How to get rid of neck pain

Neck pain is a common problem that many people worry about. This symptom may be accompanied by limited cervical spine mobility, muscle tension, and headaches. There are many causes of neck pain. A thorough diagnosis is necessary to choose the appropriate treatment.In this article, we’ll tell you what to do if you have severe neck pain, what may be causing the pain, and how to prevent it. Clinicians have extensive experience treating all causes of neck pain. Comprehensive treatments are selected individually based on the patient's condition, the cause of the pain, and other factors that influence treatment outcomes.

Types of cervical pain

There are two types of neck pain:

1. Spondylosis— Occurs due to damage to the intervertebral discs and compression of the spinal cord and spinal cord roots. The pain can spread from the neck to the back of the head and fingers. Muscle weakness and numbness in one or both arms may also be a problem.
2. nonvertebral origin- Occurs due to inflammatory process in the muscles of the neck. This also includes pain caused by disease of the thyroid gland and nearby lymph nodes. In this case, the inflammatory process may be accompanied by an increase in body temperature and pain.

If discomfort does not go away within a few days and worsens with exercise, you should consult your doctor. A specialist will determine the cause of your neck pain and prescribe effective treatment.

causes of neck pain

Neck muscle pain can be caused by a variety of diseases: from muscle strains to serious pathologies of the spine and internal organs. Sometimes it is difficult for patients to independently identify the affected area - the throat or upper spine, since pain is felt on all sides of the neck.The most common causes of acute pain:

• Myositis- Inflammation of one or more neck muscles, with severe pain, swelling, and limited head movement. Occurs due to infectious diseases, injuries and often uncomfortable body positions.
• cervical osteochondrosis- Degenerative dystrophic diseases of the spine. Both the cervical and lumbar spine are very flexible. Due to the constant pressure, the nutrition of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs is destroyed. Bone tissue grows and the discs become damaged and herniate in the form of herniations and hernias. The pain is caused by the herniated disc compressing the spinal ligaments and spinal nerve roots. The pain is intense, sudden, and can be felt on only one or both sides of the neck. They can also radiate to other areas - head, back of head, arms, back, under shoulder blades.
• intervertebral hernia- An advanced form of osteochondrosis that occurs when nerve roots become compressed. The disease is characterized by pronounced neurological manifestations: arm pain, decreased muscle strength, and impaired skin sensitivity of the upper limbs.
• Spondylosis- An advanced stage of osteochondrosis in which the edges of the vertebral bodies are covered with bony protrusions - osteophytes. Later, the vertebrae fuse to each other. In this condition, the discs flatten and, in addition to pain, the patient is severely limited in moving their head.
• rheumatoid spondylitis- Autoimmune inflammatory process in cervical joints. As the immune system becomes dysfunctional, its cells begin to attack their own body. The disease gradually develops and spreads to joints throughout the spine. The neck area is rarely affected. The vertebrae become deformed and mobility is impaired. Neck pain and stiffness of movement occurred, which gradually disappeared after active movements were performed. Over time, the pain worsens and the spine becomes immobile.
• Arthropathy of cervical facet joints- Destruction of the facet joints between the cervical arches. In this condition, the cartilage surfaces of two bones adjacent to each other are destroyed. The distance between the individual vertebrae decreases and one bone begins to rub against the other, causing pain. It usually occurs after an injury or as an occupational disease; it occurs while working in a stationary position with the head bowed or turned vigorously. It manifests as pain at the lesion, radiating to the shoulder, and making a crunching sound when moving.
• torticollis– Congenital or acquired neck deformities that cause the head to tilt or turn to one side. The disease is associated with pathology of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which is located on the anterolateral surface of the neck on either side. It manifests as head tilt and elevation of the shoulder on the affected side, along with pain in the neck and back of the head when trying to tilt the head in the opposite direction. The pain worsens with increased physical activity and stress.
• myofascial pain syndromeis a pain syndrome associated with the development of localized areas of pain in the muscles (called "trigger points"). It occurs due to chronic muscle tension, uneven load distribution, and compression of the nerve by surrounding structures. In this condition, patients experience muscle pain at rest that worsens with physical activity, pressing on certain points in the muscle and feeling like a fairly hard compression. Pain in these areas may spread to other parts of the body.
• compression fractureis a spinal injury in which the vertebral bodies are compressed and cause damage to the spinal canal. This condition occurs when engaging in traumatic sports and in older adults due to fragile bone tissue. It may be caused by excessive flexion and extension of the cervical spine in an accident and may be seriously life-threatening.

Rare causes of cervical pain include:

• osteomyelitis- Purulent inflammation affecting the bone marrow, periosteum and bone itself. Most often, it occurs due to infection and immune system function.
• spinal tuberculosis- A serious disease caused by the bacterium Koch's bacteria that affects various parts of the spine, most commonly affecting the chest area. Its first symptoms may appear several years after infection.

