Pain in the ass

There is no adult who has never felt neck pain in their life. One in four women and one in six men experience it all the time. A sedentary lifestyle and spending a lot of time at the computer make the problem worse. Neck pain can also occur due to osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint and any other disease in this area, the upper back and arms, or the back of the head. In this article, you will learn all about neck pain and how to get rid of it.

Causes of neck pain

The most common causes are the following diseases:

• Cervical osteochondrosis, complicated by bulging or herniation of intervertebral discs. The most common and important cause of neck pain. The pain is associated with entrapment of the spinal nerve roots by partially or completely destroyed intervertebral discs. The pain is very strong, sudden, can be localized only in the neck (on one or both sides) or radiate to other areas - to the head, back of the head, arm, back, under the shoulder blade, etc. Treatment consists of pain therapy, restoration of theCartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs and strengthening of the neck muscles. Sometimes such patients need the help of a neurosurgeon to remove the destroyed intervertebral disc.
• Bechterew's disease (rheumatoid spondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis) is an autoimmune inflammatory process in the joints of the cervical spine. The disease usually develops gradually and unnoticed and spreads along the spine from bottom to top. The cervical spine is the last to be affected. It is manifested by neck pain and stiffness of movement, which disappear after physical activity begins. Over time, the pain increases and the spine becomes immobile. Long-term treatment with a rheumatologist helps.
• Osteoarthritis of the facet joints of the cervical spine (uncovertebral osteoarthritis). In this case, the cause of pain in the neck and back of the head is degenerative-dystrophic changes in the small joints that connect the cervical vertebrae. Often has an occupational origin and occurs when working at a standstill with the head lowered or violently turned or after injuries. Symptoms: pain at the site of the lesion, radiating to the shoulder and crunching when moving, sometimes headache, dizziness, high or low blood pressure, hearing impairment. Treatment by a neurologist and rheumatologist.
• Torticollis is a change in neck position that prevents turning the head and other movements. It can be congenital (in children) and acquired (in adults) after injuries, against the background of rough skin scars, persistent spasms of the neck and occipital muscles in degenerative-dystrophic and inflammatory processes in the spine and surrounding soft tissues. Symptoms: tilting the head and raised shoulder on the affected side, pain in the neck and back of the head when trying to tilt the head in the opposite direction. Pain increases with physical activity and stress. Treatment can be conservative (for cramps) or surgical and carried out by a surgeon or orthopedic traumatologist.
• Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is associated with irritation of the nerve endings in the muscles, leading to their spasms and pain.

Clinical anatomy of the neck

In degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine, as well as arthritis of the facet joints (between individual vertebrae), bone growths or swollen soft tissues can compress the vertebral artery, which leads to impaired blood supply to the brain, headaches and dizziness. Pain can also be a result of compression of the spinal roots originating from the spinal cord. This pain radiates into the arm along the brachial plexus.

First aid for neck pain – what to do

Neck pain can increase gradually, but sometimes it occurs acutely, suddenly in the form of lumbago with radiation to other areas. It's hard to endure such suffering. What to do, how to get rid of them?

Tablets and ointments for neck pain

Emergency self-help algorithm:

• Take a sedative - panicking will only make the situation worse; You can take: 20 drops of soothing drops or a tablet with the substance levomenthol, solution in menthyl isovalerate, under the tongue; These medications not only calm but also dilate blood vessels, which in turn helps relieve muscle spasms and associated pain. You can also take 1-2 tablets of valerian extract or any other sedative you have on hand.
• Take painkillers (optional).
• To get rid of aching pain, you can use external painkillers: ointments, gels, plasters.

Exercises for neck pain

If the pain is not very severe, is painful in nature and is accompanied by stiffness, you can try to get rid of it with the help of exercises. They must be performed smoothly and without sudden movements. An approximate set of exercises that relieve pain:

• Starting position (IP) – lying on your back, head on a flat pillow; Press your head firmly against the pillow and hold until you count 5; Take a break and repeat the process. Do 5 – 7 approaches;
• IP - lying on the left side, head on a flat pillow; Raise your head and hold it in this position until you count 5; Take a short break and then do at least five approaches.
• IP – lying on the right side; Repeat the previous exercise on the right side.
• IP – lying on his stomach, hands clasped behind the back of the head; Raise your head and defend yourself with your hands. Each approach – 5 seconds with a short break, repeat 5 – 7 times.

It is contraindicated to relieve severe acute pain with exercises.

In such cases it is better to keep the neck still, for example with a Shants collar. However, prolonged immobilization leads to a weakening of the muscular corset and aggravation of the situation. Therefore, the Shants collar can be used for pain relief before consulting a doctor. Only a specialist can determine the duration of immobilization.

