Pain in neck muscles can be associated with various deviations.The fundamental cause can be both diseases of the musculoskeletal system and work violations of the internal organs.
Pain syndrome relief does not solve the problem: diagnosed pathologies should be adjusted in accordance with the right treatment of treatment.
Possible causes of neck pain
A large number of reasons are known which explain the appearance of pain in the neck.The source can be diseases of the musculoskeletal system, alteration of blood circulation in the neck, a vascular disease.
One of the most common causes of pain is the pathology of the spine.The neck can also harm due to the pathologies of internal organs, infectious and viral processes.
Osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the cervical column, the neck hurts due to the clarification and deformation of vertebral discs.These disorders lead to the formation of microcoffresses on the vertebrae, which causes the growth of osteophytes and the appearance of a hernia.Pathological formations have a traumatic effect on surrounding tissues and nerve endings, causing an inflammatory process.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical column, pain syndrome is located at the back of the neck.When you turn your neck, severe discomfort and crunch are added to pain.
The pain intensifies with turns of the head or sudden movements, a cough or sneezing.As osteochondrosis develops, the pain spreads and reaches the shoulder and forearm areas.
The particularly severe pain becomes in the morning.There is also a rigidity of the movements, the patient is literally not able to turn his head on the side.
Gradually, the pain becomes less pronounced, transformed from stupid treble.
Episodes of net pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical column are compared to a shock - they are shots and piercing.
In addition, with the disease indicated, the following symptoms are observed:
- weakness of the hands;
- headache;
- fainting;
- dizziness;
- noise and ringing in the ears;
- a feeling of disorientation;
- insomnia;
- Emotional instability.
The neck of myositis
Cervical myositis is an inflammation of the neck muscles.The main symptom of this deviation is intensive pain that can decrease or increase.The patient cannot turn their heads, tilt it forward or throw it back.
Most often, pain in myositis only extends one side of the neck, but sometimes both can affect both at the same time.The pain is characterized by an irradiation of the upper body.
In addition, with the inflammatory process of the neck muscles, the gravity of the neck is felt, the forms swollen in the vertebrae.Pain can occur in the head of the head, which gives the back of the head or the temple.There are also difficulties to chew and swallow food.
As the pathological process develops, the temperature increases, a cough occurs, suffocation attacks.
Hernia of the vertebral cervical column
This pathology is the result of the progression of osteochondrosis.It is very dangerous: in the cervical region, there are a large number of nerve endings of the spinal cord.In addition, there are centers that are responsible for the flow of oxygen in the lungs.This is why with hernias, there are headache attacks, dizziness, suffocation.
With a strong protrusion from a hernia, a person can suffocate.
If the hernia hit the discs in the space between the first and fourth vertebrae, then the pain is in the short term, are sudden.With disk damage after the fourth vertebra, the pain is located in the shoulder area, after the sixth - of the shoulder joint to the fingers of the upper limbs.
In addition to the pain in the patient's neck, the patient is observed:
- A feeling of weakness in their hands, their numbness;
- decrease in the mobility of the head;
- Migraines;
- dizziness;
- Violation of visual acuity.
With the progression of the disease, the coordination of movements is disturbed, a person becomes less stable.
Spondylrosis
With the spondylo osteoarthritis of the cervical column, inflammation of the facets of facets is observed, because of which their structure is disturbed.In this case, the joints are experiencing an increased load and are damaged, which leads to the formation of osteophytes - bone growths which exert pressure on vessels and nerve roots.
With the spondylo arthritis of the neck, short -term pain occurs in this area, which are given to their hands, clouds and shoulder blades.The sensitivity in the neck also decreases, its mobility after sleep is limited.In addition, patients note the dizziness and the flicker of flies before their eyes.
The nature of the pain depends on the stage of spondylo osteoarthritis:
- On the first, it is practically absent: it is only with prolonged loads, a feeling of discomfort occurs.
- In the second step, acute pain is observed in the morning.
- On the third person, feels burning pain in progress.
- In the fourth stage, the mobility of the affected joints is raped, and over time, provided that there is no adequate treatment, they are completely immobilized.
As the pathological process develops, additional symptoms appear: noise in the ears, numbness of cervical zones and shoulders, changes in blood pressure and violation of the coordination of movements.
Bekhterev disease (ankylosing spondylitis)
Bekhterev's disease is a chronic inflammatory process of the spine, which applies to joints and ligaments.With this disease, the inflammatory process initially affects the place of connection of the sacrum and the iliac bones, then propagates slowly to the upper parts, exposing the entire spine to degenerative changes.
Sometimes the process of developing the pathological process begins with the neck, namely with the cervical radiculte.In this case, the patient feels a clear abandonment of the neck in his hand.
