Pain when you turn your head

Any pain is associated with a pathological process that has affected any organ or the work of a part, or even an entire system of the human body, and any pain is a symptom of a certain disease. It is worth eliminating the "malfunctions" in the body - and the pain will go away... Symptoms such as acute pain when turning the head or constant aching pain that is localized in the neck area and becomes more noticeable with the slightest change in the position of the head are familiar to many.

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Causes of pain when turning the head

In neurology, it is generally accepted that pain when turning the head is most often a consequence of a spasm of nearby muscles, cervical osteochondrosis and cervical-brachial radiculitis. Also, the causes of pain when turning the head can be hidden in such pathologies as twisting of the vertebral artery, displacement of the second cervical vertebra (spondylolisthesis), anterior scalene syndrome and brain abscess. The possibility of such pain after a cervical spine injury, in the presence of a brain tumor, cervical spinal cord or metastases to the spine (for example, with breast or lung cancer) is not excluded.

Muscle spasms occur when muscles are suddenly overcooled (for example, from drafts), and also as a result of prolonged static physical exertion or an uncomfortable head position for a long time.

Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by severe pain when turning the head, which is localized in the neck and occipital part of the skull. The pain intensifies in certain positions of the head and neck, especially during physical exertion. The fact is that with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the intervertebral discs are destroyed: their height decreases, the cartilaginous tissue of the joint becomes more rigid, and the cartilage begins to press on the nerve endings and blood vessels. As a result, a person feels pain in the area of the damaged vertebrae, including sharp pain when turning the head, which can move from the neck to the shoulder area.

The peculiarity of myofascial (muscle) pain syndrome in the back of the head, shoulder and shoulder blade with cervical-brachial radiculitis (which is a complication of osteochondrosis) is that the pain when turning the head, as well as with other movements in the cervical spine and shoulder, increases significantly. In addition, patients with this disease often experience discomfort on both sides of the neck, which over time is replaced by a loss of skin sensitivity.

The cause of pain when turning the head may be associated with twisting of the vertebral artery around the first cervical vertebra (atlas). In this case, the pain is accompanied by ringing in the ears, dizziness, double vision, a feeling of numbness in the limbs or the entire body.

Pain when turning the head is observed with traumatic spondylolisthesis of the second cervical vertebra (axis), which some specialists call a first-degree fracture of the second cervical vertebra. With this pathology, the axis shifts relative to the vertebra following it, and patients feel a dull pain when turning their head, as well as discomfort in the neck. As the vertebra shifts further, the pain intensifies.

Scalenus syndrome or anterior scalene syndrome (this muscle starts from the transverse processes of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae and ends at the anterior edge of the first rib) is pain from compression of the lower roots of the brachial plexus of this muscle and the subclavian artery. It should be noted that this pain syndrome in most cases develops in parallel with cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, and the same factors contribute to the disease: hypothermia, static load and physical overexertion.

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Headache when turning head

Headache when turning the head occurs with local purulent inflammation of the brain - abscess. With a brain abscess, against the background of general weakness, depression and loss of appetite, the head begins to hurt - entirely or in a certain place. But the pain necessarily becomes very strong with movement and especially when turning the head. Moreover, with this disease, the pain is steadily increasing, and no analgesics cope with it.

Headache when turning the head is a frequent companion of the so-called occipital neuralgia, which is caused by many diseases of the cervical spine, primarily osteochondrosis and spondyloarthrosis.

Often, headaches when turning the head are caused by inflammatory processes of the vertebral joints - cervical spondylitis, cervical spondylosis and spondyloarthrosis of the cervical spine. These are chronic diseases of the spine, in which there is

Deformation of the vertebral and intervertebral joints, leading to pain in the neck and difficulty in its movement, headaches and pain in the upper shoulder girdle, which accompany literally every movement of the head.

Finally, a pressing headache when turning the head, as well as a dull pain when turning the head, concentrated in the occipital region, are characteristic of hypertensive syndrome, which is associated with increased intracranial pressure. Experts say that problems with the spine very often become the cause of the development of hypertensive syndrome. And these, in turn, are caused by prolonged muscle tension and incorrect positioning of the neck and head not only during physical exertion, but also during sedentary work, for example, at the computer.

