Our neck is composed of vertebrae that extend from the nape to the upper part of the trunk. Between the vertebrae are special disks, which absorb the pressure. The bones, the ligaments and the muscles located in the neck — they all work to support the head and to perform the movement. Any anomaly, trauma, inflammation or cervical causes painful sensations.
What to do if a sore neck? But this happens with every. Often this is due to overexertion or bad posture. Sometimes the pain can be the result of an injury as a result of a fall or sport.
Often get rid of a sore neck work for a couple of days at home without the additional funds, if she is fairly insignificant, is in and of itself. Sometimes it can be a warning of serious injuries and illnesses, and requires immediate inspection of an expert. If the pain in the cervical spine strong, saved more than a week and accompanied by other symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.
The causes of pain in the neck
When the pain in the neck? This may be due to a number of reasons.
The muscle tension and stretching
Very often, this happens because of:
- bad posture;
- too long to find behind a desk;
- failed posture during sleep;
- injury of the neck during the exercise.
Injury
The neck is particularly vulnerable in the event of falls, car accidents, sports and other activities, during which the muscles are forced to go beyond the usual range of movement. Fracture of the cervical vertebrae, it is likely that the spinal cord is also damaged.
A heart attack
Neck pain can be a symptom of a heart attack. However, usually in these cases manifests with other symptoms, such as:
- difficulty breathing;
- increased sweating;
- weakness;
- vomiting;
- pain in the hands or jaw.
If you note that some of these symptoms, immediately call an Ambulance.
Meningitis
Meningitis is the inflammation of a thin shell spinal cord and brain. In many cases, patients with meningitis, along with fever and headaches stress unpleasant feelings, and it eliminates the congestion at the neck. It is a very dangerous disease, which can end up fatal. If you mark the same symptoms of meningitis, immediately consult a doctor.
Other causes
- Rheumatoid arthritis causes discomfort, swelling of the joints and bone spurs. With the development of arthritis in the neck appear to be in severe pain.
- Osteoporosis causes a weakening of bone tissue and fractures. Most at risk are usually subject to hands and knees, but often suffers and neck.
- Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes muscle pain throughout the body, especially in the area of the neck and shoulders.
- With age occurs a degeneration of the intervertebral disc. It was also referred to as osteoarthritis — the narrowing of the space between ceruicis the vertebrae, which increases the load on the neck and causes pain.
- As a result of trauma intervertebral disc can begin to act with a force outwards, which increases the load on the spinal column and the nerve endings, causing discomfort.
- Spinae stenosis occurs when the spinal column narrows and causes pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, when you exit from the vertebrae. This may be the result of long-term inflammation caused by arthritis and other diseases.
In rare cases, neck pain can occur as a result of:
- congenital abnormalities;
- the infection;
- abscess;
- tumor;
- cancer of the spine.
When it is worth going to a doctor
If the symptoms persist for more than a week, it would be advisable to consult a specialist. Also need to go into hospital, if you have the following symptoms:
- severe pain in the neck without reason;
- the tumor;
- heat;
- headaches;
- the swollen lymph nodes;
- weakness;
- vomiting;
- problems of swallowing and breathing;
- nausea;
- numbness;
- ringing in the ears;
- the pain, which extends from the top to the bottom of the hands or feet;
- the inability to move the hands;
- the inability to touch the chin to the breast;
- disorders of the bladder or of the intestine.
Also contact a doctor immediately if the pain is appeared in consequence of a fall or accident.
How to treat neck pain
In the first place, the doctor will check your physical condition and medical history. Be ready to talk about all of the nuances that emerge symptoms. It is also worth to mention all the drugs you took in recent times. All the information related to the injury, even if it seems to you that she has no relation to the problem, it will be useful.
The method of treatment depends on the diagnosis. In addition to a total inspection and analysis of the medical card, the doctor may also prescribe additional examinations:
- analysis of the blood;
- x-rays;
- computed tomography;
- The magnetic RESONANCE scan;
- electromyography, which allows you to check the health of the muscles and their nerve endings;
- lumbar or lumbar puncture.
According to the results of the analysis the doctor will refer you to a colleague specialist. Treatment may include:
- calor justo;
- Physical THERAPY and stretching;
- painkillers;
- injections of corticosteroids;
- muscle relaxants;
- collar;
- tractu traction of the spinal column;
- antibiotics (if there is infection);
- the treatment in the hospital with meningitis, and heart attack);
- the operation (rarely used).
An alternative treatment is:
- acupuncture;
- chiropractic;
- massage;
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Whatever the treatment method, make sure that you have turned to a certified technician
How to get rid of a sore neck in the house
If the pain is minor, try the following methods of treatment:
- The first couple of days, apply a cold compress to the injured area. Immediately after this, use a warm compress or take a warm shower;
- Take medications without a prescription pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen;
- A few days before leaving the sport, lifting weights, and the activities, which increases the painful sensation. How to reduce the symptoms gradually return to normal level of activity;
- Each day start charging for the neck. Slowly pull the head from side to side, from top to bottom;
- Follow posture;
- During the conversation does not lock the phone between the neck and the shoulder;
- This changes the position of the body. Do not sit, do not stay too long without traffic;
- Make a light massage of the neck;
- During sleep use a pillow for the neck;
- Do not wear a collar, without prior consultation with a specialist. Wrong, its application can aggravate the symptoms.
