According to the Global Burden of Disease study, neck pain is the fourth leading cause of lost working years.It is estimated that half of the world's population will experience at least one clinically significant episode of neck pain during their lifetime.So if you haven't had one, there are only 2 options: either someone else's neck hurts, or you have to wait a bit.
In different countries, 15 to 50% of people suffer from neck pain. Additionally, this problem occurs more often in women than in men.And in both sexes, the incidence rate peaks in middle age, not old age, as one might expect.
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 difficult to enjoy life when you have constant neck pain.But why does this happen?
Why does my neck hurt?
The cause of pain in the cervical spine may be:
- heredity;
- excess body weight;
- sleep posture disorders;
- smoking;
- a sedentary lifestyle, including office work and poor posture from 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 systemic inflammation - inflammatory.This is a slow inflammatory process in organs and tissues, which does not cause clinically significant symptoms, but “undermines” the health of the body.
Overweight people also sometimes experience a decrease in muscle strength.This results in poor mobility.It's a kind of vicious circle 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 are more likely to experience neck pain.The main factor that leads to this condition is poor workplace/space organization.If necessary, you can inform your boss.
However, neck pain is not always a consequence of lifestyle.This condition can also 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 discomfort, 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 takes, the worse the prognosis for its treatment.
Depending on the causes of occurrence, neck pain is divided into:
- mechanical;
- neuropathic;
- secondary.
Mechanical painoccurs in the spine itself or in the ligaments and muscles surrounding it.This can occur during degenerative, age-related, or other changes in these tissues.
Neuropathic painappears due to impaired nerve function.It is usually associated with irritation of the nerve roots.For example, painful symptoms due to a herniated disc or narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal.
Secondary pain may be a consequence of vascular pathology with impaired tissue nutrition or a reflection of heart pain, etc.
The ability to distinguish mechanical, neuropathic and secondary pain is of crucial importance for the doctor, since treatment tactics directly depend on them.Today, various questionnaires have been developed.However, a competent doctor is able to determine the source of the problem based on a high-quality medical history, a comprehensive examination and data from instrumental studies, including X-ray or CT/MRI.
Where does your neck hurt?
We are slightly entering medical territory here, since this information directly concerns medical diagnosis.And we believe that only qualified medical specialists should carry out health analyzes.
The information below can help you locate the problem in your neck.But we emphasize once again that this text should not be taken as the ultimate truth, since it contains general information that may not reflect your individual characteristics.
The vast majority of people have 7 vertebrae in the cervical spine.They are numbered from C1 to C7, taking their name from the Latin Cervix (Neck).Also in this part of the spine are 8 pairs of nerve roots, designated 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 in the neck and 8 nerve roots.
Depending on the localization of pathology in various nerve roots, a person may experience certain symptoms:
- The C4 root is affected in less than 10% of cases.Typically, the pain is located in the upper or middle part of the neck.In this case, as a rule, there is no muscle weakness or dysfunction of the body.
- C5 root – problems occur here in about 10% of cases.The pain is localized in the neck, radiating towards the shoulder, between the shoulder blades and towards the front of the arm.Abduction and external rotation of the shoulder, as well as flexion of the elbow joint, can be difficult.
- The C6 root is affected in 20 to 25% of cases.Most often it hurts the neck, shoulder and between the shoulder blades, as well as the inner side of the forearm.The pain may be referred to the thumb and index finger of the hand on the affected side.It is difficult to bend the elbow, make certain shoulder and forearm movements, and extend the wrist.
- The C7 root is most often affected, in 45 to 60% of cases.The pain is localized in the lower part of the neck with transition to the shoulder, interscapular area and extensor surface of the forearm.The middle finger of the affected side and the chest may be affected.There are difficulties in extending the elbow and fingers, as well as pronation (inward rotation) of the forearm.
- The C8 root is affected in 10% of cases.The lower part of the neck, the inner side of the forearm and the hand are painful.There may be difficulty bending the wrist and certain finger movements.
How to treat neck pain?
Neck pain can be treated in different ways, although it is best not to let the condition get to the point where you need treatment.Here we will not consider medications, since a doctor must prescribe medications.But we will evaluate the scientific evidence of more "popular" and very popular options for getting rid of 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 the superiority of spinal manipulation over no treatment or a placebo in the short term.There is little evidence of their superiority over pharmacotherapy.
Acupuncture (acupuncture)
This 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 little evidence that acupuncture is better than no treatment in the short term.But there is fairly 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, massage is not considered more effective than other therapies in the short and medium term.There is also no evidence of improvement in organ function after mechanical kneading.
Therapeutic exercise
This is a set of special exercises to strengthen the spine.It is believed that they can reduce pain, improve posture and overall body mechanics.
There is strong evidence for the benefits of exercise therapy for 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 just as good.
Yoga
A series of physical and spiritual practices that help harmonize the mind, improve physical fitness and self-realization.
Yoga can indeed relieve 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 not more effective than placebo or better than other methods.
Soft bandage (Shantz collar, etc.)
An orthopedic device to fix the neck in a certain position.The effectiveness is approximately similar to that of physiotherapy.
How to prevent neck pain?
Neck pain is often associated with poor posture: to avoid it, keep your head in the same axis as your spine.A few simple lifestyle changes can also help:
- Take frequent breaks from work.Get up from your desk regularly, move around and stretch/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 when talking on the phone, don't hold it with your shoulder.Insteaduse headphones or speaker.
- 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 aligned 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 spinal muscles.