Our neck is composed of vertebrae, which extends from the nape of the neck up to the upper part of the torso. Between the vertebrae of reference of the specific disks that absorb the pressure. Bones, ligaments and muscles located in the neck, all working to support the head and the movement of the exercise. Any abnormality, trauma or inflammation in the cervical region causes the painful sensations.
What to do if a sore neck? In effect, from time to time, it happens to all of the world. Often, this is due to overuse or poor posture. Sometimes, the pain may be due to trauma following a fall or sporting activities.
The most often get rid of neck pain is impossible for a couple of days in the house without additional funds, if it is fairly insignificant, it passes itself. Sometimes, it may be a warning of serious injuries and illnesses, and requires an inspection by a specialist. If the pain in the cervical spine strong, will keep more than a week and is accompanied by other symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
Causes of neck pain
When the pain in my neck? This may be due to a number of reasons.
Muscle tension and stretch
The more often this happens:
- a bad posture;
- too long stay in the office;
- failure of the posture during sleep;
- injuries to the neck during the exercise.
Injuries
Our neck is particularly vulnerable during a fall, a car accident, sports and other activities, during which the muscles are forced to go beyond the usual range of movement. When the fracture of the cervical vertebrae is the probability that the spinal cord is also damaged.
The heart attack
Neck pain can be a symptom of a heart attack. However, in general, in such cases, it manifests itself with other symptoms such as:
- difficulty breathing;
- increased sweating;
- weakness;
- vomiting;
- the pain in the arm or jaw.
If you have noticed several of these symptoms, call an Ambulance immediately.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the thin shell of the spinal cord and the brain. In many cases, patients with a meningitis, with fever and headache is the mark of an annoyance and застои in the neck. This is a very dangerous disease that can end deadly. If you find that you have symptoms of meningitis, contact your doctor immediately.
Other reasons
- Rheumatoid arthritis causes discomfort, swelling in the joints and bony spurs. When the development of arthritis in the neck appear a strong pain.
- Osteoporosis leads to weakened bones and fractures. The biggest risk commonly on the hands and knees, but often suffers and the neck.
- Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes muscle pain throughout the body, especially in the area of the neck and shoulders.
- With age comes the degeneration of a disc intervertebral. This condition is also called osteoarthritis — the contraction of the space between ceruicis the vertebrae, which increases the pressure on the neck and causes a painful sensation.
- Following a disc injury intervertebral can begin to act strongly towards the outside, which increases the pressure on the spine and nerves, causing discomfort.
- Spinae stenosis occurs when the spinal column narrows and causes pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots when it comes out of the spine. This may be the result of a long inflammation caused by arthritis and other diseases.
In rare cases, neck pain can occur following:
- birth defects;
- infection;
- abscess;
- the tumor;
- cancer of the spine.
When to see a doctor
If the symptoms persist for more than a week, the trouble to consult a specialist. Also, you need to go to the hospital, if you have any of the following symptoms:
- a sharp pain in the neck without reason;
- the tumor;
- heat;
- headaches;
- the inflamed lymph nodes;
- weakness;
- vomiting;
- the problems of swallowing and breathing;
- nausea;
- numbness;
- ringing in the ears;
- pain that extends from the bottom to the top of the hands or feet;
- the inability to stir with the hands;
- the inability to touch the chin to the chest;
- the interruption of the functioning of the bladder or of the intestine.
Also, see a doctor immediately if the pain is caused as the result of a fall or accident.
How to treat neck pain
In the first place, the doctor will check your physical state and the history of the disease. Be ready to talk about all the nuances of manifesting symptoms. It should also be mentioned on all the medications that you have recently done. All the information about the injury, even if you think it has no relation with the problem will be useful.
The method of treatment depends on the diagnosis. In addition to a general inspection and analysis of your medical file, the doctor may also assign additional examinations:
- the analysis of the blood;
- the x-rays;
- ct scan;
- MRI-scan;
- electromyography, which allows you to check the health of muscles and the control of their nerve endings;
- lumbar or lumbar puncture.
Based on the results of the analyses, the doctor will refer you to an appropriate specialist. The treatment may include:
- calor justo;
- Physical THERAPY and stretching;
- analgesics;
- injections of corticosteroids;
- the muscle relaxants;
- col de serre-cables;
- tractu stretching of the spinal column;
- antibiotics (if there is an infection);
- the treatment at the hospital (in the meningitis and heart attack);
- the operation (rarely used).
An alternative treatment is:
- acupuncture;
- the chiropractic;
- massage;
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Regardless of the treatment method, make sure that it appeals to a specialist.
How to get rid of the pain in the neck at home
If the pain is low, try the treatment methods:
- The first two days, apply a cold compress on the affected area. Immediately after this, use a warm compress or take a warm shower;
- Take non-prescription analgesics such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen;
- A few days of abandon the practice of sporting activities, weight lifting and activity, which increases the painful sensation. The decrease of the symptoms come back gradually to the normal level of activity;
- Each day, follow the exercises for the neck. Slowly pull on the head from left to right and top to bottom;
- Watch the posture;
- During a call, do not pinch the telephone between the neck and the shoulder;
- Regularly change your position. Do you sit not and do not stay too long without movement;
- Make a light massage of the nape of the neck;
- While sleeping, use a pillow for the neck;
- Don't wear a belt sheath without first consulting a specialist. Improper use can make symptoms worse.
