Our neck consists of vertebrae that extends from the neck to the upper torso. Between the vertebrae are special discs that absorb the pressure. The bones, the ligaments and the muscles situated in the neck — and all are working in order to support the head and move. Any anomaly, trauma or inflammation in the cervical spine leads to pain.
What to do if a sore neck? In fact, occasionally it happens to everyone. Often this is due to stress or wrong posture. Sometimes the pain may be the result of injuries from a fall or playing sports.
More often, to get rid of pain in the neck could, for a couple of days at home without additional tools, if it is much smaller, and then disappear by itself. Sometimes it can be a warning of serious injury and illness and requires immediate specialist medical. If the pain in the cervical spine is strong, persists for weeks and is accompanied by other symptoms, immediately consult a doctor.
Causes of pain in the neck
When the sore throat? This may be due to a number of reasons.
Muscle tension and stretch
Most often this is due to:
- a bad posture;
- stay too long at your Desk;
- bad postures during sleep;
- damage to the neck during the exercise.
Injury
Our neck is especially vulnerable to falls, traffic accidents, sports and other activities, during which the muscles are forced to go beyond the usual range of movement. When fracture of the cervical vertebrae, the probability that the spinal cord is also damaged.
Heart attack
Neck pain can be a symptom of a heart attack. However, in general, in these cases it appears together with other symptoms, such as:
- difficulty breathing;
- sweating;
- weakness;
- vomiting;
- pain in the arms or jaw.
If you notice several of these symptoms, call an Ambulance immediately.
Meningitis
Meningitis is the inflammation of the thin sheath of the spinal cord and the brain. In many cases, patients with meningitis, along with fever and headache note the discomfort and stagnation in the neck. This is a dangerous disease that can cause death. If you say the symptoms of meningitis, immediately consult a doctor.
Other reasons
- Rheumatoid arthritis causes discomfort, inflammation of the joints and bone spurs. With the development of arthritis in the neck there are severe pain.
- Osteoporosis leads to weakening of bone tissue and fractures. The higher risk is usually exposed to the hands and knees, but often suffers and neck.
- Fibromyalgia is a disease that causes muscle pain throughout the body, especially in the neck and shoulders.
- With age, there is degeneration of the intervertebral disc. This condition is also known as osteoarthritis is the narrowing of the space between ceruicis vertebrae, which increases the load on the neck and the causes of pain.
- As a result of the injury, to the intervertebral disc can start to force to speak, that increases the load on the spine and the nerve endings, causing discomfort.
- Spinae stenosis occurs when the spinal column narrows and causes pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots as it exits the vertebrae. This may be a consequence of the prolonged inflammation caused by arthritis and other diseases.
In exceptional cases, neck pain can occur as a result of:
- congenital anomalies;
- the infection;
- abscess;
- tumor;
- cancer of the spine.
When to consult the doctor
If symptoms persist for more than a week, you should consult with a specialist. Also you need to go to the hospital if you have the following symptoms:
- pain in the neck without reason;
- tumor;
- fever;
- headaches,
- swelling of the lymph nodes;
- weakness;
- vomiting;
- trouble swallowing and breathing;
- nausea;
- numbness;
- ringing in the ears;
- pain that spreads down the arms or legs;
- the inability to move my arms;
- the inability to touch the chin to the chest;
- the interruption of the bladder or of the intestine.
Also, seek medical attention immediately if the pain is the result of a fall or accident.
How to treat neck pain
First the doctor will check your physical condition and medical history. Be prepared to talk about all the nuances of manifesting symptoms. It is also worth to mention about all the drugs that have recently had. Any information about existing injuries, even if you think that this is irrelevant to the problem would be useful.
The method of treatment depends on the diagnosis. In addition to the general inspection and analysis of your medical history, your doctor may order additional tests:
- blood test;
- the x-rays;
- computed tomography;
- MRI-scan;
- electromyography, which allows you to check the health of the muscles and their control of the nerve endings;
- lumbar or puncture of spinal.
Depending on the results of the tests your doctor will refer you to the appropriate specialist. The treatment may include:
- heat far;
- Physical therapy and stretching;
- analgesics;
- injections of corticosteroid;
- muscle relaxants;
- neck brace;
- tractu traction of the spine;
- antibiotics (if the infection);
- hospital treatment (with the meningitis and heart attack);
- surgery (rarely).
Alternative treatment is:
- acupuncture;
- the chiropractic;
- massage;
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Any treatment, be sure that appealed to a certificate of specialist.
How to get rid of neck pain at home
If the pain is mild, try the following treatment methods:
- The first couple of days, apply a cold compress to the region damaged. Immediately after this, use warm compress or take a hot shower;
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen;
- For a few days, refrain from sports, lifting weights, and activity that increases the pain. Decrease the symptoms gradually return to normal level of activity;
- Every day do exercises for the neck. Slowly pull the head from side to side, from top to bottom;
- Follow the carriage;
- During a conversation that did not take the phone between the neck and the shoulder;
- Change the position of the body. Do not sit or stand too long without moving;
- Make a light massage of the neck;
- While you sleep, use a pillow special for neck;
- Do not wear a neck brace without consulting with a specialist. Improper use may worsen the symptoms.
