Front of Neck Muscle Pain | Injury Management

3 minutes, 55 seconds

If you have pain around the front of your neck, you may think it’s caused by a sore throat. However, if your pain isn’t accompanied by any other symptoms of a sore throat and instead feels connected to the movement of your neck, you may have a musculoskeletal injury.

This kind of injury refers to damaged muscles, bones, ligaments or tendons. Neck pain at the front of your neck, specifically around the muscles, may be linked to a muscle strain. If you injured the front of your neck, you may also experience: 

• Limited mobility.
• Stiffness.
• Tenderness around or on a muscle.
• Swelling.

Thankfully, physical therapy can help you manage your symptoms so that you can rotate and bend your head with minimal pain. In fact, studies have shown that therapeutic exercises significantly decrease the severity of neck pain.

4 reasons you may have front neck muscle pain

Neck pain is the fourth-largest physical complaint among people around the world. This is partly because the neck is an intricate and complicated body part that supports both the weight of the head and the alignment of the shoulders. In fact, there are hundreds of muscles, tendons, nerves, and ligaments in your neck that are vulnerable to injuries and conditions that can cause pain.

If you have pain in the front of your neck that feels like it could be located in your muscles, you may have a:

1. Strain — A strain occurs when you have stretched or torn a muscle. This can happen in your neck for a few different reasons, such as from repetitive stress (which often occurs at work) or traumatic injury. For example, if you constantly sit or stand with your head hunched forward, you are placing unnecessary weight on the muscles in your neck. Doing so can lead to small yet painful muscle tears over time.
    
2. Tendinitis — While tendinitis can commonly occur in your shoulders, knees and elbows, it can also occur in your neck. You can develop tendinitis when your tendons become inflamed after overuse, trauma or repetitive stress. Repetitive physical activities that involve your neck muscles or shoulders can irritate a tendon in your neck and cause pain. Swelling and tightness are hallmark symptoms of tendinitis.
    
3. Whiplash — Whiplash occurs when a force causes your head to rapidly move forward and snap back, injuring the ligaments, muscles and tendons in your neck. Collectively, these injuries are known as whiplash. It is commonly associated with automobile accidents in which your head thrusts forward while the rest of your body stops with the motion of the vehicle. Whiplash can make the front of your neck feel sore and tender.
    
4. Cramps or spasms — The front of your neck can also become painful due to cramps and spasms. Cramps refer to the spontaneous tightening of one or more of your muscles. While you may experience muscle spasms most often in your legs, they can occur in any muscle in your body. You can experience neck cramps after carrying heavy objects, holding your neck in an unnatural position for a long period of time, or being exposed to extreme heat. When a neck muscle suddenly contracts, it can make the front of your neck hurt.

What can I do about my front of the neck muscle pain?

Your neck pain doesn’t have to be something you live with. Instead, there are many treatments and solutions you can try to relieve your discomfort. Those solutions can include: 

• Stretches — Stretches can activate your muscles and increase blood flow to your tissue. To help relieve your pain in the front of your neck, you can stretch your neck every day. Stretching your neck forward, backward, and side to side can release tight muscles in the front of your neck as well as the tissue around it.
   
• Hot and cold treatment — If your pain is intense and you notice swelling, ice treatments can help limit inflammation and pain. Meanwhile, heat can help promote blood flow to your injury and encourage it to heal.
   
• Physical therapy — Physical therapists can introduce you to targeted exercises that can address the front of your neck and the muscles around them. Physical therapists also have access to a variety of technologies and techniques, like dry needling, that can help ease your neck pain in a few sessions. 

Alliance PTP can connect you with top-notch PT to treat your front neck muscle pain

Front neck muscle pain can be frustrating. Thankfully, physical therapy can help ease your symptoms. At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we’re proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need. Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that’s close to you and that can help you address your neck pain.

Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform. 

Contact our team today so we can help you find the most effective physical therapy services for your neck.

*Note: This article is a revision of one originally posted by Alliance Physical Therapy partner Continuum Wellness.

Sore throat and neck pain: Causes, treatment, and diagnosis

Many people experience a sore throat alongside neck pain. This common combination of symptoms has numerous possible causes, ranging from mild infections to more severe conditions.

The neck contains several structures, including:

• the throat (pharynx)
• the cervical spine
• nerves
• blood and lymphatic vessels
• lymph nodes
• muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Medical conditions and injuries that affect one of these structures can also affect nearby structures.

In this article, we discuss possible causes of a sore throat and neck pain, how to treat them, and when to see a doctor.

The muscles, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels of the neck overlap one another and surround the throat, which is a muscular tube that runs from the back of the mouth to the stomach.