How does pain manifest itself when turning the head?

The main symptoms of pain when turning the head, which are typical for patients with cervical osteochondrosis, are pains of varying intensity in the neck area. And this symptom is one of the first in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. As a rule, pain that occurs in the neck and back of the head affects the parietal region, forehead and temples. The pain may be accompanied by the appearance of "flies" in the eyes, hearing loss, hot flashes, chills, sweating and rapid heartbeat.

The main symptoms of pain when turning the head, which are experienced by patients diagnosed with cervical scoliosis, are a significant limitation of neck mobility, crunching in the neck when turning the head. Moreover, pain deep inside the neck can appear even when a person simply turns his head, coughs, sneezes or wants to turn over on the other side while lying in bed.

With occipital neuralgia, the pressing pain in the back of the head turns into aching pain when turning the head and into sharp pain in the ears, lower jaw and neck - with any head movements.

If the pain when turning the head is a consequence of the anterior scalene syndrome, then the pain spreads along the inner surface of the shoulder and forearm to the hand and fingers, but when turning the head, the pain also affects the back of the head.

Hypertensive syndrome is characterized by a bursting or pressing headache (which can become stronger from loud sounds and bright light), a feeling of heaviness in the head in the morning and painful sensations in the eyeballs. Nausea and even vomiting are possible.

Diagnosis of pain when turning the head

It is quite obvious that symptoms alone are not enough to determine the underlying cause of pain when turning the head, and neurologists make a preliminary diagnosis based on the results of the anamnesis and initial examination of patients (including palpation of the vertebrae and muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle).

Differential diagnostics helps to establish a final diagnosis and determine the causes of pain when turning the head. Radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are widely used for this purpose. Using these diagnostic methods, doctors can determine the degree of development of the disease, its localization and the anatomical and physiological characteristics of its course in a particular patient.

Treatment of pain when turning the head

In the treatment of pain in pathologies of the cervical spine, symptomatic therapy, that is, pain relief, plays a key role.

Drug treatment for pain when turning the head

Treatment of pain when turning the head, caused by almost all of the above reasons, includes the use of external distracting (local irritants), analgesics and anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs - ointments and gels.

Fastum gel ointment (active ingredient - ketoprofen) is applied to the skin over the inflammation site in a thin layer (rubbing in lightly) 1-2 times a day. Contraindications: tendency to skin allergies and skin diseases; severe renal failure; dermatoses and eczema at the site of gel application; children under 12 years of age; pregnancy and lactation. Ointments and gels Ketoprofen, Ketonal, Artrozilen, Artrum, Oruvel and others have the same active ingredient and are analogues.

Diclofenac ointment or gel (active ingredient diclofenac) is also effective for pain relief, it is used 3-4 times a day, applying to the skin of the painful area. Diclofenac can cause serious side effects in patients with bronchial asthma, hypertension, heart failure, stomach ulcers, chronic hepatitis, pyelonephritis. The drug is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in elderly patients. Ointments (or gels) Voltaren, Diclac, Diclofen, Naklofen have the same active ingredient and are analogues.

The drug Nise gel (active ingredient - nimesulide) also has a local irritant and analgesic effect. A column of gel approximately 3 cm long is applied in a thin layer (without rubbing) to the area of maximum pain 3-4 times a day. The duration of use of the drug is 10 days. When using this drug, there may be local side effects in the form of urticaria, itching and peeling of the skin.

In the treatment of pain when turning the head, oral medications such as butadion, nimesil, ketonal, piroxicam, etc. are used as painkillers.

Butadion (synonyms Butalidon, Phenylbutazone, Arthrizone, Butalgin, Diphenylbutazone, Zolafen, Novofenil, Fenopyrin, etc.) is similar in action to aspirin: it belongs to non-steroidal analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Butadion (tablets of 0.05 g and 0.15 g) is taken orally at 0.1-0.15 g - 2-3 times a day. The duration of the course is from two weeks to a month. Among the contraindications of the drug: gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, liver and kidney dysfunction, diseases of the hematopoietic organs, cardiac arrhythmia. Side effects: nausea, pain in the stomach (ulcers on the mucous membrane may appear), skin rashes, nerve inflammation (neuritis), anemia, hematuria (blood in the urine).

