In medicine, neck pain is commonly called neck pain.According to the results of numerous screening studies, they occur throughout the year in 12 to 72% of people of working age.This means that the sensationsfamiliar to almost everyone.In 1.7 to 11.5% of people, neck pain ultimately leads to disability.Let's find out their most common causes and treatment methods.
Classification of neck pain
All neck pain is divided into acute and chronic.The first appear suddenly and have a pronounced character.They usually appear after hypothermia, strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting.Chronic pain bothers a person constantly and over a long period of time.They are mild, painful, and worsen after prolonged sitting or sleeping in an uncomfortable position.
Depending on locationpain can be visceral, superficial and deep somatic.The first is due to damage to internal organs.Visceral (suggested) pain may indicate sore throat, diseases of the esophagus or pharynx, acute thyroiditis, dissection of the vertebral or carotid arteries.
Superficial somatic pain occurs in the skin due to minor injuries or scratches, while deep pain is located in the tissues.The cause of the latter is generally muscle tension or spinal pathology.
How to distinguish visceral pain from somatic pain?The first are of a diffuse nature, that is, a person cannot determine their exact location: they radiate to other parts of the body, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fever, etc.
In 2008, the Neck Pain Task Force proposed the following:stages of neck pain:
- The patient has no symptoms that could indicate a structural abnormality.A person's daily activity is not limited and does not require any additional testing or treatment.Such neck pain disappears after minimal lifestyle correction.
- The person has no signs of serious structural damage to the spine or cervical organs, but daily activities are slightly impaired.The patient sometimes needs painkillers.To avoid loss of ability to work, he needs lifestyle changes and special exercises.
- The person has no signs of serious organ damage, but has neurological symptoms.The patient needs additional examination and comprehensive treatment of the identified pathology.
- The patient notes the appearance of signs of organic changes.He is worried about severe pain in the neck, which most often indicates injuries, tumors, myelopathy, systemic diseases, etc.The patient requires serious examination and specialized treatment.
In the neck, pain can be central and neuropathic.Neck pain of central origin occurs with meningitis, acute stroke, head trauma, increased intracranial pressure and intracerebral tumors.Neuropathic pain occurs due to pinched spinal roots, tunnel neuropathies, traumatic nerve damage, polyneuropathy, multiple sclerosis, etc..
Main causes of neck pain
Pain in the neck area may appear occasionally or bother a person on a daily basis.Periodic neck pain, occurring every few months, is most often harmless and does not indicate any pathology.They disappear quickly after proper rest or the use of an anesthetic ointment.
But constant pain or sudden severe pain in the neck should cause serious concern in a person.
Table 1. Main reasons
| Cause | Mechanism of development of pain syndrome | Characteristic signs of pathology |
|---|---|---|
| Hard work or workout at the gym | The formation of large amounts of lactic acid in the muscles.It is this substance that causes pain | The pain occurs the next morning after intense physical activity.Unpleasant sensations intensify when you move your arms or turn your head.Going away in a few days |
| Hypothermia | Development of neuralgia – pain in the innervation zone of the occipital nerves | Usually, a person feels pain under the ear, neck, and back of the head.In most cases, occipital neuralgia is unilateral: the pain appears on only one side |
| Psychosomatic | Formation of muscle blocks - spastic contractions of the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle | A person has neck pain for no apparent reason.With a comprehensive examination, doctors are unable to detect signs of spinal damage or diseases of internal organs. |
| Pathological biomechanics of the shoulder girdle | Disruption of the normal functioning of the girdle muscles of the upper extremities.Trapezius muscle tension and spasms | Slight mobility impairment in the shoulders and cervical spine.Aching pain that intensifies after prolonged sitting in the same position or after physical work |
| Cervical osteochondrosis | The appearance of pathological changes in one or more segments of movement of the spine.Impaired spinal mobility, development of myofascial pain syndromes and spinal root pinching | Pain, paresthesia and motor disturbances in the cervical region, which spread to the back of the head and upper limbs.Detection of characteristic changes in the spine on MRI and X-rays (osteophytes, decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, signs of damage to the intervertebral joints) |
| Cervicobrachial radiculitis | Development of an inflammatory process in the nerves that form the brachial plexus | Acute unilateral pain that radiates to the upper limb.The patient complains of a burning sensation and numbness in the hands and back of the head.Unpleasant symptoms occur after hypothermia or heavy physical labor |
| Acute thyroiditis | Formation of inflammatory or purulent foci in the thyroid gland with subsequent development of pain syndrome | Sharp pain and swelling in the thyroid area.On palpation, you can feel an enlarged, painful, nodular thyroid gland. |
