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Neck problems - causes, therapies and home remedies
contents
- Types of neck pain
- The most common pain in the neck
- Anatomy of the neck
- Causes of neck problems
- Fear in the neck
- Home remedies for neck problems
- body therapy
- Acupuncture for neck pain
- The cervical spine
- ruffs
- Neck problems due to operations
- Neck pain from whiplash
Women are more likely to have neck pain than men. They also report more often signs and symptoms that are typical of this condition. This tendency applies to many types of pain, and a lot of sociological, cultural, and physical explanations try to explain it. None of these theories has been accepted as valid until now.
Neck problems are a common pain problem. Blame: Poor posture, insufficient movement, rigid sitting. Image: © underdogstudios - fotolia The smaller size as well as the less power in the shoulder muscles could biologically explain the greater tendency of women to neck pain. For example, comparative studies show that women put more strain on their muscles when they put pressure on the computer mouse.
Types of neck pain
These pains can be as mild as they are severe, as acute as they are chronic. Acute pain is sudden as a result of injury or stress. Mostly it lays down at the latest after 7-10 days, when those concerned have rest and put ice on the aching region.
But if neck problems persist for more than a few weeks, an examination by a doctor is pending. He uses X-rays to detect whether there are internal injuries and usually begins a conservative therapy. This includes, for example, medicines that inhibit inflammation, fight pain, body therapy such as massages or acupuncture.
Chronic neck pain persists for more than 3 months; those affected may suffer day and night, or the symptoms worsen in certain actions. The exact causes are often hard to find, but general factors that cause distress are nerve damage, arthritis or the effects of emotional crises. Anyone who suffers from chronic symptoms, should consult a pain specialist.
The most common pain in the neck
1) Muscle pain: The muscles in the neck and shoulder can hurt if we stress them too much - as well as when we suffer from stress, both physically and emotionally. The neck muscles can form hard knots that are sensitive to touch - the so-called trigger points.
2) Muscle spasms: here suddenly the muscles are tense. This can hurt the neck, the muscles feel "knotted" and often it is not possible to turn the head. When someone wakes up with a stiff neck, he is probably suffering from a muscle spasm. Cause can be an injury, but also a nervous problem or even mental stress. Often there is no clear cause.
3) Headache: Headache as a result of neck complaints is usually rampant on the back of the head and upper neck and usually results in muscle spasm. This pain is usually deaf rather than sharp; The neck can also feel stiff or tender and get worse as the affected person moves his neck.
Pain in the facet joints is sharp and becomes even worse when those affected turn their heads towards the corresponding side. Arthritis in the facet joints feels worse in the morning and after a period of rest.
Nerve pain: Twisting in the back nerves causes pain that feels like pin pricks. The pain can spread to the arms, depending on which nerve is affected.
Gang disc prolapse on the neck can lead to severe pain. Image: © Henrie - fotolia Displaced Pain: This refers to pain on one part of the body originating in another. Such a pain in the neck is caused, for example, by a heart problem, while a sore neck during eating indicates symptoms in the esophagus.
Bone pain: Pain in the cervical vertebrae is much less common than in soft tissue. They are under the supervision of a doctor because they can indicate a serious illness.
Anatomy of the neck
The neck is one of the most flexible regions of the back; It consists of vertebrae, seven intervertebral discs that absorb shocks, muscles and ligaments that hold the vertebrae in place. The top disc connects the spine to the base of the skull.
The spinal cord, which sends nerve impulses into each part of the body, continues through a canal into the cervical vertebrae and through the spine. The neck nerves spread into the arms, and therefore pain in the arms often indicates discomfort in the neck.
Causes of neck problems
The neck supports the weight of the head, which can be 4.5 kg. Although the head should be centered over the spine when we sit or stand upright, countless actions cause your head to reach forward, rounding your neck - sitting in front of the computer, reading, watching TV, or eating.
