Neck pain: this is what the aforementioned posture, the "sofa" 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.
Cervical and cervical pain
Neck pain is divided into two types:
- Circumcalgia is a continuous spasm in one spot. It appears gradually, its intensity varies. The neck constantly hurts, and in the same place you have to go to the hospital, a serious illness may develop.
- Cervicago is an unexpected pain that starts and stops quickly. The reason may be too sudden a movement of the head 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 mainly formed in those who lead a sedentary life, malnourished. Not the last role is played by hereditary predisposition. People suffering from osteochondrosis experience dizziness, rattle in the eardrums and stiffness in the limbs. The back of the head hurts, 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 crunchy 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, 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 treated.
Arthrosis of the cervical spine
The disease also occurs in young people. The left side of the neck, shoulder, arm, chest hurts, vision and hearing problems are possible, impaired concentration. For people with this disease, doctors recommend peace and rest, prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs.
Slipped disc
Not only a full-fledged hernia is felt, but also a minimal swelling of the disc: the canal in the cervical region is narrow, the nerve endings are closely spaced. 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.
Ratchet
The neck can hurt due to 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 assume an unnatural position and the patient runs the risk of fainting. To make it easier, you can take an anesthetic, apply a cold or warm compress, massage the sprained area. It is not recommended to lie on the stomach - in this case, the head will be turned to the right or left, and the strained ligaments may not resist. For a few weeks, it is better to give up physical activity. When the pain subsides, you can start kneading the neck, tilting it to the sides.
Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is a serious disease that can lead to disability and requires immediate consultation with the doctor. Spondylosis can be a neglected form of osteochondrosis. The disease occurs mainly in the elderly, as well as in athletes due to injuries. Unpleasant sensations in the occipital part of the head and in the collar area become permanent.
Another sign is excruciating pain in the left neck. 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. Those suffering from myelopathy feel sick and weak, often have a feeling that the limbs are shocked, speech slows down, it becomes difficult to take steps, coordination is disturbed. The disease manifests itself after falls from great heights and accidents. The patient wears a soft cervical collar, undergoes a course of physiotherapy and strengthening exercises.
Flick
The term whiplash is used to describe pain resulting from a soft tissue injury. Damage occurs due to a strong extension with further flexion and vice versa. Severe neck pain (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. Relief of the disease occurs after 1-6 months.
Cervical injury
Pain in the cervical spine appears after injuries, unsuccessful jumps in the water, accidents. An unnatural curve, aching pain in the back of the head indicates 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 the 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. 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 diseases complained of pain in the left neck. 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, esophagus, larynx or pharynx. Perhaps local neuritis develops - nerve damage. This usually occurs after poisoning with chemicals, such as alcohol.
Restless pain in the cervical spine is a harbinger 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. Front right or left neck pain may indicate the presence of pharyngitis, laryngitis, lymphangitis, or any other disease associated with inflammation of the viscera.
It hurts 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 excruciating pain in the neck. It intensifies at night.
Other reasons
Often, the pain in the right neck is the result of a trivial low back pain. Low back pain or low back pain: contraction of the neck muscles. It is harmless and disappears 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 right - perhaps the person simply "lies down" on this side. Body passivity damages the physical condition and alters 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 obese people 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. On it, as 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.
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 was simply too cold.
Treatment
Those who are constantly concerned about the cervical region should consult a specialist. This is very important, especially if the temperature rises with severe pain. When your neck hurts for three days, you need to sound the alarm. Treatment of a sore neck can only be prescribed by a specialist.
Doctors usually prescribe drugs. It is recommended to lubricate the disturbing parts of the neck 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, sides and back can be relieved by applying a heating pad to the affected area or by wrapping it in a warm scarf.
Massage is a mandatory wellness procedure. You can do it yourself. For example, the neck hurts - 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 cease to bother.
It is recommended to treat severe neck pain with warm compresses. In these cases, a person needs complete rest, and the pain in the right or left neck will subside within minutes. If the situation is severe, a professional who knows how to treat neck pain, such as an experienced physical therapist, should step in.
Bruises and sprains are relieved by cold compresses. In medical practice, acupuncture and health-enhancing physical education are often used, especially with constant neck pain.
In particularly 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 eliminate the discomfort in a few months.
How to cure neck pain yourself
What people affected by the disease did not invent! 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. When the potatoes cool, remove the layers of cheesecloth. At the end 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 good posture. A crooked back contributes to muscle deformity. Shoulders should be lowered, chin should be in a raised position. Sitting with a crooked back, you risk getting seriously ill.
- Prefer a backpack to the 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 subside.
- While reading, keep your head straight, do not lean down. 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 it is not possible to train, take breaks from work, stretch, relax all the muscles.
- Take a contrast shower. During cold and hot water changes, the body experiences stress: blood circulation accelerates, muscles, including the neck, involuntarily strengthen.
- Don't overload. 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 may go away on its own.
- Don't panic. Stress affects not only a person's psychological but also physical health. Instead of shouting "what to do if the neck hurts terribly on the left", it is better to calm down and evaluate the situation sensibly.