Neck pain: causes, accompanying symptoms and treatment

6 November 2020

The neck aches at various intervals in 70% of adults. At the same time, painful sensations can not only be of a different nature, but also be caused by a variety of diseases. Therefore, they are observed mostly not in isolation, but are accompanied by other symptoms that help to accurately diagnose and choose the optimal treatment tactics.

Types of neck pain

Neck pain can be short-lived and limited to minor, or very severe, disturbances, significantly interfering with daily life. Most often people complain that they suddenly feel a lumbago, after which constant pain occurs. It can be pain, tingling, throbbing, tightening, or otherwise.

Neck pain is otherwise called cervical pain.

Discomfort usually intensifies during movements, for example, when you turn or tilt your head while maintaining a static position, especially uncomfortable for a long time, especially during long computer work. In this regard, a person is forced, often even unconsciously, to turn his whole body in order to save his neck as much as possible.

Thus, it is clear that neck pain can be very different. Therefore, they are divided not only into acute (lasting less than 10 days) and chronic, but also into:

vertebrogenic - occurring against the background of pathological changes in the cervical spine, including intervertebral disc damage, compression of the spinal cord and spinal cord;
non-vertebral - resulting from all other causes, including infectious diseases, inflammatory processes in the muscles, diseases of the thyroid gland, lymph nodes, etc.

Spinal pain is characterized by radiation to the occipital region, shoulders, arms, to the hands and fingers. Often, numbness, impaired sensitivity, and motility are observed, indicating the development of neurological disorders, i. e. , violation of one or another anatomical structure of the nerve roots or spinal cord. Also, in such situations, dizziness, loss of consciousness attacks and headaches may be observed, which indicates compression of the vertebral arteries, for example, an intervertebral hernia.

it is urgently urgent to make an appointment with a doctor if the neck pain is acute or accompanied by dizziness, a feeling of numbness in the back of the head or tinnitus.

Causes of neck pain

Sometimes it is difficult for patients to independently distinguish a sore throat from a sore throat, as it can be so diffuse that the sensations are blurred and the whole neck appears to ache. If this is accompanied by a feeling of sweating or scratching in the throat, an increase in body temperature, then this may indicate laryngitis, SARS, sore throat, pharyngitis and other colds. Also, this symptomatology is typical for:

gastroesophageal reflux;
Itsenko-Cushing Syndrome;
foreign bodies entering the pharynx, for example, fish bones;
hypovitaminosis;
formation of benign and malignant tumors in the throat.

However, in most cases, people can distinguish throat problems from true neck pain, which can be seen on both the anterolateral surfaces and the back and front.

Pain localization is an important diagnostic feature that allows you to determine the source of pain at the examination stage and then thoroughly study the changes that have occurred using instrumental diagnostic methods.

Anterior neck pain: causes

Occurrence of uncomfortable or even painful sensations directly in the area under the chin or diffuse pain throughout the front of the neck may indicate:

thyroid disease;
inflammatory processes in muscles that affect ligaments and nerves;
formation of cysts and abscesses;
lymph node affection;
angina pectoris.

That is, the list of possible causes is quite extensive and it is impossible to independently determine what exactly caused the neck pain. In such situations, it is worth contacting a therapist for an examination. If necessary, the doctor will refer the patient to a specialist of the narrow profile of the desired profile.

Vertebral artery syndrome and radicular syndrome can also be associated with anterior neck pain. In both cases, the cause is a constriction of blood vessels or nerves by a deformed intervertebral disc, edematous tissue, a displaced cervical vertebral body, or other structure. Our clinic has developed a comprehensive approach to solving this problem - experienced chiropractors, neurologists, rehabilitators, endocrinologists will perform an examination and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Back pain: causes

Because of the peculiarities of the modern lifestyle, people often worry about pain in the back of the neck. Computer work, constant use of tools, low level of physical activity and bad habits, all this causes pathological changes in the structure of the spine, which are declared with neck pain. Therefore, in case of pain, traction, sharp pain, lumbago in the back of the neck, first of all, a consultation with a chiropractor or a vertebrologist is required, as in the vast majority of cases this indicates diseases of the cervical spine, namely:

osteochondrosis is a widespread disease associated with degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, a decrease in their height and a decrease in strength;
extension - a complication of osteochondrosis, in which the intervertebral disc protrudes (most often in the spinal canal, where the spinal cord and nerve roots pass), which causes the risk of sharpening of nerves and vertebral arteries;
intervertebral hernias are a consequence of the lack of treatment for elongation, in which the internal contents of the intervertebral disc penetrate the spinal canal, gradually increase and can seriously compress the nerves and spinal cord, and in the final stage of development they split and"travel" along the spinal canal, causing the most serious, and sometimes irreversible complications up to paralysis;
spondylosis is a complication of osteochondrosis, in which bone extensions, called osteophytes, grow along the edges of the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral discs critically flatten, which eventually leads to the joining of adjacent vertebrae and the restriction ofneck movement;
myofascial syndrome - a disease in which individual muscles suffer, which leads to attacks of acute pain during physical activity or when you press certain points on the neck;
vertebral compression fractures - most often occur in the elderly with osteoporosis or are the result of a whip injury, for example, in an accident and pose a serious threat to human life and health;

Very rarely back pain is caused by spinal tuberculosis, osteomyelitis or Reiter syndrome.