After you completely or partially eliminate the pain syndrome yourself, you need to see a doctor, otherwise it will recur and it will be quite difficult to relieve it.

Exercises for neck pain

What not to do if you have neck pain

If you have frequent neck pain, you should remember that you should not do the following:

• staying in a forced position for a long time with a tense neck - a painful muscle spasm occurs;
• Lifting weights, performing heavy work – microtrauma of the spine with surrounding tissues, gradual destruction of cartilage and bone structures;
• often be exposed to stress - they are accompanied by vascular spasms, which negatively affect blood circulation and the condition of the spine;
• Smoking, frequent drinking of alcohol – contributes to persistent vasoconstriction;
• Hypothermia – the muscles near the spine become inflamed, myositis develops;
• If you sleep on a high, soft pillow, you will remain in an uncomfortable static position for a long time.
• Make sudden head turns - sudden pinching of the nerve and the appearance of severe pain are possible.

If you need to see a doctor urgently

Do not hesitate to seek medical help if:

• Pain in the neck occurs regularly and is not always completely relieved by painkillers;
• You have experienced a painful attack for the first time or have experienced it repeatedly, when every movement brings severe suffering;
• Pain syndrome is accompanied by general disorders: fever, chills, etc. ;
• Suddenly there was an acute, short-term pain in the left neck that radiated to the arm, the shoulder blade or the back of the head - a sign of an acute circulatory disorder in the area of the heart muscle (angina pectoris attack). );
• Sudden attacks of headache and dizziness occurred, sometimes with loss of consciousness - a sign of compression of the vertebral artery.

If such symptoms occur, self-treatment is pointless: this will only make the problem worse. No folk remedies or grandmother's advice help.

Only a doctor can help relieve pain by developing an individual treatment plan based on examination and making an accurate diagnosis. If you are unsure which doctor to contact, make an appointment with a therapist. They will understand the situation and, if necessary, refer you to another specialist.

Types of neck pain and how to deal with them

The pain syndrome can manifest itself in different ways: only on one side of the neck or everywhere, local or radiating to other parts of the body. Let's try to figure out what indicates the appearance of pain and what to do in each individual case.

Severe neck pain due to coronavirus and ARVI

Any viral infection can cause neck pain. This is due to poisoning by the infectious agent. Once the person recovers, these symptoms disappear.

However, in some people, the pain syndrome recurs a few days or weeks after a viral infection, sometimes it is accompanied by swelling of the spine and stiffness of movement in the morning (the head has difficulty turning to the side).

This condition requires immediate evaluation because it may be associated with autoimmune processes in the facet joints (connecting vertebrae) of the spine.

Coronavirus infection has serious effects on the immune system and leads to various dysfunctions. If a person is predisposed to an autoimmune process (close relatives suffer from such diseases), it is quite possible that a viral infection will serve as the starting point (trigger) for its outbreak. What to do: See a therapist or rheumatologist.

Severe neck pain and fever

If severe pain in the neck suddenly appears and is accompanied by fever, this indicates the presence of an acute inflammatory process:

• Viral infection or exacerbation of a chronic inflammatory process (bronchitis, sinusitis, etc. ) – in this case the disease is also accompanied by catarrhal symptoms – cough and runny nose; what to do: If the pain is not too severe and the temperature is not high, you can wait to see a doctor; persistent pain after recovery should be a reason to see a doctor;
• bacterial purulent inflammatory processes - abscesses, cellulitis; what to do: consult a surgeon, as symptoms can only be eliminated through surgery;
• Autoimmune process in the joints of the cervical spine; the first symptoms appear a few days or weeks after the acute inflammatory process, no catarrhal symptoms appear; what to do: See a doctor immediately; Self-medication is contraindicated.

Severe pain in the neck radiating to the head

Sometimes acute, sudden pain occurs in the neck area in the spine area, which radiates to the head (cervicocranialgia), associated with pinching of the spinal roots that originate from the 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae (C1 - C2), with pain referred to the trigeminal nerve, whose nuclei are located in the upper sections of the spinal cord. This is the so-called radicular pain syndrome and it can be very severe and last quite a long time. What to do: To help yourself, you can take a painkiller and stick an anesthetic patch on the sore spot.

If the pain does not go away, call an ambulance; the doctor can temporarily eliminate the pain. However, after removal, you must definitely consult a neurologist.

Aching pain in the neck and back of the head may be due to compression of the vertebral artery. In such cases, dizziness and fainting are often associated as the brain suffers from a lack of oxygen.

Similar pain can occur with high blood pressure (BP). The attack is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. What to do: Pain in the neck and back of the head is dangerous. If they occur, you need to call an ambulance.

