In medicine, neck pain is often referred to as cervicalgia.According to the results of numerous screening studies, they occur throughout the year in 12-72% of people of working age.This means that the sensationsknown to almost everyone.In 1.7-11.5% of people, cervicalgia ultimately leads to disability.Let's find out the most common causes and treatment methods.
Classification of cervicalgia
All neck pain is divided into acute and chronic.The first appear suddenly and have a pronounced character.They usually occur after hypothermia, heavy physical activity or heavy lifting.Chronic pain bothers a person constantly and over a long period of time.They are mild, painful in nature, and worsen after prolonged sitting or sleeping in an uncomfortable position.
Depending on locationPain can be visceral, somatic superficial and deep.The first occurs due to damage to internal organs.Visceral (referred) 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 injuries or small scratches, while deep pain is localized in the tissue.The cause of the latter is usually a muscle strain or a pathology of the spine.
How to distinguish visceral pain from somatic pain?The first are diffuse in nature, that is, a person cannot determine their exact localization: they radiate to other parts of the body, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fever, etc.
In 2008, the Neck Pain Task Force suggested the following:Stages of cervicalgia:
- The patient has no symptoms that would suggest structural abnormalities.A person's daily activity is not restricted and they do not require additional examination or treatment.Such cervicalgia disappears after minimal lifestyle correction.
- The person shows no signs of serious structural damage to the spine or neck organs, but his daily activities are slightly impaired.The patient sometimes requires painkillers.To prevent loss of ability to work, he needs lifestyle changes and special exercises.
- The person shows no signs of serious organic damage, but neurological symptoms are present.The patient needs additional examination and comprehensive treatment of the identified pathology.
- The patient notices the appearance of signs of organic changes.He is worried about severe pain in the neck, which most often indicates injuries, tumors, myelopathies, systemic diseases, etc.The patient needs a serious examination and special treatment.
In the neck, pain can be central and neuropathic.Cervicalgia of central origin occurs with meningitis, acute cerebrovascular accidents, head injuries, increased intracranial pressure and intracerebral tumors.Neuropathic pain occurs due to pinched spinal roots, tunnel neuropathies, traumatic nerve injuries, polyneuropathy, multiple sclerosis, etc..
Main causes of neck pain
Pain in the neck area can occur occasionally or bother a person daily.Periodic cervicalgia, which occurs every few months, is mostly harmless and does not indicate any pathology.They disappear quickly after sufficient rest or the application 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
| Caused | Mechanism of development of pain syndrome | Characteristic signs of pathology |
|---|---|---|
| Hard work or training in the gym | The formation of large amounts of lactic acid in the muscles.It is this substance that causes pain | Pain occurs the next morning after intense physical activity.Unpleasant sensations increase when you move your arms or turn your head.Passes in a few days |
| Hypothermia | Development of neuralgia – pain in the area of innervation of the occipital nerves | Typically, a person experiences pain under the ear, in the back of the neck, and in the back of the head.In most cases, occipital neuralgia is unilateral: the pain only occurs on one side |
| Psychosomatics | Formation of muscle blockages – spastic contractions of the neck and shoulder girdle muscles | A person has a sore throat for no apparent reason.During a complete examination, doctors cannot detect any signs of damage to the spine or diseases of internal organs |
| Pathological biomechanics of the shoulder girdle | Disruption of the normal functioning of the muscles of the upper limb girdle.Strain and spasms of the trapezius muscle | Slight mobility impairment in the shoulders and cervical spine.Aching pain that increases after sitting in the same position for a long time or during physical work |
| Cervical osteochondrosis | The occurrence of pathological changes in one or more movement segments of the spine.Impaired mobility of the spine, development of myofascial pain syndromes and pinching of the spinal roots | Pain, paresthesia and motor disorders in the neck area, spreading to the back of the head and upper limbs.Detection of characteristic changes in the spine on MRI and X-ray images (osteophytes, reduced vertebral distance, signs of damage to the intervertebral joints) |
| Cervicobrachial radiculitis | Development of an inflammatory process in the nerves that form the brachial plexus | Unilateral stabbing pain radiating to the upper extremity.The patient complains of burning and numbness in the hands and back of the head.Unpleasant symptoms appear after hypothermia or heavy physical work |