Lateral neck pain: causes

Most often, pain in the lateral surfaces of the neck is burning or throbbing, and they may also feel tender. They tend to give the shoulder and ear, sometimes accompanied by the formation of a secondary torticollis, as a result of which the head tilts to the affected side. This is typical for:

vascular pathologies, including atherosclerosis;
muscle spasms, which can be caused by a heavy load on the neck, sudden movement or hypothermia;
formation of malignant formations in the thyroid gland, pharynx and larynx.

Diagnosing the causes of neck pain

Since in the vast majority of cases, neck pain is caused by the development of cervical spine pathologies, when they occur, it is worth contacting a chiropractor, vertebrologist or neurologist. The doctor will be able to determine, based on complaints, examination data and neurological tests, whether the neck discomfort is really caused by back disorders or is caused by other diseases.

However, it is the abnormalities in the condition of the spine that, in fact, are one of the reasons for the development of concomitant diseases of the internal organs. Above all, a change in the position of the vertebrae, a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs, and other changes, even small ones, lead to a violation of the transmission of nerve impulses from the spinal cord through the nerve roots along the nerves to the internal organs.

Since the spinal cord is characterized by segmental innervation, that is, each part of it is responsible for the proper functioning of a particular organ, in case of disorders of the cervical spine, irritation of the ENT organs, vocal cords, thyroid andParathyroid glands can also suffer muscles in the neck, shoulders and forearms. Therefore, initially their work breaks down and over time, organic changes arise, that is, this or that disease develops, which can provoke pain of varying intensity and character in the neck.

Therefore, diseases of the internal organs are rarely diagnosed and changes in the spine are not detected, and therefore consultation with a chiropractor is required. But if the patient has signs of diseases of the thyroid gland, heart, ENT organs or others, he is also indicated to receive advice from close specialists (endocrinologist, cardiologist, otolaryngologist, etc. ).

Thus, diagnosing the causes of neck pain is always complex. May include:

general and biochemical blood test;
determination of the level of thyroid hormones in the blood;
Dopplerography of vessels of the neck, thyroid gland, salivary glands;
radiography of the cervical spine;
electroneuromyography;
CT;
MRI.

To diagnose spinal pathologies, MRI is more informative, d. m. th. , magnetic resonance imaging. The method allows you to study the condition of the intervertebral discs down to the smallest detail, assess the quality of blood flow in the vertebral arteries, and detect signs of compression of the spinal cord or its roots. With its help, diseases are diagnosed at the earliest stages of development, which ensures the earliest possible start of treatment and its high efficiency.

In our clinic, you can also learn more about your body composition and the state of the vascular system, which is involved in the blood supply to the internal organs, musculoskeletal muscles and brain. Our experienced doctors will explain the findings to you in detail. Bioimpedansometry calculates the ratio of fat, muscle, bone and skeletal mass, total body fluid, basal metabolic rate. The intensity of the recommended physical activity depends on the state of the muscle mass. Metabolic processes, in turn, affect the body's ability to recover. From the indicators of active cell mass, the level of physical activity and nutritional balance can be judged. This simple and quick test helps us see endocrine disruptions and take action. In addition, it is also very important for us to know the condition of blood vessels for the prevention of diseases such as heart attacks, hypertension, heart failure, diabetes mellitus and much more. Angioscan allows you to determine such important indicators as the biological age of blood vessels, their stiffness, stress index (which speaks of heart rate), oxygen saturation in the blood. Such a screening will be beneficial for men and women after 30 years, athletes, those who are undergoing a long and difficult treatment, as well as all those who monitor their health.

In this case, the analysis of body composition gives us information that the body is dominated by adipose tissue, and the bone-muscle component is in relative deficit. This data will help the rehabilitator to accurately design a physical activity plan, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.

Treatment of Neck Pain

For each patient, therapy tactics are developed strictly individually based on diagnosis, severity of pathological changes, the presence of concomitant diseases and other factors. Patients with the same disabilities may also be prescribed different treatments, as age and level of physical development also affect it.

However, the treatment of diseases that cause neck pain is always complex and includes symptomatic and etiotropic therapies. In other words, it aims to eliminate the symptoms of the disease and the causes of its occurrence. The main components of therapy are often:

drug treatment;
osteopathy;
manual therapy;
massage;
physiotherapy (phonophoresis, carboxytherapy, ozone therapy, RF current with pressure therapy);
individual lessons with a rehabilitation doctor.

