Darrick Robles Neck pain is one of the most common reasons people see their family doctor. In most cases, they are harmless and quickly improve with symptomatic therapy. Sometimes serious causes with corresponding warning symptoms can be behind the neck pain – these must be ruled out and treated if necessary.
Definition of neck pain
Neck pain is also known as cervical neuralgia, cervical spine syndrome or cervical syndrome . The pain affects the back of the neck: The neck consists of a large number of anatomical structures: the cervical spine, muscles, nerves and blood vessels ensure sufficient mobility of the head. When it comes to the duration of the pain, a distinction is made between acute (up to three weeks), subacute and chronic (more than three months) courses of the disease. Recurrent neck pain describes recurring pain intervals with an intervening, symptom-free period of four weeks.
Neck pain symptoms
The symptoms can be of very different character and can be accompanied by muscle hardening. Neck pain can limit mobility of the head, parts of the upper body and shoulders. They can also radiate to different areas and lead to stiffness. Most of the time, the symptoms are harmless, but there are some warning symptoms that indicate an immediate visit to the doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
- Sensory disturbances (e.g. tingling, abnormal sensations)
- neck stiffness
- nausea, vomiting
- Headache, dizziness, fainting
- Fever, weight loss, reduced general condition
- tachycardia, sweating
If neck pain occurs as a result of an accident or after an operation, a doctor should also be consulted.
Causes of neck pain
The causes of neck pain are as varied as the symptoms. A distinction is made between specific and non-specific reasons for the pain. While a concrete cause can be determined for specific neck pain, it remains unclear for non-specific neck pain.
In most non-specific cases , neck pain results from incorrect posture or overworked and tense muscles. The affected muscles shorten and harden, causing long-term pain.
Specific neck pain can originate from traumatic, inflammatory, neurological or degenerative diseases. Traumatic events such as a previous accident, a muscle strain or vertebral fractures can be causes of neck pain. So-called degenerative spinal diseases can also trigger the pain with increasing age: arthrosis , herniated discs in the neck area and Bechterew’s disease are possible reasons for neck pain. In rare cases, infectious diseases can also cause problems in the throat area. Meningitis typically occurs with a stiff neck and must be treated immediately in the hospital.
There are several risk factors that can provoke the development of neck pain:
- overweight
- pregnancy
- Chronic stress, depression, anxiety
- Heavy physical work
How does the doctor make a diagnosis?
First, the doctor will ask you a few questions about your symptoms. This is followed by a physical examination with a check of mobility and, if necessary, the reflex status. If there is a suspicion of an inflammatory cause, a blood test of the inflammatory parameters is carried out. Imaging that goes beyond the usual X-ray examination, such as an MRI examination, is usually only carried out in exceptional cases . Specific neck pain with a clearly identifiable cause may require co-treatment by a neurologist or orthopedist.
therapy
Most acute neck pain goes away on its own. The treatment focuses on symptomatic therapy with painkillers in tablet form and heat application. Good pain control allows the patient to continue to move freely. Resting and immobilising the neck is not recommended.
In addition, therapy using physiotherapy in combination with manual therapy/chiropractic therapy can help with long-lasting pain.
Physiotherapy and acupuncture are also available as treatments for chronic neck pain. Patients are also advised to exercise to strengthen the affected muscles.
Because neck pain can also be associated with mental illness, psychotherapy or treatment with antidepressants may help relieve the pain.
What can I do myself against neck pain?
- Keeping moving (swimming, walking, exercising, stretching)
- Local heat (e.g. in the form of a hot water bottle or heat patch)
- Optimize your workplace from an ergonomic point of view: Are you sitting straight and comfortably on your desk chair? is your back straight
- Stress management: learning relaxation techniques such as “Jakobsen’s progressive muscle relaxation”
- Optimize your sleeping place: Choose the most comfortable surface for you to sleep on. Special pillows or mattresses have no proven effectiveness.
How can Med-Healths help?
Do you suffer from neck pain and would you like to have it checked out by a doctor? You can use the Med-Healths app to reach a doctor to whom you can describe your symptoms. He can help you find a cause of the pain and start the right treatment. The Med-Healths doctor can also prescribe medication for you. He can also give you tips for preventing neck pain that you can implement in everyday life. In severe cases, he can refer you to an expert for further treatment.