| Acute thyroiditis | Formation of inflammatory or purulent foci in the thyroid gland with the subsequent development of pain syndrome | Stinging pain and swelling in the thyroid area.When palpated, you may feel an enlarged, painful, nodular thyroid gland |
| Colds and infectious diseases | Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the throat, 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 and increased body temperature.General weakness, apathy, reduced ability to work |
| Burns of the throat or esophagus | Exposure to chemicals, high or low temperatures on the mucous membrane with further development of the inflammatory process | Severe pain along the esophagus that increases when swallowing |
| Tension headaches | Constant overload of the shoulder girdle muscles, frequent stress, depression | Pressing, diffuse pain in the head that radiates to the neck region |
| Subarachnoid hemorrhage | Irritation of the meninges due to blood leakage into the subarachnoid space | Stitching pain in the back of the head, reminiscent of a blow to the head |
| multiple sclerosis | Damage to the myelin fibers of the brain and spinal cord with further development of neurological symptoms | Sudden pain in the neck that radiates to the spine.The patient himself describes his sensations as an “electric shock”. |
| Tumors of the spine, lungs, neck organs | Compression of tissue, nerves, or organs by a malignant neoplasm | Aching pain that lasts a long time.If you have tumors of the throat 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, painful lymph nodes |
Overload or hypothermia
If your neck hurts after exercise, physical activity, or prolonged monotonous work, a muscle strain is to blame.During intensive physical activity, lactic acid is formed, which causes severe pain.The symptoms disappear completely after 3-4 days.
After hypothermia, neck pain that radiates into the ear may occur.As a result of exposure to low temperatures, neuralgia of the occipital nerve develops.The pathology is characterized by paroxysmal, stabbing, 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 for this may be the 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 the pillow.If the pain does not go away, you need to go to a traumatologist or vertebrologist.
Psychosomatic pain
If you have constant neck pain for no apparent reason, it may be due to psychosomatics.Muscle blockages can arise from suppressed emotions, stubbornness and one-sided thinking.People with psychosomatic cervicalgia regularly suffer from pain and tension in the muscles of the cervical spine, but doctors cannot find out the cause of this phenomenon even after a thorough examination.
Recent scientific research has established a connection between personality traits and the occurrence of vertebrogenic cervicalgia.As it turned out, increased anxiety and aggressiveness contribute to the development of cervical osteochondrosis.The discovered connection can be used for more effective treatment of vertebrogenic pain in the shoulder and neck area in people with neuroses or neurosis-like diseases.
Violation of the biomechanics of the shoulder girdle
The reason that your neck and shoulders hurt may be due to a malfunction in the muscles of the shoulder girdle.Functional weakness of the deltoid muscle and overload of the trapezius muscles lead to the appearance of myofascial trigger points, which cause the development of pain.Initially there is pain in the neck muscles, but over time organic changes occur in the spine.
Incorrect distribution of the load on the muscles of the shoulder girdle is a common cause of cervicalgia.It is necessary to eliminate the cause of the pathologies, i.e.h.to restore normal biomechanics in the girdle of the upper extremities.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 signal of the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.The pathology is characterized by gradual destruction of the disc nuclei 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 of the cervical spine;
- Sensory disturbances in the upper extremities;
- slight weakness in the arms;
- Tinnitus, frequent dizziness, headaches.
A person with osteochondrosis experiences pain not only 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 limbs.
In the initial stages, osteochondrosis is detected using MRI.Later, the pathology can be diagnosed using radiography.On x-rays of the cervical spine, a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae, pathological changes in the facet joints and osteophytosis are noticeable.
Many people complain that they cannot turn their neck because of severe pain when they suddenly lift something heavy.This phenomenon indicates the development of a herniated disc.The cause of pain in the back, neck and upper limbs is pinching of one of the nerve roots exiting 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 cramped muscles,Intervertebral hernias or osteophytes.
People with sciatica experience severe pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulders, and even upper limbs.Pain sensations occur acutely and have a burning character.Many people complain of numbness in the back of the head, crawling on the arm, sensory and motor disorders in the upper extremities.
