Medically, neck pain is often called nuchal pain.The condition occurs in 12-72% of working-age people throughout the year, according to results from numerous screening studies.it means feelingalmost everyone is familiar with.Neck pain ultimately results in disability in 1.7-11.5% of people.Let's find out the most common causes and treatments.
Classification of neck pain
All neck pain is classified into acute and chronic.The first appears suddenly and has distinct features.They usually appear after hypothermia, strenuous physical activity, or heavy lifting.Chronic pain can continue to bother a person over a long period of time.They are mild, painful in nature and worsen after sitting for long periods of time or sleeping in an uncomfortable position.
depends on locationPain can be visceral, superficial, or deep.The first condition occurs due to damage to internal organs.Visceral (referred) pain may indicate sore throat, esophageal or pharyngeal disease, acute thyroiditis, vertebral artery or carotid artery dissection.
Superficial body pain occurs in the skin due to an injury or minor scratch, while deep pain is localized to the tissue.The cause of the latter is usually muscle strain or spinal pathology.
How to differentiate between visceral pain and somatic pain?The first is diffuse, that is, a person cannot determine their exact location: they radiate to other parts of the body and are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fever, etc.
In 2008, the Neck Pain Task Force made the following recommendations:stages of neck pain:
- The patient did not have any symptoms indicating structural abnormality.A person's daily activities are not restricted and no additional tests or treatments are required.This type of neck pain will go away with minor lifestyle corrections.
- The man had no signs of serious structural damage to his spine or neck organs, but his daily activities were slightly affected.Patients sometimes need painkillers.To prevent incapacity, he will need lifestyle changes and special exercises.
- The person had no signs of severe organic damage but had neurological symptoms.Patients require additional testing and comprehensive treatment for the identified pathology.
- The patient notices the appearance of signs of organic changes.He is concerned about severe pain in the neck, which often indicates injury, tumors, myelopathy, systemic disease, etc.Patients require careful examination and specialized treatment.
In the neck, pain may be central or neuropathic.Central neck pain has been associated with meningitis, acute cerebrovascular accidents, head injuries, increased intracranial pressure, and intracerebral tumors.Neuropathic pain occurs due to compression of the spinal cord roots, tunnel neuropathy, traumatic nerve injury, polyneuropathy, multiple sclerosis, etc..
Main causes of neck pain
Pain in the neck area may occur occasionally or bother a person on a daily basis.Cyclic neck pain occurs every few months and is usually harmless and does not indicate any pathology.They will disappear quickly after proper rest or the use of numbing creams.
But persistent or sudden severe pain in your neck should be cause for serious concern.
Table 1. Main reasons
| reason | The mechanism of pain syndrome | Pathological features |
|---|---|---|
| Work hard or train in the gym | Large amounts of lactic acid are formed in the muscles.It is this substance that causes pain | Pain may occur the morning after strenuous physical activity.The unpleasant sensation intensifies when you move your arms or turn your head.It will disappear in a few days |
| low temperature | Development of neuralgia - pain in the area innervated by the occipital nerve | Typically, a person will experience pain under the ears, neck, and back of the head.In most cases, occipital neuralgia is unilateral: the pain occurs only on one side |
| psychosomatics | Formation of muscle mass - spasmodic contraction of neck and shoulder girdle muscles | A person experiences a sore neck for no apparent reason.With a thorough examination, doctors can't find signs of spinal injury or internal organ disease |
| Pathobiomechanics of the shoulder girdle | Disrupts the normal function of the upper limb girdle muscles.Trapezius strain and spasm | Mild mobility impairment of shoulders and cervical spine.Pain that worsens after staying in the same position for a long time or doing physical work |
| cervical osteochondrosis | Pathological changes occur in one or more spinal motion segments.Impaired spinal mobility, myofascial pain syndrome, and spinal cord root compression | Neck pain, paresthesias, and movement disorders, spreading to the back of the head and upper limbs.Detection of characteristic changes in the spine (osteophytes, shortening of the distance between vertebrae, signs of damage to the intervertebral joints) by MRI and X-rays |
| Cervicobrachial radiculitis | Inflammatory process of the nerves forming the brachial plexus | Severe pain on one side, radiating to the upper limbs.The patient complained of burning and numbness in the hands and back of the head.Unpleasant symptoms can occur after hypothermia or strenuous exertion |
| acute thyroiditis | Inflammation or suppuration within the thyroid gland, followed by a pain syndrome | Severe pain and swelling in the thyroid area.When palpated, you can feel that the thyroid is enlarged, painful, and nodular |
