumbar spine, is very mobile. As a result of constant stress, the nutrition of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs is disrupted. Bone tissue grows, intervertebral discs are damaged and protrude in the form of protrusions and hernias. The pain is caused by the bulging discs compressing the ligaments of the spinal column and the nerve roots of the spinal cord. The pain is very strong, comes on suddenly, and can only be felt in the neck on one or both sides. They can also spread to other areas - the head, the back of the head, the arms, the back, under the shoulder blades.
- Intervertebral hernia- the advanced form of osteochondrosis, when the nerve roots are compressed. This disease is characterized by pronounced neurological manifestations: pain in the arm, reduced muscle strength and sensitivity of the skin of the upper limbs.
- Spondylosis- the advanced stage of osteochondrosis, in which the edges of the vertebral bodies are overgrown with bone protrusions - osteophytes. After that, the vertebrae fuse together. In this case, the intervertebral discs are flattened, and in addition to pain, the patient experiences severe limitations when moving the head.
- Rheumatoid spondylitis- autoimmune inflammatory process in the joints of the cervical spine. As a result of the malfunctioning of the immune system, its cells begin to attack their own body. The disease develops gradually and spreads throughout the joints of the spine. The neck region is rarely affected. The vertebrae are deformed, their mobility is impaired. Neck pain and stiffness of movements appear, which gradually disappear after performing active movements. Over time, the pain increases and the spine becomes immobile.
- Arthrosis of the facet joints of the cervical spine- destruction of the small joints located between the arches of the cervical vertebrae. In this case, the cartilaginous surface of two adjacent bones is destroyed. The distance between individual vertebrae decreases, one bone begins to rub against another, causing pain. It often occurs after injuries or occupational diseases, during stationary work, with the head bent down or strained. It presents as pain at the site of the lesion, radiating to the shoulder and crunching during movement.
- Torticollis- congenital or acquired deformity of the neck with tilting or turning of the head. The disease is associated with pathology of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which is located laterally along the anterolateral surface of the neck on both sides. This is manifested by a tilt of the head and a raised shoulder on the affected side, accompanied by pain in the neck and back of the head when trying to tilt the head in the opposite direction. The pain increases with physical activity and stress.
- Myofascial pain syndromea pain syndrome associated with the formation of local painful areas in the muscle, which are called "trigger points". This occurs due to prolonged muscle tension, uneven distribution of the load and pinching of the nerves by the surrounding structures. In this case, the patient feels muscle pain at rest, which is aggravated by physical activity, presses on certain points in the muscles that feel like a rather hard compression. Pain from these points can spread to other areas of the body.
- Compression fracturespinal injury in which the vertebral body is compressed and the spinal canal is damaged. It occurs when practicing traumatic sports and in older people due to the fragility of bone tissue. In an accident, it can result from whiplash and can be seriously life-threatening.
Rare causes of cervical spine pain include:
- Osteomyelitis- purulent inflammation affecting the bone marrow, periosteum and the bone itself. It is most often caused by an infection and the functioning of the immune system.
- Spinal tuberculosis- a serious disease caused by Koch's bacilli, which affects different parts of the spine, most often the chest. The first symptoms may appear several years after infection.
If the discomfort and pain in the neck is accompanied by a sore throat, fever and weakness, this may indicate the development of a viral infection, laryngitis and other colds.
Neck pain can also be a manifestation of:
- benign and malignant tumors of the neck organs;
- gastrointestinal diseases;
- foreign bodies in the throat;
- thyroid diseases;
- angina pectoris, called angina pectoris;
- abscesses of the soft tissues of the neck;
- diseases of the lymph nodes.
If the muscles of the side of the neck hurt, it can be caused not only by a spasm or injury, but also by many other diseases. Clinics use an evidence-based approach to diagnosis. This makes it possible to accurately determine the origin of the symptom and to prescribe an effective treatment.
Diagnostics
In most cases, neck pain is non-specific, that is, it is caused by the pathology of muscles and ligaments. In addition, the pain syndrome often develops as a result of degenerative changes in the cervical spine - osteochondrosis. Therefore, first of all, you should contact a neurologist or vertebrologist.
