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Causes of neck pain. Causes and treatment of neck pain. Psychological causes of neck pain

Topographic anatomy highlights many of the most important structures and organs located in the neck. At the top of the spinal column, the seven cervical vertebrae form the spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord.

Important blood vessels pass through this area, including the carotid and facial arteries and the internal jugular vein, neurovascular bundles, and the cervical branch of the facial nerve. The neck includes the regional lymph nodes, thyroid and parathyroid glands, esophagus, larynx and trachea.

The complex anatomical structure is the cause of frequent neck pain, because pathological changes in any of the structures can cause pain. Typically, neck pain, called cervicalgia, is the result of mechanical problems in the cervical spine. However, pain in this area can also occur in the presence of a systemic disease or pathology of internal organs located not only in the neck, but also in other parts of the human body.

Causes of neck pain

All causes of cervicalgia can be divided into several groups, each of which includes various pathologies:

Degenerative changes in the spine, the most common of which are osteoarthritis.
Traumatic lesions of the neck, including vertebrae, intervertebral joints and discs, ligaments and muscles.
Immune disorders, including arthritis of various etiologies, spondylitis and polymyalgia rheumatica.
Neoplasms of benign and malignant nature, including metastases of tumors of other organs.
Infectious bone diseases, including tuberculosis and osteomyelitis.
Referred cervicalgia, which occurs with diseases of the heart, esophagus, lungs and other internal organs, as well as with cerebral hemorrhages and abscesses.

Osteochondrosis and osteoarthrosis are two scourges of modern man

In the vast majority of cases, cervical pain is a symptom of osteochondrosis, a disease in which degenerative changes occur in the intervertebral discs of the cervical region. Displacement of the vertebrae, caused by increased stress, compresses the nerves and vessels passing through the neck. The result is protrusion, or the initial stage of a herniated intervertebral disc and its hernial protrusion. Neck pain in this pathology is characterized as severe, permanent, accompanied by headaches, dizziness and tinnitus. With osteochondrosis, cervical pain radiates to the arm, shoulder blade and is accompanied by difficulty moving not only the neck, but also the limbs.

Advanced forms cause stenosis of the spinal canal, which leads to compression of the spinal cord. The cause of the narrowing is bulging discs or the growth of osteophytes, which irritate the muscles and compress the arteries.

Osteoarthritis is a consequence of degenerative changes in the joints of the cervical spine and the cause of neck pain. This disease also causes compression of the spinal cord, which can cause weakness and atrophic changes in the upper limbs.

Neck pain after injury

Often, neck pain can be the result of an injury. The most serious injury to the cervical spine is whiplash, which involves sudden forceful extension or flexion. As a rule, a person receives such injuries in car accidents, falls, in a fight, or during sudden stress during sports. Neck pain from a whiplash injury may be caused by a sprained ligament or muscle and will go away on its own within a few days or weeks. If the vertebral facet joints or discs are damaged, pain can become a chronic problem.

Traumatic pain also includes the typical feeling of muscle spasm for many during long-term static physical activity or after sleeping in an unusual or uncomfortable position. In such cases, neck pain usually goes away within a short time, and ordinary warming ointments or rubbing help relieve the pain.

Neck pain due to immune disorders

Neck pain can be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, which also affects the vertebral joints of the cervical spine. With this disease, patients complain of general stiffness and limited neck mobility. A severe form of the disease leads to subluxation and acute pain in the atlantoaxial joint of the spine. Other systemic disorders that are most often observed in women include ankylosing spondylitis, which affects the ligaments of the spinal column and causes neck pain.

Polymyalgia rheumatica is typical for people over fifty years of age and develops rapidly. Literally overnight, the patient can develop severe neck pain and muscle stiffness in the shoulder area. The disease has not been fully studied and its causes are unknown. However, it can be treated with a timely visit to the doctor, and therefore sudden onset neck pain should be a reason to seek help from a medical facility.

Tumors and pain in the neck

Typically, malignant tumors of other internal organs metastasize to the cervical spine. Particularly common are cancers of the lung, breast, prostate and kidneys. In severe stages and abundant metastases that grow into the spinal cord and affect the spinal nerves, patients complain of severe pain in the neck. As a rule, in these cases, the stage of the cancer is such that it can no longer be treated, and therefore only strong painkillers can alleviate the patient’s condition.

Tumors of the cervical organs directly include thyroid cancer, which in most described cases occurs without symptoms and does not cause pain.

How to get rid of neck pain?

Neck pain cannot be tolerated; it must be eliminated! Naturally, the usual use of painkillers will not eliminate the problem that causes regular pain syndromes in the designated area, so first of all it is advisable to consult your doctor for a quality diagnosis and proper therapy. The main methods and approaches for relieving neck pain are presented below.

Medicines for neck pain

The following will help to quickly eliminate pain:

Analgesics/anesthetics – paracetamol, analgin.
Hormonal agents - corticosteroids.
Muscle relaxants – Mivacron, Ditilin, Tubarin.
Vasoconstrictors and antidepressants.

Orthopedic instruments

The best remedy for pain in the area described above is considered to be the “Chance Collar” - a special complex of hard or soft fixation that maintains the correct position of the head/neck.

Reflexology therapy

The reflex therapy toolkit is quite wide. All such systems influence the cervical regions with a given electric current or magnetic fields, simultaneously restoring the mobility and tone of the neck muscles. Basic techniques – acupuncture, electrical neurostimulation, electroacupuncture.

LLL therapy

An innovative treatment method consists of exposing the problem area to laser beams of infrared, ultraviolet and red light spectra, as a result of which inflammation is partially relieved and pain is reduced. This type of physiotherapy is most often carried out in private clinics.

Exposure to ultrasound

The classic method of physiotherapy is also applicable to neutralize neck pain. Most often used for ultrasonic injection of medicinal drugs into the affected area and enhancing their effect on the body.