This can lead to muscle tension or strains. Eyeglass wearers who constantly look over or under the lenses, take this risk as well as harmful positions when sleeping or extended car trips can be the cause.
Everyday clothing and age wear can change the intervertebral discs so that a stiff neck follows. Pinching the discs between the vertebrae in the neck narrows the space for the nerves that go out of the spinal canal. Those affected feel a pinch in the nerves and continued pain.
Bony outgrowth of the vertebrae, the osteophytes, can also tweak the nerves. Spinal stenosis puts pressure on the spinal cord and causes not only pain, but even paralysis. They narrow the small nerve tracts in the vertebrae and squeeze the nerve roots.
Stenosis causes pain in the neck, shoulders and arms, as well as a feeling of numbness when the affected nerves are no longer functioning normally. Spinal disc damage, osteophytes and spinal stenosis are only responsible in rare cases for complaints of the neck. Typical triggers, however, are muscle spasms and strains.
Injuries and accidents also cause neck problems. If the neck moves abruptly in one direction and jumps harshly back into the opposite, we speak of a whiplash.
This injures tissue in the neck and head. Muscles tighten and contract, causing muscle fatigue and, in turn, a stiff neck that hurts a lot.
Serious whiplash also damages the joints between the cervical vertebrae, discs, muscles and nerve roots. The main cause of such a trauma are car accidents: The collision of the victims bounced first with a jerk back against the headrests and then hurl forward again.
Pain on the vertebrae. Picture: animgoberlin - fotolia In addition to the neck pain typical of a whiplash are: tense muscles and headache, but also dizziness, nausea, sweating and blurred vision.
However, a whiplash can be difficult to prove because the fine injuries to the cervical vertebrae can hardly be detected with X-ray images. The medical diagnosis is therefore mainly on evidence: how was the accident? What happened to the minds of those affected? Which pain occurred when? How are the complaints expressed in detail?
Fear in the neck
The main cause of neck pain is tension. Stress factors, worry and anxiety all produce muscle tension - especially in the shoulders, back and neck. The more anxious the experience, the more tension can cause pain and discomfort.
In many people, the neck muscles tense in stressful times. But people in fear feel this more intense and focus on it. Anxious people have a natural tendency to focus on negative sensations, so the same neck pain feels worse than someone without that fear - even though the pain is objectively the same.
We all know mild to moderate neck complaints, even without increased anxiety or health problems, for example, because we sit in the chair all day, sleeping in unfavorable positions, looking down too often and not stretching ourselves.
People without excessive anxiety usually perceive these symptoms as normal - an experience they often make in life. However, anxious people, especially panics with anxiety disorders, are usually sensitive to physical sensations and are unable to focus on anything but the pain. The amount of mental energy they invest in their pain experience can increase the pain - which in turn increases anxiety.
Anxiety, confusion and depression are common when someone suffers pain and reduce well-being. That's why anti-depressants are a good way to treat neck pain.
Doctors usually prescribe anti-depressants for neck pain at a lower dose than against depression.
Home remedies for neck problems
In some people, ice reduces the discomfort. It can be placed directly on the affected area. Ice can be frozen in a paper cup. The ice should be moved continuously on the neck muscles for five to seven minutes.
Excessive use of ice, however, can injure the skin, especially in people whose skin is very sensitive.
Not only cold, but also heat helps to relieve muscle pain. Sufferers may expose the painful area to moderate heat for 10 to 15 minutes, whether in the shower, a hot bath, or a damp towel that they heat in the microwave.
However, acute injuries should be treated with ice first. Heat helps especially in people who have a cold intolerance.
Massage helps to relieve muscle spasms and is best done after warming or cooling the neck. We massage with our hands and apply pressure on both sides of the neck and upper back - or we use an electric vibrator that we hold in our hands. The neck muscles we should relax during the massage, whether it be by supporting the head or by laying it down
Bathing with bath salts can reduce muscle pain, as well as stress. Magnesium sulfate in salt relaxes muscles and relieves puffiness such as pain.
