Many people are worried about why the back muscles of the neck hurt, since this condition causes significant discomfort. Such pains mainly occur with a sharp turn of the head, leaning forward and the wrong position during sleep. In addition, similar symptoms can be observed due to very serious diseases.
If the first signs of a problem occur, you should definitely visit a doctor to diagnose and prescribe appropriate therapy.
Nature of pain
Sometimes the back muscles of the neck are so sore that it is difficult to understand in which direction this focus of inflammation is localized. That is why it is important to determine the nature of the pain, as this will help to make the most accurate diagnosis and choose the right treatment. There are various types of pain, in particular:
- spicy;
- superficial;
- neuropathic;
- chronic
- deep
- visceral.
In addition, pain can be aching. Often they arise as a reaction of the body to severe physical exertion. It is felt the day after training or work. Under the influence of stress, lactic acid begins to accumulate in the muscles. It sends signals to nerve receptors, which causes a feeling of aching pain. If the load was placed on the upper body, then not only the neck, but also the back and shoulders are aching. In addition, this condition can be triggered by such violations:
- myalgia;
- rachiocampsis;
- muscle inflammation.
Attacks of acute pain greatly complicate the movement. They arise mainly due to the presence of neuralgia, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, displacement of the vertebrae. Living with such symptoms is very difficult, so it is important to begin examination and treatment as soon as possible.
The main causes of pain
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to determine why the neck muscles in the back are sore in order to choose the right treatment technique. Doctors distinguish 2 main groups of reasons why this symptomatology occurs. These can be various kinds of disorders in the musculoskeletal system and cervical diseases. Among the diseases that provoke soreness, it is necessary to distinguish the following:
- spondylosis;
- osteochondrosis;
- protrusion;
- injuries in the intervertebral joints;
- hernia.
With osteochondrosis, soreness mainly occurs behind the neck and in the arm. Often the disease is accompanied by severe headaches and increased blood pressure. Soreness often occurs when you turn your head or as a result of an improper position during sleep.
If such a pathology has a chronic course, then discomfort can be with any sharp turn of the head. Exacerbation of symptoms often occurs with prolonged exposure to a draft. The cause may also be long pressure on the back muscles.
In the presence of a hernia, painful manifestations can be given to the arm and shoulder. This ailment is characterized by constant and intense headaches, sudden changes in pressure, numbness of the neck and fingers, and fainting. It is worth noting that this is a serious illness requiring urgent treatment.
If the back muscles of the neck are sore and the balls on it are easily felt, then this may be a sign of malignant neoplasms. In this case, the pains are constant and intense. In addition, the problem may arise due to rheumatic polymyalgia, untimely treatment of which can lead to the fusion of adjacent vertebrae, which leads to the emergence of intense pain in the neck.
If the neck muscles in the back and the head hurt, then this may be a sign of migraine. In this case, the pain is pulsating in nature. With cervical migraine, symptoms also appear in the eyes, nose, and forehead. The main symptoms include decreased vision, nausea, tinnitus, impaired coordination.
Causes of back neck pain
In some people, back muscles of the neck are periodically sore, which may be due to an uncomfortable position of the head during work or damage to the cervical spine. In the presence of cervical osteophytes, pain and a crunch in the neck may occur when moving the head. All these signs require close attention and comprehensive treatment.
The back muscles of the neck are sometimes sore due to acute inflammation of the middle ear. In case of inflammation of the facial nerves, a similar symptomatology may be observed, however, the pain is localized on the surface of the skin.
If the neck muscles in the back and throat are sore, then this may be a sign of the presence of streptococcal infection in the body or inflammatory processes. When pressing on the lymph nodes, a dull pain in the neck is felt. In addition, infections such as chronic tonsillitis, caries, and tuberculosis can provoke discomfort in the area of the lymph nodes.
If worried on one side
If the neck muscles in the back and side hurt, this may be a sign of problems with the cervical spine. The pain can be very severe, but basically it disappears in literally 2 weeks. The problem is caused by damage to the joints, intervertebral discs and ligaments of the spine.