The throat also contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves. In addition, it includes the tonsils, esophagus (food pipe), trachea (windpipe), and epiglottis.

A condition that affects one of these structures may affect one or more of the others.

Conditions that may produce symptoms in the throat and neck include:

Infections

Viral and bacterial infections that begin in the throat can lead to painful inflammation of the surrounding neck muscles.

Infections also trigger the lymphatic system, which contains white blood cells that kill invading microbes. This system also collects toxins and other waste material from the body.

The lymph nodes filter and collect this waste, which is why people who are sick may develop swollen lymph nodes. Swollen lymph nodes can feel tender and also make the neck feel sore or stiff.

Examples of infections that can cause both a sore throat and neck pain include:

Cold and flu

The common cold and the flu are two common types of viral infections that affect the respiratory system.

Both a cold and the flu can lead to sore throats and swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck. People who have a common cold may experience:

• body aches
• coughing and sneezing
• chest discomfort
• mild fever

These symptoms also occur in people who have the flu. However, flu symptoms are usually more severe than the symptoms of a cold.

People who have the flu may also experience:

• fever
• headaches
• chills
• muscle weakness
• body aches
• fatigue
• nausea or vomiting

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils, which are oval-shaped mounds of soft tissue in the back of the throat.

Both viral and bacterial infections can lead to tonsillitis. Symptoms include fever, a sore throat, and swelling of the tonsils and lymph nodes in the neck.

Strep throat

Strep throat, also known as pharyngitis, occurs when the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes infects the throat. People who have strep throat may experience the following symptoms:

• sudden onset of a sore throat
• painful swallowing
• red, swollen tonsils
• white spots, patches, or streaks of pus on the surface of the throat
• red spots on the roof of the mouth
• swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck
• fever
• headaches
• body aches
• fatigue

Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis is a viral infection that is common among teenagers and young adults. The human herpesvirus 4, also known as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is the most common cause of mononucleosis. Other viruses that can cause mononucleosis include:

• HIV
• hepatitis A, B, or C
• cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• toxoplasmosis
• rubella
• adenovirus

Symptoms include:

• a sore throat
• a fever
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
• fatigue
• headaches
• body aches
• muscle weakness
• a red skin rash
• swollen spleen or liver

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gonorrhea is one of the most common STIs, especially among teenagers and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 years. The CDC also estimate that 1.14 million new gonorrhea infections occur in the United States each year.

Although many people who have gonorrhea do not experience symptoms, it can cause white, yellow, or green urethral discharge in males and increased vaginal discharge in females.

Gonorrheal infections of the throat can lead to:

• a sore throat
• swelling and redness of the throat
• swollen lymph nodes
• difficulty swallowing
• flu-like symptoms, such as fever, a headache, and chills

Oral gonorrheal infections can result in nonspecific symptoms that mimic those of other, more common throat infections. People who believe that they may have had exposure to gonorrhea should contact a healthcare professional for testing.

Allergies

Airborne and food allergies can lead to swelling and irritation of the throat.

People who have airborne allergies, such as hay fever, may have an itchy or sore throat when they come into contact with pollen, dust, animal dander, or mold. Other symptoms of airborne allergies include:

• a runny or stuffy nose
• itchy, watery eyes
• coughing
• sneezing
• fatigue

Some people have food-related allergies, which can cause a sore, itchy throat, as well as:

• itching or tingling of the mouth
• redness and swelling of the mouth and lips
• hives
• nasal congestion
• sneezing
• wheezing
• nausea or vomiting
• dizziness

Unlike cold or flu symptoms, which typically resolve within 2 weeks, allergy symptoms persist for as long as a person remains exposed to the allergen.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when food, fluids, or acids travel back up from the stomach into the throat.

The primary symptom of GERD is heartburn, but it can also cause a variety of throat-related symptoms, including a sore throat. Other symptoms include:

• trouble swallowing
• a feeling that there is a lump in the throat
• a burning sensation
• hoarseness
• a dry cough

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should speak to a doctor who may prescribe medication. However, many people can treat or manage GERD with lifestyle and dietary changes.

Tumors

A persistent sore throat is a common symptom of head and neck cancers. Other possible symptoms include:

• pain when swallowing
• a lump or sore that is slow to heal
• a chronic sinus infection
• frequent headaches
• swelling near the jaw
• pain or numbness in the facial muscles

Most people with a sore throat or neck do not have cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, doctors diagnosed about 53,000 new cases of head and neck cancers in 2019. The CDC estimate that 38–54 million people had the flu between October 2019 and early March 2020.

