Pain in the neck

26 January 2024

There is no adult who has never felt neck pain in his life. Every fourth woman and every sixth man always experience it. A sedentary lifestyle and time spent in front of the computer exacerbates the problem. Neck pain can also occur due to arthrosis of the shoulder joint 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:

Cervical osteochondrosis, complicated by protrusion or herniation of the intervertebral disc. The most common and important cause of neck pain. The pain is associated with pinching of the spinal nerve roots by partially or completely destroyed intervertebral discs. The pain is very strong, sudden, can be localized only in the neck (on one or both sides) or radiate to other areas - to the head, back of the head, arms, back, under the shoulder blades, etc. Treatment consists of pain therapy, restoration of disc cartilage tissue 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 usually develops gradually without being noticed, spreading along the spine from the bottom up. The cervical region is the last to be affected. It manifests itself as pain in the neck, stiffness of movement, which disappears after the start of physical activity. Over time, the pain worsens and the spine becomes immobile. Long-term treatment with a rheumatologist will help.
Cervical spine facet joint arthrosis (uncovertebral arthrosis). The cause of pain in the neck and back of the head in this case is degenerative-dystrophic changes in the small joints that connect the cervical vertebrae. Often has a professional origin, develops when working in a stationary state by bending down or having to turn the head, or after suffering an injury. Symptoms: pain at the site of the lesion, radiating to the shoulder and throbbing when moving, sometimes headache, dizziness, high or low blood pressure, hearing loss. Treatment by neurologists and rheumatologists.
Torticollis is a change in the position of the neck that prevents the head from turning and other movements. It can be congenital (in children) and acquired (in adults) after injury, against the background of rough skin scars, constant spasm of the cervical and occipital muscles during the degenerative-dystrophic process and inflammation in the spine and surrounding soft tissues. Symptoms: tilt the head and raised shoulders on the affected side, pain in the neck and back of the head when trying to tilt the head in the opposite direction. Pain increases with physical activity and stress. Treatment can be conservative (for spasms) or surgical, carried out by an orthopedic surgeon or traumatologist.
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is associated with irritation of the nerve endings in the muscles, leading to spasms and pain.

Clinical anatomy of the neck

In the case of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine, as well as facet arthritis (between individual vertebrae) of the joint, bone growth or swollen soft tissue can compress the vertebral artery, which leads to disruption of blood supply to the brain, headaches and dizziness. . Pain can also be caused by compression of the spinal roots that extend from the spinal cord. Along the brachial nerve plexus such pain radiates to the arm.

First aid for neck pain - what to do

Neck pain can increase gradually, but sometimes it appears acutely, suddenly in the form of lumbago with radiation to other areas. It is difficult to bear such suffering. What to do, how to get rid of it?

Tablets and ointments for neck pain

Emergency self-help algorithm:

Take a sedative - panic only worsens the situation; you can take: 20 drops of soothing drops or tablets with a solution of the substance levomenthol in menthyl isovalerate under the tongue; these drugs not only relax, but also dilate blood vessels, which in turn help reduce muscle spasms and associated pain; You can also take 1-2 tablets of valerian extract or any other sedative you have on hand.
Take pain medication (optional).
To get rid of painful pain, you can use external pain relievers: ointments, gels, patches.

Exercises for neck pain

If the pain is not very strong, is painful, and is combined with stiffness, then you can try to get rid of it with the help of exercises. They need to be done smoothly, without making sudden movements. An approximate set of pain-relieving exercises:

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

It is contraindicated to relieve severe acute pain with exercise.

In such cases, it is better to keep the neck, using, for example, a Shants collar. But prolonged immobilization leads to weakness of the muscle corset and worsens the situation. Therefore, the Shants collar can be used to reduce pain before consulting a doctor. Only a specialist can determine the duration of immobilization.

After completely or partially eliminating the pain syndrome itself, you need to see a doctor, otherwise it will return and it will be quite difficult to relieve it.

Exercises for neck pain

What not to do if you have neck pain

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

being in a forced position for a long time with a tense neck - painful muscle spasms develop;
lift heavy, do heavy work - microtrauma occurs in the spine with tissues located near it, gradual destruction of cartilage and bone structures;
often exposed to stress - they are accompanied by vascular spasms, which negatively affect blood circulation and the condition of the spine;
smoking, drinking alcohol regularly - contribute to constant vasoconstriction;
hypothermia - muscles located near the spine become inflamed, myositis develops;
sleeping on a high padded pillow means staying in an uncomfortable static position for a long time;
make a sudden turn of the head - sudden pinching of the nerves and the appearance of severe pain are possible.

When you need to see a doctor immediately

Do not hesitate to seek medical help if:

pain in the neck occurs frequently and is not always completely eliminated with painkillers;
you have experienced painful attacks for the first time or have repeatedly experienced them, when any movement brings severe suffering;
pain syndrome accompanied by general disturbances: fever, chills, etc. ;
suddenly there is a short-term acute pain in the neck on the left side, radiating to the arm, shoulder blade or to the back of the head - a sign of acute circulatory disorders in the area of the heart muscle (angina attack). );
sudden attacks of headache and dizziness appear, sometimes with loss of consciousness - a sign of compression of the vertebral artery.