What to do if your neck hurts, it hurts to turn your head, it is difficult to move your arm?See a doctor immediately.Cervicobrachial radiculitis requires serious treatment that you cannot do yourself.
Thyroid diseases
Most thyroid diseases are not associated with pain.And only people with acute thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland) have pain in the front of the neck.Patients also experience increased body temperature, chills, general weakness, body aches and other signs of intoxication.Upon closer examination, you may feel an enlarged and painful thyroid.In some cases there are several dense infiltrates.
Many people suffer from neck pain after a diagnostic thyroid puncture.Unpleasant sensations persist for several days.The cause of pain is soft tissue trauma during the procedure.
Inflammatory diseases of the cervical organs
Inflammatory diseases of the throat and larynx often cause 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 with the mucous membranes of chemicals.Damage to the throat, larynx or esophagus results in neck pain that worsens when swallowing.
Diseases that cause neck and throat pain:
- pharyngitis;
- Laryngitis;
- Angina;
- Diphtheria;
- infectious mononucleosis;
- Scarlet;
- epiglottitis;
- pharyngeal abscess;
- Chemical burn of the esophagus.
When you have a cold, the sides of your throat and neck hurt most often.Causes of the disease include hypothermia, sudden inhalation of cold air or a long walk in the cold.Good rest, warm tea and a few painkillers will help to cope with the illness.
If you have a sore throat in the lower neck, you should suspect pharyngitis or tracheitis (inflammation of the larynx or windpipe).The development of diseases is caused by a 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 hemorrhage.The person himself describes it as a “hit on the head” and a pulsation in the back of the head.The patient develops nausea, vomiting, confusion, and meningeal symptoms.Neck stiffness develops about 6 hours after the first pain occurs.
Meningitis has a similar clinical picture..A person with meningitis has very severe neck pain and headaches.Pain sensations increase with movement.During the examination, the patient reveals tension in the occipital muscles.For this reason, a person cannot bring his chin to his chest, even with outside help.At the same time, a characteristic rash appears on the patient's body.
Neck pain can be caused by damage to the spinal cord or peripheral nerves, central nervous system tumors, demyelinating diseases, etc.All of these diseases have a polymorphic clinical picture and pain is one of the symptoms of the pathology.
Pain in the back and spine can be one of the first signs of multiple sclerosis, a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.People with this pathology develop the so-called Lhermitte 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 neoplasms
Various tumors of the cervical spine, throat, esophagus, thyroid or other organs can also cause pain.Pain may also occur in people with Pancoast cancer, a malignant neoplasm located subpleurally in the apex of the lung.
Muscle damage
In some cases, the side muscles of the neck hurt in people with myositis, polymyalgia and fibromyalgia.These diseases are characterized by damage to skeletal muscles of any localization.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 sore muscles in the front of your neck near your larynx, think about whether you've had to scream loudly, sing loudly, or talk for long periods of time recently.Then the cause of the symptoms lies in overuse of the vocal cords.
Other possible causes of cervicalgia
Pain in the left side of the chest and collarbone that extends to the neck usually indicates heart disease.In people with a similar pain syndrome, angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure or heart attack are detected.
In people with caries, diseases of the oropharynx or nasopharynx, the sides of the neck may hurt.With tonsillitis - tonsillitis - unpleasant sensations can occur.If pain occurs in the shoulders near the neck, this may be a result of scoliosis of the cervical and/or thoracic spine.
Why do the lymph nodes in the neck hurt?
The cervical lymph nodes are located on the sides of the neck along the sternocleidomastoid muscle.They are usually small and difficult to feel.However, in some cases, the lymph nodes in the neck can become enlarged and painful.This phenomenon should be alarming because it can indicate serious illnesses and even malignant tumors.
Most often, pain occurs in the lymph nodes in the neck due to their inflammation (lymphadenitis).The pathology develops against the background of tonsillitis, rhinitis or acute respiratory viral infection.The reason may be their damage due to metastases of tumors of the throat, esophagus, lungs or other organs.
