Pain in the neck

26 January 2024

There is no adult who has never felt neck pain in their life. Every fourth woman and every sixth man constantly experiences it. A sedentary lifestyle and time spent using computers aggravate the problem. Neck pain can also occur due to shoulder arthritis and any other disease in this area, the upper back and arms or the back of the head. From this article you can learn everything about neck pain and how to get rid of it.

Causes of neck pain

The most common causes are the following diseases:

Degeneration of cervical cartilage, complicated by disc protrusion or herniation. The most common and important cause of neck pain. The pain is related to compression of the spinal nerve roots due to partial or complete destruction of the intervertebral discs. The pain is very strong, sudden, can be localized only in the neck (one or both sides) or spread to other areas - to the head, back of the head, arms, back, under the shoulder blades, etc. v. Treatment includes pain relief therapy, restoration of the cartilage tissue of the disc, and strengthening of the neck muscles. Sometimes such patients need the help of a neurosurgeon to remove the destroyed disc.
Ankylosing spondylitis (rheumatoid spondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis) is an autoimmune inflammatory process in the joints of the cervical spine. The disease often develops gradually and is not obvious, spreading along the spine from bottom to top. The cervical area is the last area affected. It is manifested by neck pain and stiffness when moving, which disappears after the start of physical activity. Over time, the pain increases and the spine becomes immobile. Long-term treatment with a rheumatologist will help.
Arthritis of the facet joints of the cervical spine (nonskeletal arthritis). The cause of neck and back of the head pain in this case is degeneration-dystrophy in the small joints connecting the cervical vertebrae. Often of occupational origin, developing when working in a stationary position with the head bowed or forced to turn the head or after an injury. Symptoms: pain at the site of injury, spreading to the shoulder and a crunching sound when moving, sometimes headache, dizziness, high or low blood pressure, hearing loss. Treatment by neurologist and rheumatologist.
Torticollis is a change in the position of the neck that prevents head rotation and other movements. It can be congenital (in children) and acquired (in adults) after trauma, against the background of rough skin scarring, persistent spasms in the neck and occipital muscles during degenerative-dystrophic and inflammatory processes in thespine and surrounding soft tissues. Symptoms: tilting the head and raising the shoulder on the affected side, 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. Treatment may be conservative (for spasms) or surgical, performed by a surgeon or orthopedic traumatologist.
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is associated with irritation of nerve endings in the muscles, leading to spasms and pain.

Clinical anatomy of the neck

In the case of degenerative diseases-dystrophy of the spine, as well as facet arthritis (between individual vertebrae), bone growths or swollen soft tissues can compress the vertebral artery, leading todecreased blood supply to the brain, headaches and dizziness. . Pain can also be the result of compression of the spinal roots extending from the spinal cord. Along the brachial plexus, such pain radiates down the arm.

First aid for neck pain - what to do

Neck pain may gradually increase but sometimes appears acutely and suddenly in the form of low back pain accompanied by radiation to other areas. It is difficult to endure such suffering. What to do, how to get rid of them?

Tablets and ointments for neck pain

Emergency self-help algorithm:

Taking sedatives - panic only makes the situation worse; you can take: 20 drops of soothing drops or one tablet with a solution of levomenthol in menthyl isovalerate under the tongue; These medications not only soothe but also dilate blood vessels, thereby helping to reduce muscle spasms and associated pain; You can also take 1 – 2 capsules of valerian extract or any other sedative you have on hand.
Take pain medication (optional).
To get rid of soreness, you can use external pain relievers: ointments, gels, patches.

Exercises to treat neck pain

If the pain is not very strong, has an aching nature and is combined with a feeling of stiffness, then you can try to eliminate it with exercises. They need to be performed smoothly, without making sudden movements. A set of approximate exercises that help relieve pain:

starting position (IP) – lying on your back with your head on a flat pillow; Press your head firmly into the pillow and hold for a count of 5; rest and repeat; make 5 – 7 approaches;
IP - lie on your left side with your head on a flat pillow; raise your head and stay in this position until the count of 5; rest a bit, then at least five approaches;
IP - lying on the right side; Repeat the previous exercise on the right side;
IP - lying on the stomach, hands clasped behind the head; raise your head and use your hands to resist; each approach – 5 seconds with short rest, repeat 5 – 7 times.

Relieving severe acute pain with exercises is contraindicated.

