Our neck is composed of vertebrae that extend from the neck to the upper torso. Between the vertebrae are special discs that absorb pressure. The bones, ligaments and muscles located in the neck — for all who work in support of the head and move. Each anomaly, injury, or inflammation in the cervical spine causes pain.
What to do if a pain in the neck? Indeed, from time to time happens to everyone. Often this is due to stress or wrong posture. Sometimes the pain can be the result of an injury from a fall or playing sports.
Most often, to get rid of a pain in the neck can be for a few days at home without additional tools, but if it is much smaller, and then disappears by itself. Sometimes it can be a warning, serious injury and illness and requires immediate specialist exam. If the pain in the cervical spine is strong, lasts for several weeks, and is accompanied by other symptoms, immediately consult a doctor.
Causes of pain in the neck
When pain in the neck? This may be due to several reasons.
Muscle tension and stretching
Most often this is due to:
- poor posture;
- stay too long at your Desk;
- poor posture while sleeping;
- injury to the neck during exercise.
Injury
Our neck is particularly susceptible to falls, car accidents, sports and other activities, during which the muscles are forced beyond normal range of motion. When a fracture of the cervical vertebrae, the probability that the spinal cord is also damaged.
A heart attack
A pain in the neck can cause a heart attack. However, usually in such cases, it occurs along with other symptoms, such as:
- shortness of breath;
- sweating;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- pain in the hands or jaw.
If you notice some of these symptoms, call an Ambulance immediately.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the thin sheath of the spinal cord and brain. In many cases, patients with meningitis, along with fever and headache note the discomfort and stagnation in the neck. This is a very dangerous disease that can cause death. If you say the symptoms of meningitis, immediately consult a doctor.
Other reasons
- Rheumatoid arthritis causes discomfort, swelling of the joints and bone spurs. With the development of arthritis in neck include severe pain.
- Osteoporosis leads to weakening of bone tissue and fractures. The biggest danger is usually exposed on her 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 increasing age, the degeneration of the intervertebral disc. This condition is also referred to as osteoarthritis is narrowing of the space between the ceruicis the vertebrae, which increases the load on the neck and causes pain.
- As a result of injury to the intervertebral disc can begin to strongly speak up, which increases the load on the spine and the nerve endings, causing discomfort.
- Spinae stenosis happens when the spinal column narrows and causes pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots coming out of the vertebrae. This may be due to long-term inflammation causes arthritis and other diseases.
In rare cases, neck pain can occur as a result of:
- congenital anomalies;
- infection;
- abscess;
- tumor;
- cancer of the spine.
When to consult a doctor
If the symptoms last more than a week, you should consult with an expert. You also need to go to the hospital, if you have the following symptoms:
- severe pain in the neck without reason;
- tumor;
- fever;
- headache;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- problems with 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 on the chest;
- disorders of the bladder or bowel.
Also, seek immediate medical attention if the pain is caused by 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 the shows symptoms. It is also worth mentioning, about all the medications you have taken recently. All the information about the existing injuries, even if you think that it is relevant to the problem, would be helpful.
The method of treatment depends on the diagnosis. In addition to a general review and analysis of your medical records, the doctor may also order additional tests:
- blood tests;
- x-rays;
- computed tomography;
- MRI-scan;
- electromyography, which allows you to check the status of the muscles and their controlling nerve endings;
- lumbar or spinal puncture.
Depending on test results your doctor will refer to an appropriate specialist. Treatment, which may include:
- calor justo;
- Physical therapy and stretching;
- painkillers;
- corticosteroid injections;
- muscle relaxants;
- the door brace;
- tractu traction of the spine;
- antibiotics (if infection);
- hospital treatment (with meningitis and a heart attack);
- surgery (rarely used).
An alternative treatment is:
- acupuncture;
- chiropractic;
- massage;
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Regardless of the treatment, be sure that a certified specialist.
How to get rid of a pain in the neck at home
If the pain is minor, try the following treatment methods:
- The first few days apply a cold compression to the damaged area. Immediately after this, use hot compress or take a hot shower;
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen;
- For a few days, to refrain from sports, lifting weights, and activities which increases the pain. Reduces the symptoms gradually return to normal activity level;
- Every day do exercises for the neck. Slowly pull head from side to side, top to bottom;
- Follow the carriage;
- During a call, do not pinch the phone between neck and shoulder;
- Change the position of the body. Do not sit or stand too long without moving;
- Make light massage of the neck;
- While sleeping, use a special pillow for the neck;
- Do not wear a neck brace without consultation with the experts. Incorrect use can aggravate the symptoms.
Stretching helps to forget about the pain
During the operation, try to keep the monitor was at eye level, sit straight, keep your back straight, do not recurvus and don't hang your head too low. When you are driving or surfing the Internet trying to make myself a little rest to the cervical vertebrae to not go too far forward.
