Pain and stiffness in the neck occur with improper load, as well as some pathological conditions of the cervical spine. Painful sensations in the neck are almost always accompanied by its limited mobility - when you try to turn or tilt your head, there is a feeling of sharp or growing pain. Sometimes it is so strong that a person is forced to move his whole body instead of moving his neck. In this case, the pain can affect not only the neck, but can also be given to areas close to - chest, arms, head, shoulders; accompanied by tinnitus, numbness of the hands and fingers, dizziness.
To prescribe a competent treatment, you need to determine the causes of neck pain - this will be the task of the specialist you contact. Let’s understand what can cause back pain in the cervix.
Causes of neck pain
There are 2 main causes of pain and restriction of cervical movements: muscle stiffness and diseases of the cervical spine.
Neck stiffness
Stiffness is a condition where muscles become more toned (unable to relax) and resist any attempt to move. Neck muscle stiffness is not an independent disease - it occurs either due to lack of physical activity, or accompanies some diseases.
In connection with a sedentary lifestyle - computer work, driving, lack of sports activity - the cervical spine may move, pain may appear, spasms caused by improper circulation of the cervical region appearof the uterus.
Neck stiffness can also be a symptom of:
- encephalitis, meningitis, cerebral hemorrhage. Other symptoms of these diseases: headache, weakness, nausea, fever, dizziness, rash.
- parkinsonism. Accompanied by tremors throughout the body, imbalance and automatism of movements and speech problems.
- neck injuries. In such cases, the pain always precedes some serious mechanical effect on the neck (drop, stroke).
Diseases of the cervical spine
Pain and restriction of movement in the cervical spine can occur due to spinal pathologies:
- Hernia. Strong pain radiates to the shoulders and arms, palms may feel numb and numb, there is a "lumbago neck" - a sharp pain that impedes movement of the entire upper body.
- Osteochondrosis of the cervix. It is accompanied by headaches, tinnitus, decreased visual acuity, flashing "flies" in front of the eyes, pain in the arms and shoulders.
- Osteoarthritis of the cervix. The pain occurs not only in the neck but also in the shoulder region. It is most disturbing in the morning and in the evening.
- Spondylosis. It is accompanied by neck pain, numbness and tingling sensation in the neck, hearing and vision problems, dizziness may occur.
- Asymmetry of the cervical artery. It is characterized by tinnitus, headache, dark eyes and high blood pressure.
Which doctor should I go to for neck pain?
First of all, we suggest that you consult a general practitioner (therapist), who will form the further direction of the examination. To clarify the diagnosis and schedule direct treatment, physicians with a narrower focus may be involved: rheumatologist, neurologist, traumatologist, orthopedist. The patient may also be referred to a chiropractor and massage therapist.
Diagnosing the cause of neck pain
After an oral question, the doctor examines the patient: examines the surface of the neck, checks the sensitivity of the arms and legs, the state of reflexes, detects the presence of muscle spasms and hypertension.
From the hardware techniques used:
- radiography;
- MRI;
- CT scan;
- electromyography (EMG);
- dopplerography (USDG) of neck vessels.
Blood and urine tests can be done to detect inflammatory processes in the body.
Treatments for pain and stiffness of the cervix
Treatments for neck pain may include:
- Physiotherapy sessions (magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, ultrasound therapy, shock wave therapy).
- Prescription painkillers, tranquilizers, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants.
- Holistic methods of medicine (acupuncture, massage, moxibustion, hirudotherapy, stone therapy, vacuum therapy).
- Physiotherapy, correct workplace organization, behavior control.
- Surgical intervention. Radical methods of surgical treatment are prescribed only in case of ineffectiveness of conservative methods or with a more serious diagnosis, which initially involves surgery.
Treatment of neck pain at the medical center
High professionalism and impressive experience of doctors work allows you to choose the right program for the treatment of neck diseases for each patient. The medical center is equipped with modern high-tech and reliable equipment for laboratory and instrumental diagnostics, physiotherapy and treatment. And experienced massage therapists and chiropractors will not only help relieve neck pain, but also generally improve the body.
If you are concerned about neck pain and limited movement, make an appointment with us without expecting a worsening of the condition.