Stretching helps to forget the pain
During the job search, and the monitor was at eye level, sit straight, keep your back straight, do not recurvus and not to lower the head too low. During the guide, or browse the internet with your smartphone, try to give a little rest periods, for the cervical spine has not gone too far.
The key to get rid of a headaches — the correct movements and competent stretching. The following exercises for the back and neck, you can make on-the-job, and at the wheel:
- Make 10 circular movements on the shoulders back;
- 10 times to bring the shoulder blades together;
- Keeping your head straight, strong, resting at the nape on 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.
Take care during the sleep
If you often discomfort, pain in the neck, that is more carefully relates to what, in what conditions and in what position you are sleeping. Try to sleep only on your side or on your back — never sleep on your stomach.
When you sleep on your belly, then turns the head in one direction or the other and the neck locked for several hours in an uncomfortable position. So sleep can adversely affect the conditions of life, as well as in the absence of proper support of the stomach "falls" to the bottom.
When minor aches and pains from the exercise, follow these guidelines:
- Attach to the damaged area for hot or cold compress. The first 48-72 hours, use ice, and then switch to a hot pack. Do not use a wrap during sleep, as this can lead to injury.
- Take medications without a prescription pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen;
- Continue to move, but eliminate those movements that stress the pain. This will help to reduce the symptoms and inflammation.
- Make a light massage of the neck.
- Try to sleep on a mattress without a pillow or on a special pillow for the neck.
- Ask your doctor about the need to use a cervical brace. Do not wear a bandage for too much time, this can weaken the muscles.
9 yoga exercises for the neck
Yoga is a great way to get rid of the pain.
1. The hands on the chest
Comfortable to sit on the floor or on a chair with your back straight, your shoulders relaxed, neck stretched. Extend the right arm so that it is at the height of the shoulder, and lead her to the left. Turn the head looking over the right shoulder. This position allows you to stretch the muscles of the neck and the back of the shoulders. Hold this position for 8-10 breaths, then repeat with the left hand.
2. Posture "when you shove the wire in a needle"
Get on all fours, knees under the angle with respect to the hips. Lift the left arm forward and slide right under it. Get off on the floor on the right, the shoulder and cheek. Close your eyes, relax, feel how to stretch the muscles of the shoulders, arms, upper back and neck. Hold this position for 8-10 breaths, then repeat with the left hand.
3. Hands eagle
Stand or sit in a comfortable position, spine smooth, the neck outstretched. Pull both the hands, which were the width and the height of the shoulders. Bend the right arm to the head, and slide the left hand below the right. Fold and wrap the left arm around the right. The final goal is to touch the palms of the hands. This can take a bit of time, so if you have this does not work, then grab with the left hand the wrist of the right hand. Breathe deeply. Lower your shoulders, gently pull the hands from her face, and slowly rotate the head toward the left shoulder. This position allows you to stretch the muscles of the arms, shoulders, upper back and neck. Hold this position for at least 5 breaths (ideally 10). Repeat with the other side.
4. The circular movements of the head
Comfortable to sit on the floor or on a chair with your back straight, your shoulders relaxed, neck stretched. Lower the chin towards your chest, then slowly lower the head to the right, trying to touch right ear to right shoulder. Dip the tips of the fingers of the left hand on the left shoulder with the right hand over the left ear. The more you press your hands on the shoulder and the ear, the more you stretch the muscles. This exercise from pain in the neck and shoulders. Repeat with the other side.
5. Circular movements with your shoulders
Stand or sit in a comfortable position, keep your back straight. Put the tip of the fingers on the shoulders. Stretch the elbows to each other in the front part of the body to stretch the shoulder blades and upper back. Upward to stretch the triceps. In part — to stretch the chest and front of shoulders. Stretch the elbows each other from the back, to stretch the muscles deep in your shoulders and chest.
6. Stretching A "Cat"
Get on all fours, knees under the angle with respect to the hips. Each breath deflect back, the eyes turned to the ceiling. With each exhale, pulling your chin towards your chest, pull your tailbone, shoulders rounded. This exercise helps to stretch the muscles of the neck, chest, shoulders, back, and lower back. Each position hold for 8-10 fumes-fumes.
7. The hand to the elbow
Stand or sit in a comfortable position, keep your back straight. Raise the right hand upward, bend the elbow and lower between the shoulder blades. The left hand put on the right elbow and gently press down to strengthen the resistance muscle. This position allows you to stretch the muscles of the shoulders, triceps, back, and neck. Stay in the position for 8-10 breaths. Repeat with the other side.
8. Hand to the castle behind the back
Stand with your feet at shoulder width. Extend the arms back and соприкоснитесь palms of the hands. Raise your hand as high as possible, up to when it does not feel as stretched in the front part of the shoulders. Stay in the position for 8-10 breaths.
9. Fish pose with the support of
Sit on the floor with your legs in front to pull or bend the knees. Place a small stack of blankets, two yoga blocks behind it, for when china again, one was between the shoulder blades and another under your head. Get off your shoulders into the blocks, keep your hands relaxed at the sides of the trunk. This position allows you to stretch the muscles of the chest and neck and the front of the shoulders. Stay in the position for 8-10 breaths.