According to the Global Burden of Disease study, neck pain is the fourth leading cause of years of lost 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 it hurts someone else's neck, or you have to wait a while.
In different countries, 15-50% of people suffer from neck pain. Furthermore, 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 you 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 hard to enjoy life when your neck constantly hurts.But why does this happen?
Why does my neck hurt?
The cause of pain in the cervical spine can be:
- inheritance;
- excess body weight;
- sleep posture disorders;
- smoking;
- a sedentary lifestyle, including office work and poor posture during prolonged sitting.
Research findings 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 the so-called systemic - inflammatory inflammation.It is a slow inflammatory process in organs and tissues that does not cause clinically significant symptoms, but "undermines" the health of the body.
Overweight people sometimes also experience decreased muscle strength.This causes low mobility.A kind of vicious circle is created 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 the poor organization of the workplace/space.If necessary, you can tell your boss.
However, neck pain is not always a consequence of lifestyle.This condition can also be caused by various injuries, domestic or sporting.As a rule, they do not go unnoticed, so we will not dwell on them in detail.
What type of neck pain do you experience?
Depending on the duration of discomfort, neck pain can be:
- acute - up to 6 weeks;
- subacute: 6 weeks to 3 months;
- chronic - for 3 months or more.
The longer the process, the worse the prognosis for its treatment.
Based on the causes of onset, neck pain is divided into:
- mechanical;
- neuropathic;
- secondary.
Mechanical painit occurs in the spine itself or in the ligaments and muscles that surround it.It can occur with degenerative, age-related and other changes in these tissues.
Neuropathic painappears due to impaired nervous 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 it can be a consequence of vascular pathology with impaired tissue nutrition or a reflection of pain in the heart, etc.
The ability to distinguish between mechanical, neuropathic and secondary pain is of fundamental importance for the doctor, since therapeutic tactics directly depend on this.Today, various questionnaires have been developed.However, a competent doctor is able to determine the origin of the problem based on a high-quality anamnesis, a comprehensive examination and data from instrumental studies, including an x-ray or CT/MRI.
Where does your neck hurt?
We enter slightly into medical territory here, as this information directly relates to medical diagnosis.And we believe that only qualified medical specialists should perform health tests.
The following information can help you identify your neck problem.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 their cervical spine.They are numbered C1 to C7, taking their name from the Latin Cervix (Neck).Also located in this part of the spinal column 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.Therefore, in the neck there are 7 vertebrae and 8 nerve roots.
Depending on the location of the 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 to the shoulder, between the shoulder blades and the front of the arm.Abduction and external rotation of the shoulder, as well as flexion of the elbow joint, may be difficult.
- The C6 root is affected in 20-25% of cases.Most often it hurts in the neck, shoulder and between the shoulder blades, as well as on the inside 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, some shoulder and forearm movements, and 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 passage to the shoulder, the interscapular area and the extensor surface of the forearm.The middle finger of the affected side and the chest may be affected.There are difficulties with extension of the elbow and fingers and with pronation (inward rotation) of the forearm.
- The C8 root is affected in 10% of cases.My lower neck, inner forearm and hand hurt.There may be difficulty bending the wrist and some finger movements.
How to treat neck pain?
Neck pain can be treated in a variety of ways, although it is best not to let the condition get to the point where therapy is needed.Here we will not consider medications, since medications should be prescribed by the doctor.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 curves of the spine.
Studies have reported the superiority of spinal manipulation compared to no treatment or short-term placebo.There is weak evidence of 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 integrated with electrical stimulation.
There is weak evidence that acupuncture is better than no short-term treatment.But there is fairly strong evidence that acupuncture is comparable to placebo.
Manual massage
Widely known mechanical manipulation of body tissues to improve function and general relaxation.
The superiority of massage compared to no treatment and placebo has been documented.However, massage is not considered more effective than other therapies in the short to medium term.Furthermore, there is no evidence of improvement in organ function after mechanical kneading.
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 of the benefits of physical therapy in relieving neck pain, including the effects of whiplash.However, there is no clear evidence that one physical 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 fitness and self-realization.
Yoga can actually 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 is no better than other methods.
Soft bandage (Shantz collar, etc.)
An 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 poor posture: to prevent it, 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 lengthen/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 have your hands free while talking on the phone, don't hold it on your shoulder.Insteaduse a headset or speakerphone.
- Stop smoking.Smoking increases the risk of neck pain.
- Avoid carrying heavy bags on one shoulder.
- Sleep in a good position.The head and neck should be in line with the body.Place a small pillow under your head.Try sleeping on your back with your hips slightly raised on small pillows to relax your spinal muscles.