TREATMENT METHODS IN NECK DISEASES
While planning treatments in neck diseases in accordance with the algorithm schemes appropriate to the patient's diagnosis, there are different stages depending on whether the disease is acute-subacute or chronic. Here, sometimes rest will come to the fore and sometimes operation conditions will be evaluated. It is certain that the duration of these treatments will vary depending on each patient.
DRUG TREATMENT
There are various drugs and different application methods in the treatment. The answer to the question of which drug and for how long should remain in the doctor's discretion. The side effects of such drugs, which some patients even offer to each other, can reach such serious levels that they can even be life-threatening. There are various options, from local injections to painful areas to externally applied ointments. Spreading these ointments, which can be applied 1-2 times a day, with a light rub and covering them with a warm towel will ensure that the effect is felt longer and more. If there are wounds, rashes or allergic problems on the skin, these ointments should be avoided. MEDICATIONS can be in the form of tablets, injections (IM-IV-IA-local), suppositories or ointments.
PHYSICAL THERAPY methods:
Another method that is as effective as medication in neck pain. is also physical therapy. Aim; It is aimed at relieving pain, relaxing contracted muscles and regaining restricted neck movements. Various temperatures are applied to the problematic area in order to nourish a damaged disc or the joints between the cervical vertebrae. Simple superficial heat treatments can be done at home using hot towels or thermophores. It should not be forgotten that there are many painful conditions in which heat cannot be applied.
The application of heat should be avoided, especially if there is a color and temperature change in the painful area, if the cause of the pain is an acute trauma, or if the pain occurs due to inflammatory rheumatism. People with hypertension and heart disease should be careful with hot treatments or should never be directed to these treatments if the condition is serious. However, it is a more appropriate option to choose derivatives that are more controlled and can reach deep problematic areas of the body. Vertebrae, discs and spine We can give ultrasound and radar, whose effects can extend to various ligaments, as examples.
CERVICAL Traction; It is a preferred method to relieve compressed discs and small bone channels through which nerve roots pass. It also provides the opportunity to relax contracted, tense muscles and rest the movements of the neck area in a fixed position. Undoubtedly, in this method, which is performed by wearing a traction corset around the neck and lying or sitting, devices that comply with precisely adjusted electronic working principles are used. Although, in principle, simple devices that allow the neck to be pulled in 2 different directions can also work many times.
MASSAGE; Sometimes, pain and spasm in neck muscle contractions are so severe that massage or even light touch can cause extreme pain in these patients whose neck movements are restricted. Massage should not be considered if there is a wound, allergy, redness or swelling on the skin. Applying mild heat to relax the muscles before the application can further increase the effect of the massage. Massage should start superficially and then deep tissues. Also in massage; It has various forms such as pressure, hitting with hands and creating vibration.
ELECTROTHERAPY: It is a form of treatment using various electrical currents. In recent years, the most preferred form is TENS currents. "Interference vacuum" applications, which aim for a combined effect by applying electric currents and creating a vacuum on the applied area to create a massage effect, are also among the options used in neck pain.
USE OF CORSET: A corset should be used in the acute phase of neck pain. The duration of corset use can be extended to 3 or even 4 weeks. The shape of the corset may vary depending on the degree of trauma. Neck corsets of various types and sizes can be used for this purpose, from large corsets with a chinrest that restrict all movements of the neck to relatively smaller corsets without a chinrest. After the acute period passes, the corset is removed at night and worn during the day. When removed at night, precautions must be taken to protect the neck. The corset both restricts unwanted neck movements and prevents the weight of the head from falling on the sensitive cervical vertebrae. Later cors The extraction process begins. In this process, the corset is not abandoned suddenly. The corset should be worn for about 10-15 days by wearing it one day and removing it the next day. Of course, during this period, even if the corset is removed during very painful periods, the corset can still be worn. In addition, if there is a need to stay in a posture that may cause pain due to travel, work or occupation, it would be appropriate to use the corset for a while in these situations.
Neck exercises
People at risk of neck pain may also develop in the future. It is appropriate to do neck exercises to prevent neck pain. Protective neck exercises should be done at least 3 times a week and not less than 20 minutes. Exercises for therapeutic purposes should be done every day and not less than 2 or 3 times a day. Which of these exercises should be done, for how long and how often, and how they should be increased over time should be determined by a doctor's recommendation. It should not be forgotten that unconscious exercise will cause more harm than good. Neck exercises can be done in 8 stages.