When you diagnose cervical spine pathologies, it is shown to make some adjustments to your lifestyle and habits. So office workers, drivers, tailors and representatives of other sedentary professions are advised to warm up as often as possible and avoid long-term maintenance of a forced body position, especially by requiring neck muscle tension.

It is also important to eat properly so that the body gets all the nutrients it needs. This will allow not only to slow down the progression of the pathology, but also to contribute to a faster flow of regeneration processes.

For severe pain, the chiropractor may recommend that the patient purchase a neck brace or a Chance collar. Wearing it will help to unload the cervical spine and avoid rushing, sudden movements, which will lead to a gradual fading of the pain syndrome. In our center you can choose and buy a bandage that suits you.

You can wrap a woolen scarf around your neck to relieve pain before your appointment, or take an anesthetic pill no later than 12 hours before taking it.

Drug therapy

The nature of the drugs prescribed and their amount can vary within a very wide range, which depends directly on the diagnosis and the presence of concomitant diseases. Therefore, we will list only those groups of drugs that are prescribed to the vast majority of patients:

NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that also vary in analgesic properties (produced in various dosage forms, including tablets, oils, injectable solutions, etc. );
corticosteroids are drugs with a strong anti-inflammatory effect, which are used only for severe inflammatory processes that NSAIDs can not eliminate;
muscle relaxants - drugs that eliminate muscle spasms of various origins, which helps reduce the severity of pain;
chondroprotectors - drugs that promote the recovery of cartilage tissue that makes up intervertebral discs, but are effective only in the early stages of osteochondrosis;
B vitamins - used to improve the transmission of bioelectric impulses from the spinal cord to the relevant organs and to restore their proper functioning;
Vitamin D - a drug responsible for the condition of bone tissue, as well as for higher brain functions, such as memory, memory, attention, speech.

Patients may also be prescribed antibiotics, hormone replacement therapy, antihypertensive drugs, and others.

For particularly severe neck pain, blockages are used. Procedures include injecting anesthetic solutions with corticosteroids into the area where the nerves in the neck pass, which allows the pain to be relieved very quickly. But, in addition to the fact that they are effective only for pain caused by nerve damage, they require a high level of professionalism from medical professionals, as when you perform a blockade, there is a risk of nerve damage, infection and provoke serious complications.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat neck pain and its causes, but only if done correctly. It involves a direct effect on the spine and surrounding soft tissues. Do not confuse manual therapy with therapeutic massage, in which only the muscles of the back and neck are worked.

Manual therapy techniques and methods literally allow after the first session to achieve a noticeable improvement in well-being and, ultimately, complete remission. This is achieved through:

restoration of the normal axis of the spine by returning the vertebrae to their anatomically correct position;
increasing the distance between vertebral bodies and releasing compressed nerves and blood vessels, which helps eliminate the signs of radicular syndrome, improves the functioning of internal organs, and especially the brain;
elimination of spasm of neck muscles and functional blocks, which improves mobility and reduces the severity of pain;
improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition.

We do not have common treatment standards, we apply an individual approach to each patient. Only a qualified specialist should be trusted to perform manual therapy. Otherwise, the use of inappropriate techniques can only harm the patient, aggravate the problem or provoke the development of complications.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy procedures are used to improve the effectiveness of therapy. They are shown exclusively outside the acute period and have an analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect, as well as improve microcirculation in soft tissues and contribute to the normalization of muscle tone.

Usually, courses are described, consisting of 8-15 procedures. These could be:

electrophoresis;
UHF;
ultrasound therapy;
laser therapy;
traction therapy (spinal traction);
mud baths, etc.

The number of sessions of physiotherapeutic procedures and the frequency of their implementation are chosen by the doctor individually. Some procedures can be combined with each other, while others must be performed strictly at a certain interval.

exercise therapy

Physiotherapy is one of the essential ingredients of conservative neck pain therapy. Since they very often occur against the background of muscle overload and degenerative-dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs caused by this, it is important to pay proper attention to exercise therapy and exercise every day.

For each patient, a physiotherapy exercise program is developed separately by a rehabilitation physician. It can be dangerous to use the complexes presented on the Internet, as they do not take into account the individual characteristics of the patient, his age, the degree of neglect of the pathological process and the level of physical fitness of the patient. Therefore, to develop an exercise therapy program, the help of a specialist is required. Moreover, the first sessions are necessarily performed under his control, so that the patient understands how to perform each exercise and in the process of self-study does not harm himself. At home, you should practice in a relaxed atmosphere, avoiding any sudden movements, and if pain appears, you should see a doctor.

Thus, neck pain is widespread. They can be caused by the development of various diseases, but most often the basis for concern are spinal problems caused by a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, you should not hesitate to see a doctor. Indeed, in the early stages of disease development, it can be easily treated with conservative methods. While in advanced cases, neck pain and its causes can be eliminated exclusively with surgery.