If such symptoms appear, there is no point in treating yourself: 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 how to overcome them

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

Severe neck pain due to coronavirus 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 disappear.

But in some people, after a few days or weeks after the viral infection, the pain syndrome appears again, sometimes it is accompanied by swelling in the spine and stiffness of movement (the head has difficulty turning to the side) in the morning.

This condition requires immediate examination, as it may be associated with an autoimmune process in the facet joints (connecting vertebrae) of the spine.

Coronavirus infection has a serious effect on the immune system, causing various disturbances in its function. If a person has a tendency to autoimmune processes (a close relative who suffers from such a disease), then most likely a viral infection will serve as a starting point (trigger) for its onset. What to do: see a therapist or rheumatologist.

Neck pain and severe 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 processes - abscesses, phlegmons; what to do: consult a surgeon, because the symptoms can only be eliminated through surgery;
autoimmune processes in the joints of the cervical spine; the first symptoms appear a few days or weeks after the acute inflammatory process, there are no catarrhal symptoms; what to do: seek medical advice immediately; Self-medication is contraindicated.

Severe pain in the neck, radiating to the head

Sometimes acute and sudden pain appears in the neck in the region of the spine, radiating to the head (cervicocranialgia), associated with pinching the spinal roots extending from the first and second cervical vertebrae (C1 - C2) with the transmission of pain to the trigeminal nerve. , the nucleus is located at the top of the spinal cord. This is the so-called radicular pain syndrome, it can be very strong and quite long-lasting. What to do: as self-help, you can take a painkiller tablet and apply an anesthetic patch to the painful area.

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

Painful pain in the neck and back of the head may be caused by compression of the vertebral artery. In such cases, it is often accompanied by dizziness and fainting, because the brain experiences a lack of oxygen.

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

Neck and shoulder pain

Pain in the neck can radiate to the shoulder. Usually, pain in the neck and shoulders is associated with muscle spasms and tension when the neurovascular bundle between the scalene muscles is compressed. Morning stiffness appears, due to constant pain, the head is in a forced position: it is slightly tilted forward and towards the affected part. If the blood vessels are also depressed, dizziness, darkening of the eyes, and fainting may occur. Radiating pain from the neck to the shoulder is also characteristic of osteochondrosis and arthrosis of the facet joints of the 5-6 vertebrae (C5-C6). When the focus of pathology is localized at C5, the pain radiates along the anterior outer surface of the shoulder, so the patient cannot move the arm to the side.

What to do: you cannot tolerate such symptoms; you cannot cure it yourself; you need to consult a neurologist.

Neck pain on the right or left side

If your neck hurts on the side:

a very strong sudden attack– signs of violation of the spinal root on the right or left side; Patches with lidocaine can help, but this is a temporary measure, contacting a neurologist is necessary;
sudden paroxysmal short but sharp pain in the left neck– may be a symptom of angina pectoris; if such symptoms recur, you need to seek help from a therapist or cardiologist;
aching pain on the left or right side– often develops with prolonged tense head position due to neck muscle spasm; To relieve spasms, use ointments and patches that relieve pain; When painful muscle spasms appear, you need to monitor your posture and avoid work where your head is in a static tense position for a long time.

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

Severe back and neck pain

A painful sensation in the back, sent to the neck, is usually the result of osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine. There is a gradual destruction of the cartilaginous intervertebral shock-absorbing pads - discs. The disc becomes thinner, cracks and can partially or completely go beyond the spinal column, squeezing the nerve roots, which is accompanied by severe back pain radiating to the neck. The painful sensation is aggravated by back and neck muscle spasms.

When C6 is affected, neck pain radiates to the scapula, shoulder girdle, shoulder, forearm and 1 finger. At the same time, muscle strength decreases and movements in the hands require additional effort. Damage to C7 - waves of pain are sent to the scapula, back of the hand, index and middle fingers. Symptoms of damage to C8 - possible radiation of pain along the posterior inner surface of the hand to the little finger.

What to do: to relieve pain, you need to take anesthetic orally and apply anesthetic gel to the skin. After the pain subsides, consult a neurologist.

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

Severe neck pain with radiating

Sometimes pain in the neck spreads to other areas. This is the so-called referred pain, where pain impulses from the main focus spread along nerve fibers that connect individual parts of the body and internal organs.

