Neck pain and stiffness occur with inadequate exercise and in certain pathological conditions of the cervical spine. Painful feelings in the neck are almost always accompanied by limited mobility - when you try to turn or tilt your head, you feel sharp or increasing pain. Sometimes it is so strong that one is forced to move the whole body instead of moving the neck. In this case, the pain can affect not only the neck but also the nearby areas - chest, arms, head, shoulders; tinnitus, numbness of hands and fingers, dizziness.
To prescribe a competent treatment, you need to determine the causes of the neck pain - this will be the job of the specialist you are contacting. Let’s figure out what can cause pain in the cervical spine.
Causes of neck pain
There are 2 main causes of pain and restriction of neck movements: muscle stiffness and diseases of the cervical spine.
Neck stiffness
Stiffness is a condition in which the muscles become more toned (unable to relax) and resist any attempt at movement. The stiffness of the neck muscles is not a disease in itself - either due to a lack of physical activity or accompanying certain diseases.
In connection with the sedentary lifestyle - lack of work with a computer, driving, sports activities - the vertebrae of the cervical spine may move, there are painful pains and cramps caused by improper circulation of the cervical region.
Stiff neck can also be a symptom of:
- encephalitis, meningitis, cerebral hemorrhage. Other symptoms of these diseases are headache, weakness, nausea, fever, dizziness, rash.
- parkinsonism. Tremors accompany the whole body, imbalance and automatism of movements, and speech problems.
- neck injuries. In such cases, the pain always precedes the serious mechanical impact of the neck (falling, shock).
Diseases of the cervical spine
Due to spinal pathologies, pain and restriction of cervical spine movement may occur:
- Hernia. Severe pain radiates to the shoulders and arms, the palms may tingle and numb, there is a "neck lumbago" - sharp pain that impedes the movement of the entire upper body.
- Cervical osteochondrosis. It is accompanied by headaches, tinnitus, decreased visual acuity, flashing "flies" in the eyes, pain in the arms and shoulders.
- Cervical arthrosis. The pain occurs not only in the neck but also in the shoulder region. It bothers you most in the morning and in the evening.
- Spondylosis. Neck pain, numbness and tingling in the neck, hearing and vision problems, dizziness may occur.
- Asymmetry of the carotid artery. It is characterized by tinnitus, headaches, darkening of the eyes and increased blood pressure.
Which doctor should I see for neck pain?
First, we recommend that you consult a general practitioner (therapist) who will determine the further direction of the examination. Physicians with a narrower focus may be involved to clarify the diagnosis and the appointment of direct treatment: 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 interrogation, the doctor examines the patient: examines the surface of the neck, checks the sensitivity of the arms and legs, the condition of the reflexes, and finds out the presence of muscle cramps and hypertension.
Among the hardware techniques used:
- radiography;
- MRI;
- CT scan;
- electromyography (EMG);
- ultrasound dopplerography of the cervical vessels (USDG).
Blood and urine tests can be done to detect inflammatory processes in the body.
Treatment of neck pain and stiffness
Treatment for neck pain may include:
- Physiotherapy classes (magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, ultrasound therapy, shock wave therapy).
- Prescribing analgesics, sedatives, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants.
- Holistic medical methods (acupuncture, massage, moxibustion, hirudotherapy, stone therapy, vacuum therapy).
- Physiotherapy, proper workplace organization, posture control.
- Surgical intervention. Radical methods of surgical treatment are prescribed only when conservative methods are ineffective or with a more severe diagnosis that initially involves surgery.
Treatment of neck pain in the medical center
The high level of professionalism and the impressive work experience of the doctors allow us to select the right program for the treatment of neck diseases for all patients. The medical center is equipped with modern state-of-the-art and reliable equipment for laboratory and instrumental diagnostics, physiotherapy and treatment. And experienced masseurs and chiropractors help not only relieve neck pain but also improve the body in general.
If you are worried about neck pain and limited mobility, talk to us without expecting the condition to get worse.