There are many reasons why the neck hurts, because this component of the human body, in turn, consists of many tissues and organs that not only organize the musculoskeletal system, but also other systems: respiratory, metabolic, sensory system and others. Neck pain can be caused by even a mild manifestation of any inflammation, for example, an inexplicable reaction of a lymph node.
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 neck pain. Whether it is worth enduring or urgently starting treatment depends on what it signals.
How does the neck hurt?
The neck is a connecting link, it is quite mobile and susceptible to various types of injuries for the same reason. If neck pain occurs, it may be an accident caused by a sudden and uncomfortable movement, or it may be a pattern to such an extent that a person is already used to the fact that this part of the spine hurts. Much depends on the type of pain in the neck itself, because it can be so different that it is difficult to list its characteristics:
- sharp unexpected pain (indicates cervicago - cervical lumbago, when the receptors of the nerve, which is sinuvertebral, are compressed; in addition, this may be an indicator of muscle spasm or neuralgia);
- aching pain in the neck (occurs with numbness of the muscles, overwork, problems with the cervical spine, for example, with ligaments);
- periodically the neck hurts for unexplained reasons;
- constant soreness in this area;
- radiating pain: in head, arm, sternum, collar, shoulders;
- pain in the neck that occurs only when moving the head or persists even when the neck and all its muscles are in an unused, relaxed position;
- pain accompanied by numbness (can be caused by a pinched nerve, disc herniation, disc prolapse);
- the neck sometimes hurts on the right or left side, or closer to the shoulder area, 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, in fact, treatment cannot be prescribed. However, the world practice of specialists in various fields of medicine presented a list of the most common reasons why the neck hurts, and not another part of the spine.
Formation of large salt deposits in the neck
Evidence of diseases such as osteochondrosis and arthrosis. These diseases cause not only pain, but also crunching, clicking when turning the head, which cannot be mistaken for anything. If treatment is not started on 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 spasm arising from uncomfortable or too sharp turning 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 removed through various manipulations performed by a massage therapist, osteopath and manual therapy specialist. But in general, if the spasm is not strong, the symptom can pass without consequences on its own.
Intervertebral hernia
They arise not in the neck, but in the shoulder region, but extend to the upper part. Due to its appearance, the functional abilities 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 tingle and at the same time 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 gland and other varieties of them can cause this symptom, not to mention tumors that appear in the neck itself. It can come and go, which should encourage one to do a full review.
Cervical myelopathy
It provokes stenosis of the spinal canal of the neck, which is why it hurts. But the pain can spread not only in this area. The symptoms have a wide range of manifestations, and the treatment of such a disease is quite complex and has consequences.
Polymyalgia rheumatica or fibromyalgia
Neck pain in this case can be a secondary symptom, but nevertheless quite noticeable and annoying.
Systemic diseases of the body
The symptom is the pain in various parts of the musculoskeletal system, among which the neck stands out in particular. These are rheumatoid arthritis, infection, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.
Muscular hypothermia
Hypothermia of the muscles that move the head. If the current has passed through the neck, then 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 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 visit a doctor at the moment, 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 neck pain. It is also possible that a specialist will not be able to prescribe treatment because the problem will not be in his profile. The opinions of at least three doctors will have to be heard.
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 by itself. 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 practically has no choice.
For various types of injuries, treatment can be reduced to wearing orthopedic products such as a neck brace for a while. To make a person feel better, it is often prescribed to sleep in a certain position of the body and to use a special pillow on which to lie, the neck occupies a position that is correct in relation to the body.
To break up salt deposits in the cervical area, treatment based on physical procedures, such as shock wave therapy or intensive massage of this area, may 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, support the body's regenerative powers aimed at fighting and diagnosis.
Massage therapist, chiropractor, osteopath are specialists who can help to deal with the above symptom 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 area so well that not only this symptom but also the headache will disappear.
In any case, with neck pain, so that it does not recur, you need to start treatment and take care of your health.