Stretching allows you to forget the pain
To avoid that the monitor is at eye level, sit back, keep your back straight, do recurvus and do not lower the head down too low. During the car ride or to surf the internet from your smartphone, try to give small periods of rest for the cervical vertebrae were not gone too far.
The key to get rid of the pain — the good gestures and good stretching. The exercises for the back and neck, you can do it at work, and at the wheel:
- Make 10 circular movements shoulders back;
- 10 times closer to the shoulder blades;
- Keeping the head straight, the maximum strongly упритесь of the head against the back of the chair and hold this position for 30 seconds;
- Tilt your head to the side as close as possible to the shoulder, 10 times to each side.
Be careful in the dream
If you are often concerned about pain in the cervical region, it is worth carefully made, under what conditions and in what position you sleep. Try sleeping on the side or on the back — never sleep on the stomach.
When you sleep on your stomach, and then rotate the head in one direction or the other and the neck freezes up for a few hours in an uncomfortable position. Such a dream can affect the rear, because in the absence of a support belly "falls" to the bottom.
When the pain in addition to exercise, follow the following instructions:
- Secure the damaged area with hot or cold compresses. The first 48 to 72 hours, use ice, and then go to hot compresses. Do not use a compress during sleep, as this could cause injury.
- Take non-prescription analgesics such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen;
- Continue forward, but exclude movements that amplify the pain. This will help to reduce the symptoms and inflammation.
- Make a massage of the nape of the neck.
- Try to sleep on a solid mattress without pillow or cushion special for the neck.
- Ask your doctor about the need for the use of the fabric. Do not wear the bandage for 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. The hands across the chest
Sit comfortably on the floor or on a chair with a straight back, shoulders relaxed, the neck very large. Extend your right arm to shoulder height, and move it to the left. Turn head, look over the right shoulder. This posture helps to stretch the muscles of the neck and the back part of the shoulders. Hold this position for 8-10 breaths, and then do the same with the left hand.
2. The posture "продевание fil en aiguille"
Get up on all fours, knees at a right angle to the hips. Stretch the left arm more in front and to pass on the right. Get down on the floor of the right shoulder and the cheek. Close your eyes, relax, and feel like stretching the muscles of the shoulders, arms, upper back and neck. Hold this position for 8-10 breaths, and then do the same with the left hand.
3. The hands of the eagle
Stand up or sit down in a comfortable position, exactly the spine, the neck is stretched. Pull the two hands, they are on the width and the height of the shoulders. Bend your right arm to the head, and pass the left hand under the right. Fold and wrap the left hand around the right side. The final objective is to touch the palms of his hands. This may take some time, so if you don't, then the grasp of the left hand the wrist of the right hand. Take a deep breath. Lower your shoulders, gently pull the hands of the person and slowly turn the head toward the left shoulder. This posture helps to 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. The circular movements of the head
Sit comfortably on the floor or on a chair with a straight back, shoulders relaxed, the neck very large. Lower the chin towards the chest, then slowly lower the head to the right, trying to touch the right ear and right shoulder. Dip the tip of the fingers of the left hand on the left shoulder and the right hand above the left ear. The more you press the hands on the shoulder and the ear, the more the muscles are stretched. It is the exercise of the pain in the neck and shoulders. Repeat on the other side.
5. The circular movements of the shoulders
Stand up or sit down in a comfortable position, keep your back smooth. Put the tips of her fingers on his shoulders. Stretch the elbows to each other to the front of the body to stretch the shoulder blade and upper back. The top to stretch the triceps. — To stretch the breasts and the anterior part of the shoulders. Stretch out the elbows, one at the rear, to stretch the deep muscles of the shoulders and the chest.
6. Stretching A "Cat"
Get up on all fours, knees at a right angle to the hips. On each inspiration deflect the back, the gaze directed toward the ceiling. With each exhalation, pull the chin towards the chest, pull on the coccyx, the back rounded. This exercise helps to stretch the muscles of the neck, chest, shoulders, back and kidneys. Each position to keep the 8-10 inhale-exhale.
7. The hand to the elbow
Stand up or sit down in a comfortable position, keep your back smooth. Raise your right hand up, bend in the elbow and lower it between the shoulder blades. The left palm on the right elbow, and gently press to strengthen the muscles stretch. This posture helps to stretch the muscles of the shoulders, the triceps, the back and the neck. Hold the position for 8 to 10 breaths. Repeat on the other side.
8. The hands in the castle behind the back
Stand straight, feet shoulder-width apart. Pull your arms in the back and соприкоснитесь the palms of his hands. Raise your arms as high as possible, until you feel like you stretched the front part of the shoulders. Hold the position for 8 to 10 breaths.
9. The installation of fish with the support of
Sit on the floor, legs pull out in front or bend your knees. Place a small pile of blankets or two blocks of yoga behind you when you lean back, one was between the shoulder blades and the other under the head. Down the back on the blocks, the hands keep relaxed on the sides of the torso. This posture helps to stretch the muscles of the chest and neck, as well as the front part of the shoulders. Hold the position for 8 to 10 breaths.