Neck and shoulders hurt

Pain in the neck can radiate to the shoulders. Typically, pain in the neck and shoulders is accompanied by cramps and muscle strains when the neurovascular bundle between the scalene muscles is compressed. Due to constant aching pain, morning stiffness occurs, the head is in a forced position: it is slightly tilted forward and to the affected side. If a blood vessel is also compressed, dizziness, darkening of the eyes, and fainting may occur. Radiation of pain from the neck to the shoulders is also characteristic of osteochondrosis and arthrosis of the facet joints of the 5th to 6th vertebrae (C5-C6). If the pathological focus is localized in C5, the pain radiates along the anterior external surface of the shoulder, preventing the patient from moving the arm to the side.

What to do: You cannot tolerate such symptoms; You can't heal them yourself; You need to consult a neurologist.

Neck pain on the right or left side

If your neck hurts on one side:

• very strong sudden attack– a sign of injury to the spinal roots on the right or left side; A patch with lidocaine can help, but this is a temporary measure, contacting a neurologist is necessary;
• Sudden paroxysmal short but stabbing pain in the left neck– may be a symptom of angina pectoris; If such symptoms recur, you need to seek help from a therapist or cardiologist.
• aching pain on the left or right side– often develops when the head is held in a tense position for a long time due to spasms in the neck muscles; To relieve cramps, use pain-relieving ointments and patches; If painful muscle cramps occur, you need to monitor your posture and avoid work that requires your head to be in static tension for long periods of time.

What to do: If you have constant or regularly recurring pain on the right or left side of your neck, you should first consult a therapist.

Severe back and neck pain

Pain sensations in the back, which are transmitted to the neck, are usually a consequence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. There is a gradual destruction of the cartilaginous, shock-absorbing intervertebral cushion - the intervertebral disc. The intervertebral disc becomes thinner, ruptures and can extend partially or completely beyond the spine and squeeze the nerve roots, resulting in severe back pain that radiates to the neck. Painful sensations are aggravated by spasms of the back and neck muscles.

When C6 is affected, neck pain radiates to the scapula, shoulder girdle, shoulder, forearm, and a finger. At the same time, muscle strength decreases and movements in the hand require additional effort. Damage to C7 – waves of pain are transmitted to the shoulder blade, back of the hand, index and middle fingers. Symptoms of damage to C8 – possible radiation of pain along the back inner surface of the hand to the little finger.

What to do: To relieve pain, you need to take an anesthetic orally and apply an anesthetic gel to the skin. If the pain subsides, consult a neurologist.

Such neck pain can also occur with scoliosis – a sideways curvature of the spine. Scoliosis can cause bruising and compression of the vertebrae, pinched nerves and constant back pain. What to do: Treatment is carried out by an orthopedist-traumatologist.

Severe radiating neck pain

Sometimes pain in the neck spreads to other areas. This is so-called referred pain, in which pain impulses from the main focus spread along the nerve fibers that connect individual parts of the body and internal organs.

Painful waves can radiate:

In the ear -painful sensations have different causes; Most often they are related:

1. with inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs - sore throat, chronic tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis; This is usually a sore throat and earache, accompanied by symptoms such as fever, painful sore throat and cough. in chronic inflammatory processes the disease is not so acute, without fever the pain is moderate;
2. in degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the cervical spine (osteochondrosis) and their consequences – bulging and herniated discs; Cervical pain syndrome is associated with pinching of the spinal roots by an intervertebral disc protruding beyond the spine or overgrown bone tissue of the vertebrae. referred pain in the ear with osteochondrosis is a sign of compression of the nerve root of the 3rd cervical vertebra (C3);
3. in arthritis (inflammation) or arthrosis (metabolic disorders) in the facet joints C3 – C4, which connect the cervical vertebrae;

In the teeth -painful radiation into the teeth:

1. usually associated with osteochondrosis – damage to the C3 – C4 vertebrae;
2. have a reflective character; this is due to dental problems: deep caries and periodontitis of the teeth of the lateral part of the maxillary dentition; various malocclusions; The pain can radiate from the oral cavity to the neck. Often there is a feeling that the neck hurts and radiates to the teeth on the right or left. what to do: treat or remove damaged teeth, restore bite; Reflected pain syndrome may be associated with arthritis or osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint (temporomandibular joint) - it seems that your teeth hurt and the pain radiates to the neck;

In the eyes -When the upper cervical vertebrae are affected (osteochondrosis, arthritis, or arthrosis of the vertebral joints), pain may radiate along the delicate nerve branches in the neck into the eyes or the tissue around the eyeball;

In the temple -often a sign of cervical osteochondrosis or arthrosis (arthritis) of the temporomandibular joint;

In your hand -with cervical osteochondrosis or arthritis (arthrosis) of the C6-C8 joints, as well as with spasms of the neck muscles;

Into the shoulder blade &ndah;Damage to C6 – C7 and glenohumeral periarthritis;

Into the collarbone -Pain syndrome can develop after a clavicle injury and be transmitted to the neck through the nerve fibers of the brachial plexus, as well as with arthritis or arthrosis of the shoulder joint.

