Almost everyone has experienced neck pain. They can occur not only in adults but also in children. To get rid of unpleasant sensations, you must first find out the reason why the neck hurts and solve the problem based on that. Since this can be a symptom of a more serious illness rather than ordinary pain, it is important to see a doctor in time.
Causes of neck pain
Neck discomfort is one of the most common complaints of patients. There are many reasons why cervical spine pain can be noted, but they are all divided into several groups:
- Nonspecific factors. The reason for the appearance of pain in the neck and back of the head can be a long stay in one position, overexertion, repetition of the same type of movement, hypothermia, excess weight, stress. They can also appear after a night’s sleep in the wrong position or on an uncomfortable mattress or pillow. Such pain can be harmless enough.
- Damage to the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, joints, ligaments. Neck pain can be the result of degenerative-dystrophic diseases. The most common pathologies in this group are osteochondrosis, spondyloarthritis, spondylolisthesis, stenosis and hernia.
- Pathology of internal organs. Anterior pain often occurs due to thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland). This pain is exacerbated by any impact on the neck. Inflammation of the salivary glands, caries, tonsillitis, damage to the larynx and trachea can also cause neck pain.
- Tumors. Neoplasms can be provokers of severe neck pain. They are long enough. If the discomfort persists, you should see a doctor immediately.
- Injuries and other mechanical damage. Another reason why the spine hurts in the neck is an injury. Even a minor blow can cause damage to the cervical spine. On impact, the vertebrae may move. If they are not placed in time, the patient will complain that the neck hurts in front, right or left for no apparent reason.
- Inflammatory processes. Pain can occur due to arthritis, lupus, spondyloarthritis and Sharp's syndrome. Sometimes inflammation occurs with pain due to ankylosing spondylitis.
- Pathologies of the muscular corset. Trigger points, small bumps on the neck, occur when the shoulder and neck muscles are cramping.
- Infectious diseases. These pathologies usually include tuberculosis, meningitis, herpes zoster and osteomyelitis.
- Consequences of the operation.
Symptoms of the condition that cause shoulder and neck pain may not appear for years or are present all the time. Therefore, it is important to undergo regular examinations in medical institutions.
There are causes of neck pain that only affect children. If a child has neck pain, these are usually very serious illnesses. These include torticollis, tetanus, mumps, polio, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Diagnosis
To find out the cause of discomfort, if the cervical spine hurts, it is important to consult a specialist as soon as the first symptoms appear. A therapist or pediatrician will refer you to a specialist after an initial examination and depending on the nature of the pain.
They are most often referred to a neurologist or chiropractor. If neck pain is the cause of mechanical damage, it is referred to a traumatologist. Due to neck pain or torticollis in children, they can be referred to an orthopedist. They are referred to a cardiologist if they are worried about neck pain on the left side, but there are no problems with the functioning of the arms and legs. An otolaryngologist should seek help when neck pain occurs, and it is suspected that the cause is a sore throat or inflammation of the lymph nodes.
To determine the origin of neck, front, back, right, or left neck pain, the doctor first palpates. Based on the results of this examination, the specialist decides which diagnosis to make and prescribes treatment.
When pain occurs when nodding the head, bending back and forth, it indicates damage to the first vertebra. If there is discomfort when bending to the side or turning the neck, then the problem is most likely in the other vertebra.
If the patient is concerned about severe pain in the cervical spine, an experienced specialist can easily determine the cause. Because the focus of pain may be far from the site of manifestation, including when throbbing pain in the left neck is disturbing, the most detailed diagnosis is made.
Based on the results of the initial examination, your doctor may refer you for additional diagnostic procedures. These include scheduling blood and urine tests, ultrasound examination, MRI, radiography, tomogram, cardiogram, electroneurogram. The results of these procedures are important to answer the question of how to treat neck and neck pain.
Treatment of cervix
The specialist, after the patient has gone through all the diagnostic procedures, can tell how to get rid of neck pain. You should not treat yourself because the pain may have a different etiology, and approaches to treatment will also vary.
A neurologist or physiotherapist prescribes treatment for the cervical spine. These specialists can refer you to a chiropractor if needed. It is usually recommended to take medication, physiotherapy and massage. If the neck hurts a lot and treatment with medication, physiotherapy and massage does not help, surgery is performed.
Non-surgical treatment
For rapid and effective pain relief in the cervical spine, treatment must be comprehensive. The patient is usually prescribed the following non-surgical treatment for cervical spine pain:
- drug therapy;
- orthopedic methods;
- reflexology;
- ultrasound therapy;
- laser therapy;
- therapeutic massage, osteopathy;
- physiotherapy.
Drug therapy is treatment with ointments, tablets, injections. It is intended to relieve pain and associated unpleasant symptoms.
If sharp pain in the neck is caused by osteochondrosis, then muscle relaxants are prescribed in addition to painkillers. In severe conditions, when it comes to acute neck pain, corticosteroids may be prescribed.
In the case of severe neck pain, blockades are used to relieve symptoms.
Orthopedic methods include wearing a necklace. Its fixation can be soft or hard. More often, such treatment is prescribed when the neck is constantly sore or injured.
If preventive measures are not continued at the end of treatment, then neck pain, in both adults and children, may recur.
Reflexology is an electric shock for pain in the cervical spine. Assign ordinary acupuncture and electroacupuncture.
The effect of ultrasound has an antispasmodic effect if the neck muscles ache, and during phonophoresis the effect of the drug increases several times.
Laser therapy has a soothing effect on the inflamed area of the skin. If the neck hurts, then a qualified specialist will explain how to treat this method.
Also, if the neck hurts from the side, left or right, a massage will be helpful. Therapeutic massage is recommended at least 2 times a year. This procedure relieves stress and removes some of the causes of the unpleasant symptom.
Physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy) aim at the correct distribution of the load during the pain in the cervical spine. In addition, there is stretching and increased mobility of certain muscle groups.
In addition to official medications to relieve neck symptoms, informal medicine can also be used to treat the nape of the neck and the rest of the cervical region.
Surgical treatment
There are cases when it is impossible without surgical intervention. How is neck pain treated in this case? Surgical situations include hernias, compression of the spinal cord or spine, and mechanical injuries.
The operation comes down to the fact that the areas of the spine that interfere with the normal functioning and work of the spinal cord are simply removed. In some cases, laser surgery is possible.
Surgery can lead to complications or accidents, so doctors initially try different treatments.
It is important to know that the doctor will offer an operative way to solve the problem only when he sees that other methods will not bring a positive result. For this reason, treatment cannot be delayed for a long time, especially if the disease is detected at an early stage.
Prophylaxis
In order to exclude such a cause of neck pain as inactivity and finding yourself in an awkward position, it is recommended to perform a self-massage. How to treat neck pain with this method will be advised by a masseur or other specialist who has been contacted for neck pain.
Light exercise during working hours will be helpful. You need to take regular breaks to get your neck muscles back in proper condition. Prolonged irregular posture or tension can cause pain in the cervical spine.
The sleeping pillow and mattress must be orthopedic. They will relieve stress on the spine during the day.
A massage twice a year will reduce the likelihood of going to the doctor for neck pain. A professional massage therapist can eliminate the cause of chronic neck pain right, front and left during the course.
To rule out serious illness, you need to determine the reasons why your neck may hurt. It is important that the neck is warm, you must protect it from drafts. Adherence to proper posture will not be superfluous, especially for children.