Head and neck cancers cause symptoms that can also occur in other, less severe conditions. However, it is essential that people discuss their symptoms with a doctor.

People may wish to consider the following treatments if they have a mild sore throat and neck pain:

• drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
• gargling warm water with salt
• drinking warm tea with honey
• eating soft foods, such as soups
• using over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory or pain relieving medications
• applying a warm compress to the affected area to ease muscle pain
• using a cold compress or an ice pack to reduce swelling
• stretching the neck and shoulders to relieve muscle tension

Although cold or flu symptoms usually clear up without medical treatment, home remedies may have minimal effects on the symptoms of a bacterial infection, such as strep throat.

In this case, a doctor will likely prescribe a round of antibiotics. People may notice that their symptoms improve within a few days of starting antibiotics. However, it is essential to complete the entire course to prevent reinfection and the development of antibiotic resistance.

People should see their doctor if they experience a severe or persistent sore throat that does not respond to at-home treatment. They should also seek medical care if they experience severe neck pain that does not go away or spreads to other parts of the body.

People must inform their doctor if they have:

• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• a high fever
• a palpable lump in the neck
• sudden, severe headaches
• numbness in the limbs, face, or mouth

A doctor will perform a physical examination to check for swollen lymph nodes and signs of tenderness, redness, and swelling in the neck. They will also review a person’s medical history to determine whether an allergy, chronic condition, injury, or exposure to a particular substance could explain their symptoms.

If a doctor suspects that a person may have a bacterial or viral infection, they may order blood tests to confirm a diagnosis. They might request a blood test that detects specific antibodies or one that measures the number of white blood cells present in the blood.

If a bacterial infection is more likely, the doctor may collect samples from a person’s throat or mouth and send them to a laboratory for further analysis.

A doctor may also follow this procedure if a person has an abnormal lump on their neck. Lab technicians will analyze samples of the tissue for signs of infections or cancer.

A sore throat and neck pain can both occur as a result of mild illnesses, such as a cold, the flu, or strep throat. In most cases, a person with this combination of symptoms does not need to seek immediate treatment. The symptoms should resolve within a few days to a week.

Staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and drinking warm liquids can help relieve a sore throat. People can treat neck pain with OTC pain relievers, warm or cold compresses, and neck stretches.

Anyone who experiences severe or persistent symptoms may wish to speak with their doctor. A doctor can diagnose the underlying cause of the symptoms and recommend effective treatment options.

Sore throat: causes

Sore throat is usually associated with the common cold, but it can also occur with diseases of other organs, not just the upper respiratory tract. Let’s take a closer look at each group of causes of sore throat.

Infectious diseases

Most cases of sore throat are caused by infectious diseases of the nasopharynx. Most often they are of a viral nature: SARS, influenza, infectious mononucleosis, measles, chicken pox and others. Bacterial infections are less common, primarily angina caused by group A β-hemolytic streptococcus, as well as scarlet fever and diphtheria. Angina is rarely observed, the cause of which is the defeat of mycoplasmas, chlamydia, gonococcus, tubercle bacillus or the causative agent of syphilis – pale spirochete.

Another rare but serious condition associated with sore throat is epiglotitis. Epiglottitis is an inflammation of the epiglottis and surrounding tissues, which can lead to airway obstruction. The reason for it is the defeat of the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type B . This disease mainly affects children aged 2–4 years. Vaccination since 1985 has significantly reduced the incidence of epiglotitis.

Also, infrequently, the cause of sore throat is damage to the oral mucosa by fungi: yeast-like – genus Candida (candidiasis), moldy – genera Aspergillus and Penicillium . Mycoses of the pharynx appear in the form of cheesy films that are easily separated from the mucous membrane. Their occurrence can provoke treatment with antibiotics, cytostatics and corticosteroids. They also develop against the background of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, diseases of the blood and gastrointestinal tract, due to beriberi. Candidiasis of the oral cavity, pharynx and esophagus is observed in more than 90% of AIDS patients.

The cause of sore throat, accompanied by perspiration and cough, in children may be the result of draining discharge from the nasopharynx with sinusitis or adenoiditis.

Allergies

Allergies to pet dander, mold and pollen, household dust and other allergens can be manifested not only by redness, swelling of the face and runny nose, but also by a sore throat.

Nasal obstruction

Nasal breathing problems may be due to turbinate hyperplasia, deviated septum, or other conditions. They force a person to breathe through the mouth, which leads to the fact that the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat becomes insufficiently moistened, and dryness and sore throat occur. Mouth breathing at night is often the cause of snoring, which provokes damage to the mucous membrane of the pharynx and causes pain when swallowing. Feeling dry and itchy in the throat, especially in the morning, may be due to excessive dryness of the air in the room, this most often occurs in winter when the central heating is on .