In such cases, it is better to keep the neck still by using a Shants collar, for example. But prolonged immobilization will lead to weakening of the muscle corset and aggravate the situation. Therefore, Shants necklace can be used for pain relief before consulting a doctor. Only a specialist can determine the duration of immobilization.

After completely or partially eliminating the pain syndrome on your own, you need to see a doctor, otherwise the pain syndrome will return and it will be quite difficult to get relief.

Exercises to treat neck pain

What not to do if you have neck pain

If you often have neck pain, you should remember that you should not:

staying in a forced position for a long time with a strained neck - painful muscle spasms;
lifting weights, performing heavy work - micro-trauma occurs in the spine with tissues located near it, gradually destroying cartilage and bone structures;
frequent stress - they are accompanied by vasospasm, which negatively affects blood circulation and the condition of the spine;
Smoking, drinking alcohol regularly - contribute to persistent vasoconstriction;
hypothermia - the muscles located near the spine become inflamed, myositis develops;
sleeping on a soft high pillow means staying in an uncomfortable static position for long periods of time;
sudden head turn - there may be sudden nerve compression and severe pain.

When you need to see a doctor urgently

Don't hesitate to seek medical help if:

Neck pain occurs frequently and is not always completely relieved by pain medication;
you have experienced a painful attack for the first time or have repeatedly experienced it, when any movement causes severe suffering;
pain syndrome accompanied by general disorders: fever, chills, etc. v. ;
Suddenly, short-term acute pain appears in the left neck area, spreading to the arm, shoulder blade or back of the head - a sign of acute circulatory disorder in the myocardium (angina). );
Sudden headaches, dizziness, and sometimes loss of consciousness appear - signs of compression of the vertebral artery.

If such symptoms appear, there is no point in self-treatment: this will only make the problem worse. No folk remedies or grandmother's advice will help.

Only a doctor can help relieve pain by developing an individual treatment plan based on examination and establishing an accurate diagnosis. If you are in doubt about which doctor to contact, go to an appointment with a therapist, he will understand the situation and, if necessary, refer you to another specialist.

Types of neck pain and solutions

Pain syndrome can manifest itself in different ways: only on one side of the neck or everywhere, locally or spreading to other parts of the body. Let's try to figure out what the manifestations of pain indicate and what to do in each specific case.

Severe neck pain due to Corona virus and ARVI

Any viral infection can be accompanied by neck pain. This is due to intoxication caused by an infectious agent. Once the person recovers, these symptoms will disappear.

But in some people, after a few days or weeks after being infected with the virus, the pain syndrome appears again, sometimes accompanied by swelling in the spine and stiff movements (difficulty turning the head to the sides) in the morning.

This condition should be examined immediately because it may be related to an autoimmune process in the facet joints (joining vertebrae) of the spine.

Coronavirus infection has a severe impact on the immune system, causing various disruptions to its functioning. If a person is predisposed to autoimmune processes (relatives suffer from such diseases), then most likely a viral infection will serve as a starting point (trigger) for its onset. What to do: see a therapist or rheumatologist.

Severe neck pain and fever

If severe pain in the neck appears suddenly and is accompanied by fever, then this indicates the presence of an acute inflammatory process:

viral infection or exacerbation of some chronic inflammatory processes (bronchitis, sinusitis, etc. ) - in this case, the disease is also accompanied by catarrhal symptoms - cough and runny nose; what to do: if the pain is not too severe and the temperature is not high, you can wait to see a doctor; Persistent pain after recovery should be a reason to consult a doctor;
bacterial purulent inflammatory process - abscess, phlegm; what to do: consult a surgeon, because the symptoms can only be eliminated surgically;
autoimmune process in the joints of the cervical spine; the first symptoms appear days or weeks after the acute inflammatory process, without catarrhal symptoms; What to do: consult a doctor immediately; Self-medication is contraindicated.

Severe pain in the neck, spreading to the head

Sometimes acute, sudden pain appears in the neck region of the spine, spreading to the head (cervical pain), accompanied by compression of the spinal roots extending from cervical vertebrae 1 and 2 (C1 - C2). accompanied by pain transmitted to the trigeminal nerve. , their nucleus is located in the upper part of the spinal cord. This is called radicular pain syndrome, and it can be very strong and quite long-lasting. What to do: to treat yourself, you can take a painkiller pill and apply an anesthetic patch to the painful area.

If the pain does not go away, then call an ambulance, the doctor can temporarily remove the pain. But after their removal, you must definitely consult a neurologist.

Pain in the neck and back of the head may be due to compression of the vertebral artery. In such cases, it is often accompanied by dizziness and fainting due to lack of oxygen in the brain.