Painful waves can radiate:

In the ear -painful sensations have different origins; usually they are related:

with inflammatory diseases of ENT organs - sore throat, chronic tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis; usually this is a sore throat and ears, accompanied by symptoms such as fever, painful sore throat, cough; in the process of chronic inflammation, the disease is not so acute, without fever, the pain is moderate;
with degenerative-dystrophic disease of the cervical spine (osteochondrosis) and its consequences - disc protrusion and herniation; cervical pain syndrome is associated with pinching of the spinal root by a disc protruding outside the spinal column or excessive bone tissue of the vertebrae; referred pain in the ear with osteochondrosis is a sign of nerve root compression of the 3rd cervical vertebra (C3);
with arthritis (inflammation) or arthrosis (metabolic disorders) in the facet joints C3 - C4, connecting the cervical vertebrae;

In the teeth -painful irradiation into the teeth:

usually associated with osteochondrosis - damage to the C3 - C4 vertebrae;
have a reflected character; this is caused by dental problems: deep caries and periodontitis of the lateral teeth of the upper jaw; various malocclusions; pain can radiate from the oral cavity to the neck, often there is a feeling that the neck hurts, radiating to the teeth on the right or left side; what to do: treat or remove damaged teeth, restore bite; reflected pain syndrome may be associated with arthritis or arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) - it seems that your teeth hurt and the pain radiates to the neck;

In eyes -if the upper cervical vertebra is affected (osteochondrosis, arthritis or arthrosis of the facet joints), pain along the sensitive branches of the nerves in the neck can radiate to the eye or tissue around the eyeball;

In the temple -often a sign of cervical osteochondrosis or TMJ arthrosis (arthritis);

In your hands -with cervical osteochondrosis or arthritis (arthrosis) of the C6 - C8 joints, as well as with cervical muscle spasms;

Into the shoulder blade &ndah;damage to C6 - C7, as well as glenohumeral periarthritis;

Into the collarbone -pain syndrome can develop after a collarbone injury and be transmitted along the brachial plexus nerve fibers to the neck, as well as with arthritis or arthrosis of the shoulder joint.

When the wave of pain radiates to other organs and tissues, it is difficult for the patient himself to know what hurts and which specialist to contact. Therefore, it is better to start with a therapist; he will figure out where to refer the patient next.

Severe pain in the neck muscles

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

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

The back of the neck hurts a lot

Pain in the back of the head and neck is most often associated with cervical osteochondrosis and cervical vertebral facet joint pathology. This is accompanied by painful neck muscle spasms.

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

Pain in the front of the neck in the larynx area

Painful sensations in the cervical area in front, combined with swallowing disorders, can appear with the growth of thyroid tissue (inflammatory process, goiter). At the same time, the external improvement is not always noticeable, because the goiter can grow behind the sternum.

What to do: contact an endocrinologist immediately.

The larynx can be painful due to acute and chronic diseases of the ENT organs. Such diseases are accompanied by cough, sore throat, and sometimes an increase in body temperature. Laryngitis is very 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 ears and eyeballs when turning

Painful dizziness and tilting of the head can be a result of:

osteochondrosis and violation of spinal roots; severe and sudden pain syndrome, it is almost impossible to turn or tilt the head; what to do: see a neurologist immediately;
acute neck injury or prolonged microtrauma; if there are no bone changes (fracture, dislocation), the pain syndrome is associated with subsequent spasms and inflammation of the neck muscles; what to do: get help from a neurologist;
curvature of the spine - scoliosis; the pain is aching and intensifies when bending the neck; what to do: contact an orthopedic-traumatologist.

Neck pain after sleep

Usually, such pain rarely appears out of nowhere; more often it is associated with some hidden disease of the spine or cervical muscles. After sleep, they appear with prolonged incorrect head position, which leads to compression of blood vessels and nerves. After sleep, this manifests itself as painful pain, numbness and restriction of movement. After some time this disappears.

What to do: contact a neurologist and make sure you don't have a serious pathology.

Severe pain and dryness in the neck

The cause of neck pain accompanied by spasms may be osteochondrosis, facet joint arthrosis, or increased mobility of the cervical vertebrae. In any case, this is a sign of a pathological process, which can only be established after an examination.

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

Treatment of diseases that cause neck pain

There are painkillers for temporary pain relief, but to completely relieve the suffering patient, the doctor must conduct an examination and find out the cause of the pain. The patient cannot do this on his own, he has to go to the clinic.

Diagnostics

Clinical examination of the neck - the first stage of diagnosis

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

Lab test– clinical blood tests, biochemical and general immunology. The data obtained make it possible to identify inflammatory, metabolic and autoimmune processes.
Instrumental diagnostic methods:X-ray of the affected part of the spine, if necessary- shoulder joint;Soft tissue ultrasound;MRI or CT– a more detailed examination of the cervical area;electroneurmyography– to assess the condition of the spinal cord root.

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

Methods for treating neck pain

Treatment of cervical pain syndrome can only be individualized, as it depends on the disorder identified and the final diagnosis. Simultaneous diagnosis - the presence of various other diseases in the patient - must also be taken into account.

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

This restores hope for a normal life even to patients with long-term severe pain syndrome. After the course, they regularly come to the clinic for preventive treatment, which allows them to get rid of the pain completely and lead a normal life. Contact the medical center, the doctor will definitely help you!