Massages

Manual therapy is extremely effective in this case, especially if it is carried out together with courses of chiropractic and osteopathy - respectively, neutralizing displacements and subluxations and direct impact on active biological points of the neck. With its help, the spine stretches, the neck muscles relax, etc.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the problem. As a rule, it is prescribed for myelopathies, radiculitopathy, as well as in the case of herniated intervertebral discs. The surgeon removes elements and sections that injure the spinal cord; low-traumatic methods are often used for this, for example, a laser is used.

Physiotherapy

A person can significantly relieve neck pain on his own if he begins to regularly engage in special physical therapy aimed at relaxing and strengthening the problem area. Naturally, before using the exercises, you should definitely consult your doctor about this.

Posture correction. Sit up straight, straighten your shoulders and place your neck in a straight position. Hold it for 10 seconds, then relax and repeat the event 20 more times. Perform the above steps every time you feel like you are starting to slouch, but at least ten times a day.
A common incorrect posture is stretching the neck forward. The following activity will help to eliminate this problem and help the spine to be in place a little: sit upright, move your head back a little and reach your chin towards your neck. Hold the peak position for a couple of seconds, then relax. Perform 15 such cyclic actions in one approach, every three hours.
From a sitting position with a straight back, look at the ceiling, stretching your neck and holding the peak position for three seconds, after which you can return to your usual sitting position. Do ten repetitions, warming up in this way every three to four hours.
From a standing position with a straight back, place your hands on your lower back with your palms on your sides, then arch your back, throwing your head back. Try to swing wide, holding the peak position for two seconds and allowing your back to rest as you relax. A total of 10 approaches, every three hours a day.
Lie down on a flat, hard surface, face down, and relax as much as possible. Begin to rise from the floor without lifting your arms and legs into the “Sphinx pose” - your back is arched, your arms are bent at the elbows and resting on your forearms. Stay in this peak state for one minute, then slowly return to the original state and lie relaxed for ten seconds. Only ten repetitions, perform this complex at least twice a day.

Wishing you quick and effective relief from neck pain!

Prevention of pain

To prevent cervicalgia, it is important to monitor your weight, because excess body weight is a stimulating factor for the development of a number of diseases. The right choice of clothing during the cold season will also help prevent not only colds, but also myositis and inflammation of the nerve endings located in the neck.

Any neck pain - acute, chronic, sudden or habitual - should be a reason to visit a doctor, even if it seems that sooner or later it will go away on its own. Do not forget that it can be caused not only by problems with the spinal column, but also by other diseases. Those in the diagnosis and treatment of which every missed day could be the last.

Useful materials

Video program "Live Healthy!" about neck pain and its causes.

The neck is the section of the spine that begins at the top of the torso and ends at the base of the skull. The bones, along with ligaments, which are like thick rubber bands, provide stability to the spine. The muscles support the spine and are responsible for motor function. The neck is very mobile and supports the weight of the head. However, unlike other parts of the spine, the neck has less protection and can be susceptible to injuries and diseases that cause pain and limit movement. For many people, the pain goes away over time, but for some it becomes a serious problem that requires treatment.

Pain localized in the neck is often encountered in medical practice. It can be caused by various disorders and diseases of any cervical structure.

Causes of neck pain:

intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine,
protrusion of the cervical spine,
neck sprain,
whiplash injury to the neck (from a sudden sudden movement),
pinched nerve,
cervical spondylosis,
spondyloarthrosis,
inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes due to viral and bacterial infections,
spinal tuberculosis,
osteomyelitis,
rheumatic myalgia,
microfractures of the spine caused by osteoporosis,
spinal canal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal),
oncology.

What can trigger an attack of neck pain:

staying in a forced position for a long time, slouching and bending low over the table,
fixed posture while watching TV or reading,
sitting at a computer monitor that is too high or too low,
sleeping in an uncomfortable position,
sudden rotation or twisting of the neck during exercise.

Risk factors:

contact sports,
car driving,
computer work,
work involving lifting weights
weightlifting,
work with forced postures (surgeons, seamstresses, etc.),
psychologically stressful work (doctors, teachers, etc.),

Prevention of neck pain in the context of these activities should include exercises to strengthen the neck muscles.

Symptoms associated with neck pain:

Neck pain due to intervertebral hernia or protrusion is often combined with headache, facial pain, shoulder pain and arm numbness or tingling (paresthesia of the upper extremities). For example, compression of the sensory nerve that supplies the back of the head and exits the cervical spine can cause headaches in the back of the head. When the intervertebral discs of the upper cervical vertebrae are affected, a combination of symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and pressure surges is typical.

Structures of the cervical spine

The cervical spine has 7 vertebrae, which are the bony building blocks that surround the spinal cord and spinal canal. Between these vertebrae are the intervertebral discs, and the cervical nerves pass nearby.

Structures of the cervical spine also include:

Diseases or dysfunctions affecting any of the above structures can cause pain in the cervical spine.

Diagnosis of neck pain

Diagnosing the cause of neck pain requires a thorough examination of your medical history and the occurrence of symptoms. When collecting information, the doctor pays attention to the localization, intensity, duration and distribution of pain symptoms. Any old injuries and information about any treatments the patient has tried are noted. Postures and movements that increase/reduce pain symptoms are also recorded by the doctor. The doctor examines the cervical spine at rest and during movement. Areas of increased sensitivity and tension are noted. A neurological examination is also performed to determine the presence/absence of compression of the nerves of the cervical spine.

Further diagnosis of the condition is carried out using a number of techniques:

Since neck pain in the overwhelming percentage of cases is associated with the presence of intervertebral hernias or protrusions in the cervical spine, it is necessary to begin the examination with magnetic resonance imaging!!!