When waves of pain radiate to other organs and tissues, it is difficult for the patient to figure out on his own what hurts and which specialist to contact. Therefore, it is best to start with a therapist; This person will find out where to refer the patient next.

Severe pain in the neck muscles

Pain in the neck muscles is usually associated with various injuries and diseases of the spine, but can also manifest itself as an independent disease - myofascial pain syndrome.

What to do: Treatment can be initiated by a neurologist, but a consultation with a rheumatologist may be necessary.

The neck hurts a lot

Pain in the back of the head and neck is most often associated with cervical osteochondrosis and pathology of the facet joints of the cervical vertebrae. This is accompanied by a painful spasm in the neck muscles.

What to do: It is better to first consult a neurologist, who may refer the patient to a rheumatologist after the examination.

Pain in the front of the neck in the larynx area

With the growth of thyroid tissue (inflammatory process, goiter), painful sensations in the front of the neck associated with difficulty swallowing may occur. At the same time, the external enlargement is not always noticeable, since the goiter can grow behind the sternum.

What to do: Urgently contact an endocrinologist.

The larynx can hurt due to acute and chronic diseases of the ENT organs. Such diseases are accompanied by cough, sore throat and sometimes an increase in body temperature. Laryngitis is particularly dangerous and is accompanied by pain, a barking cough and the risk of swelling of the larynx.

What to do: Contact a therapist or otolaryngologist.

Neck pain when turning or bending over

Myofascial pain syndrome with reflection in the ear and eyeball area when turning

Painful turning and tilting of the head can be a result of:

• Osteochondrosis and injury to the roots of the spine; the pain syndrome is strong and sudden, it is almost impossible to turn or tilt the head; what to do: urgently consult a neurologist;
• acute neck injury or persistent microtrauma; in the absence of bone changes (fractures, dislocations), the pain syndrome is accompanied by cramps and subsequent inflammation of the neck muscles; what to do: seek help from a neurologist;
• curvature of the spine - scoliosis; the pain is painful in nature and increases when bending the neck; What to do: Contact an orthopedist-traumatologist.

Neck pain after sleeping

Typically, such pain rarely appears out of nowhere; more often they are associated with a hidden disease of the spine or neck muscles. After sleeping, they occur when the head is incorrectly positioned for a long time, which leads to compression of blood vessels and nerves. After sleeping, this manifests itself as aching pain, numbness and restricted movement. After a while it disappears.

What to do: Contact a neurologist and make sure that you do not have a serious pathology.

Severe pain and crunching in the neck

The causes of neck pain accompanied by a crunch can be osteochondrosis, arthrosis of the vertebral joints or increased mobility of the cervical vertebrae. In any case, this is a sign of a pathological process that can only be identified after an examination.

What to do: Consult a neurologist, but you may also need help from other specialists.

Treating conditions that cause neck pain

There are painkillers for temporary pain relief, but in order to completely relieve the patient of suffering, the doctor must conduct an examination and find out the cause of the pain. The patient cannot do this alone, he must visit a clinic.

diagnosis

Clinical examination of the neck – the first stage of diagnosis

At the initial appointment, the doctor conducts a clinical examination of the patient and, based on the results, may prescribe the following additional examinations:

• Laboratory tests– general clinical, biochemical and immunological blood tests. The data obtained allows the identification of inflammatory, metabolic and autoimmune processes.
• Instrumental diagnostic methods:If necessary, x-ray of the affected part of the spine- shoulder joint;Ultrasound of soft tissues;MRI or CT– more detailed examination of the cervical spine;Electron myography– to assess the condition of the spinal nerve roots.

After the examination, the doctor can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Methods for treating neck pain

Treatment of cervical pain syndrome can only be carried out individually, as it depends on the identified diseases and the final diagnosis. Concomitant diagnoses – the presence of various other illnesses in the patient – must also be taken into account.

The combination of modern and traditional oriental techniques provides the patient with immediate relief from acute pain.

This also gives patients with long-standing severe pain syndrome hope for a normal life. After the course, they regularly come to the clinic for preventive treatment, which allows them to completely get rid of their pain and lead a normal life. Contact the medical center, the doctors will definitely help you!