Neck pain: why and what to do?

According to recent statistics, one in three people experience neck pain at some point. Due to new "sedentary" occupations and the advent of computers, neck pain has become more common. Generally speaking, if the discomfort continues to bother you, it's probably pain in nature. Sometimes, when the cervical spine is injured, the following symptoms may occur: decreased vision, dizziness, limited movement, and loss of sensitivity. In some cases, especially due to working in uncomfortable positions, neck pain can spread to the arms and heart area. Patients with neck discomfort complain of nausea, rattling when turning their head, and ringing in the ears. Sometimes the discomfort is accompanied by numbness in the back of the head. Neck pain is a very common symptom these days because many people are inactive, overweight, and constantly under stress. Neck pain can also be caused by other causes, including serious medical conditions that require emergency treatment. Examples include meningitis, vascular infections and cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis caused by inflammation of the intestines and other internal organs.

Cervical radiculitis ("pinched nerve")

In the cervical spine, radiculitis most commonly occurs when spinal nerve roots become compressed.
This is usually caused by spondylosis or hernia and herniated disc, when the annulus fibrosus ruptures and its nucleus pulposus enters the spinal canal. The consequences of lack of treatment can lead to irreversible complications, including paralysis. Sometimes sciatica occurs in the neck due to the herpes virus and Lyme disease.The pain occurs in the neck and often radiates to the arms, causing numbness and weakness in the arms. The diagnosis is usually made after an examination by a neurologist. However, in some cases, an electromyogram or computed tomography scan may be needed to evaluate the injury.

ankylosing spondylitis

A systemic inflammatory disease that affects nearly all joints in the body, resulting in severe limitation of mobility due to the fusion of individual vertebrae into solid, immovable aggregates.

Diffuse skeletal hyperostosis (Forestier disease)

People over the age of 50 mostly suffer from Forestier's disease. It has been established that the accumulation of calcium salts in the spinal ligaments and musculoskeletal system is the most likely cause of the development of this disorder.Forestier's disease may not manifest itself in any way, but in some cases, patients experience pain and reduced neck mobility. To confirm the diagnosis, doctors at the highest level clinics need to perform X-rays and, in some cases, diagnostic procedures: computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). There is no specific treatment for this disease.

degenerative diseases

discogenic syndrome- Perhaps the most common cause of neck pain. The syndrome occurs due to uneven loading between the endplates and facet joints leading to degenerative changes in the structures between the spinal discs. With this condition, the pain may spread to the arms or shoulders, and sometimes even to the hands and fingers. Neck pain when turning or tilting the head. The condition of your neck can also worsen if your head remains in one position for a long time. Due to degenerative changes in the neck,SpondylosisIn the cervical spine. Removal of the discs causes the space between the vertebrae to progressively shrink, deforming the bones and forming osteophytes as they grow; this deformation has a dramatic impact on the functioning of the entire body. As we age, these changes in most cases do not cause any unpleasant feelings. However, they can sometimes compress spinal nerves, causing numbness and pain in the neck and, in some cases, arm or shoulder pain. Numbness, impaired sensitivity and mobility, and loss of consciousness are commonly observed, indicating the development of a neurological disorder.cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Due to degenerative changes in the cervical spine, the spinal cord becomes damaged and begins to dysfunction, causing the central spinal canal to narrow. The result is severe and persistent pain in the neck, difficulty moving, impaired coordination of movements, uncontrolled urination and defecation, and possible general weakness and sexual problems. The disease most commonly develops after age 55 and often requires surgical intervention.

cervical spine injury

The consequences of an injury can be neck and shoulder pain, migraines, neck muscle spasms, and impaired mobility. In car accidents, people often suffer neck injuries from sudden forward and backward movements of their heads. As a result, the intervertebral discs, soft tissues, nerve fibers, posterior longitudinal ligament, facet joints (facet joint syndrome), etc. will be damaged. After the injury, muscle spasm will occur, making it difficult to move the neck. Pain symptoms disappear on their own over time, but sometimes they develop into chronic pain.

Muscle pain

Muscle spasms in the upper back and neck occur due to overexertion of the body, poor posture, emotional stress during work, or spinal injury. Muscle spasms can also occur, especially caused by improper pillows. Typically, discomfort results in limited movement, but the pain disappears within six weeks. To speed up the process, doctors recommend, if possible, eliminating the cause of the muscle strain and performing special exercises.

myofascial pain syndrome

With myofascial syndrome, it is important to identify the most sensitive pain points that may occur after overexertion, hypothermia, emotional trauma, or stress. These pressure points can cause muscle tension and pain, which often become chronic.

cervical osteochondrosis

Among the diseases causing neck pain, osteochondrosis was a diagnosis made in the territory of the former Soviet Union, and indeed all the diseases listed above (degenerative dystrophic lesions of the spine) are often attributed to it.Almost everyone over the age of 40 will experience degenerative changes in the spine. This is not a reason to say that a person is completely sick and actively begin treatment. If your neck bothers you, then this is just a symptom that indicates the need for a true diagnosis, followed by medical treatment.Diagnosing the cause of neck pain is always complicated. This includes:

• General and biochemical laboratory blood tests;
• Determine the level of thyroid hormone in the blood;
• Ultrasound Doppler examination of neck blood vessels, thyroid gland, and salivary glands;
• Cervical spine X-ray;
• neuroelectromyography;
• CT;
• MRI.