If the patient has the following symptoms, call an ambulance immediately:

In some cases, neck pain may be a symptom of meningitis.

a rash appears that does not go away when you press on it with your finger or glass;
the patient feels sick, feels hot;
it is so painful for the patient to bend his neck forward that he cannot place his chin on his chest;
the light hurts the eyes;
the pain is accompanied by a severe headache or continuous vomiting;
neck pain is accompanied by severe lower back pain.

In some cases, pain in the cervical spine can be a symptom of a head injury. Urgent medical attention is needed:

the person becomes drowsy, consciousness is confused, nausea and vomiting are observed;
the pain is accompanied by a very severe headache;
pain is localized posterior to the eye;
hearing, vision, smell and sense of balance are impaired;
profuse vomiting;
decreased muscle strength in the arms or legs.

If you suffer from neck pain for a longer period of time, then you need to see a doctor for advice. In addition, there are a number of signs that suggest a more serious problem than standard mechanical pain in the spine:

neck pain manifested itself against the background of unexplained weight loss;
pain gets worse despite treatment;
There is loss of sensation, weakness, or poor coordination in one or both arms.

Treatment

Treatment prospects depend on the underlying cause of the pain. Overall, the prognosis for neck pain is good if the patient remains active and receives proper and timely treatment.

Treatment for neck pain should only be carried out under the supervision of a doctor in a specialized clinic. You can have a free consultation with a neurologist at any of our Clinics and receive the necessary recommendations and treatment.

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Microdamage to intervertebral joints and osteoarthritis cervical spine

Damage to the intervertebral joints of the spine is the main cause neck pain. Microdamages of these joints occur at any age; frequent microdamages lead to osteoarthritis in old age.
Damage to the intervertebral joints may be primary, or may occur as a result of damage to the intervertebral discs, as a result of a single injury, such as a blow to the head, or minor but frequent injuries, for example, when painting the ceiling or wrestling.

Intervertebral joints are richly innervated, so their damage almost always causes pain, often this pain is myofascial in nature. Damage to intervertebral joints is characterized by the following:

dull (less often sharp) pain in the neck, more often in the morning, after sleeping in an uncomfortable position (patients often say that they are “blown away”),
irradiation pain in the back of the head, ear, face and temple (if the upper cervical spine is affected) or in the shoulder, especially in the suprascapular region (if the lower cervical spine is affected),
gain pain during movements and its weakening at rest,
limitation of head movements (most often limited turns) and muscle tension neck,
unilateral pain on palpation in the projection of the affected joint,
no changes on radiographs.

Irradiation pain in the hands is not typical for microdamages of the intervertebral joints.

Treatment

The causes of his illness are explained to the patient, and it is emphasized that if you follow the doctor’s recommendations, a complete recovery will occur.

sit up straight while reading, writing, working on the computer,
watch your posture,
sleep on a small elastic or special orthopedic pillow,
sleep on the losing side,
Rub 3 times a day neck cream containing analgesics: heat and massage reduce pain.

throw your head back for a long time,
often turn your head in the direction of pain,
tilt your head when lifting weights,
read or write for a long time while bending over,
wear a collar splint for a long time,
sleep on a high pillow.

The patient is examined regularly.

The condition usually improves slowly, so it takes some time to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.

Analgesics such as paracetamol are prescribed.

As soon as it subsides pain, begin physical therapy classes. Its combination with manual therapy (the latter should be carried out by a specialist) is very effective.

For prolonged periods pain additionally used:

antidepressants,
transcutaneous nerve stimulation, especially in case of drug intolerance,
hydrotherapy,
acupuncture,
injections of corticosteroids into the intervertebral joints (after CT or MRI),
denervation of intervertebral joints.

Osteochondrosis cervical spine

Osteochondrosis cervical spine is much more common than the lumbar spine. Intervertebral discs C5-C6 and C6-C7 are usually affected. Intervertebral disc degeneration causes secondary changes in the intervertebral joints, which in turn leads to narrowing of the intervertebral foramina and compression of the spinal roots (usually C6 and C7).
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease with periodic exacerbations, which, however, can remain asymptomatic for a long time. In some patients with osteochondrosis, all manifestations decrease with age, when movements in the spine are limited.

Clinical picture

Dull, aching, often one-sided pain just below the back of the head, which often wakes up patients in the morning.
Limitation of head movements.
Gain pain in the morning, with sharp flexion or extension neck, as well as under long-term constant load on cervical spine, for example when repairing a car or painting the ceiling.
Decrease pain in a warm environment, such as during a warm shower.
Irradiation pain to the head, shoulder blade or arm.
Paresthesia in the hands.
Dizziness.
On examination - limitation and pain in movements in Shane spine, especially turns and bends to the side, pain in the intervertebral joints on palpation.
X-rays show a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs, osteophytes, degenerative changes in the intervertebral joints.

Complications

Unilateral or bilateral radiculopathy.
Myelopathy.

Treatment

Psychological support, patient education.
Physiotherapy, including hydrotherapy.
Analgesics, such as paracetamol.
NSAIDs for 3 weeks (then assess their effectiveness and the need for further use).
A special set of physical exercises.
Manual therapy.
Recommendations for daily activities, sleep, etc.

Acute torticollis

Torticollis is a deformity neck, manifested by deviation of the head from the midline. Torticollis often occurs as a result of spasm of the neck muscles in diseases of the spine, and it is usually short-term, accompanied by neck pain. Most often, acute torticollis occurs between the ages of 12 and 30 years.

The causes of acute torticollis are not fully known. It is believed that it is caused by microdamage to the intervertebral discs and especially the intervertebral joints. The level of damage can be any, but most often it is C2-C3, C3-C4 and C4-C5.

Clinical picture

The head is tilted and slightly turned to the side opposite pain.
Pain usually localized in neck and does not radiate.
Pain most often occurs in the morning, after sleep.
Head extension is limited.
There are usually no neurological symptoms.

Treatment

Manual therapy, including post-isometric relaxation, is very effective.

