Neck Pain

Synonym: neck pain, neck pain, nuchale pain, cervical neuralgia When muscles in the neck are strained, the neck, and sometimes the neck, hurts when you move it. Neck pain can also have other causes. Neck pain is neck pain - not a disease in itself, but a symptom. This means that neck pain can occur in many, very different diseases. Often, neck pain relies only on tense muscles around the neck. Then experts like to talk about "nonspecific" neck pain. They express that they do not find any physical illnesses as the cause here. Tension pains can help with relaxation, relaxation exercises and warmth. But there are other, rarer reasons for neck pain and stiffness. They may occur, for example, as a result of growths (e.g., tumors), inflammation (e.g., rheumatism), injuries, infections (e.g., meningitis), and metabolic disorders (e.g., osteoporosis), vascular or nervous systems. As a rule, other symptoms then appear (for example, numbness, fever, dizziness). The treatment depends on the particular cause.

Neck Pain Symptoms

Muscle tension in the neck area can radiate pain from the neck into the back of the head, shoulders and arms. Frequently, the neck can only be moved to a limited extent (stiff neck, stiff neck, popularly also: "torticollis"). Specialists distinguish acute and chronic neck pain. Acute menstruation lasts from a few days to a maximum of three weeks and usually lapses by itself. Chronic ones last longer than three months. Cervical neuralgia: The pain spreads only in the area of ​​the neck and neck. Cervicocephalic syndrome: Headaches are associated with neck pain, usually tension headaches that can spread from the neck to the back of the head to the forehead. Partly dizziness, drowsiness and visual disturbances are noticeable. Cervicobrachial syndrome: The tension also causes pain to radiate into the arms. Cervical syndrome / cervical spine syndrome: They are sometimes equated with neck pain. They may be due to tension, but usually there are other, specific causes such as inflammation or other disorders of the cervical spine. In addition to pain (neck, shoulder, head) and neck stiffness often appear sensory disturbances in the arms or hands (for example, deafness, tingling). Serious triggers for acute neck pain are rare. Illnesses are usually present when neck pain is associated with more distant pain, fever, dysphagia, numbness, stiffness, and other symptoms. Then you often find specific causes (such as inflammation, infections, injuries), but also often muscle tensions.

Treatment

To examine the extent of the pain, its origin and possible causes, doctors inspect the (head) posture, feel the cervical spine and test the mobility of the neck. They test reflexes and sensitivity (sensitivity). If these examinations give no indication of causes other than tension, imaging techniques (X-rays, computed tomography, magnetic resonance tomography) usually do not yield any further useful information. They still take place frequently. Cervical erosion is common in old age but does not necessarily cause pain. Conversely, these can be very strong even without visible findings. In studies, the extent of erosion that was visible on x-rays was consistent with the severity of the pain in only a few patients. The treatment depends on the cause. In acute, nonspecific neck pain, these are overworked, tense muscles. Then different therapies and measures can help: Painkillers: Simple analgesics (such as acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid / ASA, ibuprofen, diclofenac) relieve the symptoms and inhibit inflammatory processes. You can prevent yourself from being "unlocker" because of the pain, leaning in your posture (defensive posture) and spreading tension. The funds should be taken only temporarily. Active relaxation, relaxation techniques, stress reduction: Procedures such as progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson relax the muscles and also relieve mental tension. Biofeedback can be used as a support and control. Yoga can relax and build muscle, reduce stress and make it more resistant to it. Autogenic training comes into question for primarily emotional tensions. Physiotherapy, massage: A massage can relieve tension. This can also be achieved by physiotherapeutic exercises. You can also strengthen weak points on the back, so weak muscles targeted and stretch muscles that have become shorter by the tension. Then they can move better again. Manual medicine, chiropractic: Manipulation and mobilization on the cervical spine can improve neck pain. However, there are also risks. This can increase or increase pain. The treatments should be used cautiously, held by experienced professionals, and only done if neck pain persists for several weeks. Physical applications: Treatments with light surges or ultrasound promote blood circulation. This can relax tense muscles and relieve pain. Movement: Proper movement is helpful, but overloading is just as damaging as complete protection. It is often advisable to rehearse certain exercises with physiotherapists to prevent false movements and overwork. Loose activity, which does not cause pain, has a relaxing effect. Supportive "cervicals", which have been seen more often in the past, have lost their importance because decommissioned muscles become weaker with each passing day and more susceptible to renewed tension. Warmth: Thermal patches, circulation ointments (heat ointments), red light, hot packs, warm baths and pillows (such as spelled, cherry pits, moor) can relax tense muscles. Psychotherapy: If neck pain is caused by, or significantly contributes to, persistent mental stress or disorders, sessions with the psychotherapist may be useful. If neck pain has become chronic and / or additional discomfort is involved, other causes (such as disc damage, chondrosis) are usually involved. A thorough diagnosis should reveal the origin of the symptoms. Sometimes a causal therapy is considered. In many cases, however, only the pain can be combated here. Then there is the possibility for special pain therapy measures, which may include medical interventions, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, physical applications and other treatments. Also acupuncture is helpful in many cases.