Our neck consists of vertebrae that extend from the neck, the upper part of the torso. Between the vertebrae are special discs that absorb pressure. The bones, ligaments and muscles located in the neck — all of the work, with the goal to support the head and to move. Any anomaly, trauma or inflammation of the cervical spine leads to pain.
What to do if a pain in the neck? Indeed, from time to time what's going on at all. Often it is the result of stress or bad posture. Sometimes the pain can be a consequence of injuries from a fall or playing sports.
Mostly to get rid of neck pain may for a few days at home without the additional funds, if it is quite small, then it goes away by itself. Sometimes it can be a warning of serious injury and illness and require urgent specialist review. If the pain in the cervical spine is severe, persists more weeks and is accompanied by other symptoms, immediately consult a doctor.
Reasons for pain in the neck
When the pain in the neck? This may be due to a number of reasons.
Muscle tension and stretch
Most often this is due to:
- poor posture;
- staying too long at your Desk;
- bad postures during sleep;
- damage to the neck during exercise.
Injuries
Our neck is especially vulnerable to falls, car accidents, sports, and other activities, during which the muscles are forced to go beyond the usual range of motion. When a fracture of the cervical vertebrae, the probability that the spinal cord is also damaged.
Heart attack
Neck pain can be a symptom of heart attack. However, usually in such cases, it occurs along with other symptoms, such as:
- lack of oxygen;
- sweating;
- weakness;
- vomiting;
- pain in the back or jaw.
If you notice several of these symptoms, call an ambulance immediately.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the thin lining of the spinal cord and the brain. In many cases, patients with meningitis, along with fever and headache a note of 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 the neck has severe pain.
- Osteoporosis leads to weakening of bone tissue and fractures. The biggest risk is usually exposed to hands and knees, but often suffers and the neck.
- Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes muscle pain throughout the body, especially in the neck and shoulders.
- With age, there is degeneration of the intervertebral discs. This condition is also known as osteoarthritis is narrowing of the space between the ceruicis vertebrae, which increases the load on the neck and causes pain.
- As a result of the injury, intervertebral discs may begin to strongly speak, which increases the load on the spine and nerve endings, causing discomfort.
- Spinae stenosis occurs when the spine narrows and causes pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, as it exits from the vertebrae. This may be the result of prolonged inflammation caused by arthritis and other ailments.
In rare cases neck pain may occur as a result of:
- congenital anomalies;
- infection;
- abscess;
- tumor;
- cancer of the spine.
When to consult with a doctor
If the symptoms last more than a week, you need to consult with a specialist. Also, you need to go to the hospital if you have the following symptoms:
- severe pain in the neck without reason;
- tumor;
- fever;
- headaches;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- weakness;
- vomiting;
- problems with swallowing and breathing;
- nausea;
- stiffness;
- ringing in the ears;
- pain that spreads down the arms and legs;
- the inability to move my arms;
- the inability to touch the chin on the chest;
- a disorder of the bladder or the colon.
Also, seek immediate medical help if pain is the result of a fall or accident.
How to treat pain in the neck
First the doctor will check your physical condition and medical history. Be prepared to talk about all the nuances of the manifestation of the symptoms. It is also worth to mention about all the medicines you have taken recently. All the information about the existing injuries, even if you think it is not relevant for the problem would be helpful.
The method of treatment depends on the diagnosis. In addition to the general inspection and analysis of your medical records, the doctor may also order additional tests:
- test of the blood;
- 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 spinal puncture.
Depending on test results your doctor will refer you to the appropriate specialist. Treatment may include:
- calor justo;
- Physical therapy and stretching;
- painkillers;
- corticosteroid injections;
- muscle relaxants;
- the neck 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 treatment, be sure that appealed to a certified specialist.
How to get rid of neck pain at home
If the pain is minor, try the following treatment methods:
- The first few days apply a cold compress to the damaged region. Immediately after this, use hot compress or take a warm shower;
- The over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen;
- For a few days, to refrain from sports, lifting weights, and activity that increases the pain. The reduction of the symptoms gradually return to a normal level of activity;
- Every day do the exercises for the neck. Slowly pull the head from side to side, top to bottom;
- Follow the carriage;
- During the conversation not to pinch the phone between neck and shoulder;
- Change your body position. Do not sit or stand too long without moving;
- Make a light massage of the neck;
- While you are sleeping, use a special pillow for the neck;
- Do not wear the neck brace without consultation with a specialist. Improper use may worsen symptoms.
