Neck pain - this is what the aforementioned posture, "couch" lifestyle, excessive physical activity leads to. There are many factors that affect the cervical spine not in the best way. Let's find out why the neck hurts and what to do to relieve the discomfort.
Neck pain and neck
Neck pain is divided into two types:
- Circumcalgia is a continuous spasm in one place. It appears gradually, its intensity varies. The neck constantly hurts, and in the same place - you need to go to the hospital, a serious illness can develop.
- Cervical pain is an unexpected pain that starts and stops quickly. The reason could be very sudden head movements or a long stay in the same position.
During the attack, coordination is disturbed and painful impulses respond in other parts of the body.
cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a violation of the joint joints. The disease is formed mainly in those who lead a sedentary, malnourished life. Nor is the latter role played by hereditary predisposition. People who suffer from osteochondrosis experience dizziness, noise in the eardrums and stiffness in the limbs. The back of the head hurts, burning between the shoulder blades. They often complain that the spine hurts in the neck. It becomes difficult to turn the neck, the movements are accompanied by a crunchy sound. Possible numbness.
Painful neck pain indicates the development of this disease. The neck hurts on the left or right side - probably osteochondrosis.
Cervical spine pain is accompanied by this disease. If you turn to a specialist in a timely manner, it can be easily cured.
Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine
The disease occurs even in young people. Left side of neck, shoulder, arm, chest hurts, visual and hearing impairment, impaired concentration are possible. For people with this disease, doctors recommend peace and rest, prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs.
herniated disc
Not only a full-fledged hernia, but also a minimal bulging of the disc is strongly felt: the canal in the cervical region is narrow, the nerve endings are close together. Pain in left side of neck, lower back, lower back. The disease develops from unhealthy diet, inactivity, lack of physical development. For treatment, acupressure technique and vacuum therapy are used.
crick
The neck can hurt from excessive physical exertion: after a workout, for example. The main symptom of a sprain is severe neck pain. The damaged area swells, it becomes impossible to turn the head, it can assume an unnatural position and the patient is at risk of passing out. To make it easier, you can take an anesthetic, apply a cold or hot compress, massage the twisted area. Lying on your stomach is not recommended - in this case, the head will be turned to the right or left, and the strained ligaments may not support it. For a few weeks, it is better to give up physical activity. When the pain subsides, you can start kneading your neck, bending it to the sides.
spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is a serious condition that can lead to disability and requires immediate consultation with your doctor. Spondylosis can be a neglected form of osteochondrosis. The disease mainly occurs in the elderly as well as in athletes as a result of injuries. Unpleasant sensations in the occipital part of the head and in the collar area become permanent.
Another sign is a throbbing pain in the neck on the left. There is a feeling of stiffness, discomfort when turning the head.
There are many opinions on how to treat cervical spondylosis. The main thing is to eliminate inflammation and pain. Drug therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures in combination with therapeutic exercises will help to restore working capacity and improve the general state of the body.
cervical myelopathy
Myelopathy occurs after narrowing of the spinal canal. Cervical spine pain signals the development of myelopathy. Those who suffer from myelopathy feel unwell and weak, often have the feeling that the limbs are shocked, speech slows down, it becomes difficult to take steps, coordination is disturbed. The disease occurs after falls from great heights and accidents. The patient wears a soft cervical collar, undergoes a course of physical therapy and strengthening exercises.
Whip
The term whiplash is used to describe pain resulting from soft tissue injury. Damage occurs due to accentuated extension with more flexion and vice versa. Sharp pain in the neck (any area) after a fall, fight, or accident can signal whiplash.
Ligaments are damaged - the head assumes a protruding position, cervical lordosis is lost. After an injury, an X-ray examination is mandatory. Attenuation of the disease occurs after 1-6 months.
cervical injury
Cervical spine pain appears after injuries, unsuccessful jumps in water, accidents. An unnatural curve, aching pain in the back of the head indicates an injury in the cervical region. Edema and bruising appear, the body's motor functions are disturbed. For those who have cervical spine pain, doctors first prescribe wearing a special collar for several months.
infections
Infectious skin diseases lead to inflammation, which can be accompanied by acute pain. With infections such as tonsillitis or rubella, the lymph nodes expand and lead to unpleasant painful sensations in the neck muscles.
Pathology of internal organs
Severe neck pain often portends pathology. With pain in the right upper quadrant, extending to the neck on the right side, the development of cholecystitis is suspected. If the cervical temples hurt in the morning, it looks like hypertension. The pain in these cases is reflected and comes from the head, heart, esophagus. Myocardial infarction and angina are often accompanied by pain in the chest, shoulders, and arms.