Postisometric relaxation

The post-isometric relaxation method is based on the fact that when a muscle contracts, its antagonists reflexively relax. To treat torticollis using the post-isometric relaxation method, the head should be tilted and turned in the direction opposite to the pain.

The essence of the method is explained to the patient and it is emphasized that it will not hurt.
First, carefully turn the patient's head in the direction of the lesion. Whenever pain the movement stops immediately.
Place one hand on the patient's head on the side opposite pain, and the other is fixed neck at the level of the spinal lesion (usually the C3-C4 level).
Ask the patient to turn his head in the direction opposite pain, overcoming the resistance of the doctor’s hand, while isometric muscle tension occurs neck. The main condition at this stage is not to turn the patient’s head, but only to resist his movement.
After 5-10 seconds the patient is asked to relax. Then carefully turn his head to the side pain- note an increase in the range of movements.
The procedure is repeated 3-5 times until the range of motion is completely restored.
The next day, the procedure is performed again, although torticollis may no longer be present.

The patient can be trained to perform post-isometric relaxation independently.

Whiplash

Whiplash typically occurs in car accidents. When hit from behind, there is a sudden hyperextension neck followed by a sharp flexion; in a head-on collision - sudden flexion followed by extension. Whiplash damages muscles and ligaments, spinal roots, sympathetic trunk, intervertebral joints and discs. Intervertebral joints are especially affected; even microfractures are possible (not noticeable on x-rays).

Symptoms usually appear in the first 6 hours, less often - 1-4 days after injury; their severity may vary.

Whiplash is usually accompanied by pain and restriction of head movements. Pain localized in neck and in the shoulders, can radiate to the back of the head, to the interscapular region and to the arms. First of all, flexion is limited, then extension of the head.

Headache is often observed with whiplash injury. pain, it can last for months. Pain usually localized in the back of the head, but can radiate to the temple and orbit. Dizziness and nausea are also observed. Damage to the nerve roots during injury or compression of them by a herniated intervertebral disc is accompanied by radicular pain. Another manifestation of whiplash injury is mood changes (anxiety, depression).

Complications of whiplash are listed in Table. 4.

In case of whiplash injury, an x-ray of the spine is required.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to restore working capacity as early as possible, stop wearing a collar splint and achieve complete restoration of range of motion in Shane section of the spine. In the treatment process, methods of both physical and psychological influence are used.

Establish a trusting relationship with the patient and provide the necessary psychological support.
Explain the mechanism of injury to the patient.
It is emphasized that after an injury, mood changes may be observed for several (usually two) weeks - irritability, depression.
It is recommended to rest and wear a collar splint for 2 days.
Analgesics such as paracetamol are prescribed. Narcotic analgesics are not used.
NSAIDs and small doses of tranquilizers are prescribed for up to 2 weeks.
The patient is consulted by a physiotherapist (heat treatments and massage are effective for whiplash injuries).
As early as possible, begin therapeutic exercises (a special set of exercises for muscles neck).
The patient is consulted by a specialist in manual therapy - mobilization is performed, manipulations are not used.

The neck of a person, like that of any other animal, is an amazing part of the body, quite fragile, but powerful. The cervical spine, along with all the muscles and ligaments, holds and moves the skull, absorbs shock when walking, protects the brain from concussion, protects the blood vessels that feed it, and also provides protection to the spinal cord.

When your neck hurts, the reasons can be quite varied. Some of them may resolve on their own within a few days, while some may cause chronic illness and pain.

Why does pain occur?

The most common reason for neck pain is poor posture. With a hunched back, the head ceases to occupy a position exactly above the body and moves forward. In this position, the muscles and ligaments of the neck experience increased tension. The development of stooping and neck pain is facilitated by prolonged work without changing position, sleeping on a soft bed or high pillow, and prolonged static load.

The main cause of neck pain is prolonged static tension in an incorrect position.

Other causes of neck pain include injury from falling head first, in a traffic accident, or while playing sports. During sudden acceleration and then braking, the cervical spine makes a whip-like movement. As a result, ligaments and muscles may become overstretched, displacement or compression fractures in the cervical vertebrae may occur, and intervertebral hernias may form.

Neck pain can occur as a secondary manifestation of other diseases. For example, during a heart attack, when a heart attack causes severe pain, radiating along the nerve plexuses to the upper limbs, chest, and neck. Neck pain during a heart attack is only part of a large complex of symptoms - shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting. If your neck or jaw hurts or other signs of a heart attack are observed, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Neck pain is also used as a diagnostic sign of meningitis. With this disease, the neck muscles become hypertonic, that is, they become rigid. When I try to tilt my head towards my chest, the back of my neck hurts a lot.

The spine in the neck area hurts with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, spondylosis and osteoarthritis, hernia or protrusion, with compression of the nerve roots or spinal cord by infectious edema, abscesses, tumors or benign neoplasms.

Special cases

Degenerative diseases

Osteochondrosis, or, in other words, degenerative disorders in the intervertebral discs, leads to a person constantly having neck pain. This is usually a mild aching pain, which is often accompanied by a feeling of numbness and aching in the shoulder girdle and head.

The collar zone affected by osteochondrosis can cause the development of cerebral artery syndrome. With a decrease in intervertebral distances in this area, compressive damage occurs to the vertebral arteries passing through the openings of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae. Pressure on the vessel causes a decrease in blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness, decreased vision and hearing. On the other hand, mechanical irritation of the artery with pressure from the vertebrae causes a reflex spasm, which manifests itself as a burning, throbbing pain in the head.

Treatment

If your neck constantly hurts due to osteochondrosis, then therapy begins with eliminating the pain syndrome. The second mandatory direction of treatment is to stop the degenerative processes in the cervical vertebrae.

