Many people have back problems, but many more complain of continuous or intermittent neck pain. Its prerequisites are different, and their prevalence is associated with a characteristic feature of the structure of the neck itself.
This zone consists of seven rather thin vertebrae. Of all the sections of the spine (lumbar, thoracic and cervical), the latter is less massive, but more mobile, it is responsible for unhindered head turns. Continuous and significant load on the cervical region and determines the frequency of occurrence of pain.
Pain in the cervical region is usually called the term "cervicalgia". He talks about the formation of various diseases, for this reason, the first thing to do when a sudden pain in the neck worries is to go to the doctor. The expert, comparing other signs, having carried out the necessary analyzes, will draw up a conclusion. Reasons should be identified andwhat to do with pain in the neck and neck.
Reasons
Before deciding what to do (my neck hurts and I can't turn my head), the influencing factors should be identified. Top reasons include:
- Muscle tension, sprains that appear due to a long stay in one state (working with a PC or driving a car), as well as during intense physical exertion.
- Diseases of the muscles of the cervical region. Due to prolonged muscle tension, myofascial dysgenitalism can form, as a result of which the spasmodic zones are reorganized into seals, bumps, called trigger points. Neck pain can also provoke fibromyalgia, a protracted disease characterized by soreness and high sensitivity of muscles, joints, and tendons.
- Diseases of the spine. The most popular causes of ailments are osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis, in these cases discs and cartilage wear out. The disease can be aggravated by a sharp shift, which, in turn, greatly increases pain.
- Congenital pathologies in the structure of the spine, low stability of the vertebrae, herniated discs also activate powerful pain in the cervical region.
- Immune disorders that initiate modifications in bone matter: rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, arthritis associated with diseases of the intestinal tract.
- Spinal stenosis, as a result of which bone textures and cartilage can press on nerveroots.
- Infections of the vertebrae (chest disease, osteomyelitis) or cervical organs, acute thyroiditis (thyroid disease), lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymphoid systems), poliomyelitis (infantile spinal paralysis), herpes zoster, meningitis (inflammatory disease of the cerebral cortex) etc.
- Diseases of the internal organs. Neck pain can reflect diseases of other organs, such as: the brain, heart, alimentary tract, lungs, blood vessels, as well as the localization of purulent inflammation.
- Injuries to the spine and neck.
- Malignant neoplasm (and its metastases) or benign.
- Previous spinal surgery.
When should I see a doctor?
Don't put off visiting a neurologist if you don't know when and what to do (neck hurts and it hurts to turn):
- pain in the cervical region that does not weaken for more than a month;
- severe headaches;
- numbness, tingling, powerlessness in arms and legs;
- previous neck injuries.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis contains the following steps:
- detailed receipt of complaints and anamnesis (the type and location of pains, their intensity, the relationship with movement and physiological stress, the daily rate of pain, concomitant signs and diseases, operations, injuries are recognized);
- physical examination: examination of the cervical region, palpation (cervicalvertebrae and muscles, lymph nodes, thyroid gland), analysis of the state of the head and shoulders, inert and energetic movements, their volume, neurological examination to exclude radicular syndrome and myelopathy;
- lab tests: complete blood count, ESR, rheumatic factor, HLA B27 antigen (to rule out ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome and other autoimmune diseases);
- instrumental examinations: X-ray, CT, CT with myelography (before surgery for suspected herniated disc), bone scintigraphy, MRI.
After these procedures, you can already tell when your neck and head hurt what to do.
X-ray
X-ray imaging only visualizes bone structures, the softest tissues, but nerves, discs, muscles are completely invisible on x-rays. X-ray can help detect infectious-affected bone matter of the vertebrae, fractures, tumors. Radiography provides an indirect understanding of the degree of degenerative-dystrophic modifications in the vertebrae (reduction of the distance between the vertebrae, the presence of osteophytes and symptoms of arthritis of the facet joints). Before deciding what to do (neck hurts, turning hurts), you should have this test.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a more desirable way to diagnose diseases of the spine, because it visualizes both bone textures and soft tissues, ligaments, discs. MRImakes it possible to recognize tumors, disc herniations, transformations of soft tissue structures. MRI uses an electromagnetic field, which is different from X-rays or CT scans. MRI is absolutely painless, and the process usually takes 30-40 minutes. All iron objects (including jewelry) should be removed from the body prior to the MRI. In addition, if any metal is present in the body (implants, stents, endoprostheses), this method is contraindicated due to the powerful electromagnetic field. There are 2 types of tomographs: open type (low field) and tunnel type (high field).
CT
Computed tomography is a type of X-ray examination that provides a layered representation of tissues. CT visualizes bone textures much better than MRI, but worse soft-tissue structures. Often, CT is performed with contrast (myelography), which makes it possible to more accurately visualize the spinal structures (for example, to distinguish compression of the root of a herniated disc from compression due to stenosis).
EMG
Explores the rate of propagation of an electrical impulse from the central nervous system along specific nerves. This provides an opportunity to study the level of damage to the nerve fiber and select a prognostically effective therapy. It also helps to decide what to do if the lymph nodes in the neck hurt, as it determines their inflammation.
Scintigraphy
The peculiarity of the study is based on the different levels of absorption of a radioactive isotope in tissues with a variety of metabolic rates (significant accumulation in tissues with a high metabolism). The technology is being used morethe purpose of checking the nature of the lesion in places of pathological tissues (tumors, infections).
How to treat neck pain?
What to do when your neck hurts? It is necessary to treat pain in the cervical region with medication, using substances of various directions of exposure. In addition, you should undergo a course of physiotherapy, reflexology, physical therapy and massage. Surgical intervention is used only in especially serious cases.
