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Why does the neck hurt and what to do?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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When a person has a neck ache, then usually the last thing you want is to understand the causes, and most of all - immediately stop suffering. Everyone could face the unpleasant sensations of the neck or shoulder area, but it’s hardly possible for everyone to say what to do. The neck is a rather vulnerable spot on the human body, which performs many important functions for the body. Special mobility of the neck provide vertebrae and neck muscles.
Diseases for which the neck hurts
If your neck hurts and this pain is sharp, it arises unexpectedly, then the cause will probably be a stretch of muscles or soft tissues. This is the main cause of short-term pain in the muscle tissues of the whole body, not only in the neck. However, if the spine is damaged, then the cervical pain itself will not pass and you should find out the reason that causes it.
The fact that the neck hurts, many people complain, regardless of gender or age. The main reason, if it is not stretching, doctors believe osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine. If we talk about the localization of pain, then with osteochondrosis, it usually manifests itself in the back of the neck and can periodically give to the chest and shoulders.
The prevalence of the above diseases is increasing in older people. Studies conducted at the University of Great Britain show that signs of osteochondrosis are found in 60% of men over 55 years of age.
Common causes of a neck ache can also be injuries : during a sports training session or in case of an accident, severe stretching or rupture of the ligaments often happens. Complications after injury are possible if the soft tissues are damaged, if limited to stretching, then after two weeks the neck muscles return to normal. Pain in the cervical spine is caused by life-threatening diseases. For example, if women have a neck ache for no apparent reason, then you should pay special attention to the fact that it is the female gender that most often suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause severe pain in the back of the neck. The neck below hurts with rheumatoid polymyalgia, although until recently, doctors associated this disease with a dull pain in the forearms, but not in the neck itself.
Dangerous diseases of the brain have a feature also accompanied by a dull pain in the neck. If the neck and nasal sinuses hurt, there is a constant pain in the temples, there is every chance of a small brain tumor forming, often malignant. Malignant tumors can occur in the upper spine with cancer of the kidneys or lungs.
Most often, people who are not paying close attention to their own posture and do not control the position of the head during prolonged sleep are subject to unpleasant sensations in the cervical region. Often, the neck occasionally hurts only because of the wrong organization of the workplace, dim lighting, too low a table or an uncomfortable monitor. If you have a sore neck after exercising in a gym, you should consult with a trainer, perhaps you mistakenly do the exercises or the load is too strong for you. If in the morning you feel discomfort and pain in the lower part of the neck, then pay attention to the pillow and the pose in which you fall asleep.
Daily exercise will help you get rid of pain, if it is not caused by chronic or serious diseases. Minimal physical activity is sure to improve well-being, give mobility to the neck muscles and relieve daily malaise.
If we talk about children under 15 years old, then if they have a neck ache, 90% of the reason is incorrect posture or a complication after a sore throat or sore throat.
[What to do if your neck hurts?
One conclusion can be made from the above information: if the neck does not hurt all the time, but tends to go through a day or two, then there is no reason to worry, you can get rid of unpleasant sensations with the help of exercises, massage and manual therapy. If the neck hurts all the time, if the pain changes the location and nature, then it is necessary to immediately be examined by a vertebrologist and traumatologist to prevent the development of a dangerous disease and start treatment in time.