Pain in the neck

26 January 2024

There is no adult who has never experienced neck pain in their life. One in four women and one in six men experience it constantly. A sedentary lifestyle and time spent in front of the computer make the problem worse. Neck pain can also occur due to osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint and any other diseases of this area, the upper back and arms, or the back of the head. From this article you will learn everything about neck pain and how to eliminate it.

Causes of neck pain

The most common causes are the following diseases:

Cervical osteochondrosis, complicated by protrusion or herniation of the intervertebral discs. The most common and important cause of neck pain. The pain is associated with pinching of spinal nerve roots by partially or completely destroyed intervertebral discs. The pain is very strong, sudden, can be localized only in the neck (on one or both sides) or radiate to other areas - to the head, back of the head, arm, back, underthe shoulder blade, etc. for treating pain, restoring cartilaginous tissue of the discs and strengthening the neck muscles. Sometimes these patients need the help of a neurosurgeon to remove the destroyed disc.
Ankylosing spondylitis (rheumatoid spondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis) is an autoimmune inflammatory process in the joints of the cervical spine. The disease usually develops gradually and unnoticed, spreading along the spine from bottom to top. The cervical region is the last to be affected. It manifests itself as neck pain, stiffness of movements, which disappear after the start of physical activity. Over time, the pain intensifies and the spine becomes immobile. Long-term treatment with a rheumatologist will be helpful.
Osteoarthritis of the facet joints of the cervical spine (non-covertebral osteoarthritis). In this case, the cause of pain in the neck and back of the head are degenerative-dystrophic changes in the small joints connecting the cervical vertebrae. Often has a professional origin, develops during stationary work with the head tilted or turned forcibly, or after suffering injuries. Symptoms: pain at the site of injury, radiating to the shoulder and crunching when moving, sometimes headache, dizziness, high or low blood pressure, hearing impairment. Treatment by a neurologist and a rheumatologist.
Torticollis is a change in neck position that prevents the head from turning and other movements. It can be congenital (in children) and acquired (in adults) after injuries, against the background of rough skin scars, persistent spasms of the cervical and occipital muscles during degenerative-dystrophic and inflammatory processes of the spine andsurrounding soft tissues. Symptoms: head tilt and raised shoulder on the affected side, pain in the neck and back of the head when trying to tilt the head in the opposite direction. Pain increases with physical activity and stress. Treatment can be conservative (for spasms) or surgical, carried out by a surgeon or an orthopedic traumatologist.
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is associated with irritation of the nerve endings in muscles, leading to spasms and pain.

Clinical anatomy of the neck

In cases of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine, as well as arthritis of the facet joints (between individual vertebrae), bony growths or swollen soft tissues can compress the vertebral artery, leading to impairedblood flow to the brain, headaches and dizziness. . Pain can also be a consequence of compression of the spinal roots extending from the spinal cord. Along the brachial nerve plexus, this pain radiates towards the arm.

First aid for neck pain - what to do

Neck pain can gradually increase, but sometimes it appears acutely, suddenly in the form of lumbago with radiation to other areas. It is difficult to bear such suffering. What to do, how to get rid of it?

Tablets and ointments for neck pain

Emergency self-help algorithm:

Take a sedative - panic only aggravates the situation; you can take: 20 drops of soothing drops or a tablet containing the substance levomenthol dissolved in menthyl isovalerate under the tongue; these medications not only soothe, but also dilate blood vessels, which helps reduce muscle spasms and associated pain; You can also take 1-2 tablets of valerian extract or any other sedative you have on hand.
Take painkillers (optional).
To get rid of painful pain, you can use external painkillers: ointments, gels, patches.

Exercises for neck pain

If the pain is not very strong, is aching in nature and is associated with stiffness, you can try to get rid of it with the help of exercises. They should be performed smoothly, without making sudden movements. An approximate set of exercises that relieve pain:

starting position (IP) – lying on your back, head on a flat pillow; Press your head hard against the pillow and hold it until you count 5; pause and repeat; do 5-7 approaches;
IP - lying on the left side, head on a flat pillow; raise your head and hold it in this position until the count of 5; take a short break, then at least five approaches;
IP - lying on the side on the right; repeat the previous exercise on the right side;
IP - lying on your stomach, hands clasped behind the head; raise your head while resisting with your hands; each approach – 5 seconds with a short pause, repeat 5-7 times.

It is contraindicated for relieving severe acute pain with exercises.

In such cases, it is best to keep the neck still, for example using a Shants collar. But prolonged immobilization leads to a weakening of the muscular corset and a worsening of the situation. The Shants collar can therefore be used to reduce pain before consulting a doctor. Only a specialist can determine the duration of immobilization.