Pharmaceutical Therapy
My neck hurts on the right side, what should I do? Local anesthetics, analgesics (NSAIDs and tablets such as paracetamol and analgin), hormonal substances (glucocorticoids), muscle relaxants (drugs to relieve muscle tension), antioxidants, and, if necessary, antidepressants and anticonvulsants, will help to instantly end the pain. Painkillers are considered the basis of drug treatment, substances of other groups are prescribed as concomitants in order to multiply the effect of pain relief, relieve inflammation and swelling. Medicines for pain in the neck are used not only orally, but also in injections, patches, ointments.
Orthopedic methods
Suitable for those who do not know when and what to do, neck hurts, do not turn. Here it is necessary first of all to mention the Shants collar, the wearing of which is prescribed after injuries or operations in the cervical region. It can be of two types: a solid collar with absolute fixation and immobilization of the cervicalsection and a soft collar that does not completely hold the neck and allows you to move correctly.
Reflexology
Different methods of applying electric current in the cervical region have a significant therapeutic result, especially in combination with the introduction of painkillers. This may include electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Acupuncture with special needles - the oldest Chinese method, which does not involve almost any electrical impulses, is also suitable for resuming physical activity and muscle tone. Suitable for those who are looking for options when and what to do (neck hurts, can't turn).
Low laser stimulation (aka LLL treatment)
Light beams of ultraviolet, infrared and scarlet spectra delicately act on painful areas, relieving pain, removing inflammation. It is considered one of the effective physical therapy methods to help relieve pain in the cervical region.
Ultrasonic physiotherapy
Ultrasound is considered an excellent analgesic. Removes cramps, improves blood circulation, has a positive effect on nerve cells. The introduction of pain medications through ultrasound (phonophoresis) can help transport the medication directly to the affected area and increase the effectiveness of the medications.
Healing massage, osteopathy, chiropractic
Methods of manual therapy can help relieve tension in the neck. Perfect for those who think what to do if their neck is blown and it hurts. Osteopaths influencebiologically active points, chiropractors relieve subluxations, displacement, traditional therapeutic massage includes manipulations to relax the muscles of the neck, stretching the ridge.
Therapeutic physical culture
If your neck hurts, what to do at home? You can do physical therapy. It is difficult to train the muscles of the cervical region, for this reason, physiotherapists, when choosing a treatment, focus on the mobility of the chest, shoulder area, as well as a measured distribution of the load along the spine.
Constructively choosing and diligently implementing cervical pain treatments can usually help you get rid of the bothersome syndrome. In an attempt to find a middle ground in the use of absolutely all possible methods of treatment in the United States, they created the concept of pain management - pain management. The secret of the technique lies in the collective harmonious work of experts from various fields: therapists, rehabilitation specialists, neurologists, traumatologists, orthopedists, psychologists, who are guided by the common task of relieving the patient from pain. A personal approach to the client is also important, a combination of medicinal and physiotherapeutic exercises, including work on the deep, psychological factors of severe neck pain.
The main thing is to remember and control the condition of your neck even after the completion of treatment and pain relief. If you continue to sit bent over, with your head bowed or slightly tilted, do not take breaks while working at the computer, do not exercise at least a few minutes a day, the pain in the cervical region will return with moreforce.
How does an osteopath treat?
First, the doctor takes an anamnesis. In addition to studying the pictures, he asks the patient about past illnesses, surgical interventions. The osteopath examines the location of the ears, the symmetry of the bones of the skull, shoulders, pelvis and feet.
The osteopath treats the disease by removing tension in those areas that impede the function of the cervical spine. In order to return the correct positions to the vertebrae, it is enough to remove the fascial stretch, which is quite painful. Techniques are focused on helping the body to free itself from forced tensions. The doctor applies the myofascial release technique, strain-counter strain, fascial technique.
Craniosacral treatment is important for improving the well-being of the neck, as it ensures the normal functioning of the muscles. Most of the problems in the cervical region, with posture, internal organs are formed after a birth injury. Correction of the craniosacral rhythm in early childhood makes it possible to protect children from scoliosis, pain in the neck of the head. The cervical region of the baby is not yet formed, it depends on the location of the temporal and occipital bones, which experience contraction during labor.
If you act only on the vertebrae, it is unrealistic to cure osteochondrosis: the doctor understands that changes in the neck are actually always compensatory. A huge role is played by the stretching of the vagus (vagus nerve, which provides parasympathetic innervation of absolutely all organs in the region of one side of the body). In order to heal the neck, the doctor needs to work with scars,adhesions of internal organs, sacrum and coccyx.
Prevention
Prevention of neck pain plays an important role in the fight against this unpleasant phenomenon. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the causes that initiate pain. We need daily physical activity, the correct daily routine. Sports loads must be compiled individually. But there are a few uniform rules that anyone should follow:
- keep your back straight during reading, writing, PC work;
- pause with gymnastic exercises for the neck and shoulder area;
- not be in front of a PC monitor for a long time, without straightening your back and cervical region;
- watch your posture;
- sleep on a small orthopedic pillow, large pillows are excluded;
- do not tilt your head back for a long time, do not bend it down during weight lifting;
- watch your weight;
- do sports and swim.
Therapy for neck pain should be unified, using both pharmaceutical and non-drug methods (orthopedic therapy, exercise therapy, physiatry, etc.). It is also important to correctly assess the causes of risk and the likely complications of existing methods of treatment for each individual. The therapeutic prognosis of acute pain is usually good, but it becomes less predictable if the ailments become permanent. Preventive methods and complex treatment bring excellent results and in most situations make it possible to put an end to severe pain and significantly improve the condition.sick.