Nimesil (granules in sachets for suspension) is taken orally - 1 sachet (dissolved in 100 ml of water) after meals. The drug is contraindicated in: inflammatory bowel diseases, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, severe blood clotting disorders, severe heart and kidney failure, liver disease, children under 12 years of age, pregnancy and lactation. The drug has side effects, including: heartburn, headache, dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, toxic hepatitis, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, anemia, agranulocytosis.

Ketonal capsules are prescribed one capsule three times a day, the maximum daily dose is 300 mg (no more than 6 capsules). For osteoarthritis, it is recommended to take one capsule 4 times a day. The drug should be washed down with a sufficient amount of liquid (at least 100 ml). Side effects are rare and can manifest themselves in the form of pain in the epigastric region, nausea, diarrhea, headache and dizziness. The list of contraindications for this drug includes: hypersensitivity, gastrointestinal tract diseases (during exacerbation), impaired renal function, liver and hematopoietic system, late pregnancy, breastfeeding, age under 15 years.

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Piroxicam is prescribed to adults at 10-40 mg once a day (1 tablet contains 20 mg of the active substance) - during or after meals with a sufficient amount of liquid. Side effects are possible in the form of a feeling of thirst, loss or increase in appetite, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea or constipation.

Contraindications for this drug: hypersensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, bronchial asthma, ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, severe renal dysfunction, pregnancy, lactation, and children under 15 years of age.

It is clear that in addition to eliminating pain, therapy is designed to restore the function of the cervical spine and remove the cause of pain when turning the head. For this, various physiotherapeutic procedures are used.

Physiotherapy in the treatment of pain when turning the head

The arsenal of physiotherapeutic methods that are successfully used in the treatment of pain when turning the head includes the following: massage, electrophoresis using medications, ultrasound, mud therapy, magnetic therapy, sinusoidal simulated currents.

Massage in the treatment of pain when turning the head can be done independently. Here are the main techniques for self-massage of the collar zone:

1. With the hand (right hand on the left side and vice versa) you need to stroke the back of the neck from the back of the head to the shoulder joint (5-10 times on each side). The pressure on the skin should not cause painful sensations.
2. Using your fingertips, rub the skin in a circular motion along the back of the head and along the cervical vertebrae towards the back (5-10 times). Your fingers should press on the skin, simultaneously shifting and stretching it.
3. Relax the muscles that go from the cervical vertebrae to the shoulders and shoulder blades, knead them between the thumb and four other fingers - with the right hand on the left side and vice versa (5-10 times on each side).
4. Lightly tap the back and sides of the neck with your fingers (10 times).
5. Stroking the front of the neck with your palms - from the chin to the collarbone (5-10 times).

The massage should be done while sitting, with the head turned in the direction opposite to the part being massaged. If this cannot be done due to pain when turning the head, then the massage is performed in a minimally painful position of the head.

Preventing pain when turning your head

To prevent pain when turning your head from becoming your constant companion, sleep on your side and on a firm mattress. And if possible, without a pillow (or buy a special orthopedic pillow). In winter, do not forget to warm your neck with a scarf.

When you have a sedentary job, do exercises to prevent pain when turning your head:

1. Without getting up from your work place, place your palm on your forehead and press it hard with your whole head – the hand should remain completely motionless (it springs and does not allow the head to move). Then do the same, placing your palm on the back of your head. And finish this isometric exercise (very useful for the blood supply to the cervical spine), placing your chin on the back of your palm and trying to tilt your head forward. Do everything 5-7 times (at least twice a day).
2. Slowly tilt your head forward and backward, right and left (10 times).
3. With your back straight, lower your arms down (along your body) and raise and lower your shoulders (the “shrugging” movement).
4. Gently turn your head from side to side.

Pain when turning the head can and should be "treated". Although, you yourself understand that it is necessary to treat those diseases that caused it.