Neck Pain: Causes, Treatment & Help

At the beginning it pinches and twinges only in the shoulder, later migraine can be added. Neck pain is to blame. But are neck pain really so harmless? Neck pain should also be distinguished from shoulder pain.

What is neck pain?

Neck pain is one of the most common pains. If one speaks of neck pain, pain in the region neck-shoulder-spine beginning is meant. Neck pain is one of the most common types of pain. When we speak of neck pain, we are referring to pain in the region of the beginning of the neck, shoulder and spine. Here, at the back of the head, there are particularly many nerve and muscle cords. They can quickly lead to neck pain. This pain can be mild to severe. Neck pain can be limited to the neck, but often radiates to other areas. Even the optic nerve can be affected. Often, only the doctor recognizes that actually problems in the neck have their part in it. Neck pain is accordingly not always recognized as such by the layman, especially if damage to the nerves has already occurred.

Causes

The cause of neck pain is often due to tight neck muscles. This area of the spine is particularly mobile and therefore also susceptible to disorders. Not exactly conducive is sitting for hours at the computer, in front of the TV and in the car. This one-sided posture leads to shortened muscles. Uniform movements over a long period of time can also be to blame. Painful tension – neck pain – is the result. Thus, geriatric nurses and nurse practitioners often complain of neck pain. Neck pain is also an alarm signal from the body that something is stressful. This can be the fear of losing one’s job as well as the worry of not being enough for one’s partner. Fear is on the back of our necks – this saying has existed in our vernacular for a long time for a reason.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Migraine
  • Whiplash
  • Meningismus
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Herniated disc
  • Scoliosis
  • Anxiety disorder
  • Spondylosis
  • Rheumatism

Diagnosis and course

Neck pain does not remain confined to the neck alone. Most often, the pain also radiates to the shoulder, between the shoulder blades and even in the arms. Sufferers are often plagued by migraine attacks. Disturbances of the visual field are also possible if the hardened muscles in the neck constrict the affected optic nerve. One speaks of chronic neck pain when the pain lasts longer than three months. Neck pain can even lead to paralysis in the arm or hand if it progresses unfavorably. The cramped muscle only needs to pinch a nerve, and the correspondingly undersupplied area becomes numb. Neck pain is thus by no means harmless, but a serious warning sign.

Complications

Complications such as headaches or restrictions in movement often occur with neck pain. This leads to poor posture, which triggers further muscle tension. Persistent neck pain can lead to a change in body structure. The back is curved and the shoulders hang forward. Likewise, the head may be crooked. Persistent neck pain leads to an impairment of life. Sports activities are no longer performed as usual. This often triggers a change in well-being and the general mood is lowered. Interpersonal tensions are possible. In severe cases, neck pain while driving a car increases the risk of accidents or driving a car is no longer possible at all. When treating neck pain, other causes such as jaw or tooth pain may be overlooked. Taking painkillers is associated with side effects. They include the risk of addiction, stomach pain or irritation of mucous membranes in the body. Neck pain can have a chronic course despite treatment. There is a risk of developing cervical spine syndrome or a tumor. The discomfort triggers numbness of the skin. Other possible complications are herniated discs, whiplash or fracture of a vertebra. Neck pain can make vascular disease, rheumatic disease or infections such as salmonella infection difficult to detect.

When should you see a doctor?

In most cases, neck pain occurs due to tension or incorrect sitting posture. As a rule, treatment by the doctor is not immediately necessary if the neck pain is not permanent and severely restricts the daily life of the affected person. In most cases, the pain disappears again when the body has been able to relax or when a healthy sitting posture has been adopted. However, if the neck pain persists for a long time, treatment by a doctor or physiotherapy is advisable to prevent further damage and pain. Medical treatment is definitely necessary if the neck pain occurs after an accident or after a blow to the affected region. If the pain is unbearable, the hospital can also be visited or an emergency doctor can be called. In many cases, neck pain occurs after strenuous physical activity or after performing certain sports. In this case, a visit to the doctor is advisable if the neck hurts for a long period of time and if other regions of the body are also affected.

Treatment and therapy

Neck pain responds very well to heat. Warm baths, heating pads and a scarf are a must. Doctors usually prescribe physiotherapy for neck pain. Massage and manual therapy are at the beginning, then later physiotherapy to build up the weak neck muscles. If the pain is severe, medications (tablets or injected into the neck) help so that the muscles can relax. However, neck pain can become very persistent unless the cause is treated. This includes proper sitting posture as well as regular exercise. Backstroke, gentle stretching, walking and yoga are top of the list. With neck pain, it is important to develop a positive attitude toward life and not take everything too much to heart. If anxiety or depression has led to neck pain, the patient should additionally opt for psychotherapy. If paralysis has already occurred with neck pain, the doctor will have to consider whether surgery is in order. After all, a permanently damaged nerve can cause not only neck pain but, in the worst case, even tell paralysis or paraplegia.

Outlook and prognosis

Neck pain occurs temporarily in many people due to improper sitting posture or a draft of cold air. In these cases, neck pain is not a particular complication and does not require special treatment. They disappear again on their own when the cause has been eliminated. It is not uncommon for neck pain to extend up to the ears and head, so pain can occur in these regions as well. Treatment usually involves massage, rest, and ointments and is successful in most cases. Neck pain often occurs with other symptoms. These include visual disturbances, dizziness, fever or vomiting. If the neck pain is triggered by stressful situations, there is also often ringing in the ears and fatigue. In case of psychological stress, a psychiatrist can be consulted, who can alleviate the patient’s stress and thus limit the neck pain. If the cause is physical, physical therapy and pain management often help. They lead to success in most people. However, patients must make their own efforts to maintain an active lifestyle and healthy sitting posture.

Prevention

Neck pain is excellent to prevent. It is important not to remain in the same position for too long. With the employer should insist on an ergonomic workplace. If prolonged sitting in the office is unavoidable, exercise should be done regularly. If you want to be unobserved while doing so, you can circle your shoulders, roll your head or do gentle stretching exercises in the hallway or on the toilet. Neck pain is always an expression of overwork. For this reason, those affected should take neck pain seriously and cut back both privately and professionally. To prevent neck pain from occurring in the first place, everyone should check their daily workload and always schedule fixed times to do nothing and relax.

Here’s what you can do yourself

For those who suffer from neck pain on a regular basis, a visit to the doctor is recommended. Mild or irregular pain can be treated independently with the help of various home remedies and measures. First, however, it is necessary to adjust the posture.Active sitting, for example on a ball cushion, keeps the spine dynamic and stimulates the neck muscles, while regular stretching exercises additionally relax them. Neck pain after waking up is due to a poor lying position. A neck pillow or a special mattress for side sleepers can help to achieve a more relaxed sleep and thus reduce the pain. Often, switching to a new bed with a suspension that better matches the structure of one’s spine and back can also help. For chronic neck pain, alternative remedies such as acupuncture or acupressure can be considered. The multiple effects of homeopathic remedies can also provide relief, depending on the cause. Acetic oils and the like are used, for example, in the form of ointments and tinctures that are massaged into the neck muscles. Especially effective are mint oil and chamomile, which are applied pure to the painful area and should provide immediate relief. If the symptoms persist despite all this, a doctor or chiropractor should be consulted for further clarification.