Signs of cervical lymphadenitis:
- enlarged lymph nodes.In some cases, their size can increase to 2-3 or more centimeters;
- the appearance of hyperemia and edema.Lymphadenitis is usually accompanied by redness of the skin and swelling in the area of the inflamed lymph nodes;
- painful sensations.A person experiences pain behind the ear and in the neck on one or both sides.It may be difficult for the patient to turn the head and make active shoulder movements;
- Poisoning symptoms.Body temperature rises, chills, general weakness, apathy and headaches appear.In the acute form of lymphadenitis, symptoms of intoxication occur.
After staying in a draft for a long time, inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes can occur.Pain is most commonly felt in the ear and under the ear on the neck.Slightly enlarged and painful lymph nodes can be felt under the patient's skin.
Are your lymph nodes in your neck swollen and painful but you don't know what to do?It's best to go to the doctor immediately.The specialist will carefully examine you and prescribe an additional examination.After passing the necessary tests, you can find out the cause of the pathology.
Reasons why the head and neck hurt most often
According to statistics, 70% of people with frequent headaches (cephalgia) experience pain not only in the head, but also in the neck area.Cervicalgia can be caused by the radiation of painful sensations or be vertebrogenic in nature.Many men and women with osteochondrosis experience neck pain that radiates to the head.15-20% of all headaches are cervicogenic in nature.
Reasons why a person has pain in the neck, head and temples:
- Revision;
- impaired blood circulation in brain tissue;
- Diseases of the cervical spine;
- inflammation of the paranasal sinuses;
- high blood pressure;
- heart disease;
- menopause;
- Migraine;
- Overload of the muscles of the shoulder girdle.
The most common form of headache disorder is tension headache (TTH).It occurs due to psychological stress, strong mental activity or prolonged spasms of the neck, back and upper limb girdle muscles.Neck massage, reflexology and short-term use of painkillers can help with tension headaches.
If you suffer from frequent neck pain and dizziness, do not hesitate to seek treatment.Massage of the cervical collar area and acupuncture can help with tension headaches.If you continue to experience pain after a massage, a comprehensive evaluation is necessary.Perhaps a banal headache hides a serious problem.
What are the causes of neck pain in children?
A sore throat in a baby occurs with a sore throat, acute respiratory viral infections, rubella, mumps, meningitis and some other infectious diseases.If a child has only one-sided neck pain, the cause may be otitis media, retropharyngeal abscess, lymphadenitis, or trauma.
When we talk about childhood illnesses, we should mention torticollis.The pathology is characterized by congenital shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.The defect causes the baby's head to assume a forced position.It is constantly rotated upward and in the opposite direction to the defective muscle.A child with torticollis also has pain on the side of the neck.The main reason for this is constant muscle strain.
What to do?Grab your baby immediately and go to the hospital.Timely seeking medical help helps to identify the problem in a timely manner and begin treatment.
Which doctor should I contact?It's best to go to the pediatrician first.After the examination, the pediatrician will make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment or send you for a consultation with a specialist.
How to relieve acute neck pain
Some people complain after hypothermia or lifting heavy objects: “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 definitely consult a doctor.
To relieve pain, you can use tablets, gels or a patch.In this case, it is best to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids or warming ointments.Dry heat (a heating pad, a bag of heated sand or cereal) also has a good effect.
Don't know which doctor to contact when you have unbearable neck pain?Since such cervicalgia usually indicates inflammation or pinched nerves, it is best to see a neurologist immediately.He will prescribe adequate treatment and, if necessary, carry out a drug blockade.Injectable corticosteroids can relieve pain quickly and effectively.
How to Treat Vertebrogenic Neck Pain?
Neck pain is treated by an orthopedic traumatologist or vertebralogist.After injuries and operations in the neck area, doctors prescribe the patient to wear a Shants collar.Painkillers and muscle relaxants are used to relieve pain.To relieve muscle spasms and restore normal biomechanics of the shoulder girdle, experts recommend a series of exercises.Therapeutic gymnastics allows you to build muscles and restore normal mobility of the spine.
Which doctor should you go to if your neck hurts during pregnancy?First, you should visit your treating gynecologist.He will examine you and send you for a consultation with a specialist who will prescribe appropriate treatment.