Ginger tea with honey boosts the blood flow in the affected body region. This helps against the pain as well as the inflammation.
The freedom of movement of the neck must be restored after an injury; This is done with exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles. Such exercises also reduce the pain after a muscle injury. We stretch muscles the best when they are warm, for example after a bath or after a few minutes of warm-up exercise.
body therapy
Bodyworkers can help patients reduce pain and restore mobility - without expensive surgeries or the side effects of medication.
Physiotherapy, warmth and massages are used to relieve the symptoms. (Image: animgoberlin / fotolia.com) Body therapy always starts with a history of the disease process. The therapist records circumstances such as age, general health and lifestyle. When a trauma or disease is involved, bodyworkers work with the appropriate physicians.
After diagnosis, the therapist chooses from a range of methods to treat the pain - including exercises to improve flexibility, strength, stability and freedom of movement.
Other options include ice, heat, electrical stimulation and massage. The body therapist also analyzes the situation in the home and work of those affected and find out what burdens have their origins here.
Low-level aerobic exercise, swimming, hiking and cycling also help relieve neck pain.
Acupuncture for neck pain
Acupuncture also helps relieve the pain. For this purpose, small needles in certain body regions, the so-called acupuncture points, inserted - just below the skin surface.
Clinical studies do not prove the efficacy of acupuncture, however, many sufferers report success through this treatment.
The cervical spine
Pain in the cervical spine can indicate serious problems such as disc disease or pinched nerves. Most pain around the cervical vertebrae affects the fascial system.
Thickening, hardening or solidification (fibrosis) or drying out of the connective tissue, cause fascia trains to shorten. The connective tissue loses mobility and lubricity. The consequences are fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome.
Specialized bodywork therapists look for twists and disorders in the body segments and visible changes in connective tissue features.
They know special fascia grip techniques to manipulate the deep tissue and also use ankles and elbows to reach the hardened tissues. Usually, however, apply stretch handles to light pull and hold until the fabric releases.
There are also extra Pilates neck exercises and breathing techniques to relieve the discomfort.
The treatment of neck pain focuses on all body segments associated with the neck: the upper arm muscles, the shoulder girdle, the rib cage, the spine, and even the skull.
Dysfunction in the movements in each of these regions can affect the biomechanics of the cervical vertebrae - through kinetic relationships of the muscle connections.
Sitting positions, breathing and ergonomic conditions are under scrutiny. The therapists advise those affected to reduce the use of wearable devices to a minmum, as these perpetuate abnormal motor stereotypes affecting the upper body quarter.
The patient, when seated for long periods, should take short breaks to complete physiotherapy exercises that reduce the strain on the neck causing desk and computer work.
ruffs
Hard frills are rigid and usually made of plastic. They hold the head and neck very tight. Usually they are used only after a major surgery or serious injury, such as a broken neck.
Soft frills are made of foam or rubber. They allow the head and neck to move. Such cervicals are sometimes considered after surgery, but their value for other neck problems is limited.
Neck problems due to operations
Neck problems alone rarely justify surgery. However, if someone suffers from a squeezed spinal cord, such as a jaw cervix, then surgery should be as quick as possible.
Surgery relieves only pain that is caused by nerves - they are less effective against tissue and muscle pain. Here is a conservative therapy, whether body therapy or medication, the better choice. Only one in every 20 patients needs a neck pain.
Generally, there are two ways to operate on the cervical vertebrae. The first is decompression, in which doctors remove tissue that presses against a nerve structure. In the second case, they stabilize the vertebrae and thus limit the movement between them.
Neck pain from whiplash
A whiplash can be cured with a combination of different therapies. These include hot and cold compresses, neck exercises, physiotherapy, massage and analgesics. A neck support is usually not required. (Somayeh Khaleseh Ranjbar, translated by Dr. Utz Anhalt)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)