Almost everyone has experienced neck pain. They can occur not only in adults but also in children. To get rid of the unpleasant sensations, you must first understand the reason why the neck hurts, and based on this to solve the problem. As this may be a symptom of a more serious illness, not just 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 pain can be recorded, but they are all divided into several groups:
- Non-specific factors. The cause of pain in the neck and back of the head can be a long stay in one position, overexertion, recurrence of the same type of movements, hypothermia, overweight, 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 quite harmless.
- 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 aggravated by any impact on the neck. Inflammation of the salivary glands, tooth decay, tonsillitis, damage to the larynx and trachea can also cause neck pain.
- Tumors. Neoplasms can provoke severe neck pain. They are long enough. If the discomfort persists, you should consult a doctor immediately.
- Injuries and other mechanical damage. Another reason why the spine in the neck area hurts is an injury. Even a light blow can cause damage to the cervical spine. On impact, the vertebrae may be displaced. If 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. Inflammation sometimes occurs with pain due to ankylosing spondylitis.
- Pathologies of the muscular corset. Trigger points, small lumps on the neck, appear when the muscles in the shoulders and neck are spasmodic.
- Infectious diseases. These pathologies usually include tuberculosis, meningitis, shingles and osteomyelitis.
- Consequences of the operation.
Symptoms of conditions that cause pain in the shoulders and neck may not appear for years or be present all the time. That is why it is important to undergo regular examinations in medical institutions.
There are causes of neck pain that only affect children. If a child's neck hurts, 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. The therapist or pediatrician will refer you to a narrower specialist after an initial examination and depending on the nature of the pain.
Most often they are referred to a neurologist or chiropractor. If neck pain is the cause of mechanical damage, then a referral to a traumatologist is made. For neck pain or torticollis in children, they can be referred to an orthopedist. They are referred to a cardiologist if they are worried about pain in the left neck, but there are no problems with the functioning of the arms and legs. An otolaryngologist should be asked for help when pulling pain occurs in the neck and it is suspected that a sore throat or inflammation of the lymph nodes may be the cause.
To determine the origin of neck pain in the front, back, right or left, the doctor first touches. Based on the results of this examination, the specialist decides what diagnosis to make and prescribes treatment.
When there is pain 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 most likely the problem is in the second vertebra.
If the patient is worried 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 bothersome, 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 appointments for blood and urine tests, ultrasound, 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 cervical pain
A specialist, after the patient goes through all the diagnostic procedures, can tell you how to get rid of neck pain. You should not self-medicate, as the pain may have a different etiology, and treatment approaches will also differ.
A neurologist or physiotherapist prescribes treatment for the cervical spine. These specialists can refer you to a chiropractor if necessary. A course of medication, physiotherapy and massage is usually recommended. If the neck hurts a lot and treatment with drugs, physiotherapy and massage do not help, surgery is performed.
Non-surgical treatment
To quickly and effectively relieve pain in the cervical spine, treatment should be comprehensive. The patient is usually prescribed the following non-surgical treatment for cervical pain:
- drug therapy;
- orthopedic methods;
- reflexology;
- ultrasound therapy;
- laser therapy;
- therapeutic massage, osteopathy;
- physiotherapy.
Drug therapy is treatment with ointments, tablets, injections. It is aimed at eliminating the pain and associated unpleasant symptoms.
If acute neck pain is caused by osteochondrosis, then in addition to painkillers, muscle relaxants are prescribed. 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 the symptom.
Orthopedic methods include wearing a collar. Its fixation can be soft or hard. More often such treatment is prescribed when the neck is constantly sore or injuries are received.
If preventive measures are not continued at the end of the course of treatment, then neck pain in both adults and children may recur.
Reflexology is an electric shock for pain in the cervical spine. Distribute ordinary acupuncture and electroacupuncture.
The effect of ultrasound has an antispasmodic effect if the muscles of the neck hurt, 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, the massage will be useful. Therapeutic massage is recommended at least twice a year. This procedure relieves stress and eliminates some of the causes of the unpleasant symptom.
Physiotherapy exercises (TP) are aimed at the correct distribution of the load during pain in the cervical spine. In addition, there is stretching and increased mobility of certain muscle groups.
In addition to formal medications to relieve neck symptoms, informal medicine can also be used to treat the back of the head and the rest of the cervical region.
Treatment with surgery
There are times when it is impossible without surgery. How is neck pain treated in this case? Surgical situations include hernia, compression of the spinal cord or spinal roots, and mechanical injuries.
The operation comes down to the fact that the areas of the vertebrae that interfere with the normal functioning and functioning of the spinal cord are simply removed. In some cases, it is possible to perform surgery using a laser.
Surgery can lead to complications or accidents, so doctors initially try different treatments.
It is important to know that the doctor will suggest 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.
Prevention
To rule out such a cause of neck pain as inactivity and to be in an awkward position, it is recommended to perform self-massage. How to treat neck pain with this method will advise a masseur or other specialist who has been associated with neck pain.
Light exercise during your working hours will be useful. You need to take regular breaks to get your neck muscles back to work. Prolonged incorrect posture or tension can cause pain in the cervical spine.
Sleeping pillow and mattress should be orthopedic. They will relieve stress on the spine throughout the day.
Massage twice a year will reduce the likelihood of going to the doctor for neck pain. A professional masseur can eliminate the cause of chronic neck pain on the right, front and left during the course.
To rule out serious illness, you need to determine the cause of the neck pain. It is important to keep the neck warm, you need to protect it from currents. Adherence to the correct posture will not be superfluous, especially for children.