With ankylosing spondylitis, the rigidity of the spine, limiting the mobility of the chest and the loss of flexibility with the spine are observed.The spine is curved in the chest and lumbar region.In this case, the "layer of the speaker" is observed.
The disease progresses slowly, so for a long time, it remains unnoticed.
Cervical tuberculosis
Tuberculosis of the spine can affect any of its departments, while the smallest cervical is subject to this disease.However, such a pathology is still found (in 5% of cases).
In this case, the symptoms are:
- Strong and constant pain in neck muscles;
- swelling of the affected area, constantly increasing;
- sore throat;
- cough;
- Difficult to swallow.
Pain syndrome with tuberculosis of the cervical column is very strong.The patient tries not to make movements of the head, because it gives him great suffering.In this case, absolutely all muscles hurt, including deep muscle layers.
Cervical service tumor neoplasms
Tumors of the cervical column rarely occur, but the metastases of tumors often penetrate this area, which are located in the kidneys, the mammary glands.
With tumors in the neck, the patient experiences pronounced pain that becomes more intense as the pathological process is progressing.
In addition, symptoms such as:
- weakness of the muscles;
- muscle cramps;
- numbness;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- difficulties to swallow;
- insomnia;
- Corporate states are transformed into fainting;
- Abundant compartment of cold perspiration.
Localized tumors high in the neck affect the brain.This causes the appearance of symptoms of a neurological nature that have been mentioned on the list.
Meningitis
Neck muscles often hurt in case of meningitis.It is an inflammatory process that affects shells of the brain or spinal cord.In this case, a spasm of muscle fibers of the occipital part of the head occurs.
With meningitis, a person feels dull pain in the neck, cannot go to bed on their back in the usual position.
In addition, with meningitis, such characteristics arise:
- Constant headaches in which there is a feeling of bursting of the cranial box from the inside;
- convulsions of the upper and lower limbs;
- hallucinations;
- not motivated aggression;
- increase in body temperature;
- nausea and vomiting;
- the impossibility of perception of a bright color;
- Violation of consciousness.
Thyroid diseases
The dysfunctions of the thyroid gland affect the general patient's well and cause a set of characteristic symptoms.
This part of the endocrine system is located in the throat area, so that its inflammation or its lesion of another nature causes pain in the neck.A similar symptom occurs with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroidite, the development of a thyroid goiter.The occurrence of pain is due to an increase in the size of the gland, as well as to hormonal disorders in the body.
With these diseases, pain is of real regular character and is located at the front of the neck.Pain can be given to the occipital area, an ears area.Picotments can also be observed periodically.
Additional symptoms:
- feeling of warmth;
- Increase in perspiration;
- heart rate of the heart;
- drowsiness.
Neuralgia
The neuralgia of the cervical column is a violation of the nerve roots associated with a violation of the structure of the intervertebral disc.
Cervical neuralgia is accompanied by such symptoms:
- The pain in the neck, which occurs unexpectedly, when filming the head, touching the site next to the occipital nerve.At the initial stage of the development of pathology, the pain is located in the lower part of the neck, the back of the head, then extends to the eye area.The nature of the pain is an acute painful sensation that looks like an electric shock.
- Increased photosensitivity.
- Head skin pain.
- Unilateral headache which are constant.
- Blood pressure.
- Heat, chills.
- Trembling hands.
Pain in the neck can be due to high emotional stress, an increase in physical effort.
Which doctor contact?
The appearance of regular pain in the neck, which are pronounced and radiate towards individual areas of the body, is an opportunity to see a doctor.
First of all, you must visit the therapist who, after analyzing the main symptoms, will determine which specialist will need in a particular case.
The establishment of causes which have caused pain in the neck, as well as the treatment of pathologies in which it occurs, is engaged in such specialized specialists:
- Neurologist.This specialist is engaged in diseases in which the cervical nerve or the spinal cord damage occurred.The neurologist is engaged in cases where pain in the neck is accompanied by migraines, dizziness and convulsions.
- Traumatologist.The doctor is engaged in cases where pain has been caused by injuries.
- Vertebrologist.The specialist adjusts the patient's condition in the event of altered functions of the hernia of the musculoskeletal-intervertebral system, spondylarthritis.
- Orthopedist.To consult this doctor with pathologies such as thinning of cartilage, scoliosis, osteoporosis.
- Osteopath.This specialist deals with patients with degenerative changes in joints and vertebrae.Osteopath treats osteochondrosis, is engaged in the correction of the patient's posture.
- Rheumatologist.The doctor is engaged in the event of damage to muscles and bone tissues - rheumatism, arthritis.
In addition to these experts, the help of a manual, physiotherapist, masseur therapist may be necessary.
