In medicine, neck pain is commonly called neck pain.According to the results of numerous screening studies, throughout the year they occur in 12-72% of people of working age.This means that the sensationsfamiliar to almost everyone.In 1.7-11.5% of people, neck pain ultimately leads to disability.Let's discover its 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, intense physical activity or heavy lifting.Chronic pain bothers people constantly over a long period of time.They are mild, painful in nature and worsen after sitting for a long time or sleeping in an uncomfortable position.
Depending on locationpain can be visceral, superficial and deep somatic.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 located in the tissues.The cause of the latter is usually muscle strain or spinal pathology.
How to distinguish visceral pain from somatic pain?The first are diffuse in nature, that is, the 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 Forse proposed the following:stages of neck pain:
- The patient has no symptoms indicating structural abnormalities.A person's daily activity is not limited and they do not require additional tests or treatments.This neck pain disappears after minimal lifestyle correction.
- The person does not show signs of serious structural damage to the spine or cervical organs, but their daily activities are slightly impaired.The patient sometimes needs painkillers.To avoid losing the ability to work, he needs lifestyle changes and special exercises.
- The person does not show signs of serious organic damage, but there are neurological symptoms.The patient needs additional examinations 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 serious examinations and specialized treatment.
In the neck, pain can be central and neuropathic.Neck pain of central origin occurs with meningitis, acute cerebrovascular accidents, traumatic brain injury, increased intracranial pressure and intracerebral tumors.Neuropathic pain appears due to compressed spinal roots, tunnel neuropathies, traumatic nerve injuries, polyneuropathy, multiple sclerosis, etc..
Main causes of neck pain
Pain in the neck area can appear occasionally or bother a person every day.Periodic neck pain, which occurs every few months, is generally harmless and does not indicate any pathology.They pass quickly after adequate rest or use of anesthetic ointment.
But constant or sudden severe pain in the neck should cause serious concern in a person.
Table 1. Main reasons
| Cause | Pain syndrome development mechanism | Characteristic signs of pathology |
|---|---|---|
| Work hard 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 moving your arms or turning your head.It will go away in a few days |
| Hypothermia | Development of neuralgia – pain in the area of innervation of the occipital nerves | Generally, a person feels pain under the ear, in the neck and in the back of the head.In most cases, occipital neuralgia is unilateral: the pain appears only on one side |
| Psychosomatics | Formation of muscle blocks - spastic contractions of the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle | A person gets neck pain for no apparent reason.With a thorough examination, doctors cannot detect signs of spinal damage or diseases of internal organs |
| Pathological biomechanics of the shoulder girdle | Disturbance of the normal functioning of the waist muscles of the upper limbs.Tension and spasm of the trapezius muscle | Mild mobility impairment in the shoulders and cervical spine.Aching pain that intensifies after sitting in the same position for a long time or performing physical work |
| Cervical osteochondrosis | The appearance of pathological changes in one or more motion segments of the spine.Impaired spinal mobility, development of myofascial pain syndromes and spinal root compression | Pain, paresthesia and motor disturbances in the cervical region, which spread to the back of the neck and upper limbs.Detection of characteristic changes in the spine on MRI and x-rays (osteophytes, decreased distance between vertebrae, signs of damage to intervertebral joints) |
| Cervicobrachial radiculitis | Development of an inflammatory process in the nerves that form the brachial plexus | Acute unilateral pain radiating to the upper limb.The patient complains of a burning sensation and numbness in the hands and back of the neck.Unpleasant symptoms occur after hypothermia or heavy physical work |
| 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 may feel a nodular, enlarged, painful 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 ability to work |
| Burns to the pharynx or esophagus | Exposure to the mucous membrane of chemicals, high or low temperatures with further development of the inflammatory process | Severe pain along the esophagus, which intensifies when swallowing |
| Tension headaches | Constant overstrain of the shoulder girdle muscles, frequent stress, depression | Diffuse, aching pain in the head, radiating to the cervical region |
| Subarachnoid hemorrhage | Irritation of the membranes of the brain by spilling blood into the subarachnoid space | Sharp pain in the back of the neck, 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, radiating to the spine.The patient himself describes his sensations as “electric shock” |
| Tumors of the spine, lungs, neck organs | Compression of tissues, nerves or organs by a malignant neoplasm | Aching pain that persists for a long time.If you have tumors in the pharynx or esophagus, the 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 may feel enlarged and painful lymph nodes |
Overwork or hypothermia
If your neck hurts after a workout, 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 completely disappears after 3-4 days.
Neck pain that radiates to the ear may occur after hypothermia.Due to the effect of low temperature, neuralgia of the occipital nerve develops.The pathology is characterized by paroxysmal, sharp, 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 may also indicate cervical osteochondrosis.Therefore, if your neck hurts after sleeping, the first thing to do is change your pillow.If the pain does not go away, you need to see a traumatologist or vertebrologist.
