According to the Global Burden of Disease study, neck pain is the fourth leading cause of lost years of working life.It is estimated that half of the world's population will experience at least one clinically significant episode of neck pain in their lifetime.So, if you haven't had one, there are only 2 options: either you're hurting someone else's neck, or you have to wait a bit.
In different countries, 15-50% of people suffer from neck pain. Moreover, this problem occurs more often in women than in men.And in both sexes, the incidence rate peaks in middle age, not in old age, as might be expected.
Neck pain causes conditions that worsen the quality of life - headaches, back and joint pain, as well as depression.After all, you have to admit that it's hard to enjoy life when your neck hurts all the time.But why does this happen?
Why does my neck hurt?
The cause of pain in the cervical spine can be:
- heredity;
- excess body weight;
- sleep posture disorders;
- smoking;
- sedentary lifestyle, including office work and poor posture during prolonged sitting.
Research results often (but not always!) show a positive relationship between neck pain and body mass index.Among the reasons why overweight people may be predisposed to neck pain is called systemic inflammation - inflammation.This is a slow inflammatory process in organs and tissues that does not cause clinically significant symptoms, but "undermines" the health of the organism.
Overweight people also sometimes experience a decrease in muscle strength.This causes poor mobility.A kind of vicious circle turns out when one problem aggravates another: weak muscles reduce the intensity and number of movements, which further weakens the muscles.
Some studies confirm that office workers experience neck pain more often.The main factor that leads to this condition is poor organization of the workplace/space.If necessary, you can tell your boss.
However, neck pain is not always the result of lifestyle.This condition can be caused by various injuries, domestic or sports.As a rule, they do not go unnoticed, so we will not dwell on them in detail.
What type of neck pain occurs?
Depending on the duration of the complaints, neck pain can be:
- acute - up to 6 weeks;
- subacute - from 6 weeks to 3 months;
- chronic - from 3 months or more.
The longer the process lasts, the worse the prognosis for its treatment.
Based on the cause, neck pain is divided into:
- mechanical;
- neuropathic;
- secondary.
Mechanical painit occurs in the spine itself or the ligaments and muscles that surround it.It can occur with degenerative, age-related and other changes in these tissues.
Neuropathic painappears due to disturbed nerve function.It is usually associated with nerve root irritation.For example, painful symptoms due to herniated discs or narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal.
Secondary pain it can be a consequence of vascular pathology with disturbed tissue nutrition or a reflection of pain in the heart, etc.
The ability to distinguish between mechanical, neuropathic and secondary pain is critically important for the physician, as treatment tactics directly depend on it.Different questionnaires have been developed today.However, a competent physician can determine the source of the problem based on a good history, a complete examination and data from instrumental studies, including X-ray or CT/MRI.
Where does your neck hurt?
We're getting into medical territory a bit here, as this information directly relates to medical diagnosis.And we believe that only qualified medical professionals should perform health analyses.
The information below may help you locate the problem in your neck.But once again we emphasize that this text should not be taken as the final truth, as it contains general information that may not reflect your individual characteristics.
The vast majority of people have 7 vertebrae in their cervical spine.They are numbered from C1 to C7, taking their name from the Latin cervix (Neck).In this part of the spine there are also 8 pairs of nerve roots, which are marked from C1 to C8.The first pair emerges above the first cervical vertebra, and the eighth pair emerges below the seventh cervical vertebra.So, there are 7 vertebrae and 8 nerve roots in the neck.
Depending on the location of the pathology in different nerve roots, a person may show certain symptoms:
- The C4 root is involved in less than 10% of cases.Usually the pain is localized in the upper or middle part of the neck.In this case, as a rule, there is no muscle weakness or body dysfunction.
- Root C5 – problems occur here in about 10% of cases.The pain is localized in the neck, radiating to the shoulder, between the shoulder blades and to the front of the arm.Shoulder abduction and external rotation, as well as elbow flexion, can be difficult.
- The C6 root is affected in 20-25% of cases.The most common pain is in the neck, shoulder and between the shoulder blades, as well as the inner side of the forearm.The pain may refer to the thumb and index finger of the hand on the affected side.It is difficult to bend the elbow, some movements of the shoulder and forearm, and to extend the wrist.
- The C7 root is most often affected, in 45-60% of cases.The pain is localized in the lower part of the neck with a transition to the shoulder, interscapular area and the extensor surface of the forearm.The middle finger on the affected side and the chest can be affected.There are difficulties with extension of the elbow and fingers, and pronation (inward rotation) of the forearm.
- The C8 root is affected in 10% of cases.It hurts the lower part of the neck, the inside of the forearm and the hand.There may be difficulty with wrist flexion and some finger movements.
How to treat neck pain?
Neck pain can be treated in a variety of ways, although it's best not to let the condition get to the point where you need therapy.We will not consider medicines here, because the doctor should prescribe the medicines.But we will evaluate the scientific evidence of several "folk" and very popular options for solving neck pain.
Spinal manipulation
These are manual therapy techniques designed to relieve muscle tension, improve joint mobility and eliminate pathological curvatures of the spine.
Studies have reported superiority of spinal manipulation over no treatment or placebo in the short term.There is weak evidence for their superiority over pharmacotherapy.
acupuncture (acupuncture)
It involves inserting needles into specific points on the body to reduce pain or provide temporary anesthesia.The needles can be used manually or their action can be supplemented by electrical stimulation.
There is weak evidence that acupuncture is better than no treatment in the short term.But there is pretty strong evidence that acupuncture is comparable to placebo.
Manual massage
Widely known mechanical manipulation of body tissues to improve their function and overall relaxation.
The superiority of massage over no treatment and placebo has been documented.However, in the short and medium term, massage is not considered more effective than other therapies.There is also no evidence of improvement in organ function after mechanical crushing.
Therapeutic exercise
This is a series of special exercises to strengthen the spine.They are believed to reduce pain, improve posture and overall body mechanics.
There is strong evidence for the benefits of exercise therapy in relieving neck pain, including the effects of whiplash.However, there is no clear evidence that one exercise therapy technique is preferable to another.Apparently, on average, they are equally good.
Yoga
A series of physical and spiritual practices that help harmonize the mind, improve physical condition and self-actualization.
Yoga can really help with neck pain, but it is not considered more effective than physical therapy.
Traction traction
Special procedures to relieve pressure on the spine.Traction traction is generally no more effective than placebo and no better than other methods.
Soft bandage (Shantz collar, etc.)
Orthopedic device for fixing the neck in a certain position.The effectiveness is approximately similar to physiotherapy.
How to prevent neck pain?
Neck pain is often associated with incorrect posture - to prevent this, keep your head on the same axis as your spine.Some simple lifestyle changes can also help:
- Take frequent breaks from work.Get up from your desk regularly, move around and stretch your neck and shoulders.
- Adjust the position of the table, chair and computer/laptopso that the monitor is at eye level.Your knees should be slightly below your hips.
- If you want to free your hands while talking on the phone, don't hold it with your shoulder.Insteaduse headphones or speakerphone.
- Stop smoking.Smoking increases the risk of neck pain.
- Avoid carrying heavy bags on one shoulder.
- Sleep in a good position.Your head and neck should be in line with your body.Place a small pillow under your head.Try sleeping on your back with your hips slightly elevated on small pillows to relax your spine muscles.