| Colds and infectious diseases | Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, larynx, trachea due to inhalation of cold air or under the influence of infectious factors | The appearance of pain and sore throat, headache, runny nose, increased body temperature.General weakness, apathy, decreased work capacity |
| Burns in the pharynx or esophagus | Exposure to the mucous membrane of chemicals, high or low temperatures with subsequent development of the inflammatory process | Severe pain along the esophagus, which intensifies when swallowing |
| Tension headaches | Constant overwork of the shoulder girdle muscles, frequent stress, depression | Aching, diffuse pain in the head, radiating to the cervical region |
| Subarachnoid hemorrhage | Irritation of brain membranes from blood flowing into the subarachnoid space | Sharp pain in the back of the head, reminiscent of a blow to the head |
| Multiple sclerosis | Damage to myelin fibers of the brain and spinal cord with subsequent development of neurological symptoms | Sudden pain in the neck, radiating to the spine.The patient himself describes his sensations as an “electric shock” |
| Tumors of the spine, lungs, neck organs | Compression of tissues, nerves or organs by a malignant tumor | Aching pain that persists for a long time.If you have tumors of the pharynx or esophagus, a person has difficulty swallowing food |
| Inflammation of the lymph nodes | Development of the inflammatory process in the lymph nodes in response to infection, hypothermia, etc. | Painful sensations on the sides of the neck.When palpating along the sternocleidomastoid muscle, you can feel enlarged and painful lymph nodes. |
Overexertion or hypothermia
If you have neck pain after training, physical activity or prolonged monotonous work, muscle tension is to blame.Intense physical activity leads to the formation of lactic acid, which causes severe pain.The discomfort disappears completely after 3-4 days.
Neck pain radiating to the ear may occur after hypothermia.Due to the effect of low temperatures, neuralgia of the occipital nerve develops.The pathology is characterized by paroxysmal, shooting, burning pain in the back of the head.The pathology can be unilateral or bilateral.
Some people often experience neck pain after sleeping.The reason may be a wrong choice of pillow.However, painful sensations can also indicate cervical osteochondrosis.Therefore, if your neck hurts after sleeping, the first thing you should do is change your pillow.If the pain does not go away, you need to consult a traumatologist or vertebrologist.
Psychosomatic pain
If you constantly experience neck pain for no apparent reason, it may be due to psychosomatic disorders.Muscle blockages can occur due to repressed emotions, stubbornness, and one-sided thinking.People with psychosomatic neck pain regularly experience pain and tension in the muscles of the cervical spine, but doctors are unable to discover the cause of this phenomenon, even after a thorough examination.
Recent scientific research has established a relationship between personality characteristics and the occurrence of vertebrogenic neck pain.It turned out that increased anxiety and aggression contribute to the development of cervical osteochondrosis.The discovered relationship can be used for more effective treatment of vertebrogenic pain in the shoulders and neck in people with neuroses or neurosis-like illnesses.
Violation of the biomechanics of the shoulder girdle
The reason why you have neck and shoulder pain may be due to improper functioning of the shoulder girdle muscles.Functional weakness of the deltoid and overload of the trapezius muscles lead to the appearance of myofascial trigger points, which cause the development of pain.At first there is pain in the neck muscles, but over time organic changes develop in the spine.
Improper distribution of the load on the shoulder girdle muscles is a common cause of neck pain.It is necessary to eliminate the cause of pathologies, that is, to restore the normal biomechanics of the upper limb belt.To achieve this, you need to carefully monitor your posture and perform special exercises.
Osteochondrosis of the spine and its complications
Does your neck and spine between your shoulder blades constantly hurt?This may be a sign of the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.The pathology is characterized by progressive destruction of the nuclei of the intervertebral discs with the subsequent development of protrusions, hernias, spondyloarthrosis and cervical spondylosis.
Characteristic signs of osteochondrosis:
- pain in the neck muscles, in the collar area;
- numbness in the back of the head;
- limited mobility in the cervical spine;
- sensory disturbances in the upper limbs;
- slight weakness in the arms;
- tinnitus, frequent dizziness, headaches.
A person with osteochondrosis not only has pain in the spine, in the neck area.Due to reflex muscle tension, he develops myofascial pain syndromes.They are characterized by the appearance of pain, paresthesia and a feeling of numbness in the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle and upper limb.
In the early stages, osteochondrosis is detected by MRI.Later, the pathology can be diagnosed by x-ray.On x-rays of the cervical spine, a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, pathological changes in the facet joints and osteophytosis become noticeable.
Many people complain of not being able to turn their neck due to severe pain that appears after suddenly lifting something heavy.This phenomenon indicates the formation of a herniated disc.The cause of pain in the back, neck and upper limbs is pinching of one of the nerve roots emerging from the spinal cord.
