Pain in the neck muscles can be associated with various deviations.The fundamental cause can be both diseases of the musculoskeletal system and violations in the work of internal organs.
The relief of the pain syndrome does not solve the problem: diagnosed pathologies must be adjusted in accordance with the adequate course of treatment.
Possible causes of neck pain
A large number of reasons are known that explains the appearance of pain in the neck.The source can be diseases of the musculoskeletal system, impaired blood circulation in the neck, vascular disease.
One of the most common causes of pain is the pathology of the spine.The neck can also hurt due to pathologies of internal organs, infectious and viral processes.
Osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the neck hurts due to thinning and deformation of the vertebral discs.These disorders lead to the formation of microcracks on the vertebrae, which provokes the growth of osteophytes and the appearance of a hernia.Pathological formations have a traumatic effect on the surrounding tissues and nerve endings, causing an inflammatory process.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the pain syndrome is localized in the back of the neck.When turning the neck, severe discomfort and crunch are added to pain.
The pain intensifies with turns of the head or sudden movements, cough or sneezing.As osteochondrosis develops, the pain spreads on and reaches the areas of the shoulder and forearm.
Particularly severe pain becomes in the morning.There is also a stiffness of movements, the patient is literally not able to turn his head to the side.
Gradually, the pain becomes less pronounced, transformed from acute to stupid.
Sharp bouts of pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are compared with a shock - they are such shooting and piercing.
Also, with the indicated disease, the following symptoms are observed:
- weakness of hands;
- headaches;
- fainting;
- dizziness;
- noise and ringing in the ears;
- a sense of disorientation;
- insomnia;
- Emotional instability.
Myosite's neck
Cervical myositis is inflammation of the muscles of the neck.The main symptom of this deviation is intensive pain that may decrease or increase.The patient cannot turn his head, tilt it forward or throw it back.
Most often, the pain in myosite extends only to one side of the neck, but sometimes both can affect both at once.The pain is characterized by irradiation to the upper body.
Also, with the inflammatory process of the neck muscles, severity in the neck is felt, swelling forms in the vertebrae.There may occur pain in the head area, which gives to the back of the head or temple.There are also difficulties in chewing and swallowing food.
As the pathological process develops, the temperature rises, a cough occurs, attacks of suffocation.
Hernia of the cervical spinal column
This pathology is the result of the progression of osteochondrosis.It is very dangerous: in the cervical region there is a large number of nerve endings of the spinal cord.In addition, there are centers that are responsible for the flow of oxygen in the lungs.That is why with hernias there are attacks of headache, dizziness, suffocation.
With a strong protrusion of a hernia, a person can suffocate.
If the hernia struck the discs in the space between the first and fourth vertebrae, then the pains are short -term, are sudden.With damage to the discs after the fourth vertebra, the pain is localized in the shoulder area, after the sixth - from the shoulder joint to the fingers of the upper extremities.
In addition to pain in the patient’s neck, the patient is observed:
- a feeling of weakness in the hands, their numbness;
- decrease in the mobility of the head;
- migraines;
- dizziness;
- Violation of visual acuity.
With the progression of the disease, coordination of movements is disturbed, a person becomes less stable.
Spondylarthrosis
With spondylo arthrosis of the cervical spine, inflammation of the facet joints is observed, due to which their structure is disturbed.In this case, the joints experience increased load and are damaged, which leads to the formation of osteophytes - bone growths that exert pressure on the vessels and nerve roots.
With spondylo arthrosis of the neck, short -term pains occur in this area, which are given to their hands, nape and shoulder blades.Sensitivity in the neck also decreases, its mobility after sleep is limited.In addition, patients note the dizziness and flickering of flies in front of their eyes.
The nature of the pain depends on the stage of spondylo arthrosis:
- On the first, it is practically absent: only with prolonged loads does a feeling of discomfort occur.
- In the second stage, acute pain is observed in the morning.
- On the third person feels burning ongoing pain.
- At the fourth stage, the mobility of the affected joints is violated, and over time, provided there are no adequate treatment, they are completely immobilized.
As the pathological process develops, additional symptoms appear: noise in the ears, numbness of the cervical and shoulder zones, changes in the level of blood pressure, and violation of coordination of movements.
Bekhterev's disease (ankylosing spondylitis)
Bekhterev disease is a chronic inflammatory process of the spine, which applies to joints and ligaments.With this disease, the inflammatory process initially affects the place of connection of the sacrum and iliac bones, then slowly spreads to the upper parts, exposing the entire spinal column to degenerative changes.
Sometimes the process of developing the pathological process begins with the neck, namely with cervical radiculitis.In this case, the patient feels a sharp dropout from the neck in the hand.
