There are many reasons why the neck hurts, because this component of the human body, in turn, consists of many tissues and organs that organize not only the musculoskeletal system, but also other systems: respiratory system, metabolic, sensory and others. Neck pain can be caused by even a slight manifestation of inflammation, for example, an unexplained reaction of the lymph node.
The modern rhythm of life contributes all the more to the appearance of this unpleasant symptom. Low mobility, ecological situation in the region, malnutrition, hidden systemic diseases - all this can cause pain in the neck. Whether it's worth putting up with it or starting treatment urgently depends on what it's signaling.
How does the neck hurt?
The neck is a connecting link, it is quite mobile and prone to various types of injuries for the same reason. If pain appears in the neck, it may be an accident caused by a sudden, awkward movement, or it may be a pattern so much that a person is already used to the fact that this partof the spine hurts. Much depends on the type of neck pain itself, since it can be so different that it is difficult to list its characteristics:
- unexpected sharp pain (indicates cervicago - cervical lumbago, when the receptors of the nerve, which is sinuvertebral, are compressed; in addition, this can be an indicator of muscle spasm or neuralgia);
- aching pain in the neck (occurs with muscle numbness, overexertion, problems with the cervical spine, for example, with ligaments);
- periodically the neck hurts for unexplained reasons;
- constant pain of this area;
- radiating pain: in the head, arm, sternum, neck, shoulders;
- pain in the neck, which occurs only when moving the head, or is retained even when the neck and all its muscles are in a calm, unused position;
- pain accompanied by numbness (can be caused by a pinched nerve, herniated disc, disc prolapse);
- the neck sometimes hurts on the right, or on the left, or closer to the region of the shoulders, or closer to the head.
Reasons why the neck hurts
Neck pain can be caused by many mechanical and non-mechanical factors. There are cases when they cannot be explained at all and, therefore, this leads to the fact that the treatment cannot actually be prescribed. Nevertheless, the world practice of specialists in various fields of medicine has offered a list of the most common reasons why the neck hurts, and not some other part 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 a cracking, snapping sound when turning the head, which cannot be confused with anything. If treatment is not started in time, the fourth stage of the disease sets in, which is characterized by the formation of bone growths, due to which the neck loses its mobility.
muscle spasms
With muscle spasms resulting from an awkward or excessively sharp turn of the head to the right or left. This often happens with injuries sustained in car accidents and the like. Neck pain disappears when this spasm is eliminated by various manipulations performed by a massage therapist, an osteopath and a specialist in manual therapy. But, in principle, if the spasm was not strong, the symptom can pass without consequences on its own.
Intervertebral hernia
They do not arise in the neck, but in the shoulder region, but extending to the upper region. Due to its appearance, the functional abilities of the nerve may be impaired, so patients often complain of numbness in the damaged area and adjacent departments.
Work
The appearance of pain in the neck due to monotonous work that a person is forced to do in one position, for example, sewing or sitting at a computer. Often in such cases the neck begins to go numb, and at the same time it hurts with a dull ache.
Tumors
Tumors localized both in the neck and in other organs, tissues, departments. For example, cancer of the lung, breast or prostate, kidney, thyroid and other varieties of it can cause this symptom, not to mention tumors that occur in the neck itself. It can come and go, which should encourage a person to get a full exam.
Cervical myelopathy
It causes spinal stenosis in the neck, which is why it hurts. But the pain can spread not 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
Pain in the neck in this case can be a secondary, but nevertheless quite noticeable and annoying symptom.
Systemic diseases of the body
A symptom is pain in different parts of the musculoskeletal system, among which the neck is especially important. These are rheumatoid arthritis, infection, ankylosing spondylitis and others.
Muscle hypothermia
Hypothermia of the muscles that move the head. If a draft has passed through the neck, it hurts so much that it becomes very difficult to make movements 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 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 absolutely must 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, call a massage therapist to at least hear his opinion on this matter. But this does not mean that massage is mandatory, and when performed, it will eliminate pain in the neck. It is also possible that a specialist cannot prescribe treatment, since the problem will not be his profile. We will have to hear the opinions of at least three doctors.
In each case, the treatment will be different. Sometimes it will be enough to do daily exercises - and the symptom localized in the neck will disappear on its own. With complex diagnoses, 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 perform the operation is not even worth it: the person has practically no choice.
For various types of injuries, treatment may be reduced to wearing orthopedic products such as a neck brace for a certain period of time. In order for a person to feel better, it is often prescribed to sleep in a particular position of the body and to use a special pillow, lying on it, on which the neck takes a correct position relative to the body.
In order to break down salt deposits in the cervical region, treatment based on physical procedures, such as shock wave therapy or intensive massage of this area, can be prescribed.
The use of drug therapy is appropriate when dealing with systemic or infectious diseases that cause pain in the cervical region. Medicines will help to cure or slow down the development of the disease, support the regenerative forces of the body, aimed at combating and diagnosing.
A masseur, chiropractor, osteopath are specialists who can help deal with the symptom mentioned above, if they are professionals in their field. Therefore, when pain occurs in the neck, patients most often turn to them. Sometimes a seemingly simple massage can increase blood circulation in the cervical region so well that not only this symptom, but also the headache will go away.
In any case, with neck pain, so that it does not recur, you need to start treatment and take care of your health.