Neck pain - this is what leads to the stated posture, "sofa" lifestyle, excessive physical activity. There are many factors that affect the cervical spine not in the best way. Let's understand why the neck hurts and what to do to alleviate the discomfort.
Cervical pain and cervical pain
Neck pain is divided into two types:
- Circumcalgia is a continuous spasm in one place. It appears gradually, its intensity varies. The neck hurts constantly, and in the same place - you have to go to the hospital, a serious illness can develop.
- Cervicago is an unexpected pain that starts and stops quickly. The reason may be sudden movements of the head or a long stay in the same position.
During the attack, coordination is disturbed, and painful urges appear in other parts of the body.
Cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is an injury to the ankle joints. The disease is formed mainly in those who lead a sedentary lifestyle, malnourished. Not the last role is played by hereditary predisposition. People suffering from osteochondrosis have dizziness, tingling in the eardrums and stiffness of the limbs. The back of the head hurts, it burns between the shoulder blades. They often complain of a sore spine. It becomes difficult to turn the neck, the movements are accompanied by a crunchy sound. Possible numbness.
Neck pain indicates the development of this disease. Neck pain on the left or right side - most likely, osteochondrosis.
Pain in the cervical spine accompanies this disease. If you consult a specialist in time, it can be easily cured.
Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine
The disease occurs even in young people. Pain in the left side of the neck, shoulders, arms, chest, possible damage to vision and hearing, decreased concentration. For people with this disease, doctors recommend peace and rest, prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs.
Herniated discs
Not only is the hernia full, but the minimal bulging of the disc is also strongly felt: the canal in the cervical region is narrow, the nerve endings are close. Pain on the left side of the neck, lower back, lower back. The disease occurs due to unhealthy diet, inactivity, insufficient physical development. The technique of acupressure and vacuum therapy is used for treatment.
Crick
The neck can ache from excessive physical exertion: for example, after training. The main symptom of sprains is severe neck pain. The damaged area swells, it becomes impossible to turn the head, it can take an unnatural position, and the patient is in danger of fainting. To make it easier, you can take an anesthetic, put a cold or warm compress, massage the sprained area. It is not recommended to lie on your stomach - in that case, the head will be turned to the right or left, and the tense ligaments may not last. It is better to give up physical activity for a few weeks. When the pain subsides, you can start kneading the neck, tilting it to the side.
Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is a serious disease that can lead to disability and requires urgent consultation with your doctor. Spondylosis can be a neglected form of osteochondrosis. The disease occurs mainly in the elderly, as well as in athletes as a result of injuries. Unpleasant sensations in the occipital part of the head and neck area become permanent.
The second signal is a throbbing pain in the neck on the left side. 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 remove inflammation and pain. Drug therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures combined with therapeutic exercises will help restore working ability 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. People suffering from myelopathy feel bad and weak, often have a feeling that the limbs are shocked, speech slows down, it becomes difficult to take steps, coordination is impaired. The disease occurs after falls from great heights and accidents. The patient wears a soft cervical collar, undergoes physiotherapy and strengthening exercises.
Whiplash
The term twitch is used to describe pain that results from soft tissue injury. Damage occurs due to sharp extension with further flexion and vice versa. A sharp pain in the neck (any area) after a fall, fight or accident can signal a twitch of the whip.
Ligaments are damaged - the head takes a protruding position, cervical lordosis is lost. After the injury, an X-ray examination is mandatory. Weakening of the disease occurs after 1-6 months.
Cervical injury
Pain in the cervical spine occurs after injuries, unsuccessful jumps into the water, accidents. Unnatural curvature, pain in the back of the head indicate injury to the cervical region. Edema and hematomas appear, motor functions of the body are disturbed. For those who have pain in the cervical spine, doctors will first prescribe wearing a special necklace for several months.
infections
Infectious skin diseases lead to inflammation, which can be accompanied by acute pain. In infections such as tonsillitis or rubella, the lymph nodes dilate and lead to unpleasant painful sensations in the neck muscles.
Pathology of internal organs
Severe neck pain is often a pathology. With pain in the right hypochondrium, which extends 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. In such cases, the pain is reflected and comes from the head, heart, esophagus. Myocardial infarction and angina pectoris are often accompanied by pain in the chest, shoulders and arms.