Psychosomatic pain
If you feel constant pain in your neck for no apparent reason, it could be due to psychosomatics.Muscle blockages can occur due to repressed emotions, stubbornness and one-sided thinking.People with psychosomatic neck pain regularly feel pain and tension in the muscles of the cervical spine, but doctors cannot 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 turns out that increased anxiety and aggressiveness contribute to the development of cervical osteochondrosis.The discovered relationship could be used for more effective treatment of vertebrogenic shoulder and neck pain in people with neuroses or neurosis-like illnesses.
Violation of the biomechanics of the shoulder girdle
The reason why the neck and shoulders hurt 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 occur in the spine.
Inadequate load distribution on the shoulder girdle muscles is a common cause of neck pain.It is necessary to eliminate the cause of the pathologies, that is, to restore the normal biomechanics of the girdle of the upper limbs.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 the gradual destruction of the nuclei of intervertebral discs with the subsequent development of protrusions, hernias, spondyloarthrosis and cervical spondylosis.
Characteristic signs of osteochondrosis:
- pain in the muscles of the neck, collar area;
- numbness in the back of the neck;
- limited mobility in the cervical spine;
- sensory disturbances in the upper extremities;
- slight weakness in the arms;
- tinnitus, frequent dizziness, headaches.
A person with osteochondrosis not only feels pain in the spine, in the neck region.Due to reflex muscle tension, he develops myofascial pain syndromes.They are characterized by the appearance of pain, paresthesia and a sensation of numbness in the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle and upper limbs.
In the early stages, osteochondrosis is detected by MRI.Later, the pathology can be diagnosed using radiography.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 that they cannot turn their neck due to the severe pain that arises after lifting something heavy suddenly.This phenomenon indicates the formation of a herniated disc.The cause of pain in the back, neck and upper limbs is compression of one of the nerve roots that emerge 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, compression of a nerve root by spasmodic muscles,intervertebral hernias or osteophytes.
People with sciatica experience severe pain in the neck, back, shoulders and even upper limbs..Painful sensations occur acutely and have a burning character.Many people complain of a feeling of numbness in the back of the neck, crawling in the arm, sensory and motor disturbances in the upper limb.
What to do if your neck hurts, it hurts to turn your head, it's difficult to move your arm?Seek medical attention immediately.Cervicobrachial radiculitis requires serious treatment, which you cannot handle on your own.
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 an increase in body temperature, chills, general weakness, body aches and other signs of intoxication.With a more thorough examination, you may feel an enlarged and painful thyroid gland.In some cases, several dense infiltrates are found in it.
Many people experience neck pain after a diagnostic puncture of the thyroid gland.Unpleasant sensations persist for several days.The cause of pain is trauma to the soft tissues during the procedure.
Inflammatory diseases of the cervical organs
In inflammatory diseases of the pharynx and larynx, the person usually has a sore throat and the lymph nodes in the neck become inflamed.The cause of the pathology may be hypothermia, infections, consumption of low-quality alcohol or accidental contact with chemicals on the mucous membranes.Damage to the pharynx, larynx, or esophagus is indicated by neck pain that worsens when swallowing.
Diseases that cause pain in the neck and throat:
- pharyngitis;
- laryngitis;
- angina;
- diphtheria;
- infectious mononucleosis;
- scarlet fever;
- epiglottitis;
- pharyngeal abscess;
- chemical burn of the esophagus.
The sides of your throat and neck hurt more often when you have a cold.The causes of the disease are hypothermia, sudden inhalation of cold air or a long walk in the cold.A good rest, hot tea and some painkiller tablets help to cope with the disease.
If you have a sore throat in the lower part of your neck, you should suspect pharyngitis or tracheitis (inflammation of the larynx or trachea).The development of diseases is caused by viral infection, inhalation of hot, cold or polluted air.If the throat and back of the 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 himself describes them as a “blow to the head” and a pulsing sensation in the back of the neck.The patient develops nausea, vomiting, confusion and meningeal signs.Neck stiffness develops approximately 6 hours after the first pain appears.
Meningitis presents a similar clinical picture..A person with inflammation of the meninges has very severe pain in the neck and head.Painful sensations intensify with movement.During the examination, tension is detected in the patient's occipital muscles.Because of this, 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 injuries to the spinal cord or peripheral nerves, central nervous system tumors, demyelinating diseases, etc.All of these diseases present a polymorphic clinical picture, with pain being one of the symptoms of the pathology.
Back and spine pain 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's symptom.It is characterized by an electric shock sensation in the back of the head that occurs when the head is tilted forward.
Malignant or benign neoplasms
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 malignancy located subpleurally at the apex of the lung.