1- Relaxation and warm-up exercises
2- Neck rotation (passive-active)
3- Shoulder watch
4- Neck watch
5- Shoulder stretching
6- Stretching the shoulder girdle
7- Shoulder rotation
8- Stretching the back muscles
9- Stretching the 1st rib
10- Exercises against resistance in the neck
DAILY LIFE IN NECK PAIN
Risk of neck pain Those who work in professions such as surgeons, dentists, painters, plasterers, ceramicists, computer technicians, knitters and embroiderers should take precautions before their problems start. If we have incorrect sitting and posture disorders that begin in childhood and student years, it is essential to get help from experts and do preventive exercises to prevent this. People in pain cannot do some movements. These people, whose quality of life has decreased and who are tired of life, need to take some precautions for daily life. Just as we try to teach people with back pain in back school, our aim should always be to teach the principle of "my mind is on my neck". It is necessary to avoid lifting heavy objects. If necessary, it should be shared equally among the branches. If an object of sudden and unpredictable weight is lifted, the spinal cord moment may be damaged. The weights should not be lifted to a level above the shoulder, if necessary, they should be lifted up in several stages by resting on the leg and shoulder. The elbows should not be bent too much during this lift and should maintain their position as close to a right angle as possible.
The weight should not remain on the arms for a long time and movements involving both hands should be preferred. In professions that require keeping arms up, stairs can be used instead of climbing higher. Painter, plasterer, draper and similar professions that have to work by climbing up are more likely to suffer from neck and arm pain, so they should start preventive exercises early, that is, before the pain occurs. While sitting, the back should be in an upright position, and sitting should be stopped at certain intervals, and intervals should be given to stand up and walk around for a while. Better yet, some exercises should be done during these intervals to relax the neck and back muscles. While watching television, the head must be leaned back. Thus, the entire weight of the head should not be kept on the neck for a long time. Similarly, the head should be leaned back during long sittings such as in the cinema or theatre.
Children and neck pain
Precautions must be taken to prevent our children from staying in wrong postures that will cause neck pain in the future. Likewise, children who sit in the wrong position at their desks should be taught correct sitting postures by their teachers. Children who sit incorrectly at their desks lose their posture and cannot get rid of neck pain in the future.
WOMEN WHO KNITTING
The majority of women generally have sewing, embroidery or similar tasks in their hands. Meanwhile, their neck and back are contracted and their necks are bent forward too much. Moreover, it is inevitable for such women to develop neck pain over time, as they use certain muscles constantly. In some cases, sleep may be interrupted at night due to numbness in the hands. Diseases called "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" may also occur. Some women enjoy doing these things, just like meditation. For those who do it out of necessity, the pain and spasms in the neck and back are equivalent to the torment of hell. It may take a while even for those who do it willingly. neck problems may occur. Exercises can be a savior for knitters. For this reason, those who do these jobs should be advised to take frequent breaks and keep their posture as ergonomic as possible. Knitting sessions that exceed 1 hour should be stopped and at least 10 minutes of exercise should be done. Those who must continue their knitting must comply with this rule of "take a break every hour and stand up and walk around a little".
THE WAY THAT PATIENTS WITH NECK PAIN LIES IN BED
Not only those who suffer from neck pain, but even those who have no pain at all. He should pay attention to his neck while lying down. The beds should be relatively hard and the pillows should be at a height that does not cause the neck to bend forward or backward excessively. Sleeping without using any pillow is as harmful as using a high pillow. It is recommended that those who suffer from neck pain use special pillows suitable for the neck arch. For those who turn frequently during their sleep, a high pillow may cause negative bending in the neck. In this case, the neck arch should be filled by rolling a towel into a roll. Thus, even if the neck is turned unconsciously, the roll can be prevented from falling apart and the neck from coming to undesirable angles. People with neck pain who travel may experience excessive strain on their necks while sitting or sleeping. Therefore, it is recommended to use neck pillows in the form of inflatable collars that protect the neck. Thus, the weight of the head, which remains uncontrolled due to sleep, will be distributed to the shoulders, just like the function of a neck corset.
NECK PAIN AND SPORTS
Some types of sports may cause neck pain. The main sports are wrestling, basketball, judo, boxing, gymnastics, automobile and swimming. Wrestling is the sport that causes the most cervical spine injuries among these sports. Because the first move wrestlers make in this sport is to pull their hands and neck. Apart from this, it is in the nature of the sport to grab, twist and squeeze the opponent's neck.
It is inevitable for wrestlers who try incredibly hard to avoid being pinned to injure their cervical spine. That's why, when we see a neck that is severely damaged for any reason, it has become a tradition to call such spines "wrestler's neck". For this reason, wrestlers should have their neck films taken at regular intervals under the supervision of a physical therapist.
Read: 0