Having completely or partially eliminated the pain syndrome on your own, you need to consult a doctor, otherwise it will return and it will be quite difficult to relieve it.

Exercises for neck pain

What not to do if you have neck pain

If you often experience neck pain, remember that you should not:

being in a forced position for a long time with a strained neck - a painful muscle spasm develops;
lifting weights, performing heavy work - microtrauma occurs in the spine with nearby tissues, gradual destruction of cartilaginous and bone structures;
often be exposed to stress - they are accompanied by vascular spasms, which negatively affect blood circulation and the condition of the spine;
smoking, frequent drinking alcohol – contributes to persistent vasoconstriction;
hypothermia - muscles located near the spine become inflamed, myositis develops;
sleeping on a high, soft pillow means staying in an uncomfortable static position for a long time;
make sharp turns of the head - sudden pinching of the nerve and the appearance of severe pain are possible.

When you need to see a doctor urgently

Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if:

neck pain occurs regularly and is not always completely relieved by painkillers;
you have experienced a painful crisis for the first time or have already experienced it several times, while a movement causes serious suffering;
the pain syndrome is accompanied by general disorders: fever, chills, etc. ;
suddenly, a short-term sharp pain appeared in the left neck, radiating to the arm, shoulder blade or back of the head - a sign of an acute circulatory disorder in the heart muscle (angina attack);
sudden attacks of headache and dizziness appeared, sometimes with loss of consciousness - a sign of compression of the vertebral artery.

If such symptoms appear, there is no point in self-medication: this will only make the problem worse. No folk remedies or grandmother's advice will help.

Only a doctor can help relieve pain by developing an individual treatment plan based on examination and establishing an accurate diagnosis. If you have any doubts about which doctor to contact, go to a therapist, he or she will understand the situation and, if necessary, will refer you to another specialist.

Types of Neck Pain and How to Deal with It

Pain syndrome can manifest itself in different ways: only on one side of the neck or everywhere, locally or radiating to other parts of the body. Let's try to figure out what the appearance of pain indicates and what to do in each specific case.

Severe neck pain due to coronavirus and ARVI

Any viral infection can be accompanied by neck pain. This is due to poisoning caused by the infectious agent. Once the person recovers, these symptoms disappear.

But in some people, a few days or weeks after a viral infection, the pain syndrome reappears, sometimes accompanied by swelling of the spine and stiffness of movements (the head has difficulty turning to the sides)Morning.

This condition requires immediate examination, as it may be associated with autoimmune processes in the facet joints (connecting vertebrae) of the spine.

Coronavirus infection has serious consequences on the immune system, causing various disruptions in its functioning. If a person has a predisposition to an autoimmune process (close relatives suffering from such diseases), then it is quite possible that a viral infection will serve as a starting point (trigger) for its appearance. What to do: consult a therapist or rheumatologist.

Severe neck pain and fever

If severe neck pain appears suddenly and is accompanied by fever, this indicates the presence of an acute inflammatory process:

viral infection or exacerbation of some chronic inflammatory processes (bronchitis, sinusitis, etc. ) - in this case, the disease is also accompanied by catarrhal symptoms - cough and runny nose; what to do: if the pain is not too intense and the temperature is not high, you can wait to see a doctor; persistence of pain after recovery should be a reason to consult a doctor;
bacterial purulent inflammatory processes - abscesses, phlegmons; what to do: consult a surgeon, because the symptoms can only be eliminated by surgery;
autoimmune process in the joints of the cervical spine; the first symptoms appear a few days or weeks after the acute inflammatory process, there are no catarrhal symptoms; what to do: consult a doctor immediately; self-medication is contraindicated.

Severe neck pain, radiating to the head

Sometimes sharp and sudden pain appears in the neck in the spinal region, radiating towards the head (cervicocranialgia), associated with pinching of the spinal roots extending from the 1st and 2nd cervical vertebra (C1 - C2) withtransmission of pain to the trigeminal nerve. , whose nuclei are located in the upper parts of the spinal cord. This is called radicular pain syndrome, it can be very strong and quite long-lasting. What to do: As self-help, you can take a painkiller tablet and apply an anesthetic patch to the sore spot.

If the pain does not go away, call an ambulance, the doctor can temporarily relieve the pain. But after removing them, you absolutely must consult a neurologist.

Aching pain in the neck and back of the head may be the result of vertebral artery compression. In such cases, this is often accompanied by dizziness and fainting, as the brain suffers from a lack of oxygen.

