Our neck consists of vertebrae, from the neck up to the top of the fuselage. Between the vertebrae are special disks, which absorb the pressure. Bones, ligaments and muscles working in the neck — all in order to keep the head and carry out the movement. Any abnormality, Trauma, or inflammation in the neck area leads to painful sensations.
What to do if the neck hurts? As happens from time to time with each. This is often attitudes due to the overcharge or fail. Sometimes a result of injury can pain from a fall or during sports.
Usually get rid of neck pain for a few days at home without further AIDS, when it is quite irrelevant by itself. Sometimes, a warning about the serious injuries and diseases can be, and requires immediate inspection to a specialist. If the pain is spine in the neck, remains more than a week and will be accompanied to visit by other symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
Causes of pain in the neck
If the neck hurts? This may be due to a number of reasons.
Muscle tension and strain
This usually happens due to:
- Incorrect postures;
- too long a stay at the Desk;
- unsuccessful body position during sleep;
- Damage to the neck during the exercise.
Injuries
Our neck is particularly vulnerable in crashes, traffic accidents, sports or other activities while the muscles are forced beyond the limits of the usual range of motion. In the case of the fracture of the cervical vertebrae, the probability is great that the spinal cord is damaged.
Heart attack
The neck is a Symptom of a heart attack can pain. However, as a rule, in such cases, it manifests itself along with other symptoms such as:
- Shortness of breath;
- increased sweating;
- Weakness;
- Vomiting;
- Pain in the arms or jaw.
If you noticed some of these symptoms, immediately call an ambulance.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the thin covering of the spinal cord and the brain. In many cases, patients with Meningitis, along with fever and headache discomfort and Stagnation in the neck to notice. This is a very dangerous disease that can be Fatal in the end. If you find that the symptoms of Meningitis, immediately consult a doctor.
Other Reasons
- Rheumatoid Arthritis causes discomfort, swelling in the joints and bone spurs. In the development of Arthritis in the neck severe pain appear.
- Osteoporosis leads to a reduction of bone density and fractures. The biggest risk is usually prone to hands and knees, but often suffers, and neck.
- Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain throughout the body, particularly in the neck and shoulder area.
- With age, intervertebral Disc degenerates. Such a condition is also known as Osteoarthritis, narrowing of the space between ceruicis the vertebrae, what is the load on the neck and causes pain.
- In consequence of a trauma, intervertebral Disc begin to act strongly to complaints that the load on the spine and the nerves, making.
- Executor stenosis occurs when the spinal column narrows and causes pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, when he was out of the vortex. This may be the result of a prolonged inflammation due to Arthritis and other diseases.
In rare cases, neck pain can occur as a result of:
- of congenital malformations;
- Infection;
- Abscess;
- Tumors;
- Cancer of the spine.
If it's worth it to see a doctor
If the symptoms persist for more than a week's worth consult a professional. You also need to go to the hospital, if you have the following symptoms:
- severe pain in the neck without reason;
- Tumor;
- Fever;
- Headaches;
- inflamed lymph nodes;
- Weakness;
- Vomiting;
- Problems with swallowing and breathing;
- nausea;
- Numbness;
- Ringing in the ears;
- Pain from the top to the bottom of the hands or feet;
- the inability to stir hands;
- the inability to have the chin touch the chest;
- Functional disorders of the bladder or of the intestine.
Also call your doctor if the pain is due to a fall or accident.
How to treat pain in the neck
First and foremost, the doctor will check your physical condition and medical history. Are you ready to take on all the nuances of the symptoms manifested. Also worth to mention about all the medicines you have taken lately. All the information about the existing injuries, even if you think that you has no relationship to the Problem is helpful.
Method of treatment depends on the diagnosis. In addition to the General testing and analysis of your health insurance card, the doctor also, additional analyses can be assigned to:
- the analysis of the blood;
- X-ray;
- Computed tomography;
- MRI-scan;
- Electromyography, which you can check the health of muscles and the control of their nerve endings;
- Lumbar or lumbar puncture.
Depending on the results of the analysis, the doctor will take you to the appropriate specialist. Treatment may include:
- calor justo;
- Movement therapy and stretching;
- Anesthetics;
- Corticosteroid Injections;
- Muscle relaxants;
- Neck brace;
- tractu traction of the spine;
- Antibiotics (if an infection);
- Treatment in the hospital (in the case of Meningitis and heart attack);
- Surgery (rarely used).
Alternative treatment:
- Acupuncture;
- Chiropractic;
- Massage;
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Whatever the method of treatment, make sure that the certified specialists.
How to get rid of neck pain at home
If the pain is insignificant, try the following treatment methods:
- The first few days apply a cold compress to the injured area. Immediately after that, you can use a hot compress or take a hot shower;
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen and acetaminophen;
- For a few days, you waive all sports, weight lifting and activity, the pain intensified. By reducing the symptoms and restored to the usual level of employment;
- Every day load for the neck. Slowly pull the head from side to side, from top to bottom;
- Pay attention to body posture;
- During a call, don't clamp the phone between neck and shoulder;
- Often the Position of the body to change. Do not sit and do not stand for too long without movement;
- Make a light Massage of the neck;
- During sleep, you use a special pillow for the neck;
- Do not wear your neck brace without consulting a professional. Incorrect application can aggravate the symptoms.