Stretching helps to forget the pain
During the operation, try to keep the monitor was at eye level, sit straight, keep your back straight, not recurvus and not hang his head too low. While you are driving or surfing the Internet try to give me a little bit of rest periods to cervical vertebrae did not go too far ahead.
The key to get rid of pain — the right moves and proper stretching. The following exercises for the back and neck can be made to work and driving:
- Make 10 circular movements of the shoulders back;
- 10 times keep leaves together;
- The celebration of the straight line, both push in the chair and hold this position for 30 seconds;
- Tilt your head to one side as the shoulder, 10 times to each side.
Be careful in your dream
If you are often concerned about pain in the cervical spine, you should care refers to in what circumstances and in what position to sleep. Try to sleep only on your side or back — never sleep on your stomach.
When you sleep on your stomach, turn your head to one side or the other of the neck and freezes during a few hours in an uncomfortable position. This dream can have a negative impact on the lower part of the back, because there are not the stomach "falls" down.
When the minor pain along with exercises, follow these guidelines:
- Apply to the damaged area cold or hot compress. The first 48-72 hours, use ice, and then go for hot compresses. Do not use compression during sleep, as this can cause an injury.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen;
- Keep moving, but to eliminate those movements that increase the pain. This will help to reduce the symptoms and the inflammation.
- Make a light massage of the neck.
- Try to sleep on a firm mattress without a pillow or a pillow special for neck.
- Ask your doctor about the need to use a neck brace. Don't wear the brace too long, it can weaken the muscles.
9 exercises of yoga for neck
Yoga is another good way to get rid of the pain.
1. The hands on the chest
Conveniently sit on the ground or in a chair with your back straight, shoulders relaxed, neck extended. Stretch your right hand, so that she was shoulder height, and bring it to the left. Turn your head, look over your right shoulder. This position allows you to stretch the muscles of the neck and the back of the shoulders. Maintain this position for 8-10 breaths, then repeat the same with the left hand.
2. Put "thread the needle in a needle"
Get on all fours, knees at right angle relative to the thighs. Extend the left arm forward and slide the right, below. Down on the floor right shoulder and the cheek. Close your eyes, relax, think about stretching of the muscles of the shoulders, arms, back and neck. Maintain this position for 8-10 breaths, then repeat the same with the left hand.
3. The hands of the eagle
Stand or sit in a comfortable position, back straight, neck extended. Extend both arms so that they were shoulder width and shoulder height. Bend your right hand to the head and slide your left hand under the right. Bend and wrap the left hand around the right. The ultimate goal is to touch hands. It can take a bit of time, because if not, then, place the left hand on the right wrist. Breathe deeply. Lower to your shoulders, gently pull the hands to the face and slowly turn your head to the left shoulder. This position allows you to stretch the muscles of the arms, shoulders, back and neck. Maintain this position for at least 5 breaths (ideally 10). Repeat with the other side.
4. Circular movements of the head
Conveniently sit on the ground or in a chair with your back straight, shoulders relaxed, neck extended. Lower your chin to your chest, then slowly lower your head to the right, trying to touch right ear to right shoulder. Wet the tip of the fingers of your left hand on the left shoulder and the right hand on the left ear. The more difficult you push your hands to the shoulder and the ear, the more stretch muscles. This exercise of pain in my neck and shoulders. Repeat with the other side.
5. The Circular movement of the shoulders
Stand or sit in a comfortable position, keep your back straight. Put hands on the shoulders. Bring your elbows towards one another in the anterior part of the body to stretch the shoulders and back. Up — to stretch the triceps. In the side — to stretch the chest and front shoulders. Stretch the elbows to each other on the back for stretching the deep muscles of the shoulders and the chest.
6. Stretching Cat
Get on all fours, knees at right angle relative to the thighs. In every breath turning back, the eyes directed to the ceiling. Each time you exhale pull your chin to your chest, pull your tailbone under him, her back rounded. This exercise helps to stretch the muscles of the neck, chest, shoulders, back and waist. Maintain each position for 8-10 breaths-exhalations.
7. Hand to elbow
Stand or sit in a comfortable position, keep your back straight. Raise your hand, elbow bent and push between the shoulder blades. The left palm, placing your elbows and gently press to enhance the stretching of the muscles. This position allows you to stretch the muscles of the shoulders, triceps, back and neck. Hold the position for 8-10 breaths. Repeat with the other side.
8. Hands to the back of the castle
Stand directly with your feet shoulder width apart. Pull the hand back and soprikosnites hands. Lift your hands as high as possible, until then, until you feel the stretch in the front part of the shoulders. Hold the position for 8-10 breaths.
9. Fish pose with the support
Sit on the floor, legs pull in front or bend at the knees. Place a small amount of two blankets or a yoga block behind, so that when you lean back, between the shoulder blades and the other under my head. We go back on the blocks, keep your hands relaxed at the sides of the trunk. This position allows you to stretch the muscles of the neck and the chest and the front part of the shoulders. Hold the position for 8-10 breaths.