Muscle cramps in the neck - a frequent complaint in the doctor’s office, this ailment is widespread due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the neck. High motor activity of this zone, an abundance of nerves, blood vessels and muscles - all this periodically provokes the occurrence of spasms and pain, a rare person manages to avoid them.
What is a neck muscle spasm?
The term "spasm" involves the process of squeezing nerves, blood vessels and muscles. The nerve bundles take the first blow, then the vascular tone decreases, as a result - blood stasis. Violation of blood circulation leads to even greater compression of blood vessels, impaired transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles of the neck. There is severe pain, often radiating to the shoulder.
Causes of muscle spasms in the neck
Provoking factors for the occurrence of spasms are:
- Hypothermia of the neck. Most often, the symptoms of spasms of the neck muscles appear in early spring, when during the first warming people tend to take off winter clothes. It is important to remember that this period is very misleading. A couple of exits to the street with an open neck will provide a high probability of spasms.
- Long stay in one position, sudden movements. In people leading a sedentary lifestyle, the cervical vertebrae take an extra load. Blood stasis in this area inevitably leads to vascular constriction and cramping and neck pain. Sudden movements also lead to poor circulation and muscle spasms.
- Sodium deficiency in the body. Sodium is needed to keep muscle tissue relaxed. With its lack, the muscles begin to contract involuntarily.
- Long-term physical activity, including static.
- Existing diseases: cervical sciatica, cervical osteochondrosis, myositis, spinal injuries, neoplasms, hypertension, impaired thyroid function, cardiovascular system, intervertebral hernia.
If spasms of the neck muscles are regular, you should consult a doctor to avoid negative consequences for the body.
Symptoms of muscle spasms in the neck
Symptoms of spasms of the neck muscles are pronounced: severe pain and restriction or inability to make head turns.
It is important to determine the exact location of the pain syndrome and its degree - this will help identify the causes of cramping.
For example, the appearance of discomfort in the neck, turning into pain in the back of the head, shoulders and temples, indicates the presence of osteochondrosis. The spasm of the muscles of the neck and shoulders gradually increases and leads to a severe restriction of motor activity.
A headache of a different nature with a feeling of pressure on the eyeballs, severe weakness and dizziness indicate problems with the vessels of the neck.
If spasms of the neck muscles often occur, treatment should be started immediately. Stagnation of blood in the vessels leads to a disruption in the normal functioning of the brain.
Tinnitus, impaired vision and memory, insomnia are only a small part of the consequences. Lack of attention to the problem can cause a stroke. In the best case, a person will remain disabled, in the worst - a fatal outcome.
Diagnosis of the patient
Treatment begins after the exact identification of the causes of the symptoms of spasms of the neck muscles.
Diagnostic measures include:
- Examination by a neurologist to detect the exact localization of pain and muscle tension.
- X-ray examination to exclude the presence of spinal injuries, neoplasms, inflammation of the skeletal system, etc.
- If it is difficult to establish a diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography may be required. They allow you to detect neoplasms in the soft tissues and intervertebral hernia.
If the detected disease is not infectious, then standard tests (blood, urine) are usually not taken.
The first stage of the treatment of muscle spasms in the neck
The primary actions are aimed at eliminating or reducing pain and relieving muscle tension.
For muscle relaxation, the drug "Baclofen" is most often prescribed. Instructions for use (price is listed below) positions it as an effective drug for this disease. Reception "Baclofen" involves increasing the dosage every 3 days until the therapeutic effect is achieved, its price varies depending on the dosage - from 200 to 500 rubles.
In order to anesthetize the affected area, drugs are assigned that belong to the pharmacological group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Basically, this is "Ibuprofen" or drugs based on it. Ibuprofen instructions for use (price 50-150 rubles) recommends taking as directed by a doctor. Pills are taken 3 times a day for no more than 5 days. It is also available in the form of an ointment, with a spasm of the neck muscles, it reduces pain in a short time.
"Baclofen" instructions for use (the price of the drug is indicated above) also does not recommend appointing yourself. Any medicine should be prescribed by a specialist. No matter how well established itself, for example, Ibuprofen, the instructions for use (the price is quite low for the medicine) can not replace a full consultation and doctor's recommendations. If there are contraindications, the above drugs are replaced with others with a similar effect. Self-medication is unacceptable!
Additional measures for the treatment of spasms
If at this stage pain in the neck persists when the head is turned , the treatment is supplemented by physiotherapy, while the patient is recommended to wear a special orthopedic collar. It reduces the load from the cervical vertebrae, and due to the forced restriction in movement, the pain recedes.
If the diagnosis revealed more serious causes of spasms of the muscles of the neck, for example, torticollis or visible degenerative changes in the cervical vertebrae, then surgery is performed.
In order for the treatment to give a quick and effective result, it is recommended, along with taking medications, to engage in physiotherapy exercises and undergo a course of manual therapy.
Treatment of spasms folk remedies
Currently, treatment with folk remedies is very popular among all segments of the population, they quickly relieve the symptoms of spasm of the neck muscles.
