Cervicalgia: pain in the neck with the head tilted forward and sideways

1 The main causes of

If there is pain in the neck, not every doctor is able to immediately determine the cause. Even modern diagnostics do not always give an unambiguous answer to the question of the factors that led to the development of the syndrome. Today, the main conditions that can cause pain in the cervical vertebrae are:

1. Stretching of the neck muscles. Most often occurs as a result of constant loads exerted on the neck due to incorrect posture, lack of sleep or psychological stress. The sensation of soreness in the upper part of the shoulder girdle and stiffness can hold up to 1.5 months.
2. Spondylosis of the neck. It develops due to degenerative changes in the cervical vertebrae and is characterized by the appearance of osteophytes - bone growths at their edges. Osteophytes affect the surrounding tissues. Pathology can be accompanied not only by pain in the neck, but also by weakness, numbness of the upper limbs, restriction of mobility of the neck and headaches.
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3. Discombated pain syndrome. It is caused by disturbances in the structure of one or more disks of the spinal column. The most intense syndrome is observed when the head is in a long position in one position - when working at a computer or driving a car. Can be accompanied by irradiation in the shoulders or arms, stiffness of muscles and muscle spasms.
4. Subluxations of the facet joints. Located at the edges of the intervertebral disc joints are often a source of cervical and headaches. To the development of pathology lead whiplash injuries or activities associated with frequent flexion and extension of the neck. The main symptom is pain along the side of the neck or in the middle of the neck. Often they appear in the area of ​​the scapula, shoulder, in the arm or base of the skull.
5. Pain syndrome in a single muscle, or myofascial. Characterized by the presence of seals, painful when pressing on the neck. It often develops as a result of trauma, depression or psychological stress.
6. Whiplash injury. These types of injuries include neck injuries with its sharp overextension( movement back and forth) during an accident and other similar situations. Characterized by severe pain, decreased mobility of the neck and muscle spasms.
7. Anomalous calcification. The result of this condition in the tendons and ligaments of the cervical spine becomes diffuse skeletal hyperostosis, which affects the structure of the tissues. They become denser, which leads to the emergence of pain syndrome, stiffness and limited mobility.
8. Spondylogenic myelopathy. It arises as a result of degenerative changes of the spinal column, leading to narrowing of the canal of the spinal cord. Due to the development of the disease, there may be neurological disorders accompanied by headaches and cervical pains and other manifestations.
9. Radiculopathy of the neck. Occurs when irritation of nerve endings, located in the immediate vicinity of the spine, with protrusion( intervertebral hernia) or cysts of the spine. Usually, pain in the neck and head accompanied by weakness, numbness and sensitivity disorders in the upper limbs.

2 Types of neck pain

Cervicalgia manifests itself not only when the head is tilted back, forward and sideways, but also in the static position of the neck. As a rule, when moving, the pain syndrome is worse.

In severe cases, severe and acute pain is noted, accompanied by swallowing disorders, dizziness and swollen lymph nodes.

Often cervical pains occur in combination with pain syndrome in the face, head or shoulders. Paresthesia of the upper extremities may occur, manifested by tingling and numbness in the shoulder girdle.

As a rule, the combination of cervical pain and these symptoms indicates the squeezing( compression) of the nerve roots.

The localization of pain depends on the type of sensitive fibers located next to the nerve endings that have been jammed: for example, the effect on the roots and fibers responsible for the sensitivity of the occipital region causes neck pain radiating to the occiput.

If the neck is aching due to Bechterew's disease, the pain syndrome will spread to the upper back or lower back area, which is caused by the inflammatory process in all parts of the spinal column.

3 Methods of treatment

In most cases cervicalgia is treated conservatively. Methods of therapy include:

• medication - prescribed drugs Naproxen, Voltaren, Ibuprofen, in the presence of muscle spasms used antidepressants or muscle relaxants;
• manual therapy, which eliminates the jamming of nerve endings, eliminates defects in the position of the facet joints;
• massage - improves blood circulation of muscles, relieves spasms;
• acupuncture - restores the conductivity of nerve fibers, relieves soreness;
• curative gymnastics - restores the muscular corset;
• physiotherapy - eliminates pain syndrome;
• injection in pain points - are relevant for severe myofascial pain.

In some cases, the use of orthopedic products, in particular, cervical collars, successfully coping with severe pain syndrome is prescribed. The most actual use of collars for the treatment of radiculopathies and whiplash injuries. In addition, the use of orthopedic pillows is recommended, which allows the neck to take the right physiological position during sleep.

Surgical intervention is indicated only in cases when the treatment was ineffective, or in the presence of neurologic symptoms( with herniated discs, myelopathy).