Back pain and the spine in the neck

The reasons for the emergence of pain in the neck a lot. Conditionally they can be divided into associated with the musculoskeletal system and diseases of the internal organs. Some conditions that require immediate aid, and even surgical treatment.

Indisputable is the fact of its exceptional importance of the spine for health and human life. That is why nature provides a protective pain in the back, works every time, when the spine or associated organs or tissues undergo pathological processes. It is important to promptly and correctly respond to such signals in order back pain and neck do not become an obstacle to the normal rhythm of life.

The main reasons

The main reasons

Pain in the back and the neck occur due to many reasons. It should be understood that such symptoms are only an indicator of the disease. Most people believe that the pain in the back or neck are associated with impaired function of muscles, bones or joints, which form a critical part of the body. Mostly this is true. However, there are quite a number of arguments refuting this statement. Can be divided reasons for a sore neck and back, into two groups.

Musculoskeletal system

The first include factors associated with impaired functioning of the musculoskeletal system of the back and neck:

  • myositis;
  • lumbago;
  • sciatica;
  • ishialgia;
  • osteochondrosis;
  • arthritis;
  • hernia of intervertebral discs;
  • displacement of intervertebral joints;
  • between the ribs neuralgia;
  • scoliosis;
  • kyphosis;
  • wrong distribution of physical load;
  • injuries to the back and neck.
Internal medicine

The second group includes the reasons related to the pathology of other organs and systems, when the pain spreads to the nerve endings located in the region of the neck and back:

  • angina, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction;
  • inflammatory diseases of the kidneys;
  • infectious disease;
  • diseases of the lung, pleura;
  • the presence of tumors in the back or neck.

Cervicalgia

Cervicalgia

The most discomfort a person experiences when a sore spine in the neck. This condition called cervicalgia. Neck is vulnerable despite the large number of functions assigned to it by nature. It was the neck due to the muscles and vertebrae, which ensures the necessary mobility of the head. Inside the neck are the oesophagus, trachea, major blood and lymphatic vessels.

Neck pain often occur in the spine to the left or right. The most likely cause of cervicalgia is a spasm of the muscle fibers. This is due to hypothermia (draught, cold air conditioner), injuries, a longer stay in the same position (at the computer, while sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow), quick turn of the head or inadequate load. When inflammation of the muscle man in a lot of pain, which may spread to the arm or shoulder. The muscle fibers swell, pressure on nerve fibers passing within the muscles, causing the pain becomes more intense.

Cervical radiculitis

Very similar symptoms has cervical radiculitis arising from lesions of spinal roots. The pain can irradiate (give) in the course of nerve fibers, accompanied by weakness in the arms, stiff neck. Appears the neck sciatica is less common than lumbar. A disease occurs due to injury, degenerative processes in the spine, the presence of outgrowths on the bones and tumors in the nerve roots.

Osteochondrosis

Pain in the neck and back can also be associated with degenerative changes in the spine: low back pain, osteoarthritis. Prolonged pain is dull in nature associated with dysfunction of the cartilage of the vertebrae thicken and then start to put pressure on the nerve roots. Osteochondrosis provokes the blood circulation in the brain, there is pain in the chest, arms, and back.

Between the vertebrae hernia

The reason why pain in the spine in the neck area, could be a herniated disc. This abnormality disrupts the normal functioning of the nerve, decreases sensitivity, activity and efficiency of muscle fibers. In the case of spinal cord damage occurs numbness of the limbs, distorted the function of the pelvic organs.

Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, presence of tumors lead to the emergence of pain syndrome of different intensity. This occurs as a result of violations of blood supply of certain tissues and pressure on nerve endings.

Dangerous symptoms

Dangerous symptoms

Whenever a sore neck and back, man tries various ways to cope with the problem. To justify such conduct not because the pain syndrome is extremely intense and comes on suddenly. However, you should pay attention to warning signs that should attract the attention from the real threat to the life of the patient and seek immediate medical help:

  • muscle pain is accompanied by a high temperature in the absence of symptoms of the common cold or SARS;
  • pain localized in the neck, shoulders, chest, and accompanied by shortness of breath;
  • the pain is accompanied by numbness of one or both extremities, a weakening of their muscular strength;
  • back pain or neck has an acute character, accompanied by spasms, increases when you cough or sneeze;
  • acute back pain is accompanied by pain in the chest and irradiate under the shoulder blade;
  • sharp pain in the neck or back occurs in young children or pregnant women.

Prevention and treatment

As a rule, pain in the neck and back occur against the background of a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, stress, improper distribution of intensity of physical activity. All these elements contribute to the emergence of degenerative or traumatic factors that violate the normal functioning of the musculoskeletal system.

You must follow the rules for lifting and moving heavy objects, avoid sudden movements, to strengthen muscles by using sports and physical education. An important factor in the prevention of pathologies of the spine is the struggle with excess weight to reduce the load on the neck and back. However, the food should be rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals.

The use of almost all medications for pain in the neck and back should be agreed with your doctor. The appointment of therapy should be carried out after determining the diagnosis of the disease. It is not recommended to do massage, moxibustion, or massage ointments. Such events if you do not aggravate the patient's condition, you can distort the clinical picture, complicate the diagnosis.

Most often for the treatment of pain in the neck and back specialists recommend-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, capsules, creams, ointments or injections. Popular are medications, which include Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Voltaren, Ketoprofen, Meloxicam. Effective proven to plasters containing active anti-inflammatory agents: Dolobene, Dorsaplast, Versatis.

You should know that the treatment of conditions involving pain in the back and neck, should be comprehensive and aimed at addressing the causes of the disease. Amateur approach to the treatment of pain syndrome of the back and neck is unacceptable.