In order to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe the treatment, the doctor questions the patient in detail about his symptoms, their severity, location and the circumstances of their occurrence. It also clarifies the presence of chronic, hereditary diseases, injuries, and medications taken. The specialist then performs a thorough visual examination, palpation of the neck and assessment of the neurological condition, including the determination of muscle strength and sensitivity of the limbs. In order to confirm the diagnosis and exclude diseases unrelated to the spine, the patient should undergo a comprehensive diagnosis. This may include:
- complete blood count, blood test to detect markers of inflammatory levels, thyroid hormone levels;
- X-ray of the cervical spine;
- Ultrasound with examination of the condition of blood vessels;
- electroneuromyography;
- MRI, CT.
The most informative method is MRI. With its help, pathological diseases of the spine are identified at an early stage and signs of compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots are detected.
At the clinic appointment, the doctor talks in detail about modern diagnostic methods, interprets the test results and prescribes the appropriate treatment.
Treatment of pain in the cervical spine
The method of treatment of acute neck pain is determined by the doctor individually for each patient, taking into account all the characteristics of the body and the course of the disease.
People suffering from the same diagnosis may be prescribed different treatment because they have different medical histories: chronic diseases, physical development, intensity of pain, age.
Complex treatment is used to relieve severe neck pain associated with diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Therapy may include: medication, physical therapy, massage, exercise therapy.
Drug treatment- taking medicines containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, sometimes corticosteroids. The main goal of drug treatment is to reduce inflammation and relieve pain, and to stop further tissue destruction.
Physiotherapy- a set of treatment methods based on the effects of natural and artificial factors on the body - light, water, electric current, magnetic field, mechanical and temperature effects. These techniques initiate and accelerate the body's natural recovery processes.
Physiotherapy methods that help in the treatment of the cervical spine are the following:
- Laser therapy is a painless procedure that helps get rid of pain, relieves inflammation and local swelling, and improves tissue regeneration.
- Magnetic therapy helps relieve pain and inflammation.
- Shock wave therapy improves the mobility of the spinal column, relaxes the muscles, and accelerates tissue regeneration.
- Acupuncture is a technique of traditional Chinese medicine that effectively and quickly relieves pain and muscle tension.
Manual therapy- manual treatment of a disease, during which the doctor performs certain, gentle, twitching movements. Thanks to this method, the mobility of the joints and spine is restored, the muscles are relaxed, and pain is reduced. Manual therapy is based on Eastern techniques for the treatment of the spine.
Massage- one of the most famous and popular methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine. With the help of massage, you can relieve neck pain that occurs during sudden movements, relieve tension and restore the mobility of the joints of the spine. Massage relaxes spasmodic muscles, strengthens them and reduces pain. It is also used to prevent diseases of the cervical spine.
Healing Fitness- prescribed individually, taking into account the type and stage of the disease. The class consists of certain techniques and specific exercises that improve the mobility of the joints, relieve swelling, muscle tension, and then strengthen the ligaments to prevent the progression of the disease.
Prevention
A sedentary lifestyle, prolonged computer work and many other factors lead to problems with the musculoskeletal system - this causes neck pain. Simple prevention recommendations help to avoid the development of serious diseases and complications of the cervical spine:
- Do a short warm-up every 30-40 minutes during breaks from computer work.
- Sleep on an orthopedic mattress and orthopedic pillow.
- Pay close attention to the ergonomics of the workplace: the chair should be comfortable, with a special neck pillow, the computer should be placed at eye level or slightly higher.
- Don't talk on the phone with your face on your shoulder.
- If you are carrying something heavy, distribute the load evenly between both hands.
- Eat a balanced, varied diet, include a large amount of vegetables and fruits in your diet.
- Move more, give your body enough activity.
Regular yoga classes and swimming in the pool help with neck pain. We recommend that you perform the exercises with a trainer who prepares a suitable training program and monitors the correctness of the execution.