Similar pain can occur with high blood pressure (BP). The attack is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. What to do: pain in the neck and back of the head is dangerous, so if they appear, you need to call an ambulance.

Neck and shoulder pain

Aching pain in the neck may radiate to the shoulders. Typically, neck and shoulder pain is associated with muscle spasms and tension when the neurovascular bundle between the scalene muscles is compressed. Morning stiffness appears, due to constant aching pain, the head is in a forced position: it is slightly tilted forward and towards the affected side. If a blood vessel is also compressed, dizziness, darkening of the eyes, and fainting may occur. Radiation of pain from the neck to the shoulders is also characteristic of osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis of the facet joints of the 5-6 vertebrae (C5-C6). When the pathological focus is located at C5, the pain radiates along the anterior outer surface of the shoulder, so the patient is not able to move the arm to the side.

What to do: You cannot tolerate such symptoms; you can’t cure them yourself; you need to consult a neurologist.

Neck pain on the right or left side

If your neck hurts on one side:

very strong sudden attack– a sign of damage to the spinal roots on the right or left side; A patch with lidocaine can help, but this is a temporary measure, it is necessary to contact a neurologist;
sudden, short but sharp paroxysmal pain in left neck– can be a symptom of angina; if such symptoms appear again, you should seek help from a therapist or cardiologist;
aching pain on the left or right side– often develops with a prolonged tense position of the head due to spasms of the neck muscles; To relieve spasms, use pain relieving ointments and patches; When painful muscle spasms appear, you should monitor your posture and avoid work in which your head remains in a static, tense position for a long time.

What to do: If you experience constant or recurring pain on the right or left side of your neck, it is best to start by seeing a therapist.

Severe back and neck pain

Painful sensations in the back, transmitted to the neck, are usually a consequence of osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine. There is a progressive destruction of the shock-absorbing intervertebral cartilaginous pad - the disc. The disc thins, cracks and can extend partially or completely beyond the spine, compressing the nerve roots, which is accompanied by severe lower back pain radiating to the neck. Painful sensations are aggravated by spasms of the back and neck muscles.

When C6 is affected, neck pain radiates to the scapula, shoulder girdle, shoulder, forearm and 1 finger. At the same time, muscle strength decreases and hand movements require additional effort. Damage to C7 - pain waves are transmitted to the shoulder blade, back of the hand, index and middle fingers. Symptoms of damage to C8 - possible irradiation of pain along the posterior inner surface of the hand to the little finger.

What to do: To relieve pain, you need to take an anesthetic orally and apply an anesthetic gel to the skin. Once the pain subsides, consult a neurologist.

Such neck pain can also occur in cases of scoliosis - a sideways curvature of the spine. Scoliosis can cause compression of the vertebrae, pinched nerves, and constant back pain. What to do: treatment is carried out by an orthopedist-traumatologist.

Severe neck pain with radiation

Sometimes neck pain spreads to other areas. These are so-called referred pains, in which painful impulses from the main focus propagate along the nerve fibers connecting different parts of the body and internal organs.

Pain waves can radiate:

In the ear -painful sensations have different origins; most often they are linked:

with inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs - sore throat, chronic tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis; it is usually a sore throat and ear, accompanied by symptoms such as fever, painful sore throat, cough; in chronic inflammatory processes, the disease is not so acute, without fever, the pain is moderate;
with degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the cervical spine (osteochondrosis) and its consequences - protrusion and herniation of the disc; neck pain syndrome is associated with pinching of the spinal roots by a disc protruding from the spine or by an overgrowth of bone tissue from the vertebrae; pain referred to the ear with osteochondrosis is a sign of compression of the nerve root of the 3rd cervical vertebra (C3);
with arthritis (inflammation) or osteoarthritis (metabolic disorders) in the facet joints C3 - C4, connecting the cervical vertebrae;

In the teeth -painful irradiation of teeth:

usually associated with osteochondrosis – damage to the C3 – C4 vertebrae;
have a thoughtful character; this is due to dental problems: deep caries and periodontitis of the teeth of the lateral part of the dentition of the upper jaw; various malocclusions; the pain can radiate from the oral cavity to the neck, we often have the impression that it is the neck that hurts, radiating towards the teeth on the right or left; what to do: treat or remove damaged teeth, restore occlusion; reflected pain syndrome may be associated with arthritis or osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) – it feels like your teeth hurt and the pain radiates to the neck;

In the eyes -if the upper cervical vertebrae are affected (osteochondrosis, arthritis or osteoarthritis of the facet joints), pain along the sensitive branches of the neck nerves can radiate to the eyes or tissues around the eyeball;

At the temple -often a sign of cervical osteochondrosis or osteoarthritis (arthritis) of the TMJ;

In your hand -in cases of cervical osteochondrosis or arthritis (osteoarthritis) of the C6 – C8 joints, as well as in cases of spasms of the cervical muscles;

In the shoulder blade -lesions of C6 – C7, as well as glenohumeral periarthritis;

In the collarbone -pain syndrome can develop after injury to the clavicle and transmit along the nerve fibers from the brachial plexus to the neck, as well as in case of arthritis or arthrosis of the shoulder joint.