Cervicobrachial radiculitis
The disease is characterized by inflammation of the spinal nerves involved in the formation of the brachial plexus.The cause of the inflammatory process can be acute intoxication, hypothermia, pinching of a nerve root by spasmodic muscles,intervertebral hernias or osteophytes.
People with sciatica experience severe pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder and even upper limb..Painful sensations arise acutely and have a burning character.Many people complain of a feeling of numbness in the back of the head, crawling on the arm, sensory and motor disturbances in the upper limb.
What should you do if your neck hurts, if it hurts to turn your head, if you have trouble moving your arm?See a doctor immediately.Cervicobrachial radiculitis requires serious treatment, which you cannot provide yourself.
Thyroid diseases
Most thyroid pathologies are not accompanied by pain.And only people with acute thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland) experience pain in the front of the neck.Patients also experience increased body temperature, chills, general weakness, body aches and other signs of intoxication.With closer examination, you may experience an enlarged and painful thyroid gland.In some cases, several dense infiltrates are found.
Many people experience neck pain after a diagnostic puncture of the thyroid gland.The unpleasant sensations persist for several days.The cause of the pain is soft tissue trauma during the procedure.
Inflammatory diseases of the cervical organs
With inflammatory diseases of the pharynx and larynx, a person often has a sore throat and the lymph nodes in the neck become inflamed.The cause of the pathology can be hypothermia, infections, consumption of poor quality alcohol or accidental contact of chemicals with the mucous membranes.Injuries to the pharynx, larynx, or esophagus are indicated by neck pain that worsens when swallowing..
Diseases that cause neck and throat pain:
- pharyngitis;
- laryngitis;
- angina;
- diphtheria;
- infectious mononucleosis;
- scarlet fever;
- epiglottitis;
- pharyngeal abscess;
- chemical burn of the esophagus.
The sides of your throat and neck most often hurt when you have a cold.The causes of the disease are hypothermia, sudden inhalation of cold air or a long walk in the cold.Good rest, hot tea and a few painkiller tablets help to cope with the disease.
If you have a sore throat in the lower neck, you should suspect pharyngitis or tracheitis (inflammation of the larynx or trachea).The development of diseases is provoked by viral infection, inhalation of hot, cold or polluted air.If the throat and neck hurt, a retropharyngeal abscess is possible.The pathology is characterized by fever, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, general weakness and apathy.
Damage to the central or peripheral nervous system
Severe pain occurs with subarachnoid hemorrhages.The person themselves describes them as a “thump to the head” and a throbbing sensation in the back of the head.The patient develops nausea, vomiting, confusion and meningeal signs.Neck stiffness appears around 6 hours after the first pain appears.
Meningitis has a similar clinical picture..A person suffering from inflammation of the meninges feels very intense pain in the neck and head.Painful sensations intensify with movement.During the examination, tension in the occipital muscles is detected in the patient.For this reason, a person cannot bring their chin to their chest, even with outside help.At the same time, a characteristic rash appears on the patient's body.
Neck pain can be caused by spinal cord or peripheral nerve injuries, central nervous system tumors, demyelinating diseases, etc.All these diseases have a polymorphic clinical picture, and pain is one of the symptoms of the pathology.
Back and spine pain may be one of the first signs of multiple sclerosis, a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.People with this condition develop what is called Lhermitte's symptom.It is characterized by a feeling of electric shock to the back of the head that occurs when the head is tilted forward.
Malignant or benign tumors
Various tumors of the cervical spine, pharynx, esophagus, thyroid gland or other organs can also cause pain.Pain may also occur in people with Pancoast cancer, a malignant tumor located under the pleura at the top of the lung.
Muscle damage
In some cases, the lateral neck muscles are painful in people with myositis, polymyalgia, and fibromyalgia.These diseases are characterized by damage to skeletal muscles, regardless of their location.If a person notices tenderness in the neck muscles on the side for no apparent reason, they may be suffering from one of these diseases.
If you have muscle pain in the front of your neck near the larynx, ask yourself if you have recently had to shout loudly, sing loudly, or talk for a long time.Then the cause of the discomfort is overload of the vocal cords.
Other possible causes of neck pain
Pain on the left side of the chest and collarbone, extending to the neck, usually indicates heart disease.In people with a similar pain syndrome, angina, arrhythmias, heart failure or heart attack are detected.
The sides of the neck may be painful in people with cavities, diseases of the oropharynx or nasopharynx.Unpleasant sensations may occur with tonsillitis - inflammation of the tonsils.If pain is noted in the shoulders near the neck, this may be a consequence of scoliosis of the cervical and/or thoracic spine.
Why do lymph nodes in the neck hurt?
Cervical lymph nodes are located on the sides of the neck, along the sternocleidomastoid muscle.Normally they are small and can be difficult to feel.However, in some cases, lymph nodes in the neck may become enlarged and painful.This phenomenon should be alarming, because it can indicate serious illnesses and even malignant tumors.