Pain relief can be achieved using the following groups of medications:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - directly block the cascade of mediators that signal pain (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Nimesulide, Meloxicam);
muscle relaxants – eliminate muscle spasms that reflexively arise from severe pain (Sirdalud, Midkalm;
sedatives – calm and inhibit the nervous system and the transmission of pain impulses, including (valerian, antidepressants, sleeping pills);
vasodilators - help eliminate vertebral artery syndrome and the pain associated with it (Pentoxifylline, Eufillin, Papaverine, Cinnarizine, Drotaverine).

To eliminate the cause of neck pain in osteochondrosis, chondroprotective drugs are prescribed that prevent the destruction of cartilage and vertebrae - Dona, Structures, Artra, Teraflex, Alflutop, as well as multivitamin mineral complexes - Milgamma, Neuromultivit, Komlevit, Vitrum complex.

Pain treatment also consists of exercise therapy, physiotherapy, massage, traction, reflexology and taping therapy. During an exacerbation, in order to relieve pain, the patient is recommended to wear a special collar that protects the neck from excess mobility.

Muscle pain

Pain in the neck can occur due to inflammation of the neck muscles, called myositis. Such pain should be distinguished from neuritis (inflammation of the nerve trunks with sensitivity disorder) and pain caused by osteochondrosis. Myositis occurs suddenly, after exposure to predisposing factors - hypothermia, vibration, prolonged overexertion, especially with prolonged repetitive movements of the same type.

Cervical myositis: A – points of greatest pain, B – area of pain distribution, C – receiving an anesthetic massage

Cervical myositis is characterized by acute pain that occurs when the inflamed muscle contracts. The sharp severity of pain leads to difficulty in performing certain types of movement. Usually the long neck muscles on the anterolateral surface or the sternocleidomastoid muscles hurt, which, when contracted bilaterally, pull the head back, and when contracted unilaterally, turn it. Also often inflamed are the deep muscles that surround the spine and move the entire neck and back.

When palpating the muscle, its increased tone and dense nodular areas are noted. Disruption of microcirculation and local trophism leads to the gradual replacement of myocytes with connective tissue. As a result, the neck muscles weaken, their symmetry on the sides of the spine is disturbed, “torticollis” may appear, and it is difficult for the patient to keep his head straight. About why the back of the neck hurts.

Treatment

Treatment begins with reducing the load on the neck. This is followed by a course of physiotherapeutic procedures - UHF heating, electrophoresis with drugs, paraffin heating, ozokerite wrap, diathermy, massage, acupuncture. Such procedures restore blood circulation in the neck muscles. Among the drugs prescribed are injections of B vitamins, anti-inflammatory and painkillers - Diclofenac, Nimesulide, Indomethacin, ointments and rubbing, for example, Menovazin.

Traditional treatment recommends using cabbage or burdock leaves as pain-relieving compresses, preparing an ointment from crushed willow buds in butter, and making rubbings from a mixture of turpentine with apple cider vinegar and egg yolk. The neck is also rubbed with lava oil and then wrapped. The main key to the success of any treatment is to provide rest to the sore neck until its muscles are completely restored. Then you should begin to return them “to duty” through special gymnastics and massage.

Radicular syndrome

Severe pain in the neck, which spreads to the muscles of the head, shoulder girdle, upper limbs, can occur when the roots of the spinal nerves are pinched due to prolapse, protrusion or herniated intervertebral discs.

Areas affected by damage to the roots of the cervical nerves

With this disease, protrusion of the inner core of the disc occurs towards the spinal canal or its lateral horns. A hernia and its symptoms usually appear on one side. When pressure is created on the roots of the spinal nerves, a burning, sharp pain appears in the innervated muscles (cervical lumbago). The patient feels numbness in the lower jaw, the area around the ears, the back of the head, shoulder blades, and arms. Dizziness and sharp pain in the neck appear when changing position from horizontal to vertical. Gradual protrusion of the disc core leads to trauma to surrounding tissues, their inflammation, and swelling. This creates the preconditions for inflammation of the nerve endings with the development of radiculitis, and the mobility of the neck and upper limbs is gradually limited. Long-term pinching of the spinal nerves leads to paresis or paralysis of the limbs.

Therapy

What to do if your neck hurts due to hernias? At home, for pain, painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal drugs, and muscle relaxants are taken to relieve spasms.

Reduce root inflammation Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Celecoxib, Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Diclofenac.

In the hospital, severe pain in the neck is eliminated with the help of “blockades” - the introduction of painkillers on the sides of the spine - injections of Novocaine, Baralgin, Lidocaine.

Swelling and inflammation are eliminated with steroid drugs that can be injected directly into the hernia area - Dexamethasone, Prednisolone.
Muscle soreness is eliminated by taking muscle relaxants - Mydocalm, Sirdalud, Baclofen, Tizanidine.

Also, to prevent further development of the hernia, I use drugs that strengthen cartilage tissue - chondroprotectors Rumalon, Chondrolon, Alflutop, Elbona.

In many cases, therapeutic exercises and traction traction of the cervical spine help with protrusion or slight protrusion. Increasing the intervertebral space helps to “retract” the intervertebral disc and relieve pressure on the nerves.

In case of a true hernia with rupture of the fibrous ring and prolapse of the nucleus into the spinal canal, surgery is necessary. There are several ways to get rid of neck pain through surgery:

anterior cervical discectomy – removal of an excess piece of disc that is pressing on the spinal nerves;
replacing a damaged disc with an artificial joint, which protects the cervical spine from further destruction;
microendoscopic disectomy using a posterior approach and removal of small areas of the hernia through an endoscope;
Posterior cervical disectomy through an incision in the back of the neck. The operating channel is specially enlarged so that pinching does not develop in the future.

Neoplasms

If there is constant pressing pain in the neck, you can suspect the appearance of a foreign formation in this department.