Similar pain can occur with high blood pressure (BP). The attack is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. What to do: pain in the neck and back of the head is very dangerous, so if they appear, you need to call an ambulance.

Neck and shoulders hurt

Pain in the neck can spread to the shoulders. Typically, pain in the neck and shoulders is related to muscle spasms and tightness when the neurovascular bundle between the scalene muscles is compressed. Morning stiffness appears, due to constant pain, the head is in a forced position: slightly tilted forward and towards the affected side. If blood vessels are also compressed, dizziness, black eyes, and fainting may occur. Pain spreading from the neck to the shoulder is also a characteristic of cartilage degeneration and facet osteoarthritis of the 5-6 vertebrae (C5-C6). When the pathological focus is localized at C5, the pain spreads along the outer front of the shoulder, so the patient cannot move the arm to the side.

What to do: you cannot stand such symptoms, you cannot cure them yourself, you need to consult a neurologist.

Neck pain on the right or left side

If your neck hurts on one side:

Very strong surprise attack– signs of violation of spinal roots on the right or left side; Lidocaine patches may help, but this is only a temporary measure; contact a neurologist;
sudden but short-lived paroxysms of pain in the left neck- may be a symptom of angina; If those symptoms recur, you need to seek help from a therapist or cardiologist;
pain on the left or right side– often develops with prolonged tense head posture due to spasm of the neck muscles; To relieve spasms, use pain-relieving ointments and patches; When muscle spasms occur, you need to monitor your posture and avoid working with your head in a static position for long periods of time.

What to do: if you have constant or frequently recurring pain on the right or left side of your neck, it's better to start by consulting a therapist.

Severe back and neck pain

Pain in the back, transmitted to the neck, is often the result of cervical spondylosis. There is a gradual destruction of the cartilaginous shock absorber pad - the intervertebral disc. The disc becomes thinner, cracks and can protrude partially or completely outside the spine, compressing the nerve roots, accompanied by severe back pain that spreads to the neck. The pain is aggravated by muscle spasms in the back and neck.

When C6 is affected, neck pain radiates to the scapula, shoulder blade, shoulder, forearm and 1 finger. At the same time, muscle strength decreases and hand movements require more effort. C7 injury - pain waves transmitted to the shoulder blade, back of the hand, index finger and middle finger. Symptoms of C8 damage - may cause pain that radiates along the posterior inner surface of the hand to the little finger.

What to do: to relieve pain, you need to drink anesthetics and apply anesthetic gel to the skin. Once the pain subsides, consult a neurologist.

Such pain in the back of the neck can also occur with scoliosis - a lateral curvature of the spine. Scoliosis can lead to compression of the vertebrae, pinched nerves, and constant back pain. What to do: treatment is carried out by an orthopedic traumatologist.

Severe neck pain with radiation

Sometimes pain in the neck spreads to other areas. These are called referred pains, in which pain impulses from the main focus spread along nerve fibers connecting individual parts of the body and internal organs.

Waves of pain may radiate:

In the ear -Painful sensations of different origin; usually they are related:

with inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs - pharyngitis, chronic tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis; usually sore throat and ears, accompanied by symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough; During chronic inflammation, the disease is not too acute, no fever, moderate pain;
with degenerative diseases-dystrophy of the cervical spine (osteochondrosis) and its consequences - protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc; neck pain syndrome is associated with compression of the spinal roots due to disc protrusion from the spine or overgrowth of bone tissue of the vertebrae; Ear pain due to cartilage degeneration is a sign of nerve root compression of the 3rd cervical vertebra (C3);
have arthritis (inflammation) or arthritis (metabolic disorder) in the C3 - C4 facet joints, which connect the cervical vertebrae;

In teeth -Irradiation causes pain in teeth:

often related to cartilage degeneration - damage to the C3 - C4 vertebrae;
has a reflective character; this is due to dental problems: deep caries and periodontitis on the lateral part of the upper teeth; various errors; The pain can spread from the oral cavity to the neck, often feeling pain in the neck, spreading to the right or left teeth; what to do: treat or remove damaged teeth, restore the bite; reflected pain syndrome may be related to arthritis or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis - it seems like your teeth hurt and the pain radiates to the neck;

In the eyes -if the upper cervical vertebrae are affected (chondrosis, arthritis or facet arthrosis), pain along the sensitive branches of the nerves in the neck can spread to the eyes or tissues surrounding the eyeball;

At the temple -often a sign of cervical spondylosis or joint disease (arthritis) of the TMJ;

In your hands -with cervical spondylosis or arthritis (arthritis) of the C6 - C8 joints, as well as spasms of the neck muscles;

Into the shoulder blade &ndah;C6 – C7 lesions, as well as glenohumeral periarthritis;

Into the collarbone -Pain syndrome can develop after injury to the clavicle and pass along the nerve fibers of the brachial plexus to the neck, as well as with arthritis or osteoarthritis of the shoulder.

