There are many reasons why the neck hurts, because this component of the human body, in turn, is made up of many tissues and organs that organize not only the musculoskeletal system, but also other systems: respiratory, metabolic, sensory and others. Neck pain can be caused even by a mild manifestation of any inflammation, for example, an unexplained lymph node reaction.
The modern pace of life further contributes to the emergence of this unpleasant symptom. Low mobility, the ecological situation of the region, malnutrition, hidden systemic diseases - all these can cause neck pain. Whether it's worth putting up with or starting treatment urgently depends on what it signals.
How does the neck hurt?
The neck is a connecting link, it is quite mobile and prone to various types of injuries for the same reason. If neck pain appears, it could be an accident caused by a sudden, clumsy movement, or it could be a pattern so much so that the person is already used to this part of the spine hurting. Much depends on the type of neck pain itself, because it can be so different that it is difficult to list its characteristics:
- unexpected sharp pain (indicates cervicago - cervical lumbago, when the receptors of the nerve, which is sinuvertebral, are compressed; in addition, this can be an indicator of muscle spasm or neuralgia);
- neck pain (occurs with muscle numbness, overwork, problems with the cervical spine, for example, with the ligaments);
- periodically the neck hurts for unexplained reasons;
- constant pain in this area;
- radiating pain: in the head, arm, sternum, collar, shoulders;
- neck pain, which occurs only when moving the head, or is retained even when the neck and all of its muscles are in a calm, unused position;
- pain accompanied by numbness (may be caused by pinched nerve, herniated disc, prolapsed disc);
- the neck sometimes hurts on the right, or on the left, or closer to the shoulder region, or closer to the head.
Reasons why the neck hurts
Neck pain can be caused by many factors of mechanical and non-mechanical origin. There are cases where they cannot be explained and hence this leads to the fact that the treatment cannot really be prescribed. However, the worldwide practice of experts in various fields of medicine has come up with a list of the most common reasons why the neck hurts and not another part of the spine.
Formation of large salt deposits in the neck
Evidence of diseases such as osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis. These diseases cause not only pain, but also a crisis, clicking when turning the head, which cannot be confused with anything. If treatment is not started in time, then the fourth stage of the disease begins, fraught with the formation of bone growths, due to which the neck loses mobility.
muscle spasm
With muscle spasm resulting from an awkward or excessively sharp turn of the head to the right or left side. This usually happens during injuries sustained in car accidents and the like. Neck pain disappears when this spasm is removed by various manipulations performed by a massage therapist, osteopath and manual therapy specialist. But in principle, if the spasm is not strong, the symptom can pass without consequences on its own.
intervertebral hernia
They arise not in the neck, but in the region of the shoulders, but extend to the upper region. Due to its appearance, the functional abilities of the nerve can be impaired, so patients often complain of numbness of the damaged area and adjacent departments.
To work
The appearance of neck pain from monotonous work that a person is forced to do in one position, for example, sewing or sitting at a computer. Often, in these cases, the neck begins to feel numb and at the same time it hurts with a dull ache.
tumors
Tumors located both in the neck and in other organs, tissues, departments. For example, lung, breast or prostate cancer, kidney, thyroid and other varieties can cause this symptom, not to mention tumors that occur in the neck itself. It can come and go, which should encourage the person to do a thorough examination.
cervical myelopathy
It causes spinal canal stenosis in the neck, which is why it hurts. But the pain can spread not just in this area. The symptoms have a wide range of manifestations, and the treatment of such a disease is quite complex and has consequences.
Polymyalgia rheumatica or fibromyalgia
Neck pain, in this case, can be a secondary symptom, but nevertheless quite noticeable and irritating.
Systemic diseases of the body
One symptom is pain in different parts of the musculoskeletal system, among which the neck is especially prominent. These are rheumatoid arthritis, infection, ankylosing spondylitis and others.
muscle hypothermia
Hypothermia of the muscles that move the head. If a current of air has passed through the neck, it hurts so much that it is very difficult to move with it, in other cases it is almost unbearable.
What to do if your neck hurts a lot
The neck performs important functions for the body, its damage can lead to instant death, so if it hurts, doing nothing and waiting for the pain to go away on its own is the worst option. You should definitely get a consultation from one of the specialists: rheumatologist, osteopath, oncologist, therapist, surgeon, traumatologist, orthopedist, neurologist.
If it is not possible to visit a doctor at the moment, call a massage therapist to at least hear their opinion on the matter. But this does not mean that massage is mandatory, and when performed, it will eliminate neck pain. It is also possible that a specialist will not be able to prescribe the treatment, as the problem will not be your profile. It will be necessary to hear the opinions of at least three doctors.
In each case, the treatment will be different. Sometimes it is enough to do daily exercises - and the symptom located in the neck disappears on its own. With complex diagnoses such as a tumor or stricture, or a herniated disc, the pain does not go away until surgical treatment is applied. In this case, the question of performing the operation is not even worth it: the person has practically no choice.
For many types of injuries, treatment can be reduced to wearing orthopedic products such as a neck corset for a while. To make a person feel better, it is often prescribed to sleep in a specific position of the body and to use a special pillow, lying on which the neck assumes a correct position in relation to the body.
To break up salt deposits in the cervical region, treatment based on physical procedures such as shock wave therapy or intensive massage of this area may be prescribed.
The use of drug therapy is suitable when dealing with systemic or infectious diseases that cause pain in the cervical region. Medicines will help to cure or delay the development of the disease, support the body's regenerative forces, aimed at fighting and diagnosing.
A massage therapist, a chiropractor, an osteopath are specialists who can help deal with the above mentioned symptom if they are professionals in their field. Therefore, when pain occurs in the neck, patients often turn to them. Sometimes a seemingly simple massage can increase blood circulation in the cervical region so well that not only this symptom but the headaches will disappear as well.
In any case, with neck pain, so that it does not recur, you need to start treatment and take care of your health.