Neck pain can be painful for several reasons. In most cases, it is necessary to first establish what causes the pain and muscle tension in order to choose the right pain reliever. Both medicines and folk remedies help to quickly relieve neck pain.
Neck structure
The neck includes:
- cervical spine,
- muscles,
- packages,
- larynx,
- thyroid gland.
There are seven vertebrae in the cervical spine. Compared to the rest of the spine, the cervical vertebrae are not large. They consist, like everyone else, of the body and the processes of fixing muscles and ligaments.
Between the vertebrae - discs with the rigid outer part, composed of fibrous fibers, and the inner soft pulposus nucleus, which provides shock absorption to the spine.
Causes of neck pain
Traumatic injury
It can be obtained during sports, headaches, in an accident or car accident. With sudden braking in the process of rapid movement of the cervical spine, there is a "whiplash symptom", as a result of which sprains of ligaments and muscles are possible, compression fractures, displacement of the cervical discs with the formation of hernias.
Poor posture
Prolonged work in a monotonous position, sleeping on an uncomfortable or excessively soft pillow and prolonged static stress are predisposing factors. As a result, an inclination appears, the head begins to move forward in relation to the body, the ligaments and muscles in the neck begin to feel greater tension.
Spinal osteochondrosis
In osteochondrosis, there is a violation of the trophism of the disc with its flattening and changes in the surrounding tissues. As a result, a decrease in the amortization function and the appearance of neck pain.
The cause of osteochondrosis can be malnutrition, back injuries, increased physical activity, unfavorable environment, chronic stress, inactive lifestyle, bad habits. In addition, there is a genetic predisposition.
In osteochondrosis, there is pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, dizziness and fainting. Impaired hearing, vision, memory. "Vertebral artery syndrome" - flies blinking in front of the eyes, tinnitus. Impaired coordination and gait instability.
Protrusion or herniated disc
This is the name of the protrusion of the spinal disc. In hernia, the outer ring is destroyed by displacing its central part in any direction - laterally, backward or forward.
The most difficult pathology is displacement into the nucleus - this can lead to spinal cord injury. With age, spinal osteochondrosis can join the hernia. The cause of a hernia can be all of the above factors, as well as carrying heavy bags, scoliosis, flat feet and age-related changes in the body.
The symptoms are similar to those of osteochondrosis, in addition to instability of blood pressure, insomnia, weakness in the hands and numbness in the fingers.
Ischemic heart disease - heart attack, angina attack
With this pathology, irradiation pain with irradiation to the neck and independent pain in the neck and lower jaw are possible. As a rule, they are associated with other signs of myocardial ischemia: fear of death, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea and vomiting.
Benign or malignant growths
The growing tumor presses the nerve roots, causing neck pain and other symptoms of spinal cord compression. Benign tumors (neurinoma, hemangioma) usually have a regular rounded shape and a clear border.
Neck pain is mild. Basically, there is discomfort due to the compression of tissues by a growing tumor. Malignants (lymphogranulomatosis, sarcoma, thyroid cancer) have virtually no limits and metastasize to neighboring tissues.
Destruction of the tissue causes pain and deterioration of the general condition. Pain in the front of the neck occurs with tumors of the oral cavity, larynx, thyroid gland. Along with pain, difficulties in swallowing, difficulty in phonation, swelling of the face and neck arise.
In a bone tumor, the spinal cord and nerve roots are often damaged, resulting in paralysis.
Neck myositis
Appears after hypothermia or prolonged muscle tension. It is characterized by the appearance of acute pain on movement. The pain can be noticed both in the inflammation of the superficial muscles (sternocleidomastoid) and deeply around the spine, involved in the movements of the neck.
Palpation reveals muscle hypertonia and, sometimes, hard and painful nodules. Chronic myositis leads to disruption of blood supply, trophism and replacement of muscle cells (myocytes) by connective tissue.
This causes pain and weakness in the neck muscles, a violation of the symmetrical work of the muscles on the sides of the spine with the appearance of torticollis: the inability to keep the head strictly in an upright position.
Other diseases that cause neck pain
Spondylolisthesis: one vertebra "slips" from the other with a compressed disc.
Bechterew's disease - ankylosing spondyloarthritis.
Meningitis. Hypertonicity and stiffness in the neck muscles cause severe back pain when trying to tilt the head.
How to relieve neck pain with medications
First, you need to determine the possible cause of your neck pain. In any case, limit your mobility. In case of trauma, ensure that the damaged section is immobilized and refer the patient to the trauma center.
If you have a history of ischemic disease, call an ambulance and stop the pain with sublingual vasodilators, try to calm the patient down.
If meningitis is possible - if there was contact with a sick person - also call an ambulance. But in all cases - to stop the pain on your own. Don't heat the wound!
A good effect is observed when taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - acetic acid. They also reduce morning stiffness and have an antiplatelet effect - they prevent erythrocytes from sticking together.
Propionic acid derivatives also contribute to pain relief. They are slightly toxic, well absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract with a sufficient range of action.
Option to replace drugs in tablets - suppositories.
If your neck, shoulders and arms hurt
Gels are useful for treating pain in shoulders and arms.
Relieve neck pain and tension during muscle spasm
To relieve the existing muscle spasm, together with pain relievers, it is good to give muscle relaxants.
External remedies for severe neck pain
To relieve neck pain in case of cervical osteochondrosis or other diseases, local therapy will not be superfluous - the use of various rubs and compresses. After using these rubs, wrap your neck with a warm scarf, avoid fetching water.
How to relieve neck pain with folk remedies
Place a whole leaf of cabbage or burdock on the neck.
Mix 50 ml of horseradish juice with the same amount of vodka. Rub or apply compresses.
Use kerosene previously sedimented and passed through activated carbon as a heating agent for grinding.
Make a honey cake with honey and flour and apply to the wound.
Use whole honey to grind, you can - half with aloe juice.
A mixture obtained by mixing equal parts of radish juice, honey and vodka, used for grinding.
Use chamomile or marigold infusion for compresses in the neck area. Grind the horseradish root, add a little water and apply to the wound.
Add pepper, ammonia or honey to the medical bile. Use for compresses.