Patients who survived similar illnesses complained of neck pain on the left side. Pain in the neck on the right, cramps in the thigh on the same side indicate the development of cholecystitis. Pain in the front of the neck gives the right to suspect a disorder of the thyroid gland, esophagus, larynx or pharynx. Local neuritis - nerve damage - may develop. This usually happens after poisoning with chemicals, such as alcohol.
Restless pain in the cervical spine is a precursor to developing pathologies. In this case, the pressure jumps sharply. Pain in the neck on the right side, with limited ability to move the head, torments during meningitis.
Painful sensations in the hip are the result of the spread of the tumor in the brain. Help should be sought immediately. Pain in the front of the neck on the right or left side may indicate the presence of pharyngitis, laryngitis, lymphangitis, or any other disease associated with inflammation of the intestines.
Pain in the cervical spine - there may be a process of development of meningitis, tuberculosis, osteomyelitis. A harmless disease that is easily treated - vegetative-vascular dystonia can be accompanied by diseases. Pain in the cervical region gives limbs, back, pressure surges, shortness of breath, lethargy.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by stabbing pain in the neck. It intensifies at night.
Other reasons
Often the pain in the neck on the right side is the result of a banal lumbago. Lumbago or lumbago - contraction of the neck muscles. It is harmless and disappears on its own after a few weeks. It is most often manifested due to drafts, the pain spreads to the head, chest. The neck hurts a lot on the left or right side - maybe the person just "lay down" on this side. Physical passivity harms the physical condition and disrupts the work of the vessels of the cervical spine. During this type of disease, it is enough to change the position of the body.
Many people who are obese often have neck pain. The spine and cervical spine cannot cope with excess weight, have a large 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 tightened. The pain will subside after the injection or anesthetic.
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 simply had a cold.
Treatment
Those who are constantly worried 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 have to sound the alarm. Treatment of a sore neck can only be prescribed by a specialist.
Doctors usually prescribe medication. It is recommended to lubricate disturbing parts of the door with preparations with a warming effect. Constant pain can make a person irritable: the doctor prescribes sedatives, antidepressants. Neck pain on the right, left, front, side and back can be relieved by applying a heating pad to the affected area or wrapping it in a warm scarf.
Massage is a mandatory wellness procedure. You can do it yourself. The neck hurts in front, for example - gently caress and rub its surface, trying not to touch Adam's apple. Blood circulation will improve, and pain in the cervical region will stop bothering you.
Withdrawal of severe neck pain is recommended for the treatment of warm compresses. In such cases, the person needs complete rest, and the neck pain on the right or left side will disappear in a few minutes. If the situation is serious, it should be taken over by a professional who knows how to treat neck pain, such as a trained physiotherapist.
Bruises and sprains are alleviated with cold compresses. In medical practice, acupuncture and physical education are often used to improve health, 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 get rid of the discomfort in a few months.
How to treat neck pain yourself
What people affected by the disease did not think of! For sprains or minor injuries, you can resort to informal pain management methods. There is a proven way to get rid of neck pain in an hour.
Fold the gauze in three layers. Cook the potatoes in uniform, then push and fasten to the neck through a cloth, then warm with a scarf or towel. When the potatoes have cooled, remove the layers of gauze. At the end of the procedure, rub the neck with any alcohol.
To stop the pain in the cervical region, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- Maintain proper posture. A crooked back contributes to muscle deformity. Shoulders should be lowered, chin in raised position. Sitting with a crooked back puts you at risk of getting seriously ill.
- I'd rather have a backpack than a bag. The load will be evenly distributed on the left and right side of the body, and the pain in the cervical spine will subside.
- As you read, keep your head upright, do not lower yourself. You can fix it with a roller or pillow (not soft), change the position.
- Take 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. When changing cold and warm water, the body experiences stress: blood circulation is accelerated, muscles, including the neck, are inadvertently strengthened.
- Don't overdo it. When the neck hurts a lot, it is better to leave it alone and in no case continue to work or train. The pain in the cervical spine can disappear on its own.
- Don't panic. Stress affects not only the mental but also the physical health of a person. Instead of shouting "what to do if your neck hurts terribly on the left side", it is better to calm down and reasonably assess the situation.