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Pain in the cervical spine
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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At different stages of their life, many of us repeatedly come across the fact that as a result of some or other reasons, there is a pain in the cervical spine. It can be different and the prerequisites for its occurrence are huge. If the pain does not go away for several days, it is a signal that you need a consultation from a manual therapist or another doctor (depending on the origin of the pain). Often the prerequisite for pain in the cervical spine becomes an incorrect position during sleep. In this case, in addition to pain, there is a stiffness of movement in the neck. Such pain can pass by itself, the hot shower especially affects its disappearance. Injury of the cervical spine in any case causes pain and, in addition, can be dangerous to human health and life. Pain in the cervical spine can also be a symptom of various diseases.
[The most common causes of such pains
Most often, pain in the cervical spine causes the following diseases and causes:
- Osteochondrosis (severe pain in the cervical spine, often also palpable in the hand)
- Ostearthrosis (pain is caused by damage to the intervertebral joints)
- Herniation of the intervertebral disc (usually occurs in the lower cervical spine)
- Muscle spasm (most often as a result of overexertion, hypothermia of the cervical spine, improper position during sleep, lifting of heavy objects, long transfer of weights)
- Stenosis of the spinal canal (leads to damage to the spinal cord, which is not always reflected in pain, but often leads to numbness of limbs, impaired pelvic organs, a general weakness)
Other diseases, the symptom of which is pain in the cervical spine:
- Tumors of the brain
- The tumor of the cervical spine (in most cases - a metastasis of cancer of other organs: the prostate, breast, lungs, kidney, thyroid, melanoma, if the pain in the cervical spine disturbs a person throughout the day, has a long and long-lasting character - a tumor can be deleted)
- Meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain causes pain in the cervical region, especially when trying to tilt the head forward)
- Hyopharyngeal abscess
- Acute thyroiditis (the disease is rare, there are cases of purulent thyroiditis)
- Tuberculosis
- Osteomyelitis, etc.
Watch your spine
In addition to all of the above serious and dangerous diseases, pain in the cervical spine is very often the cause of an incorrect position of the head or neck for a long time (sleep, constant work at the computer, etc.). There are no rare cases when such pains are accompanied by a number of other, also unpleasant, symptoms: dizziness, nausea, limited ability to turn the head (when turning and tilting the head, a characteristic crunch is heard). Often such pains are treated by the sessions of manual therapy. But, do not forget that each of us, after spending only a few minutes a day, can effectively prevent the appearance of changes in the cervical and thoracic parts of his spine. To do this, do not disdain gymnastics for the neck and head (slopes, circular movements). To do such exercises you need as slowly, calmly, relaxed and deep, while avoiding strong uncomfortable sensations. In the event that the nature of the pain and their duration causes you even the slightest fear - you must immediately go to see a doctor. Depending on the type of disease that causes pain in the cervical spine, the treatment can be performed by a traumatologist, neurologist, oncologist or rheumatologist.