First there is a slight tingling sensation, then numbness, and finally, almost stiff muscles limit the free movement of the head. It is not only seniors who complain of neck pain, but also young people – especially those who spend most of the day at their desks. The good condition of our neck is threatened by lack of exercise, bad posture and degenerative disease.
Our spine consists of 24 individual and 9 fused vertebrae. The spinal canal runs through all the vertebrae, from the bottom to the top, and contains a thick bundle of nerves, i.e. the spine, and many blood vessels. Protecting the spinal cord is the first role of the spine. In addition, it is the stabilizer for the entire skeletal system, and – thanks to the shape similar to the letter S – it allows free movements with the whole body and absorbs shocks that we are subjected to, e.g. during jumps.
There are five sections in the spine. When enumerating them from the bottom of the figure, they will be: coccyx, sacrum, lumbar section, thoracic section and cervical section, the back part of which is commonly known as the nape.
The neck is the most mobile part of the spine. The highest vertebra – levator (atlas, top vertebra) – supports a head weighing from 5 to 7 kg. The atlas is connected at the bottom by a movable joint with a rotating circle, the so-called a turntable that allows head movements – nodding, negative and rotating. The last vertebra of the cervical segment is called protruding vertebra – the first noticeable vertebra in the neck.
Most mammals, including the giraffe, have 7 neck vertebrae like humans. The exceptions are the sloth, which has 9 of them, thanks to which it can turn its head to the side by almost 200 °.
The neck suffers not only from fear
Specialists point out that neck pains very often, though usually not deliberately, are “funded” by ourselves. Mainly by avoiding movement or not including exercises to improve the condition of the neck muscles in the daily exercise regimen. The weakened ones do not provide adequate stabilization for the cervical spine, which may result in pain. But it should also be remembered that it can be caused by straining the neck muscles (overstrain) with too intense exercise or a sudden movement of the neck.
Strong neck pain occurs, for example, as a result of the sudden throwing of the head during a car crash. The head suddenly leans forward at first and then pops back. If the chair’s headrest is positioned incorrectly (its top edge should be level with the top edge of the auricles), this movement may seriously injure the spine. If it does occur, it is absolutely necessary to consult a doctor or tell the rescuers who came to the accident.
Neck pains also appear when we adopt an unnatural posture. When we tilt our head forward excessively (ears are further than the shoulders), we also press it between our curled shoulders – e.g. while reading a book, working at the computer, driving a car, or carrying heavy things. Neck pain is almost a professional complaint of hairdressers, beauticians, drivers and office workers. A forced posture with your head forward causes long-term muscle tension. Those tired start to hurt. They react in the same way if we put our head to sleep incorrectly.
You need to take care of your neck especially in autumn and winter. Then his pain may mean that the body is chilled. In the rain, in the cold, in the wind, if we do not cover our neck with a warm shawl, it may “wrap”, that is, cool down. Just like driving a car with the window open or being in the draft for too long.
A dangerous clash
The most common cause of neck pain in adults and the elderly is degenerative disease of the cervical spine. It arises as a result of many years of systematic “wear and tear” of the intervertebral joints. The constant strain on the neck and injuries lead to mechanical abrasion of the cartilage covering the joints. As a consequence, their surface is damaged and erosions and cysts form beneath them. Although the body resists the destruction of the joint by creating a new layer of bone under the cartilage, it will remain uneven on the surface forever, and its movement will cause pain and stiffness in the neck.
Not only the joints are subject to degenerative changes, but also the intervertebral discs – the structures that separate the vertebrae from each other. Such a disc consists of a peripheral part – the so-called fibrous ring, in the center of which is the nucleus pulposus. When subjected to constant loads, the ring weakens and cannot hold the nucleus. This, in turn, falls out after some time. This is called protrusion is also called an intervertebral disc hernia or – colloquially – disc prolapse. It manifests itself as pressure – first on the ligaments of the spine, then on the nerves in the spinal cord. Hence the pain and numbness in the neck.