If the neck muscle in the left back hurts, then this can be with ailments of the internal organs, stomach and intestines, heart and blood vessels, and malignant lung tumors. Significant discomfort in this area can only be if a person has a serious, advanced disease, which may occur in a chronic form.
If the neck muscle in the back right hurts and the discomfort is weak, aching, then this may be a sign of myositis. With pathologies of the thyroid gland or esophagus, muscle pain in the front can occur. Unpleasant sensations in the muscles on the side can be for the following reasons:
- vascular injury;
- atherosclerosis;
- varicose neck or esophagus.
Very rarely are various hereditary diseases that begin to manifest in newborns. If the pain is localized only on one side, then this may be for the following reasons:
- muscle spasm;
- hypothermia;
- cervical sciatica;
- uncomfortable bed;
- tendon inflammation;
- pharyngeal abscess.
The cause of discomfort may be hypothermia or a walk without a scarf in the cold season. If the back muscles of the neck hurt after sleep, this can be triggered by an uncomfortable bed. Over time, the mattress can sag, and the pillow can go astray. In addition, an uncomfortable position during a night's rest can lead to the fact that over time, pain increases.
Nape discomfort
The back muscles of the neck and the back of the head sometimes hurt, since they are located nearby, so the causes of the problem are the same. Unpleasant sensations can occur due to stretching or in the presence of problems with the spine. The muscles of the neck fit snugly against the back of the head, so that with any damage, the back of the head begins to hurt. This area will react especially strongly with sudden movements. The affected area begins to swell, it becomes difficult to turn the head, so it can take an unnatural position, and the patient also has a risk of fainting.
When the neck muscles in the back ache and pull, this may be a sign of cervical spondylosis. This is a serious disease that can provoke disability, therefore urgent medical advice and comprehensive treatment are required. It mainly occurs in older people, as well as in athletes as a result of previous injuries.
In case neck muscles in the back and back of the head are sore, this may be a sign of cervical myelopathy. This pathology is characterized by narrowing of the spinal canal. People suffering from this disease feel weak and have a general malaise. In addition, there is a slowdown in speech, coordination is disturbed, it is difficult to move.
Soreness in the shoulders and neck
Neck pain can occur periodically and pass on its own literally in a few days. If the discomfort does not decrease, but only intensifies or resumes, then you must definitely visit a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
When a hernia of the intervertebral disc occurs, the neck muscles in the back and shoulders are very sore. Also provoke a similar symptomatology can squeeze the nerve endings. Soreness can occur at any age, which occurs due to prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, in particular, when working at a computer. A sedentary lifestyle significantly exacerbates the existing problem.
The cause of headaches and discomfort in the neck can be a violation of blood circulation in the spine. In particular, this occurs for reasons such as:
- sudden movements;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- stressful conditions.
With a sharp turn of the neck, there may be pinched nerve endings. In this case, the pain is very sharp, literally pierces and gives to the head. Stress also plays an important role in causing soreness. Constant nervousness and emotional stress provoke neuralgia.
Tissue proliferation is accompanied by an increase in temperature, which indicates that inflammation occurs in the body. As a result of this, tumors form that are very painful. It is impossible to touch them.
Other reasons
Often, if the back muscles of the neck are sore, this may be due to a lumbago or lumbago. This pathology is characterized by strong muscle contraction. This condition is completely not dangerous and passes on its own without additional treatment. Often there is a pathology due to drafts, and the pain gradually spreads to the head and chest.
Many people who are overweight often experience neck pain. The spine and cervical vertebrae cannot cope with the additional load, and they begin active resistance.