| Colds and infectious diseases | Inflammation of the pharynx, larynx, and tracheal mucosa due to inhalation of cold air or infection | Pain and sore throat, headache, runny nose, increased body temperature occur.General weakness, apathy, reduced ability to work |
| Burns of the pharynx or esophagus | Exposure of the mucous membrane to chemicals, high or low temperatures, further development of the inflammatory process | Severe pain in the esophagus that worsens when swallowing |
| tension headache | Persistent over-tension of shoulder girdle muscles, frequent stress, and depression | Diffuse pain in the head, radiating to the neck |
| subarachnoid hemorrhage | Blood flowing into the subarachnoid space stimulates the meninges | Severe pain in the back of the head, reminiscent of a blow to the head |
| multiple sclerosis | Damage to myelin fibers in the brain and spinal cord, further development of neurological symptoms | Sudden pain in the neck that radiates to the spine.Patients themselves describe their sensations as "electric shocks" |
| Spine, lung, and neck organ tumors | Malignant tumors compressing tissue, nerves, or organs | Soreness that lasts a long time.Difficulty swallowing food if you have a tumor in your pharynx or esophagus |
| lymph node inflammation | Lymph nodes undergo an inflammatory process due to infection, hypothermia, etc. | Pain on both sides of neck.Enlarged, painful lymph nodes may be felt when palpated along the sternocleidomastoid muscle |
Overexertion or hypothermia
If your neck hurts after training, physical activity, or long periods of monotonous work, a muscle strain is the culprit.Strenuous physical activity can lead to the formation of lactic acid, which can cause severe pain.The discomfort completely disappears after 3-4 days.
Neck pain may occur after hypothermia and radiate to the ears.Neuralgia occurs in the occipital nerve due to the effects of cold temperatures.Its pathological characteristics are paroxysmal, stinging, and burning pain in the back of the head.Pathology can be unilateral or bilateral.
Some people often experience neck pain after sleeping.The cause of this may be the wrong choice of pillow.However, the sensation of pain may also indicate cervical osteochondrosis.Therefore, if you have neck pain after sleeping, the first thing to do is to change your pillow.If the pain doesn't go away, you need to see a traumatologist or chiropractor.
psychosomatic pain
If you continue to experience neck pain for no reason, it may be due to a psychosomatic issue.Muscle blockage can be caused by suppressed emotions, stubbornness, and one-sided thinking.People with psychosomatic neck pain often experience cervical muscle pain and strain, but even after a thorough examination, doctors are unable to discover the cause of this phenomenon.
Recent scientific research has established a relationship between personality traits and the development of vertebral neck pain.Increased anxiety and aggression have been shown to contribute to the development of cervical osteochondrosis.The discovered relationship could be used to more effectively treat vertebral pain in the shoulder and neck in patients with neurotic or neurotic-like conditions.
Violation of shoulder girdle biomechanics
Neck and shoulder pain may be caused by improper function of the shoulder girdle muscles.Functional weakness of the deltoid muscles and overloading of the trapezius muscles lead to the development of myofascial trigger points, causing pain.Initially, the neck muscles will be sore, but over time, organic changes will occur in the spine.
Improper load distribution on the shoulder girdle muscles is a common cause of neck pain.It is necessary to eliminate the pathological cause, that is, to restore the normal biomechanics of the upper limb girdle.To achieve this, you need to carefully monitor your posture and perform special exercises.
Spinal osteochondrosis and its complications
Do you have constant pain in your spine between your neck and shoulder blades?This may be a sign of the development of cervical osteochondrosis.Its pathological feature is the gradual destruction of the intervertebral disc nucleus, followed by herniation, hernia, spondyloarthropathy, and cervical spondylosis.
Characteristic signs of osteochondrosis:
- Pain in neck muscles and collar area;
- numbness in the back of the head;
- Limited cervical spine movement;
- Upper limb sensory impairment;
- slight weakness in the arms;
- Ringing in the ears, frequent dizziness, headaches.
People with osteochondrosis experience more than just spinal pain in the neck.He developed myofascial pain syndrome due to reflex muscle tension.It is characterized by pain, paresthesia, and numbness in the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle, and upper limbs.
In the initial stages, MRI is used to detect osteochondrosis.Radiography can then be used to diagnose the pathology.On X-rays of the cervical spine, the distance between vertebrae decreases, pathological changes in the facet joints, and osteophyte hyperplasia become apparent.
Many people complain that they are unable to turn their necks due to severe pain after suddenly lifting heavy objects.This phenomenon indicates the formation of a herniated disc.Pain in the back, neck, and upper limbs is caused by a pinched nerve root in the spinal cord.
