Causes and treatment of neck pain

Almost everyone has experienced neck pain. They can appear not only in adults, but also in children. To get rid of unpleasant sensations, you first need to find out the reason why the neck hurts, and, based on this, solve the problem. Since this may be a symptom of a more serious illness, and not simple pain, it is important to see a doctor in time.

Causes of neck pain

Neck discomfort is one of the most common complaints of patients. There are many reasons why pain in the cervical spine can be recorded, but they are all divided into several groups:

  • Non-specific factors. The reason for the appearance of pain in the neck and back of the head can be a long stay in one position, overexertion, repetition of the same type of movements, hypothermia, excess weight, stress. They can also appear after a night's sleep in the wrong position or on an uncomfortable mattress or pillow. Such pains can be harmless enough.
  • Damage to the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, joints, ligaments. Neck pain can be the result of degenerative-dystrophic diseases. The most common pathologies in this group are osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis, spondylolisthesis, stenosis and hernia.
  • Pathology of internal organs. Anterior pain often occurs due to thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland). This pain is aggravated by any impact on the neck. Inflammation of the salivary gland, caries, tonsillitis, damage to the larynx and trachea can also cause neck pain.
  • Tumors. Neoplasms can be a provocateur of severe neck pain. They are long enough. If the discomfort does not stop, you should immediately consult a doctor.
  • Injury and other mechanical damage. Another reason that the spine in the neck hurts is an injury. Even a minor blow can cause damage to the cervical spine. When struck, the vertebrae can be displaced. If they are not put in place in a timely manner, the patient will complain that the neck hurts in front, on the right or on the left for no apparent reason.
  • Inflammatory processes. Pain can appear due to arthritis, lupus, spondyloarthritis, and Sharp's syndrome. Sometimes inflammation occurs with pain due to ankylosing spondylitis.
  • Muscle corset pathologies. Trigger points, small lumps in the neck, appear when the muscles in the shoulders and neck are spasmodic.
  • Infectious diseases. These pathologies usually include tuberculosis, meningitis, shingles, and osteomelitis.
  • Consequences of the operation.

Symptoms of conditions that cause pain in the shoulders and neck may not appear for years or be present all the time. Therefore, it is important to undergo regular examinations in medical institutions.

There are causes of neck pain that only concern children. If a child's neck hurts, then these are usually very serious diseases. These include torticollis, tetanus, mumps, poliomyelitis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Diagnostics

To find out the cause of the discomfort, if the cervical spine hurts, it is important to consult a specialist as soon as the first symptoms appear. A therapist or pediatrician will refer you to a narrower specialist after an initial examination and depending on the nature of the pain.

Most often, they are referred to a neurologist or chiropractor. If aching neck pain is the cause of mechanical damage, then a referral is made to a traumatologist. For pain in the neck or torticollis in children, they may be referred to an orthopedist. They are sent to a cardiologist if they are concerned about pain in the neck on the left, but there are no problems with the functioning of the arms and legs. An otolaryngologist should be asked for help when a pulling neck pain occurs, and it is suspected that sore throat or inflammation of the lymph nodes may be the cause.

see a doctor for neck pain

To determine the origin of neck pain in the front, back, right or left, the doctor first palpates. Based on the results of this examination, the specialist decides what diagnosis to make and prescribes treatment.

When pain occurs when nodding the head, bending back and forth, this indicates damage to the first vertebra. If discomfort occurs when bending to the sides or turning the neck, then most likely the problem is in the second vertebra.

If the patient is worried about severe pain in the cervical spine, an experienced specialist can easily determine the cause. Since the focus of pain may be far from the site of manifestation, including when the throbbing pain in the left neck is disturbing, the most detailed diagnosis is carried out.

Based on the results of the initial examination, the doctor may refer you for additional diagnostic procedures. These include the appointment for blood and urine tests, ultrasound examination, MRI, radiography, tomogram, cardiogram, electroneurogram. The results of these procedures are important in order to answer the question of how to treat pain in the neck and neck area.