Therapy Features
If the pain does not subside within a few days, then you should definitely consult a doctor for an examination and subsequent treatment. The doctor will do an examination, and to get the full picture you will need to additionally undergo the following types of examinations:
- cardiogram;
- tomogram;
- blood analysis;
- ultrasonography;
- X-ray
After passing the full complex of examination, the doctor will make a conclusion and prescribe the required treatment procedures. To conduct therapy and eliminate pain, the following types of exposure will be required:
- massage;
- physiotherapy;
- drug therapy;
- electrical stimulation;
- acupuncture;
- hirudotherapy.
Therapeutic gymnastics helps to normalize the processes taking place in the cervical spine and throughout the body. Drug therapy involves the use of antibiotics and painkillers that will help eliminate pain and cope with the main cause of the disease, if it is provoked by pathogens. In all other cases, treatment is selected strictly individually.
To quickly eliminate severe discomfort, the doctor may prescribe the introduction of painkillers intravenously or intramuscularly. Acupuncture helps to normalize well-being. It is recommended to combine this technique with massage. For vasodilation, electrical stimulation can be used.
Drug therapy
If the neck muscles in the back are very and often sore, the treatment is carried out with the help of medications. It is recommended to use various ointments and gels with a warming effect. Painful sensations can make a person nervous and irritable, so the doctor prescribes sedatives, antidepressants.
To relieve pain, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, in particular, such as Finalgon, Movalis, Diclofenac, Fastum Gel, and Revmoxicam. To reduce muscle tone, the use of muscle relaxants is required, in particular, the drug "Midolkalm".
If the muscles are very tight, then local injections with anesthetics may be required, in particular, such as Lidocaine or Novocaine. It is worth noting that all the medications should be selected exclusively by the attending physician, taking into account the well-being of the patient, as well as the characteristics of the disease that triggered the onset of pain.
Folk remedies
Despite the presence of a wide range of different drugs intended for therapy, many prefer the use of traditional medicine. In particular, tincture can be used to eliminate painful manifestations. To prepare it, you need to mix in equal proportions wormwood, elderberry, leaf of currant and lavender. Fall asleep 1 tbsp. l ready mixture in a thermos, pour boiling water, let it brew, and then take throughout the day in the form of tea.
A good remedy is tincture of echinacea. Before taking it, you must first dilute it in water as indicated in the instructions. Eliminate the pain will help tincture of chicory. To prepare it, you need to brew 20 g of plant material in a glass of hot water. The resulting product must be taken during the day.
It is recommended to consume freshly squeezed juices of beets and carrots daily. They contain many vitamins and minerals, so they help to quickly get rid of pain and discomfort in the neck. If soreness occurs due to trauma, then rubbing with olive oil and home-made ointments very well helps. It is worth noting that treatment with the help of alternative therapy is allowed only after prior consultation with a doctor, as improper treatment can lead to various complications and to a deterioration in well-being.
Other techniques
Manual therapy is very popular. A similar technique is aimed at eliminating spasms, as well as stretching shortened ligaments. Manual therapy is carried out only by qualified specialists who, in a short period of time, help relieve the patient from discomfort.
If there is pain in the neck, the doctor may prescribe cranioscalar therapy. It represents a whole complex of various techniques aimed at restoring the mobility of the affected cervical vertebrae. As a result of applying this technique, you can get rid of severe headaches, insomnia, low blood pressure and dizziness.
If the cause of the pain is inflammation of the lymph nodes, then the patient may be prescribed UHF therapy. If she did not help and the disease continues to progress, then an operation is performed. During surgery, the doctor opens the lymph nodes and cleans them of pus.
If the pain was triggered by osteochondrosis, treatment continues for a long time. Therapy includes physiotherapy exercises, massage, the use of painkillers and warming ointments.
The basic rules of prevention
To prevent the occurrence of pain in the neck, it is imperative to observe the following prevention rules:
- you need to keep your neck warm;
- use an orthopedic pillow for sleep;
- Do not overstrain muscles;
- constantly monitor your posture.
If minor pain occurs, it is recommended to consult a specialist and undergo a course of therapeutic and preventive massage. With constant pain in the back of the head, it is recommended to review your diet. It should be rational and include all the components necessary for the normal functioning.