A lot of people have problems with their backs, but even more complain of continuous or periodic pain in the cervical spine. Its prerequisites are different, and their widespread use is associated with a characteristic feature of the structure of the neck itself.
This zone consists of seven rather thick vertebrae. Of all parts of the spine (lumbar, thoracic and cervical), the latter is less massive, but more mobile, it is responsible for unobstructed turns of the head. Continuous and significant load on the cervical spine and determines the frequency of occurrence of pain.
Pain in the cervical region is usually called the term "cervicalgia." He talks about the formation of various diseases, for this reason the first thing to do when a sudden pain in the neck is disturbing is to go to the doctor. The expert, comparing other signs, having carried out the necessary analyzes, will draw up a conclusion. It is necessary to determine the causes and what to do with pain in the neck and neck.
Causes
Before deciding what to do (the neck hurts and the head does not turn), the influencing factors should be determined. The main reasons include:
- Muscular tension, tension, which appear due to a long stay in one condition (working with a PC or driving a car), as well as during intense physical exertion.
- Diseases of the muscles of the cervical spine. Due to prolonged muscle tension, myofascial dysgenitalism can form, as a result of which the spasmodic zones are reorganized into seals, bumps, called trigger places. Fibromyalgia can also provoke pain in the neck - a protracted disease distinguished by soreness and high sensitivity of muscles, joints, and tendons.
- Spinal diseases. The most popular causes of malaise are osteochondrosis and osteoarthrosis, in these cases discs and cartilage wear out. The disease can be aggravated by a sharp shift, which, in turn, greatly increases pain.
- Congenital pathologies in the structure of the spine, instability of the vertebrae, hernia of the intervertebral discs also activate powerful pain in the cervical region.
- Immune disorders initiating modifications in bone matter: rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, polymyalgia rheumatism, arthritis associated with diseases of the intestinal tract.
- Stenosis of the spinal canal, as a result of which bone textures and cartilage can put pressure on the nerve roots.
- Infections of the vertebrae (chest disease, osteomyelitis) or of the organs of the cervical spine, acute thyroiditis (thyroid disease), lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymphoid systems), poliomyelitis (pediatric spinal paralysis), herpes zoster, meningitis (inflammatory disease of the cerebral cortex), etc.
- Diseases of the internal organs. Pain in the neck can reflect diseases of other organs, such as the brain, heart, digestive tract, lungs, blood vessels, and the localization of purulent inflammation.
- Injuries to the spine and neck.
- The neoplasm is malignant (and its metastases) or benign.
- Past spinal surgery.
When should I see a doctor?
You should not postpone a visit to a neurologist if you do not know when and what to do (neck hurts and it hurts to turn):
- pain in the cervical spine, which does not wane for more than a month;
- severe headaches;
- numbness, tingling, weakness in the arms and legs;
- neck injuries received earlier.
Diagnostics
Diagnostics contains the following steps:
- detailed receipt of complaints and anamnesis (the type and location of the pain, its saturation, the relationship with movement and physiological stress, the daily rate of pain, related symptoms and diseases, operations, injuries);
- physical examination: examination of the cervical spine, palpation (of the cervical vertebrae and muscles, lymph nodes, thyroid gland), analysis of the condition of the head and shoulders, inert and energetic movements, their volume, neurological examination to exclude radicular syndrome and myelopathy;
- laboratory tests: general blood count, ESR, rheumatic factor, HLA B27 antigen (in order to turn off ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome and other autoimmune diseases);
- instrumental examinations: radiography, CT, CT with myelography (before surgery for suspected herniated disc), bone scintigraphy, MRI.
After carrying out these procedures, we can already say when the neck and head hurt, what to do.
