According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, neck pain is the fourth leading cause of lost working life.It is estimated that half of the world's population will experience at least one episode of clinically significant neck pain in their lifetime.So if you haven't, there are only 2 options: either someone else has a pain in the neck, or you need to wait.
Depending on the country, 15-50% of people suffer from neck pain.Additionally, this problem is more common in women than men.In both men and women, incidence peaks in middle age and not in old age, as one would expect.
Neck pain can trigger conditions that worsen quality of life—headaches, back and joint pain, and depression.After all, you have to admit, it's hard to enjoy life when your neck hurts constantly.But why does this happen?
Why does my neck hurt?
Cervical pain may be caused by:
- genetics;
- being overweight;
- sleep posture disorders;
- smoking;
- A sedentary lifestyle, including office work and poor posture while sitting for long periods of time.
Research results often (but not always!) show a positive correlation between neck pain and body mass index.One reason why overweight people may be prone to neck pain is inflammation—inflammation—throughout the body.This is a slow inflammatory process in organs and tissues that does not cause clinically significant symptoms but can "wreak havoc" on the body's health.
People who are overweight sometimes also experience reduced muscle strength.This results in low liquidity.When one problem exacerbates another, a vicious cycle develops: Weak muscles reduce the intensity and frequency of exercise, further weakening the muscles.
Some studies confirm that office workers are more likely to experience neck pain.The main factor that leads to this is poor organization of the workplace/space.You can tell your boss if necessary.
However, neck pain is not always a result of lifestyle.This condition can also be caused by various household or sports injuries.Typically, they are not ignored, so we will not discuss them in detail.
What kind of neck pain can occur?
Depending on the duration of the discomfort, neck pain may be:
- Acute - up to 6 weeks;
- Subacute - 6 weeks to 3 months;
- Chronic - 3 months or more.
The longer the process takes, the worse the prognosis of treatment.
Depending on the cause, neck pain can be divided into:
- mechanical;
- Neuropathy;
- Secondary.
mechanical painOccurs in the spine itself or in the ligaments and muscles surrounding it.It may occur with degenerative, age-related, and other changes in these tissues.
neuropathic painOccurs due to impaired neurological function.It is often associated with irritation of nerve roots.For example, painful symptoms due to a herniated disc or spinal stenosis (stenosis).
secondary painIt may be the result of vascular pathology due to impaired tissue nutrition or a reflection of heart pain.
The ability to differentiate between mechanical pain, neuropathic pain, and secondary pain is crucial for physicians because treatment strategies directly depend on this.Nowadays, various questionnaires have been developed.However, a competent physician will be able to determine the source of the problem based on data from a high-quality medical history, a thorough examination, and instrumental studies, including X-rays or CT/MRI.
Where does your neck hurt?
Here we enter the medical field a little bit, as this information is directly related to medical diagnosis.We believe that only qualified medical professionals should perform health analysis.
The following information can help you identify neck problems.But again, we stress that this article should not be regarded as final truth, as it contains general information that may not reflect your personal characteristics.
Most people have seven vertebrae in their cervical spine.They are numbered C1 to C7 and their name is derived from the Latin word Cervix (neck).In this part of the spine, there are also 8 pairs of nerve roots, from C1 to C8.The first pair appears above the first cervical vertebra, and the eighth pair appears below the seventh cervical vertebra.Therefore, there are 7 vertebrae and 8 nerve roots in the neck.
Depending on the location of the lesion in different nerve roots, a person may exhibit certain symptoms:
- The C4 root is affected in less than 10% of cases.Usually the pain is in the upper or middle part of the neck.In this condition, muscle weakness or physical dysfunction usually does not occur.
- Root C5 – Problem occurs about 10% of the time.The pain is concentrated in the neck and radiates to the shoulders, between the shoulder blades and to the front of the arms.Abduction and external rotation of the shoulder and flexion of the elbow joint may be difficult.
- The C6 root is affected in 20-25% of cases.The most common are pain in the neck, shoulders, between the shoulder blades, and on the inside of the forearm.Pain may involve the thumb and index finger of the affected hand.Difficulty with elbow flexion, some shoulder and forearm movements, and wrist extension.
- The C7 root is most commonly affected, accounting for 45-60% of cases.The pain is localized to the lower part of the neck and transitions to the shoulders, interscapular area, and extensor surface of the forearm.The middle finger and chest on the affected side may be affected.Difficulty with elbow and finger extension and forearm pronation (inward rotation).
- The C8 root is affected in 10% of cases.Pain in the lower part of the neck, inner forearm, and hand.You may have difficulty bending your wrist and moving your fingers.
How to Treat Neck Pain?
Neck pain can be treated in a variety of ways, but it's best not to let the condition progress to the point where it requires treatment.We will not consider medications here because doctors are supposed to prescribe them.But we will evaluate the scientific evidence for more “folk” and very popular options for eliminating 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 report that spinal manipulation is better than no treatment or placebo in the short term.There is insufficient evidence to suggest that they are superior to medical treatments.
Acupuncture (Acupuncture)
It involves inserting needles into specific points in the body to relieve pain or provide temporary anesthesia.The needles can be used manually or 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 equivalent to placebo.
manual massage
It is known to perform mechanical manipulations on 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 no more effective than other treatments.There was also no evidence of improved organ function following mechanical kneading.
therapeutic exercise
This is a series of special exercises that 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 superior 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-actualization.
Yoga can indeed help relieve neck pain, but it's not thought to be more effective than physical therapy.
Traction Traction
Special surgery to relieve pressure on the spine.Traction is generally no more effective than placebo or better than other methods.
Soft bandage (Shantz collar, etc.)
An orthopedic device used to hold the neck in a certain position.The effects are roughly similar to physical therapy.
How to prevent neck pain?
Neck pain is often related to incorrect posture - to prevent neck pain, keep your head in line with your spine.Some simple lifestyle changes may also help:
- Take frequent breaks from get off work.Get up from your desk regularly, move around and stretch/stretch your neck and shoulders.
- Adjust table, chair and computer/laptop positionsKeep the monitor at eye level.Your knees should be slightly lower than your hips.
- If you want to keep your hands free while talking on the phone, don't hold the phone with your shoulders.on the contraryUse a headset or speaker phone.
- quit smoking.Smoking increases the risk of neck pain.
- Avoid carrying heavy bags on one shoulder.
- sleep with good posture.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 butt slightly elevated on a small pillow to relax your spinal muscles.