If neck discomfort and soreness is accompanied by a sore throat, fever, and weakness, it could be a sign of viral infections, laryngitis, and other colds. Neck pain may also be a symptom of:

• Benign and malignant tumors of the neck organs;
• Gastrointestinal disorders;
• Foreign body in throat;
• Thyroid disease;
• Angina, called angina;
• Soft tissue abscess in the neck;
• Lymph node disease.

If the muscles on either side of your neck are injured, the cause could be not just spasm or injury, but a number of other conditions. The clinic adheres to an evidence-based diagnostic approach. This allows you to accurately determine the source of your symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan.

diagnosis

In most cases, neck pain is nonspecific, that is, caused by pathologies of muscles and ligaments. In addition, pain syndromes are often caused by degenerative changes in the cervical spine (osteochondrosis). So, first, you need to contact a neurologist or chiropractor.In order to make a correct diagnosis and develop a treatment plan, the doctor will ask the patient in detail about the symptoms, severity, location and occurrence. It also clarifies the presence of chronic, hereditary diseases, injuries and medications taken. The specialist then performs a thorough visual examination, palpation of the neck and assessment of neurological status, including determination of muscle strength and sensitivity in the extremities. In order to confirm the diagnosis and exclude diseases unrelated to the spine, patients are advised to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis. This may include:

• Complete blood count, blood tests for markers of inflammation levels, thyroid hormone levels;
• Cervical spine X-ray;
• Ultrasound to check the condition of blood vessels;
• neuroelectromyography;
• MRI, CT.

The most informative method is MRI. With its help, it is possible to detect pathological diseases of the spine at an early stage and detect signs of compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots.During an outpatient appointment, the doctor will discuss modern diagnostic methods in detail, explain the findings and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Treatment of cervical pain

Doctors determine for each patient individually how to treat acute neck pain, taking into account all the characteristics of the body and the course of the disease.People with the same diagnosis may receive different treatments because they have different medical histories: chronic illness, level of physical development, intensity of pain, age.To relieve severe neck pain associated with disorders of the musculoskeletal system, complex treatments are required. Treatment may include: medication, physical therapy, massage, exercise therapy.

• medical treatement- Taking medications containing NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, and in some cases corticosteroids. The main goals of medical treatment are to reduce inflammation and relieve pain, eliminating further tissue destruction.
• physiotherapy- A set of treatments based on the effects of natural and artificial factors on the body - light, water, electric current, magnetic fields, mechanical and temperature effects. These techniques initiate and accelerate the body's natural recovery process.Physical therapy methods that can help treat the cervical spine include:
  • Laser therapy is a painless treatment; it helps eliminate pain, reduce inflammation and localized swelling, and improve tissue regeneration.
  • Magnetic therapy helps relieve pain and inflammation.
  • Shockwave therapy improves spinal mobility, relaxes muscles, and accelerates tissue recovery.
  • Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that can effectively and quickly relieve pain and muscle tension.
• manual therapy- To treat diseases with hands, the doctor will make certain, gentle, twitching movements. Through this method, joint and spinal mobility is restored, muscles are relaxed, and pain is reduced. Manual therapy is based on Eastern chiropractic techniques.
• massage- One of the most well-known and popular methods of treating osteochondrosis and other spinal diseases. With the help of massage, you can relieve neck pain during sudden movements, relieve tension, and restore mobility to the spinal joints. Massage can relax spasmed muscles, build muscle strength, and relieve pain. It is also used to prevent cervical spine disease.
• healing fitness— Prescribe individually, taking into account the type of disease and its stage. The course includes certain techniques and special exercises that help improve joint mobility, relieve swelling, muscle tightness, and then strengthen muscle tracts to prevent disease progression.

prevention

A sedentary lifestyle, working in front of a computer for long periods of time, and many other factors can cause problems in the musculoskeletal system, leading to neck pain. Simple prevention recommendations will help avoid the development of serious cervical spine disease and its complications:

• During breaks from working at the computer, take a short warm-up every 30-40 minutes.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress and orthopedic pillow.
• Pay great attention to workplace ergonomics: chairs should be comfortable and have specialized neck cushions, and computers should be placed at eye level or slightly higher.
• Don't rest your cheek on your shoulder while talking on the phone.
• If you are carrying heavy items, distribute the load evenly between your hands.
• Eat a balanced, varied diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruits.
• Exercise more and give your body enough activity.

Regular yoga classes and swimming in the pool can help relieve neck pain. It is recommended to practice under the guidance of a coach who will develop a suitable training plan and monitor its implementation for correctness.