Cervicobrachial radiculitis
The disease is characterized by inflammation of the spinal nerves involved in the formation of the brachial plexus.The causes of the inflammatory process may be acute intoxication, hypothermia, spasmodic muscles pressing on nerve roots,Intervertebral hernia or osteophytes.
People with sciatica experience severe pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulders, and even upper limbs.The pain occurs sharply and has a burning sensation.Many people complain of numbness in the back of the head, crawling arms, and sensory and motor impairments in the upper limbs.
What should I do if my neck hurts, it hurts to turn my head, or I have trouble moving my arms?Get medical attention immediately.Cervicobrachial radiculitis requires serious treatment that you cannot afford on your own.
Thyroid disease
Most thyroid lesions are not painful.Pain in the front of the neck occurs only in people with acute thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland).Patients may also experience elevated body temperature, chills, general weakness, body aches and other symptoms of poisoning.With a more thorough examination, you can feel that your thyroid is enlarged and painful.In some cases, several dense infiltrates are found within them.
Many people experience neck pain after a diagnostic thyroid puncture.The unpleasant feeling can last for several days.The cause of the pain is trauma to the soft tissue during surgery.
Inflammatory diseases of the neck organs
People with inflammatory diseases of the pharynx and larynx often experience a sore throat and inflamed lymph nodes in the neck.The pathological cause may be hypothermia, infection, drinking low-quality alcohol or accidental exposure of the mucous membranes to chemicals.Neck pain indicates damage to the pharynx, larynx, or esophagus and is worsened when swallowing.
Conditions that cause neck and throat pain:
- pharyngitis;
- laryngitis;
- Angina pectoris;
- diphtheria;
- Infectious mononucleosis;
- scarlet fever;
- Epiglottitis;
- Pharyngeal abscess;
- Chemical burns to the esophagus.
When you have a cold, the sides of your throat and neck are most likely to hurt.Causes include hypothermia, sudden inhalation of cold air, or prolonged walking in the cold.Good rest, warm tea and some painkillers can help cope with this condition.
If you have a sore throat in your lower neck, you should suspect pharyngitis or tracheitis (inflammation of the larynx or trachea).The disease occurs due to viral infection, inhalation of hot, cold or polluted air.If you have pain in your throat and back of your neck, you may have a retropharyngeal abscess.The pathological features are fever, dysphagia, loss of appetite, general weakness and apathy.
Damage to the central or peripheral nervous system
Subarachnoid hemorrhage can cause severe pain.The man himself described it as "blows to the head" and a pulsating sensation in the back of the head.The patient developed nausea, vomiting, confusion, and meningeal symptoms.The neck will become stiff about 6 hours after the first pain occurs.
Meningitis has similar clinical manifestations..People with meningeal inflammation experience very severe neck and head pain.The pain worsens with movement.During the examination, tension in the patient's occipital muscles was detected.Therefore, a person cannot bring the chin close to the chest, even with outside help.At the same time, the patient developed a characteristic rash.
Neck pain can be caused by spinal cord or peripheral nerve damage, central nervous system tumors, demyelinating diseases, etc.The clinical manifestations of these diseases are polymorphic, and pain is one of their pathological symptoms.
Back and spine pain may be one of the early symptoms of multiple sclerosis, a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.People with this condition experience what are called Lermitian symptoms.It is characterized by an electric shock sensation on the back of the head when the head is tilted forward.
Malignant or benign tumors
Various tumors of the cervical spine, pharynx, esophagus, thyroid or other organs can also cause pain.Pain can also occur in people with Pancost's cancer, a malignant tumor located under the pleura at the apex of the lung.
muscle damage
In some cases, people with myositis, polymyalgia, and fibromyalgia suffer injuries to the muscles on the outside of the neck.These diseases are characterized by damage to skeletal muscle at any location.If a person notices muscle tenderness on one side of his neck for no apparent reason, he may have one of these conditions.
If the muscles in the front of your neck near your throat are sore, think about whether you've recently had to shout, sing loudly, or talk for long periods of time.Then the cause of discomfort is excessive tension on the vocal cords.
Other possible causes of neck pain
Pain in the left side of the chest and collarbone that extends into the neck usually indicates heart disease.In people with similar pain syndromes, angina, arrhythmia, heart failure or heart attack are detected.
People with dental caries, oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal disease may experience pain on the sides of the neck.Tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) may cause unpleasant sensations.If you notice pain in your shoulder close to your neck, this may be the result of scoliosis in the cervical and/or thoracic spine.
Why do cervical lymph nodes hurt?
Cervical lymph nodes are located on both sides of the neck, along the sternocleidomastoid muscle.Usually they are small in size and difficult to feel.However, in some cases, the lymph nodes in the neck may become swollen and painful.This phenomenon should be a cause for alarm because it may indicate serious disease or even malignant tumors.
