Neck pain is a real problem for modern people. It can occur without any anomalies in the spine, injuries, and other anatomical reasons. A sedentary lifestyle, an uncomfortable workplace, and a lack of proper physical activity are enough to cause neck pain. The best way to avoid problems in the future is to take care of the health of your neck now.

The neck is an important structural component of the human body, despite its fragility and vulnerability. Actually, the cervical spine contains 7 mobile vertebrae. Pressure coming from the head and high mobility of the vertebrae are the main causes of severe pain in the neck and back. Moreover, diseases in some anatomical structures and organs can contribute to it too. These are:

• Thyroid
• Lymph nodes
• Blood vessels
• Larynx
• Muscles and ligaments in the spine

Chronic and frequent acute pain may leave you no choice but to seek neck pain treatment. For timely diagnosis, a professional complex checkup is necessary. After diagnosing and finding the causes of pain, it may turn out that the neck isn’t the main problem at all.

What Causes the Neck Pain?

• Muscle tension or stretching

It can occur because the body stays in one position too long (for example, during sedentary work), or due to excessive physical activity.

• Neck and spine injuries

Physical damage to the spine and neck can cause acute and also chronic pain. This may include the consequences of surgery too.

• Muscle diseases

Prolonged muscle tension often causes the development of myofascial syndrome. Spasmodic zones gradually thicken and transform into “bumps”, which are also called trigger points. Diseases can also be chronic. Fibromyalgia is one of them. This disease is accompanied by increased sensitivity of the muscles (also tendons and joints) and painful sensations.

• Diseases of the spine

Spinal diseases are associated with worn-out joints and cartilage. Other causes of pain in the neck can be herniated discs, abnormalities in the structure of the spine, and chronic diseases.

• Immune Spectrum Disorders

Such diseases as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica can provoke negative changes in bone tissue and cause pain in the neck.

• Diseases of the internal organs

Pain in the neck can have a reflected character, that is when the source of discomfort is in the heart, esophagus, brain, lungs, and so on.

• Spinal stenosis

With this disease, cartilage, and bones press on the spinal cord and roots, which provoke the onset of pain.

• Tumors

This includes both benign and malignant tumors with metastases.

Pathological processes gradually lead to circulatory disorders and the nutrition of the intervertebral discs. This, in turn, leads to micro-cracks in the discs. With the development of dystrophic processes, the articulation between the vertebrae is destroyed, which leads to a violation of the structure and, in some cases, even to rupture of the intervertebral discs. This causes damage to the nerves in this area of the spine.

What Are the Symptoms to Pay Attention to?

Pain alone is enough to make you seek professional help, but if you notice one or more of these, you should definitely see a doctor.

 Numbness of the limbs;

• Dizziness;
• Fainting.

Also, when turning the head, an unpleasant crunch in the neck with pain can occur. Often there are symptoms such as tinnitus, hearing loss, and decreased visual acuity.

Depending on the causes of your pain, the specialist will plan your treatment. It may include:

• Medications like analgesics, anesthetics, hormonal drugs, anticonvulsants, antioxidants, and even antidepressants.
• A special program of physical exercises aimed at strengthening muscles and developing mobility in the chest and shoulder sections.
• Therapeutic massage, manual therapy, and osteopathy.
• Orthopedic methods to create the correct posture and form the correct position of the neck.