Benign or malignant tumors in the neck can arise in the vertebral body, from blood vessels, epithelium, connective, nervous, fatty or glandular tissue

Benign tumors (lipoma, fibroma, neuroma, osteoma, hemangioma) most often have a regular shape and are clearly defined; they rarely cause pain. Discomfort is mainly associated with compression of surrounding tissues by the tumor. Malignant tumors (osteogenic sarcoma, myeloma, cancer of the lymph nodes or thyroid gland) have no boundaries and give many metastases to neighboring tissues. Their destructive effect on organs causes a painful sensation and a general deterioration of the condition. The front of the neck can become painful due to cancer of the larynx, throat, oral organs, and thyroid gland. The patient experiences difficulty swallowing, swelling in the neck and face, and a change in voice. If the cervical spine hurts due to a bone tumor, then this condition also often accompanies damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots on the side of the spine with the development of paralysis.

Treatment

Treatment of pain due to tumors is aimed primarily at eliminating the cause - reducing or removing the tumor. For this purpose, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, sclerosis of the vessels feeding the tumor, and surgical removal of the pathological formation are used.

Pain relief depends on the severity of pain:

weak drugs: Paracetamol, Metamizole sodium, Diclofenac, Etodolac, Piroxicam, Meloxicam, Mefenamic acid. To enhance the effect, Aminazine tablets are added, which potentiates the analgesic effect;
moderate painkillers: injections of Ketorol, Ketanov, combinations of Analgin with Diphenhydramine (Sibazon) and Papaverine. For bone pain – Meloxicam, Piroxicam, Xefocam, bisphosphonate drugs;
with increasing pain, they switch to weak opiates - Tramadol, Codeine;
in case of severe pain, analgesia is possible only with the help of opiate drugs - Morphine, Buprenorphine, Fentonyl. To enhance analgesia for neck pain due to neoplasms, antipsychotic drugs (Droperidol, Galaperidol), anticonvulsants (Diazepam), and corticosteroids (Prednisolone, Dexamethasone) are used.

Note!
Neck pain can occur for various reasons. In order not to miss serious illnesses, you must first visit a doctor for consultation about the occurrence of pain and accurately determine its source.

When I talk about the neck here, I mean the back of the neck. The throat and voice are the front surface of the neck. And everything together (both the front and back surfaces of the neck) makes up the cervical segment.

Our head is the sphere of our intelligence and control.

Our body is a container for our impulses and instinctive desires.

Our neck is the border between the mind and instincts, “I want and I can’t”, which are constantly trying to get out of the control of the head.

Popular on the site: Why is illness necessary? (editor's note)

Sometimes you have to work hard for this. And if then the muscles do not relax, if we do not know how to cope with our desires, do not know how to manage our desires, do not satisfy our needs (basic - food production, protection, safety, procreation and spiritual), then a zone of chronic tension is formed, which may cause headaches.

Then, in this area, blood circulation is disrupted, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs, cartilage, bone, and connective tissue deteriorates, and a disease called osteochondrosis appears.

You may say: “Oh, this is a disease of civilization! Who doesn't have it? Yes, indeed, osteochondrosis now appears at a fairly early age, in my practice these were children 12 years old, the diagnosis was confirmed by x-rays. Many people give up on all this and live as they lived until the first pain and limitation of movement appear. Then according to the generally accepted scheme: injections, pills, physiotherapy. And it’s good if therapeutic exercises are included in this scheme. That is, it, of course, is included in this scheme, but which of you does it?

What else can neck pain “speak” about?

The head connects to the body through the cervical spine. If the neck is tense, the flow of energy in the body is interrupted, and a separation occurs between action and thinking. Because what our head has planned is for our body to do.

If the energy is locked more in the upper part, above the cervical block (in the head), than in the lower part (in the body), there is a tendency to over-identify with thoughts to the detriment of movement and action.

A person with such a character spends an excessive amount of time planning his activities. And he has no energy left to carry out his plans. His way of thinking becomes blocking.

Relieving tension in the cervical region usually allows the action to flow down the spine as a flow of expressive movement.

The neck is also the ability for flexibility of thinking, the ability to see the other side of the issue, to understand the point of view of another person. When we have neck problems, it means that we are stubborn and refuse to be more flexible.

And if you want to change something in your life for the better, don’t forget about physical therapy! Working with the body is the most economical way to save health and money. The body is something that will remain with you forever, until the very last day!

It is very common: sooner or later everyone experiences neck pain. This is due to the fact that the cervical spine experiences heavy loads and at the same time must ensure mobility of the head. The number of patients who consult doctors with complaints of neck pain continues to grow from year to year. Among the patients are men, women, and even children.

66-75% of adults experience neck pain during their lifetime and 54% report it in the last 6 months. With age, the frequency of pain in the cervical region increases; women more often suffer from pain in this localization. And although pain in the neck can be of different types: when turning the head, on the left, behind and on the right - pain in the neck is caused by the same diseases and conditions.

In most cases, neck pain is not associated with a serious problem and ends with a complete recovery. More often it is acute in nature, but in 10% of cases it becomes chronic, which entails the need for long-term treatment. In chronic pain, the psychogenic factor is of particular importance.

However, sometimes, neck pain can be caused by some serious diseases that require urgent treatment:

Therefore, for severe neck pain you definitely need to see a doctor.

Causes of neck pain

Major diseases that can cause neck pain

Osteochondrosis and osteoarthrosis: pain in the neck and back of the head, which patients describe as aching, radiating to the head or arm, the cause of which is degenerative changes in the vertebrae associated with age, metabolic disorders or constant injury.
Uncomfortable position: sedentary work at the computer, an uncomfortable position while sleeping on a pillow that is too high is another reason why your neck may hurt.
Neck injuries caused by physical stress on the neck and shoulders: may also be responsible for neck pain. In these cases, it is characterized by patients as sharp and acute.
Intervertebral hernia: can develop if the neck constantly bears heavy loads or osteochondrosis progresses.
Infectious, neurological and oncological diseases: meningitis, cerebral hemorrhages, brain tumors.
Thyroiditis: complaints of pain in the anterior neck, when the thyroid gland becomes inflamed due to infections and autoimmune processes.
Referred neck pain: arise due to infection or tumors of nearby organs - the esophagus, lungs, brain.
Spinal canal stenosis: can cause numbness in the arms and legs, weakness and disruption of the pelvic organs.
Myocardial infarction: Neck pain may be an early sign.