Most commonly, pain in the lymph nodes in your neck is caused by inflammation (lymphadenitis).Pathology develops in the context of tonsillitis, rhinitis or acute respiratory viral infection.The cause may be damage to the pharynx, esophagus, lungs or other organs from tumor metastasis.
Symptoms of cervical lymphadenitis:
- Swollen lymph nodes.In some cases, their size can increase to 2-3 cm or more;
- The appearance of congestion and edema.Lymphadenitis is often accompanied by red skin and swelling of inflamed lymph node areas;
- Painful feeling.A person experiences pain behind the ears and on one or both sides of the neck.Patients may have difficulty turning their heads and making active shoulder movements;
- Symptoms of poisoning.Increased body temperature, chills, general weakness, apathy, and headache occur.Intoxication occurs in acute lymphadenitis.
Lymph nodes in the neck may become inflamed after prolonged exposure to ventilation.Most often, pain is felt in and below the ears, and in the neck.You can feel slightly enlarged and painful lymph nodes under the patient's skin.
Do you have swollen and painful lymph nodes in your neck, but don’t know what to do?It is best to see a doctor immediately.A specialist will examine you carefully and arrange additional tests.After passing the necessary tests, you can find out the cause of the pathology.
The most common causes of head and neck pain
According to statistics, 70% of people who suffer from frequent headaches (headaches) not only have head pain, but also cervical spine pain.Neck pain can be caused by exposure to painful sensations or be vertebral in nature.Many men and women with osteochondrosis experience neck pain that radiates to the head.15-20% of all headaches are cervicogenic.
Causes of neck, head and temple pain:
- overwork;
- Impaired blood circulation in brain tissue;
- cervical spine disease;
- Paranasal sinus inflammation;
- hypertension;
- heart disease;
- menopause;
- Migraine;
- Excessive tension in the shoulder girdle muscles.
The most common type of headache is tension-type headache (TTH).It occurs due to mental stress, strenuous mental activity, or long-term spasm of neck, back, and upper limb muscles.For tension headaches, neck massage, reflexology, and short-term use of pain relievers can be helpful.
If you experience frequent neck pain and dizziness, get treatment immediately.Massage and acupuncture in the neck and collar area can help manage tension-type headaches.If you're still in pain after one session, you'll need a full check-up.Maybe a banal headache hides a serious problem.
What are the causes of neck pain in children?
Sore throat in babies is related to some infectious diseases such as sore throat, acute respiratory viral infection, rubella, mumps, and meningitis.If your child has neck pain on only one side, the cause may be otitis media, retropharyngeal abscess, lymphadenitis, or trauma.
When talking about childhood diseases, we cannot fail to mention torticollis.The pathological feature is congenital shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.Due to the defect, the baby's head assumes a forced posture.It keeps turning upward and in the opposite direction to the defective muscle.Children with torticollis also experience pain on one side of their neck.The main cause is ongoing muscle strain.
what to do?Hurry up and pick up the baby and go to the hospital.Prompt medical attention can help identify problems and begin treatment.
Which doctor should I contact?It's best to see your pediatrician first.After the examination, the pediatrician will make a diagnosis and administer treatment or send you to a specialist.
How to Relieve Acute Neck Pain
Some people complain after hypothermia or lifting heavy objects: "My neck hurts and I can't turn my head...".This symptom indicates acute inflammation of the roots of the spinal cord or neuralgia in the occipital nerve.If you experience this type of pain, you should consult your doctor immediately.
To relieve pain, you can use tablets, gels, or patches.In this case, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or warming ointments are best used.Dry heat (heating pad, bag of heated sand, or cereal) also works well.
If you're experiencing unbearable neck pain and don't know which doctor to contact?Since this type of neck pain often indicates inflammation or pinched nerves, it's best to see a neurologist right away.He will administer appropriate treatment and, if necessary, drug blockade.Corticosteroid injections can provide quick and effective pain relief.
How to treat vertebral neck pain
Neck pain is treated by an orthopedic traumatologist or chiropractor.Doctors may recommend patients wear Shants collars after neck injuries and surgeries.To relieve pain, use painkillers and muscle relaxants.To relieve muscle spasms and restore normal biomechanics of the shoulder girdle, experts recommend a set of exercises.Therapeutic gymnastics allows you to strengthen your muscles and restore normal mobility to your spine.
Which doctor should I see if I have neck pain during pregnancy?First, you should see your primary gynecologist.He will examine you and send you to consult a specialist who will provide you with appropriate treatment.