With ankylosing spondylitis, the stiffness of the spinal column, limiting the mobility of the chest, and loss of flexibility with the spine are observed.The spinal column is curved in the thoracic and lumbar region.In this case, the "Pose of the Speaker" is observed.
The disease progresses slowly, so for a long time it remains unnoticed.
Cervical tuberculosis
Tuberculosis of the spinal column can affect any of its departments, while the cervical to the smallest degree is subject to this disease.However, such a pathology is still found (in 5% of cases).
Symptoms in this case are:
- Strong, constant pain in the muscles of the neck;
- the swelling of the affected area, constantly increasing in size;
- sore throat;
- cough;
- difficult swallowing.
The pain syndrome with tuberculosis of the cervical spine is very strong.The patient tries not to make movements of his head, as this causes him great suffering.In this case, absolutely all muscles hurt, including deep muscle layers.
Tumor neoplasms of the cervical department
Tumors in the cervical spine occur quite rarely, but metastases from tumors often penetrate this area, which are located in the kidneys, mammary glands.
With tumors in the neck, the patient experiences pronounced pains that become more intense as the pathological process progresses.
In addition, symptoms such as:
- weakness in the muscles;
- muscle cramps;
- numbness;
- headaches;
- dizziness;
- difficulties with swallowing;
- insomnia;
- Business states turning into fainting;
- Abundant compartment of cold sweat.
Tumors that are localized high in the neck affect the brain.This causes the appearance of symptoms of a neurological nature that were mentioned on the list.
Meningitis
The neck muscles often hurt in case of meningitis.This is an inflammatory process that affects the shells of the brain or spinal cord.In this case, a spasm of the muscle fibers of the occipital part of the head occurs.
With meningitis, a person feels dull pain in the neck, cannot lie on his back in the usual position.
Also, with meningitis, such characteristic features arise:
- constant headaches in which there is a sensation of bursting of the cranial box from the inside;
- convulsions of the upper and lower extremities;
- hallucinations;
- unmotivated aggression;
- increase in body temperature;
- nausea and vomiting;
- the impossibility of perception of a bright color;
- Violation of consciousness.
Thyroid diseases
Dysfunctions of the thyroid gland affect the general well -being of the patient and cause a set of characteristic symptoms.
This part of the endocrine system is located in the throat zone, so its inflammation or lesion of another nature causes pain in the neck.A similar symptom occurs with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, the development of a thyroid goiter.The occurrence of pain is due to an increase in the size of the gland, as well as hormonal disorders in the body.
With these diseases, the pain is of real regular character and is localized in the front of the neck.Pain can be given to the occipital area, an area of the ears.Tingling can also be observed periodically.
Additional symptoms:
- feeling of heat;
- increased sweating;
- heart heartbeat;
- drowsiness.
Neuralgia
The neuralgia of the cervical spine is an infringement of nerve roots associated with a violation of the structure of the intervertebral disc.
Cervical neuralgia is accompanied by such symptoms:
- The pain in the neck, which occurs unexpectedly, when turning the head, touching the site next to the occipital nerve.At the initial stage of the development of pathology, the pain is localized in the lower part of the neck, the back of the head, and subsequently extends to the eye area.The nature of the pain is acute painful sensations that resemble an electric shock.
- Increased photosensitivity.
- The soreness of the skin of the head.
- Unilateral headaches that are constant aching.
- Blood pressure.
- Heat, chills.
- Trembling hands.
The pain in the neck can be due to high emotional stress, increased physical exertion.
Which doctor to contact?
The appearance of regular pains in the neck, which have a pronounced character and radiate to individual zones of the body, is an occasion to see a doctor.
First of all, you should visit the therapist, who, after analyzing the main symptoms, will determine which specialist will require in a particular case.
The establishment of causes that caused pain in the neck, as well as the treatment of pathologies in which it occurs, is engaged in such specialized specialists:
- Neurologist.This specialist is engaged in diseases in which the cervical nerve or damage to the spinal cord occurred.The neurologist is engaged in cases in which the pain in the neck is accompanied by migraines, dizziness, and convulsions.
- Traumatologist.The doctor is engaged in cases in which the pain was caused by injuries.
- Vertebrologist.The specialist adjusts the patient's condition in case of impaired functions of the musculoskeletal system-intervertebral hernia, spondylitis.
- Orthopedist.To consult this doctor with pathologies such as thinning of cartilage, scoliosis, osteoporosis.
- Osteopath.This specialist is treating patients who suffer from degenerative changes in the joints and vertebrae.Osteopath treats osteochondrosis, is engaged in the correction of the patient's posture.
- Rheumatologist.The doctor is engaged in cases of damage to muscle and bone tissue - rheumatism, arthritis.
