What to do for neck pain?
In the case of chronic pain, a diagnosis should be made to determine the cause of the pain and the mechanism by which it develops. A treatment plan consisting of drug therapy, physiotherapy and, if necessary, physical measures can then be drawn up. It is also useful to check the private and professional environment.
How is the desk furnished, where is the television set, are certain movements always carried out in favor of a favorite site? A balanced movement of the cervical spine, equally on both sides, can relieve chronic neck pain or prevent its occurrence. In the case of acute pain, a blockage can be corrected by an osteopath or chiropractor.
Sometimes a slight mobilization of the muscles and joints is sufficient. Heat applications or massages can loosen the tense muscles and relieve pain. The use of ointments can also be helpful.
If the pain is severe, it may be necessary to take an analgesic medication. A doctor should be consulted urgently in the case of long-term use. You can also find important information under:
- Exercises against neck pain
- Physiotherapy for children with shoulder and neck tension
Accompanying symptoms
Headaches caused by neck problems are common. This type of headache is often called tension headache. The nerves that sensitively supply our scalp emerge in the upper segments of our cervical spine.
If dysfunctions occur in the joints or if the muscles in this area are severely tense, pressure can be exerted on the nerves. This irritation of the nerves can irritate them. Headaches can result.
Headaches usually run from the neck to the forehead or temple region and can also occur on one side. A loosening of the muscles also leads to an improvement of the headache. Also the beginnings of the musculature itself are partly at the back of the head and can cause pain there.Especially if the temporomandibular joint, which forms a functional unit with the cervical spine and often plays a role in neck pain, is also altered in its function, headaches can occur.
If headaches occur in the long term, which can also be independent of neck tension, a medical diagnosis should be made. The intake of painkillers should always be conscious and dosed! Our cervical spine can have an influence on our organ of balance.
The reason for this is that an important artery (A. vertebralis), which supplies the centers in the brain, which are responsible among other things also for the balance, runs within the cervical spine through the so-called Foramina intertransversarii. These are located laterally in the extensions of the cervical spine. If joint dysfunctions or structural changes occur, e.g. due to osteoarthritis, this artery can become narrowed, especially when the cervical spine is moved.
The equilibrium region is not supplied with sufficient blood for a short time, which can lead to dizziness. Furthermore, there are sensors in the neck muscles and the passive structures of the cervical spine (joints, ligaments) which report the position of our head in space to the brain. Increased muscle tone or disturbed joint function, which can be the cause of neck pain, can also significantly limit the function of these receptors.
Dizziness can occur in neck pain due to incorrect or missing information transfer from the sensors to the center of balance. If dizziness occurs in the long term and/or independently of neck pain, it should be clarified by a physician. Headaches, sensitivity to light, nausea and neck pain are also common accompanying symptoms of migraine.
Frequently, neck pain is one of the first symptoms of a developing migraine attack. The symptoms are very similar to the development of tension headaches. The neck muscles irritate the occipital nerve, which is connected to a cranial nerve (the trigeminal nerve).
The trigeminal nerve sensitively innervates the entire face in addition to the meninges and the forehead. The forehead branch of the trigeminal nerve may be responsible for the migraine typical throbbing headache. In addition to muscle relaxation techniques and the usual migraine treatment, endurance sports that are consistently performed over a long period of time have also proven to be helpful in migraine complaints in connection with neck pain. You can find more about the topic “Migraine” under Migraine – here you will find everything important