The key to eliminating pain — the right moves and proper stretching. The following exercises for the back and neck can be done at work and driving:
- Make 10 circular movements of the shoulders back;
- 10-times to keep the blades together;
- Holding the head straight, so much push back in the chair and hold this position for 30 seconds;
- Tilt your head to the side, as close to the shoulder, 10 times to each side.
Make sure that in your sleep
If you are often worried about pain the cervical spine, you need to carefully refers to the circumstances in which, and in what situation you sleep. Try to sleep only on their side or back — never sleep on your stomach.
When you sleep on your stomach, turn your head to one side or the other and neck freezes for a couple of hours in an uncomfortable position. This dream can have a negative impact on the lower back, as you are, not the stomach "falls" down.
When the minor pain along with the exercises, follow these steps:
- Apply to the damaged area of a cold or hot compress. The first 48-72 hours, use ice, then go for hot compresses. Do not use the compress during sleep, as this may cause injury.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen;
- Keep moving, but the elimination of these movements that increase the pain. This will help reduce symptoms and inflammation.
- Make light massage of the neck.
- Try sleeping on a firm mattress without a pillow or on a special pillow for the neck.
- Ask your doctor about the need to use a neck brace. Do not wear the brace too long, it can weaken the muscles.
9 yoga exercises for the neck
Yoga is another good way to get rid of the pain.
1. Hands across the chest
Comfortable to sit on the floor or on a chair with a straight back, shoulders relaxed, neck extended. Pull the right arm so that she was shoulder height, and bring it to the left. Turn your head, look over right shoulder. This represents the allows you to stretch the muscles of the neck and the back of the shoulders. Hold this position for 8-10 breaths, then repeat with the left arm.
2. Representing the "thread the needle in the needle"
On all fours, knees at an angle to the thighs. Extend your left arm forward and slide right under him. Down on the floor right shoulder and cheek. Close your eyes, relax, think about stretching the muscles in the shoulders, arms, upper back and neck. Hold this position for 8-10 breaths, then repeat with the left arm.
3. Term eagle
Stand or sit in a comfortable position, spine straight, neck extended. Extend both arms so that they were shoulder width and shoulder height. Bend your right hand to the head, and slide the left arm under the right. Bend and wrap the left arm around the right. The ultimate goal is to touch hands. This may take some time, so if you haven't already, then place the left hand over the right wrist. Breathe deeply. Lower your shoulders, gently pull your hands from your face and slowly turn the head towards the left shoulder. This represents the allows you to stretch the muscles in the arms, shoulders, upper back and neck. Hold this position for at least 5 breaths (ideally 10). Repeat with the other side.
4. Circular motions of the head
Comfortable to sit on the floor or on a chair with a straight back, shoulders relaxed, neck extended. Lower the chin to your chest, then slowly lower the head to the right, trying to touch right ear to right shoulder. Dip hands his left hand on the left shoulder and right palm over the left ear. The harder you push your hands to the shoulder and the ear, the more stretch the muscles. This exercise from the pain in my neck and shoulders. Repeat with the other side.
5. Circular motions on the shoulders
Stand or sit in a comfortable position, keep the back straight. Place the hands on the shoulders. Bring your elbows towards each other in the front part of the body to stretch the shoulders and upper 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, to stretch the deep muscles in the shoulders and chest.
6. Cat Stretching
On all fours, knees at an angle to the thighs. At every breath a twist back, a look directed at the ceiling. Each time you exhale pull your chin to your chest, pull the tailbone under him, his back rounded. This exercise helps to stretch the muscles of the neck, chest, shoulders, back and hips. Hold each position for 8-10 breaths-exhalations.
7. The arm on the elbow
Stand or sit in a comfortable position, keep the back straight. Lift the right arm up, elbows bent and push between the shoulder blades. The left palm placed on the right elbow, and gently press the key to increase the stretching of the muscle. This represents the allows you to stretch the muscles, shoulders, triceps, back, and neck. Hold the position for 8-10 breaths. Repeat with the other side.
8. Hands in the castle behind
Stand straight with your feet shoulder width apart. Pull your hands back and soprikosnites hands. Lift the hands as high as possible, until then, until you feel the stretch the front part of the shoulders. Hold the position for 8-10 breaths.
9. Fish pose with support
Sit on the floor, legs pull in the front or bend at the knee. Place a small pile of two blankets or a yoga block behind you so that when you lean back, one was between the shoulder blades and the other under my head. Descend back on the blocks, keep your hands relaxed on the sides of the torso. This represents the allows you to stretch the muscles of the neck and chest and front part of the shoulders. Hold the position for 8-10 breaths.