Most often, pain in the lymph nodes of the neck is due to their inflammation (lymphadenitis).Pathology develops against the background of tonsillitis, rhinitis or acute respiratory viral infection.The reason may be their damage caused by metastases of tumors of the pharynx, esophagus, lungs or other organs.
Signs of cervical lymphadenitis:
- enlarged lymph nodes.In some cases, their size can reach 2 to 3 centimeters or more;
- the appearance of hyperemia and edema.Lymphadenitis is usually accompanied by redness of the skin and swelling in the inflamed lymph nodes;
- painful sensations.A person feels pain behind the ear and neck on one or both sides.It may be difficult for the patient to turn the head and perform active shoulder movements;
- symptoms of poisoning.Body temperature rises, chills, general weakness, apathy and headache appear.Intoxication phenomena appear in the acute form of lymphadenitis.
Cervical lymph nodes can become inflamed after a long stay in a draft.Most often, the pain is felt in the ear and below the ear, in the neck.Under the patient's skin, you can feel slightly enlarged and painful lymph nodes.
Are your lymph nodes in your neck swollen and painful, but you don't know what to do?It is best to go to the doctor immediately.The specialist will examine you carefully and prescribe an additional examination.After passing the necessary tests, you will be able to find out the cause of the pathology.
Reasons why the head and neck most often hurt
According to statistics, 70% of people suffering from frequent headaches (cephalgia) have pain not only in the head, but also in the cervical region.Neck pain can be caused by the radiation of painful sensations or have a vertebrogenic nature.Many men and women with osteochondrosis experience neck pain that radiates to the head.Among all headaches, 15 to 20% are cervicogenic in nature.
Reasons why a person has neck, head and temple pain:
- overwork;
- impaired blood circulation in brain tissues;
- cervical spine diseases;
- inflammation of the paranasal sinuses;
- high blood pressure;
- heart disease;
- menopause period;
- migraine;
- overwork of the muscles of the shoulder girdle.
The most common type of headache is tension-type headache (TTH).This occurs due to mental stress, intense mental activity or prolonged spasms of the muscles of the neck, back and girdle of the upper extremities.For tension headaches, neck massage, reflexology, and short-term use of pain relievers may help.
If you often experience neck pain and dizziness, do not hesitate to seek treatment.Massage of the cervical collar area and acupuncture can help cope with tension headaches.If after a massage you still feel pain, a complete examination is necessary.Perhaps there is a serious problem hiding behind an ordinary headache.
What are the causes of neck pain in a child?
A baby's sore throat is accompanied by sore throat, acute respiratory viral infections, rubella, mumps, meningitis and some other infectious diseases.If a child has neck pain on only one side, the cause may be otitis media, retropharyngeal abscess, lymphadenitis, or trauma.
Speaking of childhood illnesses, we must mention torticollis.The pathology is characterized by congenital shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.Due to the defect, the baby's head takes a forced position.It is constantly raised and in the opposite direction to the faulty muscle.A child with torticollis also has pain on the side of the neck.The main reason for this is constant muscle tension.
What to do?Grab your baby immediately and go to the hospital.Seeking timely medical help will help identify the problem in time and begin treatment.
Which doctor should I contact?It is best to go to the pediatrician first.After the examination, the pediatrician will make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment or send you to a specialist.
How to Relieve Acute Neck Pain
Some people, after hypothermia or lifting heavy objects, complain: “My neck hurts, I can’t turn my head…”.This symptom indicates acute inflammation of the spinal roots or neuralgia of the occipital nerve.If such pain occurs, you should always consult a doctor.
To relieve pain, you can use tablets, gels or a patch.In this case, it is better to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids or warming ointments.Dry heat (a heating pad, a bag of sand or heated cereal) also has a good effect.
Don't know which doctor to contact if you experience unbearable neck pain?Since such neck pain usually indicates inflammation or pinching of the nerves, it is best for you to immediately go to a neurologist.He will prescribe appropriate treatment and, if necessary, proceed with drug blocking.Injectable corticosteroids can relieve pain quickly and effectively.
How to treat vertebrogenic neck pain
Neck pain is treated by an orthopedic traumatologist or a vertebrologist.After injuries and operations in the cervical region, doctors prescribe the patient to wear a Shants collar.To relieve pain, painkillers and muscle relaxants are used.In order to relieve muscle spasms and restore normal biomechanics of the shoulder girdle, experts recommend a set of exercises.Therapeutic gymnastics helps develop muscles and restore normal mobility to the spine.
Which doctor should you consult if you have neck pain during pregnancy?First of all, you should consult your treating gynecologist.He will examine you and send you for a consultation with a specialist who will prescribe appropriate treatment.