Our neck consists of vertebrae that extend from the neck to the upper body. Between the vertebrae are special discs that absorb pressure. The bones, ligaments and muscles located in the neck — all are working in order to support the head and move. Any abnormalities, trauma, or inflammation of the cervical spine leads to pain.
What to do if a sore neck? Indeed, from time to time it happens to everyone. Often this is due to stress or wrong posture. Sometimes the pain can be as a result of injuries from a fall or from sports.
Most often to get rid of neck pain may be a couple of days at home without additional tools, if it is quite small, then goes away by itself. Sometimes it can be a warning, serious injury and illness and requires immediate specialist investigation. If the pain of the cervical spine is a strong, continuous over weeks, and is accompanied by other symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Causes of pain in the neck
When sore neck? This may be due to several reasons.
Muscle tension and stretch
Most often this is due to:
- bad posture;
- stay too long at your Desk;
- bad postures during sleep;
- injury to the neck during exercise.
Damage
Our neck is particularly susceptible 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 a heart attack. However, usually in such cases, it appears together with other symptoms, such as:
- shortness of breath;
- sweating;
- weakness;
- vomiting;
- pain in the arms or jaw.
If you notice several 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 see pain and stagnation of the neck. This is a very dangerous disease that can cause death. If you say, meningitis symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Other reasons
- Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, swelling and bone spurs. With the development of arthritis in the neck is severe pain.
- Osteoporosis leads to weakening of bone tissue and fractures. The biggest risk is usually exposed to your hands and knees, but often suffers from and the neck.
- Fibromyalgia is a disease that causes muscle pain throughout the body, especially the neck and shoulders.
- With age, there is degeneration of the intervertebral disc. This condition is also referred to as osteoarthritis is the narrowing of the interval ceruicis of the vertebrae, which increases the load on the neck and cause pain.
- As a result of damage to the intervertebral disc can begin to vigorously talk, which increases the load on the spine and the nerve endings, causing discomfort.
- Spinae stenosis occurs when the spine narrows and causes pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots as it exits the vertebrae. This may be a consequence of the prolonged inflammation caused by arthritis and other diseases.
In rare cases neck pain may be due to:
- congenital malformations;
- infection;
- abscess;
- tumor;
- cancer of the spine.
When to consult a doctor
If symptoms persist for more than a week, you should consult with an expert. Also 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;
- 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 to the chest;
- disorders of the bladder or bowel.
Also, seek immediate medical attention if the pain was the result of a fall or crash.
How to treat neck pain
The first doctor to review your physical condition and medical history. Be ready to talk about all the nuances of the manifested symptoms. It is also worth mentioning all the medicines you have taken lately. Any information about existing injuries, even if you think that it is insignificant problem would be helpful.
The method of treatment depends on the diagnosis. In addition to the overall inspection and analysis of your medical records, your doctor may also prescribe additional tests:
- blood test;
- x-rays;
- computed tomography;
- MRI-scan;
- electromyography, which allows you to check the health of the muscles and their controlling nerve endings;
- lumbar or spinal puncture.
Depending on the test results the doctor will refer you to the appropriate specialist. Treatment may include:
- calor justo;
- Physical therapy and stretching;
- painkillers;
- corticosteroid injections;
- muscle relaxants;
- neck braces;
- the tract is traction of the spine;
- antibiotics (if infection);
- hospital treatment (meningitis and heart attack);
- surgery (rarely used).
An alternative treatment is:
- acupuncture;
- chiropractic;
- massage;
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
What a treat, make sure that the appeal to certified experts.
How to get rid of neck pain at home
If the pain is minor, try the following treatment methods:
- The first couple of days, apply a cold compress 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;
- A few days refrain from sports, lifting weights and functioning, which increases the pain. Reduce the symptoms gradually return to normal activity level;
- Every day to do exercises for the neck. Slowly pull head from side to side, top to bottom;
- Follow the carriage;
- During the debate 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 sleeping, use a special pillow for the neck;
- Don't use neck braces without consulting with a specialist. Incorrect use can aggravate the symptoms.