Cervical osteochondrosis impairs cerebral circulation. This can lead to throbbing headaches in the head, vegetative vascular dystonia and hypertension, cardiovascular and respiratory, hearing, vision and coordination problems.

If you have neck pain, when should you see your doctor?

If the neck is causing discomfort, then first you need to contact a therapist who will refer you for further examination. The following people will help determine the cause, treat and restore function of neck pain and malnutrition conditions: Surgeon, Neurologist, Vertebrate Veterinarian, Rheumatologist, Cardiologist, Traumatologist, Orthopedic Surgeon, Endocrinologistdoctor and some other doctors.Main reasons to consult a rheumatologist and neurologist:

• severe headache;
• neck injuries;
• Loss of control over urinating or defecating;
• Numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms and legs;
• My neck has been hurting for a week and it’s not getting any better;
• Painkillers lack benefit.

Consult your doctor immediately if:

• Meningitis, if your head hurts from a sharp increase in temperature, and your neck is stiff, it hurts to turn it, and your jaw can't reach your chest.
• Chest discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and arm or jaw pain could indicate a heart attack.

Neck pain treatment

1. Medications to relieve pain and tension. There is usually no specific treatment for this discomfort. In simple cases, doctors may recommend NSAIDs, chondroprotectants (drugs that promote the recovery of cartilage tissue) to relieve pain. If the spasms are severe, your doctor may prescribe a muscle-relaxing medication, such as a muscle relaxant, to be taken at night. For chronic pain, doctors prescribe tricyclic antidepressants because Botox blockers are not effective. With conservative treatment, most muscle strains will resolve within 2 to 3 weeks.
2. ice and heat. If you experience discomfort in your cervical spine after an injury, ice is recommended for the first three days to relieve pain. If it's a muscle problem, use a warm compress, including a shower or bath, or place a damp washcloth around your neck.
3. physiotherapy:Phonophoresis, carboxytherapy, ozone therapy, compression therapy, radiofrequency current, ultrasound therapy.
4. Stretching exercises. Stretch therapy is effective, especially for chronic pain. Qigong gymnastics can be useful, but should be done carefully and in consultation with an expert. First you need to warm up your neck. However, it's best to do exercise in the morning or before bed. You should definitely talk to your doctor about more common physical activities, including yoga, running, and soccer.
5. relaxation techniques. Due to emotional stress, the pain in the neck begins to increase, so treatment cannot be delayed. Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, self-hypnosis, meditation, and psychotherapy can help reduce muscle tension.
6. change habits. The posture in which a person spends a large amount of time during the workday needs to be corrected to avoid recurring neck pain. To do this, it's important to monitor your posture yourself, and it's recommended to minimize tension by changing your posture, stretching your neck every hour, and placing your computer at eye level. You need to sit upright with your shoulders back. Your head and body should be at the same level while sleeping, and your neck needs support. Sleeping on your back is the most ideal sleeping position; sleeping on your stomach is the worst sleeping position for your neck.
7. massageTo relieve muscle spasms and ensure normal blood supply, it is useful to use a vibrating massager during compression. However, it should be taken into consideration that massage may be ineffective in treating chronic pain and is rarely performed.
8. manual therapy. In some cases, procedures may worsen the condition entirely because they have not been proven to be effective. Manual "soft" therapy is recommended only in combination with physical exercise, however, manual therapy helps eliminate the signs of radiculopathy and improves the function of internal organs, especially the brain. If the central spinal canal is narrowed due to myelopathy, it is best not to contact a chiropractor.
9. Biofeedback (BFB). With this method, a person is given the task of "relieving tension in the neck muscles" and their performance is monitored using sensors. On the screen, the patient himself sees a blurry image, which becomes clearer when his muscles relax. This is how a person learns to control neck muscle tension.
10. corsetAlthough cervical spine fixation can relieve pain, it is recommended to wear it for 1 to 3 hours a day, not more than 1 to 2 weeks, so that the neck muscles will not weaken.
11. There are methods andOsteopathy. For example, according to some data, traction on neck muscles is ineffective, but acupuncture can help treat chronic neck pain. Electromagnetic and low-frequency therapies are also effective, as well as electrical muscle stimulation and laser therapy. However, it is not recommended to neglect exercise while using all these methods. It is also important to eat right so that your body gets all the substances and vitamins it needs. This not only slows down the progression of the pathology but also helps speed up the regeneration process.
12. Surgery for Neck Pain. If you have neck pain, surgery is not necessary in most cases. Initially, only conservative treatment was used. If the cause of the pain is central spinal stenosis or "pinched nerves" - pressure on the roots of the spinal cord - and conservative treatments are not helping, surgery may be recommended.