Treatment of cervical pain

A specialist, after the patient undergoes all diagnostic procedures, can tell how to get rid of neck pain. Do not self-medicate, as pain can have different etiologies, and treatment approaches will also differ.

mri for neck pain

A neurologist or physical therapist prescribes treatment for the cervical spine. These specialists can refer you to a chiropractor if needed. It is usually recommended to take a course of medication, physiotherapy and massage. If the neck hurts a lot and treatment with drugs, physiotherapy and massage does not help, an operation is performed.

Non-surgical treatment

For quick and effective relief from pain in the cervical spine, treatment must be comprehensive. Usually, the patient is prescribed the following non-surgical treatment for pain in the cervical spine:

  • drug therapy;
  • orthopedic methods;
  • reflexology;
  • ultrasound therapy;
  • laser therapy;
  • therapeutic massage, osteopathy;
  • physiotherapy.

Drug therapy is a treatment with ointments, tablets, injections. It is aimed at eliminating pain and associated unpleasant symptoms.

If a sharp pain in the neck is caused by osteochondrosis, then in addition to painkillers, muscle relaxants are prescribed. In severe conditions, when acute neck pain is concerned, corticosteroids may be prescribed.

If severe neck pain is concerned, blockages are used to relieve the symptom.

neck pain pills

Orthopedic methods involve wearing a collar. Its fixation can be soft or hard. More often, such treatment is prescribed when the neck constantly hurts or injuries have been received.

If, at the end of the course of treatment, preventive measures are not continued, then neck pain, both in adults and in children, can manifest itself again.

Reflexology is an electric shock for pain in the cervical spine. Allocate ordinary acupuncture and electroacupuncture.

The effect of ultrasound has an antispasmodic effect if the muscles of the neck hurt, and during phonophoresis, the effect of the drug increases several times.

Laser therapy has a calming effect on the inflamed skin area. If the neck hurts, then a qualified specialist will explain how to treat this method.

Also, if the neck hurts from the side, to the left or to the right, a massage will be helpful. Therapeutic massage is recommended at least 2 times a year. This procedure relieves stress and eliminates some of the causes of the unpleasant symptom.

Physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy) is aimed at the correct distribution of the load during pain in the cervical spine. In addition, there is stretching and increased mobility of certain muscle groups.

In addition to official medications to relieve symptoms in the neck, informal medicine can also be used to heal the back of the head and the rest of the cervical region.

Treatment with surgery

There are times when it is impossible to do without surgical intervention. How is neck pain treated in this case? Operable situations include hernias, compression of the spinal cord or spinal roots, and mechanical injury.

The operation boils down to the fact that the areas of the vertebrae that interfere with the normal functioning and work of the spinal cord are simply removed. In some cases, it is possible to carry out the operation using a laser.

The operation can lead to complications or accidents, so doctors initially try different treatments.

It is important to know that the doctor will offer an operable way to solve the problem only when he sees that other methods will not bring a positive result. For this reason, treatment cannot be postponed for a long time, especially if the disease is detected at an early stage.

Prophylaxis

To exclude such a cause of neck pain as inactivity and being in an uncomfortable position, it is recommended to carry out self-massage. How to treat neck pain with this method will be advised by a masseur or other specialist who has been contacted for neck pain.

Light exercise during your working hours will be helpful. You need to take regular breaks to get your neck muscles back in working order. With a long incorrect position or tension, pain in the cervical spine may occur.

massage for neck pain

A pillow for sleeping and a mattress must be orthopedic. They will relieve the stress on the spine throughout the day.

Massaging twice a year will reduce the likelihood of going to the doctor for neck pain. A professional massage therapist can remove the cause of chronic neck pain on the right, front and left during the course.

To exclude serious diseases, you need to determine for what reason the neck may hurt. It is important to keep the neck warm, you need to protect it from drafts. Observance of correct posture will not be superfluous, especially for children.