Stretching helps to forget about the pain
While you work, try the Monitor was at eye level, sit up straight, keep the back straight, not recurvus and not hanging the head too low. While driving behind the wheel, or on the Internet, you're surfing with your Smartphone, try not to give you breaks, little rest, and the cervical vertebrae were too far forward.
The key to liberation from the pain — all the right moves and smart stretch. The following exercises for the back and neck can be done at work, and behind the wheel:
- Make 10 circular movements with the shoulders back;
- 10 times the shoulder blades together and pull;
- Back keep your head straight, as strongly as possible and Rest the back of the neck in his chair and hold this Position for 30 seconds;
- Tilt the head to the side as close as possible to the shoulder, after 10 times on each side.
Be careful in your sleep
If you spine is often a pain in the neck, you should carefully refers to the fact the conditions under which and the Position in which you sleep. Try to sleep only on the side or on the back — never on the tummy to sleep.
If you sleep on your stomach, then rotate the head in one direction or the other the neck and paralyzed for a couple of hours in an uncomfortable Position. This dream may fall a negative impact on the condition of the loin, as in the absence due to support from the belly down.
In the case of small pain in addition to the exercises, observe the following guidelines:
- You apply on the injured area is cold or hot compress. The first 48-72 hours, use ice, then drive on to hot compresses. You use the compress during sleep, as this can lead to injuries.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen and acetaminophen;
- You continue, but you eliminate those movements that exacerbate the pain. This will help reduce the symptoms and the inflammation.
- Make a light Massage of the neck.
- You try sleeping on a firm mattress without a pillow or on a special pillow for the neck.
- Ask your doctor about the need for the neck brace. Do not wear the Bandage for too long, it can relax muscles.
9 Yoga poses for the neck
Yoga — another good way to get rid of pain.
1. The hands on the chest
Sit comfortably on the floor or on a chair with your back straight, the shoulders are relaxed, neck extended. Pull the right arm, leaving it up to shoulder height, and lead you to the left. You turn your head, look over the right shoulder. This position allows for it, stretch the muscles of the neck and the back of the shoulders. Hold this Position for 8-10 breaths, then do the same repeat with the left Hand.
2. Pose "threading of the yarn in the needle"
Imagine yourself on all fours, the knee under an angle in relation to the hips. Pull the left arm to the maximum to the front and run right underneath it. Down on the bottom of the right shoulder and cheek. You close your eyes, relax, feel how the muscles of the shoulders, arms, upper back and neck stretch. Hold this Position for 8-10 breaths, then do the same repeat with the left Hand.
3. The hands of eagles
You can stand or sit in a comfortable Position, the spine, the neck is straight, oblong. Stretch both hands to the width and the height of the shoulders. Turn the right Hand to the head, and slide the left Hand under the right. Bend and wrap the left Hand around the right. The ultimate goal — the palms touch. It may take a while, so if you work, then you attack with the left Hand over the wrist of the right Hand. Take a deep breath. Lower your shoulders, gently stretch the arms away from your face and slowly rotate the head in the direction of the left shoulder. This position allows for it, stretch the muscles of the arms, shoulders, upper back and neck. Hold this Position for at least 5 breaths (ideally 10). Repeat on the other side.
4. Circular movements with the head
Sit comfortably on the floor or on a chair with your back straight, the shoulders are relaxed, neck extended. Lower your chin to your chest, then slowly lower the head to the right, touch the right ear to the right shoulder. Dip the fingertips of the left Hand on the left shoulder with the right Hand over the left ear. The stronger you push the hands to the shoulder and the ear, the stronger the muscles are stretched. This exercise of the pain in the neck and shoulder area. Repeat on the other side.
5. Circular movements with the shoulders
You can stand or sit in a comfortable Position, keeping the back straight. Place the fingertips on the shoulders. You stretch with the elbows together in front of the body to stretch the shoulder blades and upper back. To stretch upward the triceps. To stretch In the direction of the chest and front of shoulders. Stretch that elbow each other in the back to stretch the deep muscles of the shoulders and chest.
6. Stretching Cat
Imagine yourself on all fours, the knee under an angle in relation to the hips. On every breath deflect the back, looking up at the ceiling. With each exhalation, pull your chin to your chest, draw the tailbone, the back rounds. This exercise helps stretch the muscles of the neck, the chest, shoulders, back and loin. Hold each Position for 8-10 breaths-breaths.
7. Hand to the elbow
You can stand or sit in a comfortable Position, keeping the back straight. Lift the right arm up, bend the elbows and lower between the shoulder blades. The left Hand on the right elbow and press gently, so as to strengthen the stretch the muscles. This attitude allows your muscles to stretch shoulders, triceps, back, and neck. Hold in Position for 8-10 breaths. Repeat on the other side.
8. The hands behind the back in the castle
Apart stand straight, feet shoulder width. Back stretch the arms and соприкоснитесь palms of the hand. Lift the arms as high as possible, until you feel how stretchy the front part of the shoulders. Hold in Position for 8-10 breaths.
9. The pose of the fish, with the support of
Sit on the floor, pull the legs in front of you or bend at the knees. Back to place a small stack of blankets-or two-Block for Yoga behind, when you bend, one was between the shoulder blades and the other under the head. Down with the back on the blocks, keep your hands relaxed on the sides of the fuselage. This position allows for it, stretch the muscles of the chest and neck, as well as the front part of the shoulders. Hold in Position for 8-10 breaths.