Cervicalgia is a dorsalgia syndrome in which there is a specific severity in the neck. Also, this pathology is characterized by tension and painful discomfort in the muscles of the neck. Cervicalgia is a condition that can lead to limited mobility of the entire cervical region, dizziness, visual impairment, and autonomic dysfunction.
Symptoms
Painful sensations in the neck can be tingling, throbbing, shooting in nature. The pain from the slightest movements (cough, physical exertion) intensifies.
This pathology manifests itself in such conditions as:
- numbness of the hands or neck;
- noise in ears;
- pain in the back of the head;
- inability to tilt and turn your head.
A feature of such a condition as cervicalgia is the irradiation of pain. Painful discomfort spreads through the nerve fibers and passes to the shoulder joint and upper limbs. On the branches of the vertebral nerves, pain can spread to the temporal, parietal and occipital areas.
From the side of the spine, changes in statics and dynamics can be observed.
Cervicalgia: causes
In most cases, pain becomes a consequence of such phenomena as:
- emotional or physical strain;
- pinched nerve ;
- uncomfortable body position for a long time;
- hernia of the intervertebral disc;
- injuries of the cervical spine;
- hypothermia;
- infections, tumors of spinal tissues.
If the pains in the shoulders, neck, neck area worry for a long time, then this is chronic cervicalgia. In this case, cervical spondylosis or osteochondrosis may develop.
Diagnosis and treatment of cervicalgia
In order to diagnose this condition, it is necessary to conduct a competent clinical analysis of pain manifestations. Particular attention should be paid to the conditions under which the pain appeared: after sleep, hypothermia, uncomfortable body position, wearing weights, etc.
Diagnosis is by radiography of the cervical spine, MRI, CT scan, panmyelography, electroneurography, EMG.
Cervicalgia is a pathology that requires primarily conservative treatment. To do this, use the following methods:
- anesthesia with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- anesthetics are used to relieve muscle tension;
- medical gymnastics;
- physiotherapy: compresses, mud baths, massage;
- use of a special orthopedic pillow.
Surgical intervention is necessary only in extreme cases: acute damage to the spinal cord, severe pain, muscle weakness.
Prevention
For the prevention of cervicalgia, it is necessary to ensure good mobility of the spine and feasible muscle load. This may be swimming, regular physical education, massage. It is also necessary to avoid overcooling the body (off-season clothing, indoor air conditioning, open windows in vehicles) and injuries. Working in a sitting position, take a comfortable posture and periodically take breaks. For sleep, choose a low and comfortable pillow.