There are many reasons why the neck hurts, because this component of the human body, on the other hand, consists of many tissues and organs that organize not only the musculoskeletal system, but also other systems: the respiratory system, the metabolism, the sensory system and others. Neck pain can also be caused by a mild manifestation of any inflammation, for example, an inexplicable reaction of the lymph nodes.
The modern rhythm of life contributes even more to the appearance of this unpleasant symptom. Low mobility, the ecological situation in the region, malnutrition, hidden systemic diseases - all this can provoke pain in the neck. Whether it is worth putting up with it or urgently starting treatment depends on what it signals.
How does your neck hurt?
The neck is a connective tissue, it is quite mobile and prone to various types of injuries for the same reason. If pain occurs in the neck, this may be an accident caused by a sharp and difficult movement, or it may be a pattern so much that a person is already used to the fact that this part of the spine hurts. Much depends on the type of neck pain itself, because it can be so different that it is difficult to list its characteristics:
- sudden sharp pains (indicates cervicago - cervical lumbago, when the receptors of the nerve, which is sinuvertebral, are compressed; in addition, this may be an indication of muscle spasm or neuralgia);
- neck pain (appears with muscle numbness, overwork, problems with the cervical spine, for example, with ligaments);
- periodically the neck hurts for unexplained reasons;
- constant pain in this area;
- radiating pain: in the head, arm, sternum, neck, shoulders;
- pain in the neck, which appears only when moving the head, or persists even when the neck and all its muscles are in an unused and quiet position;
- pain accompanied by numbness (can be caused by nerve compression, disc herniation, disc prolapse);
- the neck sometimes hurts on the right, or on the left, or closer to the shoulder region, or closer to the head.
Reasons why the neck hurts
Neck pain can be caused by many factors of mechanical and non-mechanical origin. There are cases when they cannot be explained at all and, accordingly, this leads to the fact that the treatment cannot actually be prescribed. However, the world practice of specialists in various fields of medicine has presented a list of the most common reasons why the neck hurts and not another part of the spine.
The 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 clicking sound when you turn your head, which cannot be confused with anything. If treatment is not started in time, the fourth stage of the disease begins, which is filled with the formation of bone growths, due to which the neck loses mobility.
muscle spasm
With muscle spasms arising from a difficult or too sharp turn of the head to the right or left side. This often happens during injuries sustained in car accidents and similar. Neck pain disappears when this spasm is removed by various manipulations performed by a massage therapist, osteopath and a manual therapy specialist. But, in principle, if the spasm was not strong, the symptom may pass without consequences on its own.
Intervertebral hernia
They arise not in the neck, but in the shoulder region, but extend to the upper region. Due to its appearance, the functional capabilities of the nerve can be impaired, so patients often complain of numbness in the damaged area and adjacent departments.
work
The appearance of pain in the neck from 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 pain.
Tumors
Tumors located both in the neck and in other organs, tissues, departments. For example, cancer of the lung, breast or prostate, kidney, thyroid and other varieties 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 do a thorough examination.
Cervical myelopathy
It causes stenosis of the spinal canal 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 symptom, but, nevertheless, quite noticeable and annoying.
Systemic diseases of the body
One symptom is pain in various parts of the musculoskeletal system, among which the neck is particularly prominent. These are rheumatoid arthritis, infection, ankylosing spondylitis and others.
Muscle hypothermia
Hypothermia of the muscles that move the head. If a current has passed through the neck, then it hurts so much that it becomes very difficult to make any movement with it, in other cases it is almost unbearable.
What to do if your neck hurts a lot
The neck performs important functions for the body, its damage can lead to instant death, so if it hurts, doing nothing and waiting for the pain to go away by itself is the worst option. You should definitely get a consultation from one of the specialists: rheumatologist, osteopath, oncologist, therapist, surgeon, traumatologist, orthopedist, neurologist.
If it is not possible to see a doctor at the moment, call a massage therapist to at least hear his opinion on the matter. But this does not mean that the massage is mandatory and when performed it will eliminate 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 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 localized symptom in the neck will go away by itself. With complex diagnoses, such as a tumor or stenosis, or a disc herniation, 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 practically has no choice.
For different types of injuries, treatment can be reduced to using orthopedic products for some time, such as a neck brace. To make a person feel better, it is often recommended to sleep in a certain position of the body and use a special pillow, lying on which the neck takes a position that is correct in relation to the body.
To break up 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 it comes to systemic or infectious diseases that cause pain in the cervical region. Medicines will help to cure or slow down the development of the disease, to support the regenerative forces of the body, aimed at fighting and diagnosis.
A massage therapist, a chiropractor, an osteopath are specialists who can help to cope with the symptoms mentioned above, if they are professionals in their field. Therefore, when neck pain occurs, 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 headaches will disappear.
In any case, with pain in the neck, so that it does not recur, you should start treatment and take care of your health.