Diagnostic methods
With pain in the neck muscles, such diagnostic measures are prescribed as follows:
- Anamnesis collection;
- visual inspection;
- Check the sensitivity of the affected area, as well as its mobility;
- blood and urinary tests;
- X-ray examination of the cervical column;
- MRI;
- CT;
- Electromyography.
Based on the diagnostic results, the specialist determines the cause of pain in the neck and prescribed adequate treatment.
What if the neck hurts: approach to treatment
A specific disease is treated according to a certain scheme.It all depends on the deep cause of pain syndrome, but we can distinguish the main approaches to eliminate unpleasant sensations.
Pharmacotherapy
Often, pain in the neck becomes very intense.To remove their severity, the patient is prescribed from drugs.In this case, the following drugs are suitable:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets;
- Musorelaxing - analgesic that relieves spasms;
- Pain relievers used for exacerbation of diseases.
In diseases that cause pain in the neck and the trigger of bone cartilage and tissue processes, chondroprotectors - drugs that positively affect the restoration processes, and also have an anesthetic effect.
In addition, patients with pain in the neck are shown by drugs that normalize metabolic processes in affected tissues.
Physiotherapy
If the neck muscles hurt due to degenerative processes of the spine, such physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed:
- Diadinamotherapy- Impact on affected areas with double waves;
- balneotherapy- Measures linked to water procedures;
- electrotherapy- Exposure to the electric current on the affected areas;
- Magnetotherapy- Exposure to magnetic fields on painful cuts from the cervical region;
- Laser therapy- Laser exhibition.
Physiotherapeutic procedures are not carried out in the event of a serious general disease of the patient, during the period of exacerbation of osteochondosis, with mental disorders, an alteration of the integrity of the skin in place of the alleged effect.
The auxiliary methods listed in treatment not only contribute to a decrease in the intensity of pain, but also to strengthen immunity, to restore the complete blood circulation in affected areas and to reduce the severity of the disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Massage
In case of pain, located in the neck, can also be included in complex massage procedure therapy.They are made by a specialist because the poor approach can cause additional damage to bone and muscle structures.
The neck massage, which relaxes its muscles, is carried out in a sitting or lying position.The effect is exerted on the trapezoid muscles which support the cervical vertebrae.
Initially, the specialist makes light and bottom -up traming movements.After warming techniques, the field of special processes is rubbed.Then rubbing the posterior surface of the neck, vibrational exposure.
The massage session lasts 3 to 10 minutes.
Surgery
Operation with pain in the neck may be necessary if there are such pathologies:
- hernia of the intervertebral disc;
- compression of vertebral roots or radiculopathy;
- Compression of spinal cord or myelopathy.
The operation on the cervical column aims to eliminate the sections of vertebrae which have a traumatic effect on the spinal cord.
Currently, conventional operations that require a long rehabilitation period replace less invasive methods:
- endoscopy, in which the intervention is carried out by a puncture;
- Microsurgical operations that allow you to eliminate hernias without damaging the surrounding tissues of the spinal cord.
Folk remedies
In case of pain in the neck, you can try to calm it yourself with the help of folk remedies.The most effective are:
- Compress with horseradish.The horseradish sheet should be rinsed with boiling water, allow to cool to a comfortable temperature, fix it on the neck.Wrap the scarf on top.You must apply the compress before bedtime and leave it overnight.If there is a strong burning sensation, you should eliminate the compress and rinse the skin with lukewarm water.
- Compress with bay oil.10 drops of oil should be diluted in 1 liter of lukewarm water.Dip the fabric in the liquid and fix it on the neck for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Lubrication of the affected area with honey.After applying it, you must press the transformed place with your palms firmly, then tear it suddenly.Repeat until the honey is completely absorbed.
General recommendations
In diseases that cause intense pain in the cervical column, you should pay attention to the following recommendations:
- It is necessary to properly maintain the posture in both sitting and walking position.
- When the pain in the cervical region appears during physical effort, it is worth stopping their implementation, let the muscles relax.In the future, the degree of charge must be examined by which the neck area is subject.
- It is necessary to regularly devote time to physical effort, at least not too intense.For the health of the spine, swimming, yoga are useful.
- It is recommended to give preference to a backpack, not a bag: it gives a uniform load on the left and right parts of the body.
- It is useful to take a contrast shower.The alternation of temperatures positively affects blood circulation, does not allow blood and lymph to stagnate.
The same recommendations can be used as prevention.
The neck muscles can injure due to various pathologies of the spine, a slightly less painful syndrome is due to the pathologies of the internal organs.The treatment regime depends on the reason diagnosed by a doctor after a complete examination.