Almost everyone has had neck pain at some point. They can appear not only in adults, but also in children. To get rid of discomfort, you first need to find out what is causing your neck pain, and then solve the problem. Since this could be a symptom of a more serious illness rather than simple pain, it's important to seek medical attention promptly.
Causes of neck pain
Neck discomfort is one of the most common patient complaints. There are many reasons why cervical spine pain may be noted, but they are all divided into several groups:
- Non-specific factors. The reasons for the appearance of pain in the neck and back of the head can be a long time in one position, overexertion, repetition of the same movement, hypothermia, overweight, stress. . They can also appear after a night of sleeping in the wrong position or on an uncomfortable mattress or pillow. Such pains may be harmless enough.
- Injury to vertebrae, discs, joint capsule, ligaments. Neck pain can be the result of degenerative-dystrophic diseases. The most common pathologies in this group are osteonecrosis, spondylolisthesis, spondylolisthesis, stenosis and hernia.
- Pathology of internal organs. Anterior pain is often caused by thyroiditis (inflamed thyroid gland). This pain is aggravated by any impact on the neck. Inflammation of the salivary glands, tooth decay, tonsillitis, and damage to the larynx and trachea can also cause neck pain.
- Tumors. Neoplasms can be a trigger for severe neck pain. They are long enough. If the discomfort does not stop, you should see a doctor immediately.
- Injury and other mechanical damage. Another reason why the spine in the neck hurts is an injury. Even a light blow can cause damage to the cervical spine. When impacted, the vertebrae can be displaced. If they are not placed in time, the patient will complain of neck pain in the front, right or left side for no apparent reason.
- Inflammatory processes. Pain can be caused by arthritis, lupus, spondylitis, and Sharp's syndrome. Sometimes the inflammation is accompanied by pain from ankylosing spondylitis.
- Muscular corset diseases. Trigger points, small lumps in the neck, appear when the muscles in the shoulder and neck are in spasm.
- Infectious Diseases. These often include tuberculosis, meningitis, shingles, and osteomyelitis.
- Consequences of action.
Symptoms of a condition that causes pain in the shoulder and neck may not appear for years or appear all the time. Therefore, it is important to undergo regular check-ups in medical facilities.
There are causes of neck pain that only affect children. If a child's neck hurts, these are usually very serious illnesses. These include torticollis, tetanus, mumps, polio, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Diagnose
To find the cause of the discomfort, if the cervical spine is painful, it is important to see a specialist at the first symptoms. Your therapist or pediatrician will refer you to a more narrow specialist after the initial examination and depending on the nature of the pain.
Usually, they are referred to a neurologist or chiropractor. If neck pain is the cause of mechanical damage, referral to a traumatologist is warranted. For neck pain or torticollis in children, they may be referred to a chiropractor. They are sent to a cardiologist if they are concerned about pain in their left neck, but there is no problem with the functioning of their arms and legs. An otolaryngologist should be sought for help when neck pain occurs and it is suspected that a sore throat or inflammation of the lymph nodes may be the cause.
To determine the source of your neck pain anterior, posterior, right, or left, your doctor will first palpate. Based on the results of this examination, the specialist determines the diagnosis and prescribes treatment.
When pain occurs when nodding, bending back, this indicates that the first vertebra is injured. If discomfort occurs when bending to the sides or turning the neck, the problem is most likely in the second vertebra.
If the patient is concerned about severe pain in the cervical spine, an experienced therapist can easily determine the cause. Since the focus of the pain may be far from the site of presentation, even with sharp pain in the left neck, the most detailed diagnosis should be made.
Based on the results of the initial exam, your doctor may refer you to additional diagnostic procedures. These include making an appointment for blood and urine tests, ultrasound exams, MRI scans, X-rays, X-rays, cardiograms, and neurologic exams. The results of these procedures are important to answer the question of how to cure neck pain.
Cervical pain treatment
A specialist, after the patient goes through all the diagnostic procedures, can tell how to get rid of neck pain. You should not self-medicate because the pain can have different causes and the treatment will also be different.
A neurologist or physical therapist prescribes cervical spine treatment. These specialists can refer you to an orthopedist if needed. Usually a course of medication, physical therapy, and massage is recommended. If the neck is in a lot of pain and treatment with drugs, physical therapy and massage does not help, surgery is required.
Non-surgical treatment
For quick and effective relief of cervical spine pain, comprehensive treatment is required. Typically, patients are prescribed non-surgical cervical spine pain treatment as follows:
- drug treatment;
- orthopedic methods;
- Acupressure;
- therapeutic ultrasound;
- laser therapy;
- therapeutic massage, osteopathy;
- physical therapy.
Drug therapy is a method of treatment with ointments, pills, injections. It is aimed at eliminating pain and associated unpleasant symptoms.
If the sharp pain in the neck is caused by osteonecrosis, then in addition to pain relievers, muscle relaxants will be prescribed. In severe conditions, with acute neck pain, corticosteroids may be indicated.
If severe neck pain is involved, blocking medications are used to relieve symptoms.
Orthopedic methods involve wearing necklaces. Its fixation can be soft or hard. Usually, such treatments are prescribed when the neck is constantly in pain or has been injured.
If the course of treatment is terminated without continuing preventive measures, neck pain in both adults and children can manifest itself again.
Acupressure is an electric shock to relieve pain in the cervical spine. Distribution of conventional acupuncture and electric acupuncture.
The effect of ultrasonic waves has an antispasmodic effect if the neck muscles are painful, during the electroacoustic process, the effect of the drug is increased several times.
Laser therapy works to soothe inflamed skin. If the neck is sore, then a qualified therapist will explain how to treat this method.
Also, if the neck hurts from the side, left or right side, massage will be helpful. Massage therapy is recommended at least 2 times a year. This procedure helps to reduce stress and eliminate some of the causes of unpleasant symptoms.
Physical therapy exercises (exercise therapy) are aimed at the correct distribution of the load when it comes to pain in the cervical spine. In addition, there is stretching and increased mobility of certain muscle groups.
In addition to formal medicines to relieve symptoms in the neck, informal medicines can also be used to heal the back of the head and the rest of the cervical region.
Surgical treatment
There are times when it cannot be done without surgical intervention. How to treat neck pain in this case? Possible operating situations include hernia, compression of the spinal cord or spinal roots, and mechanical trauma.
This operation simply removes the areas of the vertebrae that interfere with the normal functioning and work of the spinal cord. In some cases, laser surgery can be performed.
The surgery can lead to complications or accidents, so doctors will initially try different treatments.
It is important to know that a doctor will only recommend a viable method to solve a problem when he finds that other methods will not yield satisfactory results. For this reason, treatment cannot be delayed for a long time, especially if the disease is detected at an early stage.
Preventive
To rule out causes of neck pain such as inactivity and an uncomfortable position, you should give yourself a massage. How to cure neck pain with this method will be consulted by masseuses or specialists who have been exposed to neck pain treatment.
Light exercise during your work hours will be very helpful. You need to rest often for your neck muscles to work again. With an incorrect posture or prolonged stress, pain in the cervical spine can occur.
Pillows for sleeping and mattresses must be orthopedic. They will relieve stress on the spine throughout the day.
Having a massage twice a year will reduce your chances of going to the doctor for neck pain. A professional massage therapist can eliminate the cause of chronic neck pain on the right, front, and left sides during the course.
To rule out serious diseases, you need to determine what reason the neck may be in pain. It is important to keep your neck warm, you need to protect it from drafts. Adhering to the correct posture will not be superfluous, especially for children.