There are many reasons why the neck hurts, because this component of the human body, in turn, consists of many tissues and organs that organize not only the musculoskeletal system, but also other systems: respiratory, metabolic, sensory system and others. Neck pain can be caused by even a slight manifestation of any inflammation, for example, an inexplicable reaction of the lymph node.
The modern pace of life contributes even more to the appearance of this unpleasant symptom. Low mobility, the ecological situation in the area, malnutrition, hidden systemic diseases - all this can cause neck pain. Whether it is worth enduring it or urgently starting treatment depends on what it signals.
How does the neck hurt?
The neck is a connecting link, it is quite mobile and prone to various kinds of injuries for the same reason. If neck pain occurs, it may be an accident caused by a sudden and uncomfortable movement, or it may be a pattern so long that a person is already used to the fact that this part of the spine hurts. Much depends on the type of neck pain itself, because it can be so different that it is difficult to list its characteristics:
- sharp unexpected pain (indicates cervical - cervical back pain, when the receptors of the nerve, which is vaginal, are compressed, in addition, this may be a sign of muscle spasm or neuralgia).
- neck pain (appears with muscle numbness, overwork, problems with the cervical spine, for example, with ligaments);
- periodically the throat hurts for inexplicable reasons.
- constant pain in this area.
- radiating pain: in head, arm, sternum, collar, shoulders.
- pain in the neck, which occurs only when moving the head, or persists even when the neck and all its muscles are in an unused, calm position.
- pain accompanied by numbness (can be caused by pinched nerve, herniated disc, prolapsed disc).
- the neck sometimes hurts on the right or left, or closer to the shoulder area, or closer to the head.
Reasons why the throat hurts
Neck pain can be caused by many factors of mechanical and non-mechanical origin. There are cases that cannot be explained at all and, consequently, this leads to the fact that treatment cannot really be prescribed. However, the global practice of specialists in various fields of medicine has presented a list of the most common reasons why the neck hurts, and not another part of the spine.
Formation of large salt deposits in the throat
Evidence of diseases such as osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis. These diseases cause not only pain, but also a trauma, clicking when turning the head, which cannot be confused with anything. If treatment is not started in time, the fourth stage of the disease appears, which is fraught with the formation of bone growths, due to which the neck loses mobility.
muscular spasm
With muscle spasm resulting from an awkward or excessively sharp turn of the head to the right or left side. This often happens during injuries in car accidents and the like. Neck pain disappears when this spasm is removed with various manipulations performed by a massage therapist, an osteopath and a manual therapy specialist. But, in principle, if the spasm was not strong, the symptom can pass without consequences by itself.
Intervertebral hernia
They appear not on the neck, but in the shoulder area, but extend to the upper area. Due to its appearance, the functional abilities of the nerve may be affected, so patients often complain of numbness in the damaged area and adjacent parts.
Work
The appearance of pain in the neck from monotonous work that forces a person to do in one position, for example, sewing or sitting at a computer. Often in such cases, the neck begins to go numb and at the same time hurts with a dull ache.
Tumors
Tumors located both in the neck and in other organs, tissues, parts. For example, cancer of the lung, breast or prostate, kidney, thyroid and other varieties can cause this symptom, not to mention tumors that appear in the neck itself. It can come and go, which should encourage a person to get a full exam.
Cervical myelopathy
It causes a narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck, which is why it hurts. But the pain can spread not only in this area. The symptoms have a wide range of manifestations, and the treatment of such a disease is quite complicated and has consequences.
Polymyalgia rheumatica or fibromyalgia
Neck pain in this case can be a secondary symptom, but, nevertheless, quite noticeable and annoying.
Systemic diseases of the body
A symptom is pain in various parts of the musculoskeletal system, among which the neck is particularly prominent. These are rheumatoid arthritis, infection, ankylosing spondylitis and others.
Muscle hypothermia
Hypothermia of the muscles that move the head. If a current has passed through the neck, then it hurts so much that it becomes very difficult to make movements with it, in other cases it is almost unbearable.
What to do if the throat hurts a lot
The neck performs important functions for the body, its damage can lead to instant death, so if it hurts, doing nothing and waiting for the pain to go away on its own is the worst option. You should definitely consult one of the specialists: rheumatologist, osteopath, oncologist, therapist, surgeon, traumatologist, orthopedist, neurologist.
If it is not possible to visit a doctor at this time, call a massage therapist to at least hear his opinion on this matter. But this does not mean that massage is mandatory and when performed, it will eliminate neck pain. It is also possible that a specialist will not be able to prescribe treatment, because the problem will not be his profile. We will need to hear the opinions of at least three doctors.
In each case, the treatment will be different. Sometimes it will be enough to do daily exercises - and the symptom located in the neck will go away on its own. With complex diagnoses, such as a tumor or disc stenosis or herniation, the pain will not go away until surgical treatment is applied. In this case, the question of whether to perform the operation is not even worth it: the person has practically no choice.
For various types of injuries, treatment may be limited to the use of orthopedic products, such as a neck brace, for a period of time. To make a person feel better, he is often prescribed to sleep in a certain position of the body and to use a special pillow, lying on which, the neck takes a position that is correct in relation to the body.
To break up salt deposits in the cervical region, treatment based on natural processes, such as shock wave therapy or intensive massage of this zone, may be prescribed.
The use of drug therapy is appropriate when it comes to systemic or infectious diseases that cause pain in the cervical region. Medicines will help to treat or slow down the development of the disease, support the regenerative powers of the body, with the aim of combating and diagnosing.
A masseuse, a chiropractor, an osteopath are specialists who can help to treat the aforementioned symptom if they are professionals in their field. Therefore, when neck pain occurs, patients turn to them more often. Sometimes a seemingly simple massage can increase the blood circulation in the neck area so well that not only this symptom, but also the headaches will disappear.
In any case, with neck pain, in order not to recur, you need to start treatment and take care of your health.