The following may also be a signal of changes in the cervical spine:
• numbness in the hands. If the pressure is in the area of the 7th cervical vertebra, the numbness in the nape radiating to the shoulder, arm and hand is called humerus. The pain may be accompanied by muscle weakness (the grasping reflex in the hand is less sure, the finger movements are less precise).
• pain in the back of the head that gets worse after you tilt the head back. This may be accompanied by facial pain and numbness of the skin or a feeling of choking in the throat.
• cervical torticollis, which is a sharp pain in the neck with restricted mobility or immobilization of the head. It may be caused by too long a position of the head in one position, severe stress or a body cold.
• dizziness and fainting – may be the result of abnormal blood flow through the arteries or reduced blood supply to the brain, if accompanied by atherosclerosis.
Relentless pain
Periodic neck pains, the causes of which we can guess, can be “get rid of” by using immediate measures, such as: change of posture, relaxation exercises, rest or – when the pain is bothersome – painkillers (anti-inflammatory drugs). However, if the symptoms persist for a long time or appear frequently for no reason – it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Research is needed to determine the causes of chronic neck pain. Starting from an interview, through blood tests, X-ray of the cervical spine, computed tomography, and ending with ultrasound of the flows in the carotid and vertebral arteries.
Persistent neck pain may be a harbinger of serious diseases, such as a tumor of the spinal cord. However, such diagnoses are rarely made. More often it is a degenerative disease of the spine. So far, however, no methods and means for its permanent cure have been found. Through appropriate rehabilitation (massages, exercises to relax and strengthen the muscles), the degenerative process can be slowed down, although it will progress. Ailments can be reduced with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs (taken by mouth or gels and ointments), as well as muscle relaxants or even corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
Your doctor may also recommend wearing a collar to stiffen your neck, making the pain less intense. However, wearing it for a long time leads to weakness or even muscle wasting in the cervical section, so you must always do it in accordance with medical recommendations, and after taking it off, use strengthening exercises.
You need to take care of your neck especially in autumn and winter. His pain may mean that the body becomes cold. If we do not cover our neck with a warm scarf, it may “wrap”.
A persistent neck pain may herald a spinal cord tumor. However, much more often it is about the “ordinary” degenerative disease of the spine.
Good advice
Let’s move your head with your head!
1. Be careful when you sit (don’t lean your head too far forward and keep it straight) and when you pick up objects – put the weight between your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees, lift the object with your spine straightened.
2. If we work at the desk for a long time, set up the equipment we use correctly – the chair should have a stiff backrest to provide better support and positioning to the spine (in the lumbar region we can place a rolled up towel or blanket), the computer screen must be at eye level, and the phone should be placed on the desk as close as possible to the hand that reaches for the receiver.
3. During the day, take frequent breaks to relax the neck muscles and strengthen the cervical spine – eg circular head movements or front – back, left – right movements.
4. Lie down comfortably to sleep – preferably in the embryonic position (on your side, with your legs tucked up) or on your back – on a hard mattress, without a pillow, and if anything, not on a soft, rolled up mattress, on which the neck rests in forced bend, but on a specially constructed, with a thickening to support the neck and a soft part that will adapt to the shape of the head.
5. Use a cold compress in the case of mechanical injuries, eg in the case of pain after sudden movement. The cold will soothe inflammation, stop swelling, or reduce it.
6. Warm compresses and a hot shower have relaxing properties – they will help if we feel the characteristic “stiffness” of the muscles after holding the head in one position for a long time.
7. Massage will work in a similar way – preferably performed by a masseur (especially as part of the treatment of a degenerative disease). We can also ask someone close to us, who will stand behind us, put his hands on our shoulders so that the thumbs rest on the nape of the neck, and the other fingers embrace the arms at the level of the collarbones, and then make pressing, circular movements.
8. In autumn, winter, on cold days, while driving a vehicle with an exposed neck, or even while sitting in an air-conditioned office on a hot day, do not forget to protect your neck with a shawl or a handkerchief.