Roentgenography
X-ray imaging only visualizes bone structures, the softest tissues, but nerves, discs, muscles are completely invisible in x-rays. X-rays can help detect infectious-affected bone material of the vertebrae, fractures, and tumors. Radiography provides an indirect understanding of the degree of degenerative-dystrophic modifications in the vertebrae (reduction of the distance between the vertebrae, the presence of osteophytes and symptoms of arthritis of the facet joints). Before deciding what to do (neck hurts, it hurts to turn), you should go through this examination.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a more desirable way to diagnose spinal diseases, because it visualizes bone texture, soft tissue, ligaments, and discs. MRI makes it possible to recognize tumors, hernias of discs, transformations of soft tissue structures. MRI uses an electromagnetic field, which is different from X-ray or CT. MRI is absolutely not painful, and the process usually takes 30-40 minutes. Before the start of MRI, all iron objects should be removed from the body (including jewelry). In addition, if any metal is present in the body (implants, stents, endoprostheses), this method is contraindicated due to the powerful electromagnetic field. There are 2 types of tomographs: open view (low-floor) and tunnel view (high-floor).
CT
Computed tomography is a type of X-ray examination that provides a layered display of tissues. CT imaging of bone textures is much better than MRI, but soft tissue is worse. Often, CT is performed with contrast (myelography), this makes it possible to more accurately visualize the spinal structures (for example, to distinguish compression of the hernia of a disc herniation from compression due to stenosis).
EMG
Investigates the rate of propagation of an electrical impulse from the central nervous system through specific nerves. This provides an opportunity to study the level of damage to the nerve fiber and choose prognostically effective therapy. It also helps to decide what to do if lymph nodes hurt on the neck, as it determines their inflammation.
Scintigraphy
The feature of the study is based on a different level of absorption of the radioactive isotope in tissues with a diverse metabolic rate (significant accumulation in tissues with high metabolism). The technology is more used to verify the nature of the lesion in places of pathological tissues (tumors, infections).
How to treat neck pain?
What to do when the neck hurts? It is necessary to treat pain in the cervical region with drugs, using substances of various directions of impact. In addition, you should undergo a course of physiotherapy, reflexology, medical gymnastics and massage. Surgical intervention is used only in especially serious cases.
Pharmaceutical therapy
My neck hurts on the right side, what should I do? Local anesthetics, analgesics (NSAIDs and pills such as paracetamol and analgin), hormones (glucocorticoids), muscle relaxants (medicines to relieve muscle tension), antioxidants, and if necessary antidepressants and anticonvulsants will help to end the pain. Anesthetics are considered the basis of drug treatment, substances of other groups are prescribed as concomitant in order to multiply the effect of anesthesia, relieve inflammation and swelling. Medicines for pain in the neck are used not only orally, but also in injections, plasters, ointments.
Orthopedic methods
Suitable for those who do not know when and what to do, a sore neck, do not turn. Here it is necessary first of all to mention the collar of Shants, the wearing of which is prescribed after injuries or operations in the cervical spine. It can be of two types: a solid collar with absolute fixation and immobilization of the cervical spine and a soft collar that does not hold the neck fully and allows it to move correctly.
Reflexology
Various methods of exposure to electric current in the cervical region have a significant therapeutic result, especially in combination with the introduction of pain medication. It is possible to classify here electroacupuncture and percutaneous electroneurostimulation.
Acupuncture with special needles - the oldest Chinese method, which does not include almost no electrical pulses, is also suitable for the resumption of physical activity and muscle tone. Suitable for those who are looking for options, when and what to do (sore neck, do not turn).
Laser stimulation of a low degree (in another way - LLL treatment)
Light beams of ultraviolet, infrared and scarlet spectra delicately act on painful areas, relieving pain, removing inflammation. This is considered one of the most effective physiotherapeutic methods that help to remove pain in the cervical spine.
Ultrasound physiotherapy
Ultrasound is considered an excellent analgesic. It removes seizures, improves blood circulation, and has a positive effect on nerve cells. The introduction of pain medication through ultrasound (phonophoresis) can help transport the drug directly to the affected area and increase the effectiveness of the medication.
