Pain in the neck - this is what such a posture leads to, the "couch" lifestyle, excessive physical activity. 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 discomfort.
Cervicalgia and cervicalgo
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.
- Cervicago is an unexpected pain that starts and stops quickly. The reason may be too sudden movements of the head or a prolonged 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 articular joints. The disease is formed mainly in those who lead a sedentary life, malnourished. Not the last role is played by hereditary predisposition. People suffering from osteochondrosis experience dizziness, noise in the eardrums and stiffness in the limbs. The back of the head hurts, it burns 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 crackling sound. Possible numbness.
Aching pain in the neck indicates the development of this disease. The neck hurts on the left or right side, most likely it is osteochondrosis.
Pain in the cervical spine is accompanied by this disease. If you go 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 complete herniation is felt, but also a minimal bulge of the disc - the canal in the cervical region is narrow, the nerve endings are in close proximity. Pain in 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.
Stiff neck
The neck can ache 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 is at risk of fainting. To make it easier, you can take an anesthetic, apply a hot or cold compress, massage the sprained area. Lying on your stomach is not recommended; in this case, the head will turn to the right or left and the tight ligaments may not hold. For a few weeks, it is better to abandon physical activity. When the pain subsides, you can begin to knead the neck, tilting it to the sides.
spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is a serious condition that can be disabling 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 neck area become permanent.
Another sign is a stabbing 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 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. Sufferers of myelopathy feel unwell and weak, often have a feeling that the limbs are shocked, speech becomes slower, 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 physiotherapy and strengthening exercises.
Lash
The term whiplash is used to describe pain that results from an injury to the soft tissues. The damage occurs due to acute extension with increased flexion and vice versa. Sharp pain in the neck (any area) after a fall, fight, or accident can indicate 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 curvature, aching pain in the back of the head indicate an injury to the cervical region. Edema and bruises appear, the motor functions of the body are disturbed. For those who have pain in the cervical spine, doctors will first prescribe the use of a special collar for several months.
infections
Infectious skin diseases provoke inflammation, which can be accompanied by acute pain. With infections, such as tonsillitis or rubella, the lymph nodes expand, causing unpleasant painful sensations in the neck muscles.
Pathology of the internal organs.
Severe neck pain often portends 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. The pain in such cases is reflected and comes from the head, heart and esophagus. Myocardial infarction and angina are often accompanied by pain in the chest, shoulders, and arms.
Patients who survived similar illnesses complained of neck pain on the left. Pain in the neck on the right side, cramps in the thigh on the same side suggest the development of cholecystitis. Pain in the anterior part of the neck gives the right to suspect a disorder of the thyroid gland, esophagus, larynx or pharynx. Perhaps local neuritis will develop - nerve damage. This usually occurs after poisoning with chemicals, such as alcohol.
Restless pain 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 side, with limited ability to move the head, torments during meningitis.
Painful sensations in the side are the result of the expansion of the tumor in the brain. Help should be sought immediately. Pain in the neck ahead to 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 in 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 the pain in the right neck 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 couple of weeks. Most often it manifests itself due to a draft, the pain spreads to the head and chest. The neck hurts a lot on the left or on the right, perhaps the person just "lies" on this side. Body passivity harms the physical condition and impairs the functioning of the vessels of the cervical spine. During this type of ailment, 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 carry 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 hurt, tingling and numbness are felt, the nerve is pinched. The pain will go away after an injection or taking numbing medicine.
Pull your muscles - maybe you should diversify your day with walks in the fresh air. Pain on the right side in a healthy neck - the person simply got too cold.
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 sore neck can only be prescribed by a specialist.
Doctors often prescribe medications. It is recommended to lubricate the disturbing parts of the neck with preparations with a warming effect. Permanent pain can irritate a person - the doctor prescribes sedatives, antidepressants. Right, left, front, side, and back neck pain 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 by yourself. The neck hurts in the 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 stop bothering you.
It is recommended to treat severe pain in the neck with warm compresses. In such cases, a person needs a complete rest, and the pain in the neck on the right or left will go away 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 with cold compresses. In medical practice, acupuncture and physical education are often used to improve health, especially with constant pain in the neck.
In especially severe cases, patients are operated on, but this is the exception and not 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 sick people did not invent! For minor sprains or injuries, you can turn to informal methods of pain control. There is a proven way to get rid of neck pain in an hour.
Fold the cheesecloth in three layers. Boil the potatoes in their uniforms, then push and fasten to the neck through a cloth, then warm with a scarf or towel. As the potatoes cool, remove the cheesecloth layers. Upon completion of the procedure, rub the neck with any alcohol.
In order for the pain in the cervical region to stop, you need to follow a couple of simple rules:
- Maintain correct posture. A crooked back contributes to muscle deformity. Shoulders should be down, chin should be in a raised position. Sitting with a crooked back, you risk getting seriously ill.
- He prefers a backpack to a bag. The load will be evenly distributed on both the left and right sides of the body, and the pain in the cervical spine will disappear.
- As you read, keep your head straight, don't lower yourself. You can fix it with a roller or pillow (not soft), change position.
- Reserve time for physical activity. Yoga, swimming, fitness strengthen the neck muscles. If it is not possible to train, take breaks at work, stretch, relaxing all the muscles.
- Take a contrast shower. During changes of hot and cold water, the body experiences stress: blood circulation is accelerated, muscles, including the neck, are involuntarily strengthened.
- Don't stress too much. When the neck hurts a lot, it is better to leave it alone and in no case continue to work or train. Cervical spine pain may go away on its own.
- Do not panic. Stress affects not only psychological but also physical health of a person. Instead of shouting "what to do if the neck hurts a lot on the left", it is better to calm down and assess the situation sensibly.