There are many reasons why the neck hurts, since this component of the human body consists of many tissues and organs that organize not only the musculoskeletal system, but also other systems: respiratory, metabolic, sensory and others. Neck pain can also be caused by a mild manifestation of any inflammation, for example, an inexplicable reaction of the lymph nodes.
The modern rhythm of life contributes even more to the appearance of this unpleasant symptom. Low mobility, the ecological situation of the region, malnutrition, hidden systemic diseases - all this can cause pain in the neck. Whether it is worth tolerating it or starting treatment urgently depends on what it indicates.
How does the neck hurt?
The neck is a connecting link, it is quite mobile and for the same reason it is prone to various injuries. If pain occurs in the neck, it may be an accident caused by a sharp and awkward movement, or it may be a pattern where a person is used to this part of the spine hurting. A lot 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 (cervicago - refers to cervical lumbago, when the receptors of the sinuvertebral nerve are compressed; in addition, it can be a sign of muscle spasm or neuralgia);
- aching pain in the neck (occurs with muscle numbness, overuse, cervical spine problems, such as ligaments);
- regular pain in the neck for unexplained reasons;
- constant pain in this area;
- radiating pain: in head, arm, sternum, collar, shoulders;
- neck pain that occurs only when moving the head, or remains even when the neck and all muscles are not used, in a relaxed position;
- pain with numbness (can be caused by pinched nerve, disc herniation, disc herniation);
- the neck sometimes hurts on the right or left side, or closer to the shoulder, or closer to the head.
Reasons for which the neck hurts
Neck pain can be caused by many mechanical and non-mechanical factors. There are cases when they cannot be explained at all, and accordingly, this leads to the fact that treatment cannot actually be prescribed. Nevertheless, the world practice of specialists in various fields of medicine has compiled 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 not only cause pain, but also cause crunching and clicking when turning the head, which cannot be confused with anything else. If treatment is not started in time, the fourth stage of the disease occurs, which is full of bone growth, due to which the neck loses its mobility.
muscle cramp
With muscle spasms resulting from an awkward or excessively sharp turn of the head to the right or left. This often happens with injuries sustained in car accidents and the like. Neck pain disappears when this spasm is removed through various manipulations by massage therapists, osteopaths and manual therapists. But in principle, if the spasm was not strong, the symptom itself will pass without consequences.
Intervertebral hernia
They do not arise in the neck, but in the shoulders, but they extend to the upper region. Due to its appearance, the functional capabilities of the nerve may be impaired, so patients often complain of numbness in the damaged area and neighboring departments.
Work
The appearance of neck pain from monotonous work that a person is forced to do in one position, for example, sewing or sitting in front of a computer. Often in such cases, the neck begins to go numb, and at the same time it hurts with a dull ache.
Tumors
Tumors localized both in the neck and in other organs, tissues, and departments. For example, lung, breast or prostate cancer, kidney, thyroid cancer and other types can cause this symptom, not to mention tumors in the neck. It may come and go, which encourages one to do a full investigation.
Cervical myelopathy
It provokes the narrowing of the cervical spinal canal, which is why it hurts. But the pain can spread not only in this area. The symptoms have many manifestations, and the treatment of such a disease is quite complex and has consequences.
Polymyalgia rheumatica or fibromyalgia
Neck pain in this case may be a secondary symptom, but it is nevertheless quite noticeable and annoying.
Systemic diseases of the body
As a symptom, pain appears in various parts of the musculoskeletal system, of which the neck stands out in particular. These are rheumatoid arthritis, infection, ankylosing spondylitis and others.
Muscle hypothermia
Hypothermia of the muscles that move the head. If a draft has passed through the neck, it hurts so much that it will be very difficult to make any movement 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 injury can lead to immediate death, so if it hurts, doing nothing and waiting for the pain to go away by itself is the worst solution. Be sure to seek advice from a specialist: rheumatologist, osteopath, oncologist, therapist, surgeon, traumatologist, orthopedist, neurologist.
If you can't see a doctor at the moment, call a masseuse to at least get their opinion on this matter. But this does not mean that massage is mandatory, and when performed, it will eliminate neck pain. It may also happen that a specialist cannot prescribe treatment because the problem is not his profile. The opinions of at least three doctors must be consulted.
The treatment will be different in each case. Sometimes it is enough to do daily exercises - and the symptom localized in the neck goes away by itself. In complex diagnoses, such as a tumor or stenosis, or a herniated disc, the pain does not go away until surgical treatment. In this case, the question of whether to perform the operation is not even worth it: the person practically has no choice.
For various injuries, treatment can be reduced to wearing orthopedic products, such as a neck brace. In order to make a person feel better, they are often prescribed to sleep in a certain position and to use a special pillow, on which the neck takes a suitable position in relation to the body.
Treatment based on physical procedures, such as shock wave therapy or intensive massage of this zone, may be prescribed to dissolve salt deposits in the neck region.
The use of drug therapy is appropriate when it comes to systemic or infectious diseases that cause pain in the neck region. Medicines help to cure or slow down the disease, support the body's regenerative powers, which are aimed at fighting and diagnosing.
Masseurs, chiropractors, and chiropractors are professionals who can help combat the above-mentioned symptoms if they are professionals in their field. Therefore, when pain occurs in the neck, patients most often turn to them. Sometimes a seemingly simple massage increases blood circulation in the neck region so well that not only this symptom but also the headache disappears.
In any case, with neck pain, so that they do not recur, you need to start treatment and take care of your health.