When the pain wave spreads to other organs and tissues, it is difficult for the patient to determine where he has pain and which specialist he needs to contact. Therefore, it is best to start with the therapist, he will find out where to refer the next patient.

Severe pain in neck muscles

Pain in the neck muscles is often associated with various injuries and pathologies of the spine, but can also manifest as an independent disease - myofascial pain syndrome.

What to do: treatment can be started by a neurologist, but a consultation with a rheumatologist may be required.

The back of my neck hurts a lot

Pain in the back of the head and neck is often associated with cervical spondylosis and pathology of the facet joints of the cervical vertebrae. This is accompanied by painful spasms of the neck muscles.

What to do: it is better to start by consulting a neurologist, perhaps after the examination he will refer the patient to a rheumatologist.

Pain in the front of the neck in the larynx area

Pain in the anterior cervical region, combined with poor swallowing, may appear with the growth of thyroid tissue (inflammatory process, goiter). At the same time, the external increase is not always noticeable, since a goiter can develop behind the sternum.

What to do: urgently contact an endocrinologist.

The larynx can be damaged by acute and chronic diseases of the ENT organs. Such diseases are accompanied by cough, sore throat and sometimes increased body temperature. Laryngitis is especially dangerous, accompanied by pain, barking cough and the risk of swelling of the larynx.

What to do: contact a therapist or otolaryngologist.

Neck pain when turning or bending

Myofascial pain syndrome with reflexes in the ear and eyeball area when turning

Pain when turning and tilting the head can be the result of:

osteoarthritis and spinal root invasion; severe and sudden pain syndrome, it is almost impossible to turn or tilt the head; what to do: urgently see a neurologist;
acute neck injury or prolonged microtrauma; in the absence of bone changes (fractures, dislocations), the pain syndrome is associated with spasms and subsequent inflammation of the neck muscles; What to do: seek help from a neurologist;
curvature of the spine - scoliosis; The pain is aching in nature and increases when the neck is bent; What to do: contact an orthopedic-traumatologist.

Neck pain after sleeping

Usually, such pain rarely appears suddenly, they are often associated with some underlying disease of the spine or neck muscles. After sleeping, they appear with prolonged incorrect head posture, leading to compression of blood vessels and nerves. After sleeping, symptoms include pain, numbness and limited movement. After a while this will disappear.

What to do: contact a neurologist and make sure that you do not have a serious pathology.

Severe and brittle pain in the neck

The cause of neck pain accompanied by crepitus may be due to cartilage degeneration, facet joint degeneration or increased mobility of the cervical vertebrae. In any case, this is a sign of a pathological process, which one can determine only after examination.

What to do: contact a neurologist, but you may also need help from other specialists.

Treat diseases that cause neck pain

There are painkillers for temporary pain relief, but to completely relieve the patient's pain, the doctor must conduct an examination and find the cause of the pain. Patients cannot do this on their own and need to go to the clinic.

Diagnose

Clinical examination of the neck - the first stage of diagnosis

During the first appointment, the doctor conducts a clinical examination of the patient and, based on its results, may prescribe the following additional studies:

Test– General clinical, biochemical and immunological blood tests. The data obtained help identify inflammatory, metabolic and autoimmune processes.
Specific diagnostic methods:X-ray the affected spine, if necessary- shoulder;Soft tissue ultrasound;MRI or CT– more detailed examination of the cervical area;electromechanical- Assess the condition of spinal nerve roots.

After examination, the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Methods of treating neck pain

The treatment of cervical pain syndrome can only be individualized as it depends on the disorder identified and the final diagnosis. Concomitant diagnoses – the presence of multiple other diseases in the patient – must also be taken into account.

The combination of modern and traditional Eastern techniques allows patients to immediately relieve acute pain.

This restores hope for a normal life even for patients with long-term severe pain syndrome. After the course, they regularly visit the clinic for preventive treatment, which helps them completely get rid of pain and live a normal life. Please contact the medical center, the doctors will definitely help you!