In addition to these experts, the help of a manual therapist, physiotherapist, masseur may be required.
Diagnostic methods
With pain in the neck muscles, such diagnostic measures are prescribed as:
- Anamnesis collection;
- visual inspection;
- check the sensitivity of the affected area, as well as its mobility;
- blood and urine tests;
- X -ray examination of the cervical spine;
- MRI;
- CT;
- Electromyography.
Based on the results of the diagnosis, the specialist determines the cause of the pain in the neck and prescribes adequate treatment.
What to do if the neck hurts: approaches to treatment
A specific disease is treated according to a certain scheme.It all depends on the root cause of the pain syndrome, but we can distinguish the main approaches to eliminating unpleasant sensations.
Drug therapy
Often, the pain in the neck becomes very intense.To suppress its severity, the patient is prescribed drugs.In this case, the following drugs are suitable:
- anti -inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets;
- Musorelaxants - painkillers that relieve spasm;
- Analgesics used for exacerbation of diseases.
In diseases that cause pain in the neck and triggering processes of cartilage and bone tissue, chondroprotectors - drugs that positively affect the processes of its restoration, and also have an anesthetic effect are required.
Also, patients with pain in the neck are shown drugs that normalize metabolic processes in affected tissues.
Physiotherapy
If the neck muscles hurt due to degenerative processes of the spine, such physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed:
- Diadinamotherapy- impact on the affected areas with double current waves;
- balneotherapy- measures related to water procedures;
- electrotherapy- exposure to electric current on the affected areas;
- Magnetotherapy- exposure to magnetic fields on sore sections of the cervical region;
- Laser therapy- Laser exposure.
Physiotherapeutic procedures are not carried out in the event of a general serious condition of the patient, during the period of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, with mental disorders, impaired skin integrity in the place of the alleged effect.
The listed auxiliary methods of treatment not only contribute to a decrease in the intensity of pain, but also strengthen immunity, restore full blood circulation in the affected areas, and reduce the severity of the disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Massage
In case of pain, localized in the neck, can also be included in the complex therapy of the massage procedure.They are performed by a specialist, since the wrong approach can cause additional harm to bone and muscle structures.
Massage of the neck, which relaxes its muscles, is performed in a sitting or lying position.The effect is exerted on the trapezoid muscles that support the cervical vertebrae.
Initially, the specialist makes light strokeing movements from top to bottom.After warming techniques, the area of special processes is rubbed.Next, rubbing the posterior surface of the neck, vibrational exposure.
The massage session takes from 3 to 10 minutes.
Surgical intervention
Operation with pain in the neck may be required if there are such pathologies:
- hernia of the intervertebral disc;
- compression of spinal roots, or radiculopathy;
- compression of the spinal cord, or myelopathy.
The operation on the cervical spine is aimed at removing the vertebrae sections that have a traumatic effect on the spinal cord.
Currently, classical operations that require a long rehabilitation period are replacing less invasive methods:
- endoscopy, in which the intervention is performed through a puncture;
- Microsurgical operations that allow you to remove hernias without damaging the surrounding tissues of the spinal cord.
Folk remedies
In case of pain in the neck, you can try to calm it yourself with the help of folk remedies.The most effective are:
- Compresses with horseradish.The horseradish sheet must be rinse with boiling water, let cool to a comfortable temperature, attach it to the neck.Wrap the scarf on top.You need to apply the compress before bedtime and leave it all night.If there is a strong burning sensation, you need to remove the compress and rinse the skin with warm water.
- Compress with laurel oil.10 drops of oil must be diluted in 1 liter of warm water.Dip the tissue in the liquid and attach it to the neck for 20-30 minutes.
- Lubrication of the affected area with honey.After applying it, you need to firmly press the processed place with your palms, and then tear it sharply.Repeat until the honey is completely absorbed.
General recommendations
In diseases that cause severe pain in the cervical spine, you should pay attention to the following recommendations:
- It is necessary to properly hold posture both when sitting and when walking.
- When pain in the cervical region appears during physical exertion, it is worth stopping their implementation, let the muscles relax.In the future, the degree of load should be reviewed by which the neck area is subjected to.
- It is necessary to regularly devote time to physical exertion, at least not too intense.For the health of the spine, swimming, yoga are useful.
- It is recommended to give preference to a backpack, not a bag: it gives an uniform load on the left and right parts of the body.
- It is useful to take a contrast shower.The alternation of temperatures positively affects the blood circulation, does not allow blood and lymph to stagnate.
The same recommendations can be used as a prevention.
The neck muscles can hurt due to various pathologies of the spinal column, somewhat less often painful syndrome is due to pathologies of internal organs.The treatment regimen depends on the reason diagnosed by a doctor after a comprehensive examination.