When pain waves radiate to other organs and tissues, it is difficult for the patient himself to determine what hurts and which specialist to contact. It is therefore preferable to start with a therapist: he will then determine where to direct the patient.

Severe pain in the neck muscles

Pain in the neck muscles is usually associated with various injuries and diseases of the spine, but can also manifest itself as an independent disease - myofascial pain syndrome.

What to do: treatment can be started by a neurologist, but a consultation with a rheumatologist may be necessary.

The neck hurts a lot

Pain in the back of the head and neck is most often associated with cervical osteochondrosis and pathology of the facet joints of the cervical vertebrae. This is accompanied by a painful spasm of the neck muscles.

What to do: it is best to start by consulting a neurologist; perhaps after the examination he will refer the patient to a rheumatologist.

Pain in the front of the neck in the larynx area

Painful sensations in the cervical region in front, associated with swallowing disorders, may appear with the growth of thyroid tissue (inflammatory process, goiter). At the same time, the external increase is not always noticeable, since the goiter can develop behind the sternum.

What to do: urgently contact an endocrinologist.

The larynx can hurt due to acute and chronic diseases of the ENT organs. These diseases are accompanied by cough, sore throat and sometimes an increase in body temperature. Laryngitis is particularly dangerous, accompanied by pain, a barking cough and a risk of swelling of the larynx.

What to do: contact a therapist or otolaryngologist.

Neck pain when turning or bending

Myofascial pain syndrome with reflection in the ear and eyeball area when turning

Painful head rotations and tilts can be the result of:

osteochondrosis and damage to the spinal roots; the pain syndrome is severe and sudden, it is almost impossible to turn or tilt the head; what to do: urgently consult a neurologist;
acute neck injury or prolonged microtrauma; in the absence of bone changes (fractures, dislocations), the pain syndrome is associated with spasms and subsequent inflammation of the neck muscles; what to do: seek help from a neurologist;
curvature of the spine - scoliosis; the pain is aching in nature and intensifies when bending the neck; what to do: contact an orthopedist-traumatologist.

Neck pain after sleep

As a rule, such pains rarely appear out of nowhere; they are most often associated with a hidden disease of the spine or cervical muscles. After sleep, they appear with prolonged incorrect position of the head, which leads to compression of blood vessels and nerves. After sleep, this manifests itself as aching pain, numbness and restriction of movement. After a while it disappears.

What to do: contact a neurologist and make sure that you do not have serious pathologies.

Severe pain and cracking in the neck

The causes of neck pain accompanied by tightening can be osteochondrosis, arthrosis of the facet joints or increased mobility of the cervical vertebrae. In any case, this is a sign of a pathological process, which can only be established after an examination.

What to do: contact a neurologist, but you may also need help from other specialists.

Treatment of diseases causing neck pain

There are analgesics to temporarily relieve pain, but in order to completely relieve the patient of suffering, the doctor must conduct an examination and find out the cause of the pain. The patient cannot do it alone, he must go to a clinic.

Diagnostic

Clinical examination of the neck - the first step in diagnosis

During the first appointment, the doctor carries out a clinical examination of the patient and, depending on the results, may prescribe the following additional studies:

Laboratory tests– general clinical, biochemical and immunological blood tests. The data obtained makes it possible to identify inflammatory, metabolic and autoimmune processes.
Instrumental diagnostic methods:X-ray of the affected part of the spine, if necessary- shoulder joint;Soft tissue ultrasound;MRI or CT– a more detailed examination of the cervical region;electroneurmyography– assess the condition of the spinal nerve roots.

After the examination, the doctor can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Methods to treat neck pain

Treatment of cervical pain syndrome can only be individual, since it depends on the identified disorders and the final diagnosis. Concomitant diagnoses – the presence of various other diseases in the patient – must also be taken into account.

The combination of modern and traditional oriental techniques allows the patient to immediately relieve acute pain.

This gives hope for a normal life, even to patients suffering from long-term intense pain syndrome. After the course, they regularly come to the clinic for preventive treatment, which allows them to completely get rid of pain and live a normal life. Contact the medical center, the doctors will definitely help you!