Patients who survived similar illnesses complained that their neck ached on the left side. Neck pain on the right, thigh cramps on the same side suggest the development of cholecystitis. Pain in the front of the neck gives the right to suspect a disorder of the thyroid gland, esophagus, larynx or pharynx. Perhaps local neuritis - nerve damage - develops. This usually occurs after poisoning with chemicals such as alcohol.
Restless pain in the cervical spine is a precursor to a developing pathology. In this case, the pressure jumps a lot. Neck pain on the right, with limited ability to move the head, torments during meningitis.
Painful sensations on the sides are the result of tumor expansion in the brain. Help must be sought immediately. Neck pain in front right or left can indicate the presence of pharyngitis, laryngitis, lymphangitis or any other disease associated with inflammation of the viscera.
It hurts in the cervical spine - perhaps there is a process of development of meningitis, tuberculosis, osteomyelitis. A non-dangerous disease that can be easily treated - vegetative-vascular dystonia can also be accompanied by disease. Pain in the cervical region is given to the limbs, back, there are pressure spikes, shortness of breath, lethargy.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by sharp pain in the neck. It intensifies at night.
other reasons
Often, pain in the neck on the right is the result of a banal lumbago. Lumbago or lumbago - contraction of the neck muscles. It is harmless and goes away on its own after a few weeks. Most often manifested due to a draft, the pain spreads to the head, chest. The neck hurts a lot on the left or right - perhaps the person simply "lies" on this side. Body passivity impairs the physical condition and impairs the functioning of the vessels of the cervical spine. During this type of illness, it is enough to change the position of the body.
Many people who are obese often have neck pain. The spine and cervical vertebrae cannot cope with excess weight, they have a huge load and begin to actively resist.
Stress and psychological tension become the causes of painful sensations. Emotional outbursts and tension often cause pain in the back of the neck. In it, as in any other part of the body, there are many nerve endings. If the shoulders also ache, tingling and numbness, the nerve is compressed. The pain will subside after an injection or an anesthetic medication.
Pulls on the muscles - maybe you should diversify your day with walks in the fresh air. Right side pain in a healthy neck - the person has simply overcooled.
Treatment
Anyone who is constantly worried about the cervical region should consult a specialist. This is very important, especially if the temperature rises with severe pain. When the neck hurts for three days, you need to sound the alarm. The treatment of a neck that hurts can only be prescribed by a specialist.
Doctors often prescribe medication. It is recommended that the disturbing parts of the neck are lubricated with preparations with a warming effect. Permanent pain can make a person irritable: the doctor prescribes sedatives, antidepressants. Neck pain on the right, left, front, side and back can be relieved by applying a heating pad to the affected area or wrapping it in a warm scarf.
Massage is a mandatory wellness procedure. You can do this yourself. The neck hurts in the front, for example - gently caress and rub its surface, trying not to touch the Adam's apple. Blood circulation will improve and pain in the cervical region will no longer bother you.
Pulling severe neck pain is recommended to be treated with warm compresses. In such cases, a person needs complete rest and the pain in the right or left neck will subside in a matter of minutes. If the situation is serious, a professional who knows how to treat neck pain, such as a trained physical therapist, should take over.
Bruises and sprains are relieved by cold compresses. In medical practice, acupuncture and physical education to improve health are often used, especially with constant neck pain.
In especially severe cases, patients are operated on, but this is the exception rather than the rule. If the treatment of the cervical region is successful, you will be able to get rid of the discomfort within a few months.
How to treat neck pain yourself
What people afflicted with the disease didn't invent! For minor sprains or injuries, you can turn to informal pain management methods. There is a proven way to get rid of neck pain in an hour.
Fold the gauze into three layers. Cook the potatoes in their uniforms, then push and secure around the neck through a cloth, then warm with a handkerchief or towel. As the potatoes cool, remove the layers of cheesecloth. After the procedure is completed, rub your neck with any alcohol.
In order for pain in the cervical region to stop, you must follow a few simple rules:
- Keep the correct posture. A crooked back contributes to muscle deformity. The shoulders should be down, the chin should be in an elevated position. Sitting with a crooked back, you risk getting seriously ill.
- Choose a backpack over a purse. The load will be evenly distributed on the left and right side of the body, and cervical spine pain will decrease.
- While reading, keep your head straight, don't lower it. You can fix it with a roller or pillow (not soft), change position.
- Make time for physical activity. Yoga, swimming, fitness strengthen the neck muscles. If you can't train, take breaks from work, stretch, relax all your muscles.
- Take a contrast bath. During cold and hot water changes, the body experiences stress: blood circulation accelerates, muscles, including the neck, involuntarily strengthen.
- Do not exaggerate. When the neck hurts a lot, it is better to leave it alone and in no case continue working or training. Cervical spine pain may go away on its own.
- Don't panic. Stress affects not only the psychological but also the physical health of a person. Instead of yelling "what to do if your neck hurts terribly on your left", it's better to calm down and assess the situation sensibly.