Stretching helps to forget about the pain
During operation, try to keep the monitor was at eye level, sit straight, keep your back straight, do not recurvus and not hang his head too low. While you are driving or surfing on the Internet try to give myself a little vacation for a period to cervical vertebrae did not go too far forward.
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 on the shoulders back;
- 10 times keep the blades together;
- Holding the head straight, how 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 on each side.
Be careful in your dream
If you are often concerned about pain in the cervical spine, you need to be carefully addressed in the which conditions and in which position you 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 and neck freezes up for a few hours in awkward position. This dream could have a negative impact on the lower back, as well as that are not the stomach "falls" down.
When a small pain along with the 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 the compress during sleep, as this may cause injury.
- The over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen;
- To be move, but eliminate those movements which increase the pain. This will help to decrease the symptoms and inflammation.
- Make a light massage of the neck.
- Try sleeping on a firm mattress without a pillow or a special pillow for the neck.
- Ask your doctor about the need for the use of a neck brace. Do not wear the brace too long, it can weaken the muscles.
9 yoga exercises for neck
Yoga is another good way to get rid of the pain.
1. The hands through the chest
Comfortable to sit on the floor or on a chair with a straight back, shoulders relaxed, neck extended. Drag the right hand, so that she was shoulder height, and bring it to the left. Turn your head, look over right shoulder. This pose allows you to stretch the muscles of the neck and the back of your shoulders. Hold this position for 8-10 breaths, and then repeat the same with the left hand.
2. Represent the "thread the needle in a needle"
Get on all fours, knees under the angle in relation to thighs. Extend your left arm forward and slide right under it. Down on the floor right shoulder and cheek. Close your eyes, relax, think about stretching the muscles of the shoulders, arms, upper back and neck. Hold this position for 8-10 breaths, and then repeat the same with the left hand.
3. Hands eagle
Stand, or sit in a comfortable position, spine straight, the neck is extended. Extend both arms so that they were shoulder width and shoulder height. Bend the right side of 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 may take some time, so if you are not, then place your left hand over the right wrist. Breathe deeply. Lowering your shoulders, gently pull your hand from your face and slowly turns his head towards the left shoulder. This pose allows you to stretch the muscles of the back, shoulders, upper back and neck. Hold this position for at least 5 breaths (ideally 10). Repeat with the other side.
4. Circular movements 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 the chest, and then slowly lower your head to the right, trying to touch right ear on right shoulder. Dip the fingers of his left hand on his left shoulder and his right hand over his left ear. The harder you push your hands to the shoulder and the ear, the more stretching the muscles. This exercise of the pain in my neck and shoulders. Repeat with the other side.
5. Circular motion of the shoulder
Stand, or sit in a comfortable position, hold your back straight. Place the fingers on the shoulders. Bring your elbows towards each other in the front part of the body to stretch the shoulders and the upper part of the back. Up — to stretch the triceps. In the country — to stretch the chest and front of shoulders. Stretch the elbows to each other on the back to stretch the deep muscles on the shoulders and chest.
6. Stretching Cat
Get on all fours, knees under the angle in relation to thighs. For each and every breath away back, gaze directed towards the ceiling. Each time you exhale pull your chin to chest, pull your tailbone under him, his back rounded. This exercise helps to stretch the muscles of the neck, chest, shoulders, back, and waist. Hold each position for 8-10 breaths-exhalations.
7. Hand to the elbow
Stand, or sit in a comfortable position, hold your back straight. Raise your right hand up, elbow bent and push between the shoulder blades. The left palm, place the right elbow and gently press to enhance the stretching of the muscles. This pose allows you to stretch the muscles of your shoulders, triceps, back, and neck. Hold the position for 8-10 breaths. Repeat with the other side.
8. The hands in the castle behind
Stand upright with your feet shoulder width apart. Pull the hands back and soprikosnites hands. Raise your hands as high as possible, until then, until you feel the stretch on the front part of the shoulders. Hold the position for 8-10 breaths.
9. The fish are presented with the support
Sit on the floor, legs pull out in front or bent at the knees. 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 his head. Land back on the blocks, keep your hands relaxed on the sides of the torso. This pose 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.