Air pollution and smoking

Polluted outdoor air can cause permanent irritation to the upper respiratory tract, but tobacco smoke is much more dangerous. Moreover, passive smoking is more dangerous for the upper respiratory tract than active smoking. So-called smokeless smoking (chewing and snuffing forms of tobacco), alcohol or spicy foods can also irritate the throat and cause pain.

Diseases of the teeth and oral cavity

Sore throat can be caused by diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues: periodontitis, teething pathology, galvanic syndrome (the formation of galvanic electric current in the oral cavity due to the presence of prostheses and crowns made of alloys of different metals, which exposed to saliva, which acts as an electrolyte).

Aphthous stomatitis is an inflammatory process of the oral mucosa, leading to a violation of its surface layer and the formation of aphthae (erosions). These erosions are painful, accompanied by a burning sensation in the mouth, and may be the cause of a sore throat. Aphthous stomatitis, according to the currently accepted theory, is a consequence of disturbances in the functioning of the immune system, which lead to the erroneous recognition of proteins that make up saliva as foreign.

Anatomical features

Rare unilateral sore throat caused by long styloid process. This process originates in the region of the tympanic part of the temporal bone, in children it consists of cartilaginous tissue, but with age it ossifies. If this process is delayed (observed in about 4% of cases), then the cartilage tissue lengthens and, with subsequent ossification, forms a giant styloid process. If it reaches the lower pole of the palatine tonsil or palatine nerve plexus, then this is manifested by pain in the throat, if it irritates the glossopharyngeal nerve, the pain is given to the ear. Symptoms appear after the age of 30-40 years.

Muscle tension

Excessive tension of the muscles of the throat, as well as the muscles of the arms or legs, can lead to soreness. A sore throat after performing at a concert, after delivering a long speech from the podium, or due to excessively loud voice support for your favorite team at sports competitions, is the result of overexertion of the throat muscles.

Tumors

Tumors of the throat, tongue or vocal apparatus, or thyroid gland may not show symptoms for a long time, in other cases hoarseness of voice, difficulty swallowing and sore throat occur quite early.

Foreign body

The presence of a foreign body in the throat is accompanied by acute stabbing or cutting pain when swallowing, which first occurs during eating. Most often, such a foreign body is a fish bone or a fragment of a meat bone.

Non-communicable systemic diseases

Gastroesophageal reflux is the reflux of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus. It is observed in gastroesophageal reflux disease, hiatal hernia of the esophagus. The reflux of acidic stomach contents can irritate not only the esophagus, but also the throat, causing pain. Pain, often accompanied by a sensation of a lump in the throat, may be due to chronic esophagitis, esophageal varicose veins, esophageal diverticula, gastritis, cholecystitis, stomach ulcers.

In diabetic patients, the first manifestation of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may be thirst and dry mouth, leading to catarrhal changes in the throat. The same complaints are not uncommon in those suffering from Itsenko-Cushing’s syndrome (excessive production of hormones of the adrenal cortex). Dry mouth, swallowing disorders, sore throat are often observed in patients with hypothyroidism.

Diseases of the spine, especially the cervical region, can cause pain in the throat. Neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal nerve is also the cause of such pain.

Deficiency of vitamins and minerals

Vitamin A deficiency leads to dry mouth and the formation of erosions on the mucous membranes, including in the oral cavity, cheilitis. Vitamin B2 deficiency is manifested by dermatitis, cheilitis, and glossitis, which is manifested by burning and pain in the mouth when talking and eating, and vitamin C hypovitaminosis is manifested by pain, hemorrhagic and ulcerative-necrotic processes in the oral cavity, mobility and tooth loss. Against the background of B12-deficiency anemia, Möller-Gunter glossitis (bright red tongue with flattened papillae) and atrophy of the pharyngeal mucosa may develop. Insufficient iron content in the body is the cause of the Plummer-Vinson syndrome, which is characterized by glossitis, swallowing disorders. All of these conditions lead to sore throat.

Sources

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Wang G., Qi Y., Wu L., Jiang G. Comparative Efficacy of 6 Topical Pharmacological Agents for Preventive Interventions of Postoperative Sore Throat After Tracheal Intubation: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. // Anesth Analg – 2021 – Vol – NNULL – p. ; PMID:33886521

Sore throat. What to do?!

What does this symptom most often talk about, what is the danger of wrong treatment and how to recover faster?