Neck pain can also be due to other reasons:

heredity;
passive lifestyle;
sleeping in an awkward position;
muscle strain;
hypothermia;
lack of physical activity;
mechanical problems in the cervical spine.

Neck pain can be a symptom of the following diseases:

When should you see a doctor for neck pain?

Do not delay your visit to a neurologist if you are concerned about the following symptoms:

neck pain that does not go away for more than a week;
Strong headache;
numbness, tingling, weakness in the arms or legs;
disruption of the pelvic organs;
recent neck injury;
high fever, headache and neck stiffness;
chest pain that radiates to the arm, rapid breathing, sweating, nausea, vomiting - these are symptoms of a heart attack.

What can you do yourself for neck pain?

Limit your movements: do not try to stretch or warm your neck - this can increase muscle spasm, so that the pain will only increase.
When shooting: If neck pain occurs as a result of sudden movement, then wrap your neck with a warm scarf.
Apply ointments or gels based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: diclofenac, xefocam - you need to gently rub the medicine into the affected area of the neck.
If the pain causes severe discomfort: take painkillers orally - you can use analgin or nimesil, but avoid potent drugs.
Eliminate the cause of the pain: do not make sudden movements of your head, do not sit in a draft or under air conditioning, change the pillow you sleep on.

Treatment for neck pain

How to treat neck pain? First of all, you need to increase the number of movements. The patient is released from physical activity only until the period of exacerbation and severe pain passes. But once the pain is eliminated, the neck requires movement in different planes. Thanks to this, muscle spasm is eliminated, and, consequently, neck pain disappears completely.

If the pain in the neck is very severe, then on the first day it is useful to massage with ice for 5-10 minutes. This is a great way to relieve muscle spasm and inflammation. Also, at the stage of exacerbation of the disease, on the recommendation of a doctor, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used.

The main way to treat neck pain is to increase physical activity. Corsets or neck collars should only be used when absolutely necessary. If you experience severe pain in the neck, you should avoid active exercises, but gradually increasing the intensity of the range of motion allows you to relieve muscle spasms and get rid of pain.

To treat mild or moderate neck pain, massage can be used for 10-15 minutes - the massage is performed in the area of greatest pain.

For acute pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are indicated. Muscle relaxants can be used to improve muscle performance.

Surgery may be required only if signs of myelopathy or paresis of the upper limbs are detected.

At the first signs of neck pain, you should consult a specialist as soon as possible - advanced neck pain can lead to a worsening of the condition and the spread of pain to the upper extremities.

Most neck pain can be treated conservatively. However, before starting it, it is very important to determine the cause of their occurrence. After all, it is important not only to relieve an unpleasant symptom, but also to treat the underlying disease that causes pain. When choosing treatment methods, it is very important to take into account possible complications for the patient and select the optimal therapy individually. The treatment of neck pain is approached in a comprehensive manner using medications and non-drug methods.

Non-drug therapy

It includes maintaining a rest regime, avoiding stress and hypothermia, proper organization of physical activity, etc.

watch your posture;
sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow;
keep your back straight while sitting;
lose weight;
take breaks from work to perform therapeutic exercises;
go swimming.

Drug therapy

The main drugs used to relieve pain are NSAIDs. Their advantage is that in addition to exhibiting an analgesic effect, they also have an anti-inflammatory effect. In the acute phase of the disease, these drugs are prescribed in injection form, then they switch to taking tablets or capsules. Rectal forms are also increasingly being used.

Preparations:

Diclofenac (Diclak, Dicloberl, Voltaren, Diclobene, Feloran, Diclonat P, Ortofen, Diclovit);
Nimesulide (Nise, Aulin, Nimesil, Sulaydin);
Naproxen (Apranax, Nalgesin, Sanaprox, Naprobene, Aleve);
Ibuprofen (Nurofen, Pedea, Brufen, Advil, Cefekon, Ibufen);
Meloxicam (Movalis, Mataren, Oxycamox, Melox, Meoflam);
Aceclofenac (Aertal, Asinak);
Dexketoprofen (Dexalgin, Flamadex);
Piroxicam (Revmador, Sanikam).

Hormonal drugs

In some cases, the use of NSAIDs is not enough to relieve neck pain. Then glucocorticosteroids, such as Cortisol, are prescribed.

Muscle relaxants

This group of drugs is used in cases where neck pain is caused by muscle spasm. Muscle relaxants relax muscles, resulting in improved blood circulation in tissues and their nutrition. The most widely used are Sirdalut and Mydocalm.

Means to improve blood circulation

In cases where neck pain is accompanied by dizziness, hearing and vision impairment, taking medications to improve blood circulation is indicated. Cavinton, Trental, Pentoxifylline, Eufillin, etc. can be used.

Chondroprotectors

This group of drugs is prescribed in cases where neck pain is associated with degenerative processes of the spine. Chondroprotectors prevent the destruction of cartilage tissue and partially restore the affected vertebrae. Taking these medications gives especially good results for neck pain caused by osteochondrosis or intervertebral hernia. Mucosat, Alflutop, Rumalon, Noltrex are prescribed for injection. Tablet forms: Artron complex, Teraflex, Dona, Structum, Artra.

Vitamin preparations

Multicomponent vitamin preparations are indicated in the complex treatment of almost any disease that causes neck pain. The most commonly used are B vitamin complexes, which have a positive effect on the nervous system and smooth out neurological changes. Drugs: Neurobex, Milgama, Neurovit, etc.

