There are many causes of neck pain, because this part 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 system, sensory system, etc. Neck pain can be caused by any mild manifestation of inflammation, such as an unexplained lymph node reaction.
The rhythm of modern life further contributes to the appearance of such unpleasant symptoms. The limited mobility, the ecological situation of the area, malnutrition, hidden systemic diseases - all these can cause neck pain. Whether it's worth putting up with it or starting treatment urgently depends on the signals it sends.
Why does the neck hurt?
The neck is a link, very mobile, and similarly vulnerable to various injuries. If neck pain is present, it may be an accident caused by harsh and clumsy movements, or it may be a pattern to the fact that people are used to the fact that this part of the spine is painful. Much depends on the type of neck pain itself, as it can be so varied that it is difficult to list its characteristics:
- Severe, unexpected pain (indicating cervical pain - cervical low back pain, when the receptors of the nerves (i. e. the discs) are compressed; in addition, this may be an indicator of muscle spasms or neuralgia);
- neck pain (muscle numbness, overexertion, problems with the cervical spine, such as ligaments);
- Periodic pain in the neck for unexplained reasons;
- persistent soreness in the area;
- Radiating pain: head, arms, sternum, collar, shoulders;
- neck pain, which occurs only when the head is moved, or even when the neck and all its muscles are in a calm position that is not being used;
- Pain with numbness (may be caused by pinched nerves, herniated disc, herniated disc);
- The neck is sometimes painful on the right side, left side, near the shoulder, or near the head.
causes of neck pain
Neck pain can be caused by a variety of mechanical and non-mechanical factors. In some cases, they cannot be explained at all, therefore, this leads to the fact that treatment cannot actually be prescribed. Still, world practice by experts in different medical fields has listed the most common causes of neck pain, but not other parts of the spine.
Formation of massive salt deposits in the neck
Evidence of diseases such as osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis. These disorders not only cause pain, but also a creaking, clicking sound when turning the head, which is not to be confused with anything. If treatment is not started on time, the fourth stage of the disease begins, which is replete with the formation of bone growths and therefore the loss of mobility in the neck.
muscle spasms
Muscle spasms caused by awkward or excessively sharp turns of the head to the right or left. This usually happens during injuries such as car accidents. When this spasm is eliminated through various manipulations by massage therapists, osteopaths, and manual therapy specialists, neck pain disappears. However, in principle, if the spasms are not intense, the symptoms can go away on their own without any consequences.
intervertebral hernia
Instead of appearing on the neck, they appear on the shoulder area, but extend to the upper area. Due to its appearance, it may impair the functional ability of the nerve, so patients often complain of numbness in the damaged area and in adjacent departments.
Work
A person is forced to perform monotonous tasks in one position, such as sewing or sitting in front of a computer, resulting in neck pain. Often with this condition, the neck begins to become numb, accompanied by dull pain.
tumor
Tumors are located in the neck and other organs, tissues, departments. For example, lung, breast or prostate cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid cancer, and other types of cancer can all 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 full inspection.
cervical spondylosis
It can cause spinal stenosis in the neck, which is what causes the pain. But the pain doesn't just spread in this area. Symptoms have a wide range of manifestations, and the treatment of this disease is quite complex and has consequences.
polymyalgia rheumatica or fibromyalgia
In this case, neck pain may be a secondary symptom, but it is very noticeable and annoying.
systemic disease
One symptom is pain in different parts of the musculoskeletal system, especially the neck. These are rheumatoid arthritis, infection, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.
muscle hypothermia
Hypothermia in the muscles that move the head. If the airflow passes through the neck, it can be so painful that it is difficult to do any movement with it, and almost unbearable in other situations.
What to do if your neck hurts
The neck plays an important role in the body and damage to it can lead to immediate death, so if it is injured, doing nothing and waiting for the pain to go away on its own is the worst option. You should definitely consult one of these specialists: rheumatologist, osteopath, oncologist, therapist, surgeon, traumatologist, orthopedic surgeon, neurologist.
If you can't see a doctor right now, call your massage therapist and at least get his opinion on the matter. But that doesn't mean massage is mandatory, when it is done, it removes neck pain. A specialist may also be unable to prescribe treatment because the problem is not his profile. It is necessary to listen to at least three doctors.
In each case, treatment will be different. Sometimes daily exercise is enough—the neck symptoms will go away on their own. For complex diagnoses, such as a tumor or stenosis, or a herniated disc, the pain doesn't go away until surgery is done. In this case, the question of whether to have surgery isn't even worth it: the person really has no choice.
For a variety of injuries, treatment can be simplified to orthopaedic products worn for a period of time, such as a corset for the neck. In order to make a person feel better, it is usually prescribed to sleep in a specific position on the body and use a special pillow, on which to lie down, the neck assumes the correct position relative to the body.
To break up salt deposits in the neck area, physical procedure-based treatments such as shock wave therapy or intensive massage of the area may be prescribed.
Medication is appropriate when it comes to systemic or infectious diseases that cause neck pain. Medications will help cure or slow the progression of the disease, support the body's regenerative powers, and aim to combat and diagnose.
Chiropractors, chiropractors, and osteopaths are experts who can help with the above symptoms, if they are professionals in their fields. Therefore, patients turn to them most often when neck pain is present. Sometimes a seemingly simple massage can do a great job of increasing blood circulation in the neck area and not only this symptom but also the headache will go away.
Anyway, neck pain, in order to avoid recurrence, you need to start treatment and take care of your health.