Healing massage, osteopathy, chiropractic
Manual therapy methods can help relieve neck tension. Perfect for those who think what to do if their neck is sore and it hurts. Osteopaths affect biologically active points, chiropractors relieve subluxations, displacements, traditional therapeutic massage includes manipulations to relax the neck muscles, stretch the ridge.
Healing Fitness
If the neck hurts, what to do at home? You can do exercise therapy. Muscles of the cervical region are difficult to train, for this reason, physiotherapists, when choosing a treatment, focus on the mobility of the thoracic compartment, shoulder area, and even a measured load distribution along the spine.
A constructive choice of methods for treating pain in the cervical spine and their diligent implementation, as a rule, can help get rid of the annoying syndrome. In an attempt to find a middle ground in the application of absolutely all possible methods of treatment in the USA, they created the concept of pain management - pain management. The secret of the method lies in the harmonious collective work of experts in various fields: therapists, rehabilitologists, neurologists, traumatologists, orthopedists, psychologists, who are guided by the general task of relieving the patient from pain. An important personal approach to the client, a combination of medicinal and physiotherapeutic exercises, including work on the deep, psychological factors of severe pain in the neck.
The main thing is to remember and control the condition of your neck even after completing treatment and relieving pain. If you continue to sit bent over, with your head bowed or slightly tilted, do not take breaks while working at the computer, and do not exercise at least a few minutes a day, the pain in the cervical region will return with greater force.
How does an osteopath treat?
First, the doctor makes an anamnesis. In addition to studying the images, he interviews the patient about past illnesses and surgical interventions. An osteopath examines the location of the ears, the symmetry of the bones of the skull, shoulders, pelvis and feet.
An osteopath cures the disease by removing tension in areas that interfere with cervical function. In order to return the correct position to the vertebrae, it is enough to remove the fascial stretching, which is quite painful. The techniques are designed to help the body free itself from forced stresses. The doctor uses the technique of myofascial release, strain-counter-strain, fascial technique.
Craniosacral treatment is significant for improving the well-being of the neck, as it ensures the normal functioning of the muscles. Most of the problems in the cervical region, with posture, internal organs formed after birth injury. Correction of the craniosacral rhythm in early childhood makes it possible to protect children from scoliosis, pain in the neck of the head. The cervical region of the baby is not yet formed, it depends on the location of the temporal and occipital bones, which experience a reduction during labor.
If you act only on the vertebrae, it is unrealistic to cure osteochondrosis: the doctor understands that changes in the neck are almost always compensatory. A huge role is played by the stretching of the vagus (vagus nerve, which provides the parasympathetic innervation of absolutely all organs in the region of one side of the body). In order to cure the neck, the doctor needs to work with scars, adhesions of the internal organs, the sacrum and tailbone.
Prevention
Prevention of neck pain plays an important role in the fight against this unpleasant phenomenon. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of pain. We need daily physical activity, the correct routine of the working day. Sports loads must be compiled individually. But there are several common rules that anyone should adhere to:
- keep your back straight while reading, writing, working on a PC;
- pause with gymnastic exercises for the neck and shoulder area;
- Do not stand in front of the PC monitor for a long time without bending your back and neck;
- observe posture;
- sleep on a small orthopedic pillow, large pillows are excluded;
- Do not throw back your head for a long time, do not bend it during the period of lifting weights;
- monitor weight;
- go in for sports and swimming.
Therapy of pain in the neck should be unified, using both pharmaceutical and non-medicinal methods (orthopedic therapy, exercise therapy, physiiatry, etc.). It is important to correctly assess the causes of risk and the likely complications of existing methods of treatment personally for everyone. The therapeutic prognosis of acute pain is usually not bad, but it becomes less predictable if the ailments become permanent. Preventive methods and comprehensive treatment bring excellent results and in most situations provide an opportunity to end severe pain and significantly improve the patient's condition.