Stretching helps to forget the pain
During use, try to keep the monitor was at eye level, sit up straight, keep your back straight, do not recurvus and don't hang your head too low. When you're driving or surfing the Internet trying to give myself a little rest periods of the cervical vertebrae does not go too far.
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 to keep the blades together;
- Holding his 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 on each side.
Be careful, in your dreams
If you are often concerned about pain in the cervical spine, you should carefully applies it, under what circumstances and in what 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 the neck hangs in a few hours in an uncomfortable position. This dream can have a negative impact on the lower back, because you don't have the stomach "falls" down.
When a little pain along with the exercises, follow these instructions:
- Apply to the damaged area cold or hot compress. The first 48-72 hours, use ice, then hot compress. 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 to eliminate those movements which increase the pain. This helps to reduce the symptoms and inflammation.
- Make a light massage of the neck.
- Try to sleep on a firm mattress without a pillow or a special pillow for the neck.
- Ask your doctor about the need to use a neck brace. Do not use 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
Conveniently sit on the floor or in a chair with your back straight, shoulders relaxed, neck extended. Pull your right hand so that she was shoulder height, and bring it to the left. Turn your head, look over my shoulder. This can cause you to stretch the muscles of the neck and back shoulders. Hold this position for 8-10 breaths, then repeat the same with the left hand.
2. Pose "thread the needle of the needle"
Get on all fours, knees at an angle relative to the thighs. Extend your left arm forward and slide right under. Get down on the floor on the right shoulder and buttock. Close your eyes, relax, think of stretching the muscles of the shoulders, arms, upper back and neck. Hold this position for 8-10 breaths, then repeat the same with the left hand.
3. Hands eagle
Stand or sit in a comfortable position, back straight, the neck is extended. Extend both arms so that they were shoulder width and shoulder height. Bend your right hand to the head and push with the left hand below the right. Bend and rotate your left arm around to the right. The ultimate goal is to touch by hand. It may take some time, so if you have not, then place the left hand on the right wrist. Take a deep breath. Lower the shoulders, pull your hands to your face, and slowly turn your head toward the left shoulder. This can cause you to stretch the muscles of the arms, shoulders, upper back and neck. Hold this position for at least 5 people (preferably 10). Repeat on the other side.
4. Circular movements of the head
Conveniently sit on the floor or in a chair with your back straight, shoulders relaxed, neck extended. Lower your chin to your chest, then slowly lower your head to the right, trying to touch right ear to right shoulder. Dip the fingertips of his left hand on his left shoulder and the right hand over the left ear. The harder you push your hands shoulder and ear, more stretch muscles. This exercise pain in the neck and shoulders. Repeat on the other side.
5. The circular motion of the shoulders
Stand or sit in a comfortable position, keep your back straight. Place the fingertips on the shoulders. Bring your elbows towards each other in front of the body to stretch the shoulders and upper back. Up — to stretch, triceps. Side — you can stretch the chest and front of shoulders. Stretch the elbows to each other on the back stretch the deep muscles, shoulders and chest.
6. Stretching Cat
Get on all fours, knees at an angle relative to the thighs. With each breath to turn back, gaze directed to the ceiling. Every time you exhale pull your chin to your 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 breath-exhalations.
7. The hand to the elbow
Stand or sit in a comfortable position, keep your back straight. Lift your right arm 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 can cause you to stretch the muscles of the shoulders, triceps, back, and neck. Hold the position for 8-10 people. Repeat on the other side.
8. Hands in the castle behind
Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Pull your hands back and soprikosnites hands. Raise your hands as high as possible, until then, until you feel a stretch in the front of the shoulders. Hold the position for 8-10 people.
9. Fish cause support
Sit on the floor, legs pull in front or bend your 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 another under my head. Descend back to the blocks, keep your hands relaxed on the sides of the torso. This can cause you to stretch the muscles of the neck and chest and front of shoulders. Hold the position for 8-10 people.