The most common cause of neck pain is "mechanical neck pain". This pain gradually decreases within 2-3 days and disappears within 1-2 weeks. Sometimes the pain can become chronic and occasionally worsen in acute attacks. Pain or numbness in the arm or hand may be a sign of nerve root compression. In this case, it would be beneficial to consult a doctor to be evaluated for cervical disc herniation.
In which cases may the cause of pain be serious?
- If the patient has a serious systemic disease such as cancer or rheumatoid arthritis
- If the pain gets worse day by day rather than decreasing.
- If there is a loss of strength in the arm and a change in sensation.
- If there are symptoms such as fever and weight loss along with the pain. to bring it back to normal as quickly as possible. Since neck movements are painful in the beginning, the person wants to keep his neck still. However, in order to prevent the neck from stiffening, it is necessary to make natural movements by constantly increasing the degree of pain as allowed. Using a neck collar is not recommended as it will restrict neck movements. Restoring normal movements of the neck as soon as possible prevents the pain from becoming chronic. Painkillers are useful to reduce pain. Tablets or anti-inflammatory drugs containing paracetamol help reduce pain and make neck movements easier. If muscle spasm is evident, muscle relaxants can be used for 2-3 days. Due to the side effects of drugs, it is necessary to start appropriate drug treatment according to the doctor's recommendation.
Treatment for Cervical Disc Herniation:
Severe pain in the arm due to pressure on the nerve root is the most important symptom of cervical disc herniation. The pain usually disappears on its own. The pain, which is severe in the first week, decreases and disappears within 4-6 weeks. During this period, painkillers are recommended to reduce the severity of pain. The neck brace can be used with doctor's recommendation. In a small group of patients, pain may continue after 6 weeks. Consider surgical intervention in cases of chronic pain or very severe pain that is unbearable despite painkillers. can be irritated. Some patients develop loss of strength due to pressure on the nerve root. Development of weakness requires surgery to remove the pressure on the nerve. Spontaneous healing of pain does not mean that the disease has disappeared. The patient is recommended to protect his neck to avoid the same pain attack again and to do neck exercises to strengthen the muscles around the neck.
Degeneration / wear and tear in the cervical vertebrae (Cervical spondylosis) Treatment:
Cervical spondylosis is a common radiological finding, especially in the elderly. It does not always cause pain. If it only causes neck pain, strengthening the neck muscles with the recommended neck exercises will help reduce the pain. Physical therapy methods are also useful.
Treatment for spinal cord involvement (Cervical spondylotic myelopathy) due to narrowing in the cervical spinal canal:
If cervical spndylosis puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, the pressure can be removed by surgery. must be removed. In particular, chronic pressure on the spinal cord can lead to irreversible changes in the spinal cord. Therefore, if symptoms such as stiffness in the legs and loss of strength appear and these problems gradually increase, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately. Such a condition can be progressive and surgery is recommended to relieve pressure on the spinal cord to stop progression. The purpose of the surgical intervention is to prevent the progression of the disease by removing the pressure on the spinal cord. The surgery site may vary depending on where the pressure is most and the position of the neck. The important thing in cervical spondylotic myelopathy is to eliminate the pressure before permanent changes occur in the spinal cord.
Ways to Prevent Neck Pain
Especially avoiding movements that strain the neck and avoiding working in a forward-leaning position for a long time can prevent a neck pain attack. Since it will be difficult to protect our neck in daily life, it is the best method to strengthen the muscles around the cervical spine. Regular neck exercises strengthen the neck muscles and prevent minor trauma to the cervical spine. p>
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