Paravertebral blockade

If neck pain is very severe, then paravertebral blockades are sometimes performed. To do this, the drug is administered directly into the area of the pathological process. The manipulation can only be carried out by a specialist, since any inaccurate movement is fraught with serious complications. The most commonly used analgesic is combined with a corticosteroid. The analgesic drug numbs the affected area, and the hormone relieves inflammation.

Depending on the underlying disease, other groups of medications may be prescribed.

Orthopedic methods

First of all, we are talking about the use of a cervical collar, the wearing of which is prescribed after injuries and operations on the neck. You need to wear the collar for 1 to 4 weeks. It is very important to choose the correct size, as otherwise the condition may worsen.

Collars can be hard, with complete fixation and immobilization of the neck, or soft, which only partially support the neck.

Physiotherapeutic methods

Ultrasound therapy provides good results for neck pain. In this case, muscle spasm is relieved, blood circulation is improved, and pain is relieved. Low-level laser exposure is also shown, which relieves neck pain and reduces tissue inflammation.

Therapeutic massage and gymnastics

During the period of remission, massages and physical therapy are indicated. Exercises and methods of implementation are selected individually in each individual case.

Operative methods

Neck surgery is performed only in cases where conservative therapy does not have the desired effect.

Preventing neck pain

Needless to say, neck pain is an extremely unpleasant phenomenon. To avoid having to see a doctor for this problem, think about preventive measures. Experienced doctors give valuable advice: you can avoid unpleasant neck pain only if you eliminate the factors that cause pain. These factors are well known:

Even if you have ideally organized your workplace, you cannot sit in front of a computer monitor for several hours without straightening your back and neck;
During the day it is useful to relieve tension with simple neck exercises;
get rid of the bad habit of smoking, which also causes neck pain;
the cause of many diseases, including neck problems, is excess weight;
Doctors advise everyone to lead a healthy lifestyle, including sufficient physical activity.

These simple rules will reliably protect you from pain in the cervical spine.

Questions and answers on the topic "Neck pain"

Question:Hello! About 6 days ago, the back of my head suddenly began to hurt, and then the back of my neck. The next day I went to the pool, there was a bathhouse and water treatments. And now my neck hurts, the pain radiates to the back of my head, my head is tilted forward, I can’t tilt it back, it’s very painful, and it also hurts to chew and swallow. I took ibuprofen and paracetamol, but it didn’t help. And the feeling is as if the whole neck is inflamed. Could you suggest what it could be? Thank you!

Answer: Possibly a pinched nerve in the neck: you need an in-person consultation with a neurologist for examination.

Question:Good afternoon I am 38 years old, for 5-6 years I have been overcome by almost constant pain in the neck, rather of a muscular origin, pain in the places where the muscles are attached to the base of the skull on both sides, at the moment of the greatest intensity of pain a headache also occurs, turning the head in different directions is significantly limited and painful, even those around you notice this; with rotational movements of the head, a crunching sound is heard in the spine. Previously, doctors diagnosed myositis or osteochondrosis. She was treated with diclofenac and mydocalm, but the effect was temporary, after a couple of weeks everything resumed. Please advise which specialist (neurologist, surgeon, osteopath) to contact, what examination methods to undergo, and how to receive effective treatment.

Answer: Hello. You need a consultation with a neurologist and a rehabilitation course optimally carried out in a hospital or sanatorium.

Question:Hello! Please tell me, I’ve had a pain in my neck for a week now, my right shoulder blade, and my right arm is numb, I can’t lift it or do anything. Tell me why this could be and which doctor to contact. Thank you in advance.

Answer: The symptoms you mentioned can occur with various diseases: osteochondrosis, gallbladder diseases, and also after severe physical activity on the right arm. If the pain is severe and does not go away for a long time, consult a therapist, traumatologist or neurologist.

Question:Hello. I am 32 years old. 2.5 months ago I was diagnosed with cervical osteochondrosis. She underwent treatment: injections, electrophoresis, massage. The treatment ended a month ago and it became easier. 4 days ago we were playing with a child (my daughter is one and a half years old), she leaned on me, resting her hands on my chest. The next day, my chest began to hurt, in the area of my heart. After a day it seemed to hurt less. Yesterday there was pain in the upper chest and pain in the front of the neck. Tell me what it is: exacerbation of chondrosis, heart or thyroid gland.

Answer: Most likely your symptoms are associated with osteochondrosis.

Question:Hello. I am 34 years old. Recently I started to feel a pain on the right side of my throat, there is no fever, it doesn’t hurt to swallow, breathing is normal and not difficult, I haven’t found any swelling on the neck or throat, it lasts about 10 days, it hurts sometimes and also seems to hurt in the right side of the neck. What could it be? Help me please.

Answer: Perhaps we are talking about an inflammatory process (sore throat, pharyngitis, etc.). You should see an ENT doctor.

Question:I am 19 years old. At the medical examination, I took a general blood test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate - 33, lymphocytes - 35, monocytes 9. Temperature 37.5-38.2. The pressure rises to 150/100. I am worried about heaviness in the head and pain in the neck. With what it can be connected?

Answer: The symptoms you describe may indicate some infectious diseases (including influenza, hepatitis, etc.). You should consult a doctor.

Question:Hello! Can you advise me! About 4 days ago I noticed that the lymph node on the left side of my neck was enlarged. At the same time, there is a temperature of 37-37.2. Weakness, minor headache, dizziness. It hurts to press on the left side of the neck. Tell me what disease this may indicate and which doctor to contact. I am 17 years old.

Answer: Hello. Enlarged lymph nodes can be caused by inflammatory diseases of the throat, oral cavity (teeth) and some other reasons. To clarify the diagnosis, we recommend that you visit a general practitioner, who, if necessary, will refer you to a consultation with a more specialized specialist.