Despite the fact that the components used are of natural origin, they also have their contraindications. You can resort to traditional methods for first aid, not forgetting the need to visit a doctor, only he must decide how to relieve spasm of the neck, it is important to discuss with him the use of alternative methods so that they do not cause even more harm, but supplement the effect of medicines.
Folk remedies that help in the fight against the disease
Effective recipes to eliminate neck muscle spasms:
- Regular use of a decoction of herbs mixed in a 1: 1 ratio: valerian, rose hip, motherwort and yarrow. A decoction has a beneficial effect on the nervous system as a whole, relaxing it and improving the conductivity of impulses to muscle tissue.
- Infusion of plantain, St. John's wort and dandelion is used as a compress on the affected area - it helps to reduce pain.
- Neck massage, including self-massage. Rubbing the affected area activates blood circulation. The procedure is recommended before bedtime.
- The antispasmodic effect is possessed by lavender and jasmine essential oils. The process of aromatherapy takes about 30-40 minutes.
- Soak the cloth in vodka or other alcohol-containing liquid, leave the compress overnight, wrap a neck over it with a warm wool scarf. This method, used for decades, has not lost its relevance in our time.
- A compress of white cabbage leaves sprinkled with soda will relieve pain. It is also necessary to tie a warm scarf on top.
Alternative methods of treatment in combination with traditional ones give a positive result in the fight against muscle spasms in the neck, if they are agreed with the attending physician.
The Importance of Exercise
Exercises to relieve spasm of the neck muscles will provide powerful support for the cervical vertebrae and muscle tissue. Exercise for the muscles of the neck is shown to everyone in order to prevent the occurrence of spasms. It is mandatory for people leading a sedentary lifestyle - office workers, truckers, etc.
Contraindications to therapeutic exercises
Before you begin the exercises, it is important to make sure that:
- There is no severe pain syndrome. Classes with a feeling of unbearable pain will not benefit, and harm - easily.
- Charging is not carried out at the time of exacerbation of diseases (for example, cervical osteochondrosis or radiculitis), it will not have a positive effect, it is only possible to worsen the course of the disease.
- Before gymnastics, medications blocking pain were not used.
In the presence of serious pathologies of the cervical region, all actions should be coordinated with a specialist.
Effective Exercise
The set of exercises is not difficult, it can be performed by people with any level of physical fitness:
- Head tilts. It is necessary to tilt your head back and forth with maximum muscle strain. Make 8-10 repetitions.
- Head rotation. Rotational movements are performed alternately from one shoulder to another. During rotation, the chin should be pressed to the chest, or stretched to it. Repeat 8-10 times. Make the same movements, throwing your head back - in this case, the back of the head stretches toward the shoulder blades. Make 8-10 repetitions.
- Tilts the head left and right. Tilt your head alternately to the left and right shoulder. Repeat 15-20 times.
- Circular hand swings. Exercise is good for the shoulder joint. Machs must be performed with the greatest amplitude. Do 10 repetitions.
- Head tilts with counteraction force. The most effective exercise for strengthening neck muscles. It is necessary to tilt the head to the shoulders alternately, while counteracting the hand (with the right hand when tilting to the right shoulder, with the left hand - to the left shoulder). When leaning forward and backward, you can use both hands. Repeat 8-10 times.
- Lifting shoulders. Starting position - standing, arms down along the torso. Slowly raise and lower your shoulders at the same time, then take turns. Repeat 8-10 times.
- Raising the head from a lying position. Starting position - lying on the floor or any solid flat surface. Slowly tearing your head off the floor, fix your gaze on your toes for 5-8 seconds, then lower down just as slowly. Do 10 repetitions.
Attention! All exercises should be done only at a slow pace. There should not be sharp, jerky movements!
With regular gymnastics, the muscular frame of the cervical zone is strengthened and blood circulation improves, which contributes to the normal conductivity of nerve impulses to the muscles.
Lifestyle as prevention of neck muscle spasms
After it was possible to remove the spasm of the neck muscles, it is important to rethink the lifestyle and regularly take preventive measures:
- perform a set of exercises to strengthen the cervical spine, if possible, engage in any sport for the overall improvement of the body;
- Once every six months, contact a massage therapist for a preventive course;
- annually undergo a medical examination in order to timely identify pathological processes;
- avoid stress, often arrange a good rest;
- review the diet: refuse fatty, fried and smoked foods, carbonated drinks, limit the use of sweets; nutrition should be balanced, including fish, meat, vegetables, cereals (boiled, baked or steamed), and the consumption of at least 2 liters per day of clean water will cleanse the body, free it from harmful substances;
- to refuse from bad habits;
- with sedentary work every hour to warm up, as often as possible to change the position of the body.
Compliance with these recommendations will significantly reduce the incidence of symptoms of muscle spasms in the neck and will contribute to improving the condition of the whole organism.
This article is not a guide to action, in case of cramping, you do not need to postpone a visit to the doctor and self-medicate, all actions must be coordinated, and medication is taken only with his permission!