Pain in the neck - this is what the said posture, "sofa" lifestyle, excessive physical activity leads to. There are many factors that affect the cervical spine in a not the best way. Let's see why the neck hurts and what to do to relieve discomfort.
Cervicalgia and cervicalgo
Pain in the neck is divided into two types:
- Circumcalgia is a continuous spasm in one place. Appears gradually, its intensity varies. The neck constantly hurts, and in the same place - you need to go to the hospital, a serious illness may develop.
- Cervicago is an unexpected pain that starts and stops quickly. The cause may be too sudden movements of the head or a long stay in the same position.
During the attack, coordination is disturbed, and painful urges respond in other parts of the body.
Cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a violation of the articular joints. The disease is formed mainly in those leading a sedentary life, malnourished. Not the last role is played by hereditary predisposition. People suffering from osteochondrosis experience dizziness, din in the eardrums, and stiffness in the limbs. The back of the head aches, it burns between the shoulder blades. Often complain that the spine hurts in the neck. It becomes difficult to turn the neck, movements are accompanied by a crunchy sound. Possible numbness.
Aching pain in the neck indicates the development of this disease. The neck hurts on the left side or on the right - most likely, osteochondrosis.
Pain in the cervical spine 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. The left side of the 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 discs
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 at close range. Pain on the left side of the neck, lower back, lower back. The disease develops from unhealthy nutrition, inactivity, lack of physical development. For treatment, the technique of acupressure and vacuum therapy is used.
Crick
The neck can hurt from excessive physical exertion: after a workout, for example. The main symptom of a sprain is severe pain in the neck. The damaged area swells, it becomes impossible to turn the head, it can take an unnatural position, and the patient runs the risk of fainting. To make it easier, you can take an anesthetic, apply a cold or hot compress, massage the sprained area. It is not recommended to lie down on your stomach - in this case, the head will be turned to the right or left, and tense ligaments may not withstand. For a few weeks, it is better to give up physical activity. When the pain subsides, you can begin to knead the neck, tilting it to the sides.
Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is a serious disease that can lead to disability and requires immediate consultation with your doctor. Spondylosis can be a neglected form of osteochondrosis. The disease occurs mainly in the elderly, as well as in athletes as a result of injuries. Unpleasant sensations in the occipital part of the head and the collar zone become permanent.
Another signal 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 about 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 restore working capacity and improve the general condition of the body.
cervical myelopathy
Myelopathy occurs after narrowing of the spinal canal. Pain in the cervical spine signals the development of myelopathy. Those suffering from myelopathy feel unwell and weak, they often have a 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 cervical soft collar, undergoes a course of physiotherapy and strengthening exercises.
Whiplash
The term whiplash is used to describe pain resulting from soft tissue injury. Damage occurs due to sharp extension with further flexion and vice versa. Sharp pain in the neck (any area) after a fall, fight, or accident can signal whiplash.
The ligaments are damaged - the head takes a protruding position, the cervical lordosis is lost. After an injury, an X-ray examination is mandatory. Attenuation of the disease occurs after 1-6 months.
Cervical injury
Pain in the cervical spine appears after injuries, unsuccessful jumps into the water, accidents. An unnatural bend, aching pain in the back of the head indicate an injury to the cervical region. Edema and hematomas appear, the motor functions of the body are disturbed. For those who have pain in the cervical spine, doctors will 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 aching sensations in the neck muscles.
Pathology of internal organs
Severe neck pain often portends a pathology. With pain in the right hypochondrium, 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. Pain in such cases is reflected and it 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 hurt on the left. Pain in the neck on the right, cramps in the thigh 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 develops - nerve damage. This usually occurs after poisoning with chemicals, such as alcohol.
Restless pains in the cervical spine are harbingers of a developing pathology. In this case, the pressure jumps a lot. Pain in the neck on the right, with limited ability to move the head, torments during meningitis.
Painful sensations on the side are the result of the expansion of the tumor in the brain. Help should be sought immediately. Pain in the neck in front on the right or left may 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 ailments. Pain in the cervical region is given to the limbs, back, there are pressure surges, shortness of breath, lethargy.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by stabbing 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 muscles of the neck. It is harmless and goes away on its own after a couple of weeks. Most often manifested due to a draft, the pain spreads to the head, chest. The neck hurts a lot on the left or on the right - perhaps the person simply "lay down" this side. Bodily passivity harms the physical condition and impairs the functioning of the vessels of the cervical spine. During this kind of ailment, it is enough to change the position of the body.
Many people who are obese often have pain in the neck. The spine and cervical vertebrae cannot cope with excess weight, they have a huge load, and they 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. On it, like on any other part of the body, there are many nerve endings. If the shoulders also hurt, tingling and numbness are felt, the nerve is pinched. The pain will subside after an injection or taking an anesthetic drug.
Pulls muscles - perhaps you should diversify your day with walks in the fresh air. Pain on the right side in a healthy neck - the person was simply overcooled.
Treatment
Those who are 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. Treatment of a neck that hurts can only be prescribed by a specialist.
Doctors usually prescribe medications. The disturbing parts of the neck are recommended to be lubricated with preparations with a warming effect. Permanent pain can make a person irritable: the doctor prescribes sedatives, antidepressants. Pain in the neck 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 it yourself. The neck hurts in front, for example - gently stroke and rub its surface, trying not to touch the Adam's apple. Blood circulation will improve, and pain in the cervical region will cease to bother.
Pulling severe pain in the neck is recommended to be treated with warm compresses. In such cases, a person needs complete rest, and pain in the neck on the right or left 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 health-improving physical education are often used, especially with constant pain in the neck.
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 can get rid of discomfort in a few months.
How to treat neck pain yourself
What people stricken with illness did not come up with! For sprains or minor injuries, you can resort to informal methods of pain management. There is a proven way to get rid of neck pain in an hour.
Fold the gauze in three layers. Boil the potatoes in their uniforms, then push and attach to the neck through a cloth, then warm with a scarf or towel. As the potatoes cool, remove the layers of gauze. Upon completion of the procedure, rub the neck with any alcohol.
In order for the pain in the cervical region to stop, you must follow a couple of simple rules:
- Maintain correct posture. A crooked back contributes to muscle deformity. The shoulders should be lowered, the chin should be in a raised position. Sitting with a crooked back, you risk getting seriously ill.
- Prefer a backpack over a bag. The load will be evenly distributed on both the left and right side of the body, and the pain in the cervical spine will subside.
- While reading, keep your head straight, do not lower. You can fix it with a roller or pillow (not soft), change position.
- Make time for physical activity. Yoga, swimming, fitness strengthen the muscles of the neck. If it is not possible to train, take breaks in work, stretch, relaxing all the muscles.
- Take a contrast shower. During changes in cold and hot water, the body experiences stress: blood circulation speeds up, muscles, including the neck, involuntarily strengthen.
- Don't overstress. When the neck hurts a lot, it is better to leave it alone and in no case continue to work or train. Pain in the cervical spine can go away on its own.
- Do not panic. Stress affects not only the psychological but also the physical health of a person. Instead of shouting "what to do if the neck hurts terribly on the left", it is better to calm down and assess the situation sensibly.