Muscle damage
In some cases, the lateral neck muscles hurt in people with myositis, polymyalgia, and fibromyalgia.These diseases are characterized by damage to skeletal muscles of any location.If a person notices tenderness in the side muscles of the neck for no apparent reason, they may have one of these conditions.
If you have muscle pain in the front of your neck, near your larynx, think about whether you have recently had to scream loudly, sing loudly, or talk for a long time.So the cause of discomfort is excessive tension of the vocal cords.
Other possible causes of neck pain
Pain in the left side of the chest and collarbone, extending into the neck, usually indicates heart disease.In people with a similar pain syndrome, angina pectoris, arrhythmias, heart failure or a heart attack are detected.
The sides of the neck may hurt in people with cavities, diseases of the oropharynx or nasopharynx.Unpleasant sensations can occur with tonsillitis - inflammation of the tonsils.If pain is observed in the shoulders near the neck, this may be a consequence 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 can be difficult to feel.However, in some cases, the lymph nodes in the neck may become enlarged and painful.This phenomenon should be alarming, as it may indicate serious illnesses and even malignant tumors.
Most often, pain in the lymph nodes in the neck occurs due to their inflammation (lymphadenitis).Pathology develops against the background of tonsillitis, rhinitis or acute respiratory viral infection.The reason may be damage by metastases of tumors of the pharynx, esophagus, lungs or other organs.
Signs of cervical lymphadenitis:
- enlarged lymph nodes.In some cases, its size can increase to 2-3 centimeters or more;
- the appearance of hyperemia and edema.Lymphadenitis is usually accompanied by redness of the skin and swelling in the area of inflamed lymph nodes;
- painful sensations.A person feels pain behind the ear and in the neck on one or both sides.It may be difficult for the patient to turn their head and perform active shoulder movements;
- symptoms of intoxication.Body temperature rises, chills, general weakness, apathy and headaches appear.Intoxication phenomena appear in the acute form of lymphadenitis.
Cervical lymph nodes can become inflamed after prolonged exposure to a draft.Most often, the pain is felt in the ear and under the ear, in the neck.Under the patient's skin, you may 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?The best thing is to go to the doctor immediately.The specialist will carefully examine you and prescribe additional tests.After passing the necessary tests, you will be able to find out the cause of the pathology.
Reasons why your head and neck hurt more often
According to statistics, 70% of people with frequent headaches (cephalgia) feel pain not only in the head, but also in the cervical region.Neck pain can be caused by the irradiation of painful sensations or be vertebrogenic in nature.Many men and women with osteochondrosis experience neck pain that radiates to the head.Among all headaches, 15-20% are cervicogenic in nature.
Reasons why a person feels pain in the neck, head and temples:
- overwork;
- impaired blood circulation in brain tissue;
- cervical spine diseases;
- inflammation of the paranasal sinuses;
- high blood pressure;
- heart disease;
- menopause period;
- migraine;
- excessive tension of the shoulder girdle muscles.
The most common type of headache is tension-type headache (TTH).It occurs due to mental stress, intense mental activity or prolonged spasm of the muscles of the neck, back and waist of the upper limbs.For tension headaches, neck massage, reflexology, and short-term use of pain relievers can help.
If you often experience neck pain and dizziness, don't hesitate to seek treatment.Neck massage and acupuncture can help deal with tension headaches.If after a massage you continue to feel pain, a full examination is necessary.Perhaps there is a serious problem hidden behind a banal headache.
What are the reasons for a child's neck pain?
Sore throat in a baby occurs with 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 is in a forced position.It is constantly facing upward and in the opposite direction to the defective muscle.A child with torticollis also feels pain on the side of the neck.The main reason for this is constant muscle tension.
What to do?Immediately pick up your baby and go to the hospital.Timely seeking medical help will help to identify the problem in time 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 refer you for a consultation with 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 occipital nerve neuralgia.If such pain occurs, you should always consult a doctor.
To relieve pain, you can use tablets, gels or patches.In this case, it is best to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, 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 see if you feel unbearable pain in your neck?Since neck pain often indicates inflammation or compressed nerves, it is best to see a neurologist immediately.He will prescribe the appropriate treatment and, if necessary, perform a drug block.Injectable corticosteroids can relieve pain quickly and effectively.
How to treat vertebrogenic neck pain
Neck pain is treated by an orthopedic traumatologist or vertebrologist.After injuries and operations in the cervical region, doctors prescribe the patient to use a Shants collar.To relieve pain, analgesics and muscle relaxants are used.To relieve muscle spasms and restore normal biomechanics of the shoulder girdle, experts recommend a series of exercises.Therapeutic gymnastics allows you to develop muscles and restore normal mobility to the spine.
Which doctor should you see if your neck hurts during pregnancy?First of all, you should visit your attending gynecologist.He will examine you and send you for consultation with a specialist who will prescribe the appropriate treatment.