In the autumn-winter season, a sore “cold” throat often becomes a symptom not only of a cold, but also of many other viral diseases: according to statistics, it is viruses that most often cause inflammation in the nasopharynx.

Pharyngitis – inflammation of the mucous membrane and lymphoid tissue of the pharynx, often occurring during or after a cold. A “sore throat” may be the only symptom of pharyngitis. Usually it hurts more in the morning, often there is a feeling of “tickling”, irritation, “dryness” in the throat. Body temperature remains normal or rises slightly. In the treatment of pharyngitis caused by bacteria, it is unlikely that antibiotics can be dispensed with. With viral and fungal pharyngitis, as a rule, symptomatic treatment is sufficient (gargling with antiseptic solutions and decoctions of medicinal herbs, inhalations, use of antiseptic sprays, etc.).

Angina (tonsillitis). The pain with angina is severe, usually worsens in the evening, the throat is red, a plaque appears on the enlarged tonsils. Other symptoms of angina are high fever (often above 38C), weakness, muscle pain, headache, dizziness. Viral tonsillitis is more common in children; in adults, it is usually caused by streptococcus, staphylococcus, or pneumococcus bacteria. For the treatment of angina, as a rule, antibiotics are used, in addition – antiseptic and anti-inflammatory rinses, inhalations, plentiful warm drinks.

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx. It can be caused not only by viruses, but also by overstrain of the vocal cords (it is not by chance that teachers, announcers, actors and singers often suffer from chronic laryngitis). In addition to a sore throat, the classic symptoms of laryngitis are voice changes: it becomes hoarse, it may even disappear altogether. In addition, there is a feeling of perspiration, burning in the throat, cough (dry in the first days of the disease, later with sputum discharge), body temperature may rise slightly. In the treatment of viral laryngitis, local antiseptics and anti-inflammatory drugs are also required. Steam inhalation, warm compresses on the neck and chest area help to recover faster. It is important to reduce the load on the vocal cords: speak less and in no case whisper, as when whispering, the cords tense up even more.

Tracheitis. With inflammation of the mucous membrane of the windpipe – the trachea, which is also most often caused by viruses, there is often a feeling that a lump has appeared in the throat. The sore throat is usually sore, the temperature is slightly elevated. In addition, tracheitis can be recognized by a dry paroxysmal cough, therefore, in addition to local antiseptics and anti-inflammatory drugs, antitussive drugs are included in the treatment regimen.

The throat may also hurt :

• for allergies: pain, itching, redness, feeling of a lump in the throat can be its symptoms, especially if it is an allergy to pollen, dust or household chemicals;
• due to mucosal irritation: it can be caused by smog, tobacco smoke, pungent odors, hot spices, nuts, seeds, hot food and drinks, alcohol (respectively, with a “sore throat”, all irritating factors will further worsen the condition).
• due to overstrain of ligaments and muscles: if you overstrain the muscles of the throat, for example, actively ill at a football match, they will inevitably hurt.

What to do if your throat hurts?…

The first thing to do is to see a doctor! Since the throat can hurt with a variety of diseases, ranging from ARI to diphtheria, mononucleosis, measles. Self-medication is also dangerous because the incorrect prescription and use of antibiotics and drugs that relieve sore throat can provoke even more inflammation of the mucosa. And, of course, we should not forget: many diseases that are characterized by this unpleasant symptom are fraught with serious complications for the joints, kidneys, heart and other organs. So it’s not worth joking with an “untreated” throat!

A sore throat can be a symptom of a wide range of illnesses. Accordingly, treatment, including local treatment, should be selected depending on the nature of the disease – and it can be viral, bacterial, fungal, etc. Therefore, only a doctor should prescribe specific drugs.

Recommendations:

First, do not gargle for too long. It would seem that rinsing is the most effective way, but it is effective only for the first 3-4 days. If you gargle and it still hurts, then you have dried out the mucous membrane. After all, salt, soda, which we usually use, not only kill germs, but also dry the throat. The main thing here is not to overdo it.

Secondly, if you often suffer from tonsillitis, pay attention to the humidity in the room. Dry air irritates the mucous membrane of the throat.

Thirdly: with frequent sore throats, not only cold drinks are dangerous, but also hot ones. Try not to drink hot tea, coffee, etc. All drinks and meals must be warm.

6 ways to strengthen local immunity:

1. The simplest and most effective healing “exercise” for the throat is a daily mini-exercise, which consists in slowly chanting the vowel pairs: a-z, o-e, u-yu, uh – e.
2. Elementary breathing exercise is useful (we slowly inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth for 2-3 minutes), and if the throat hurts often, it is worth mastering some kind of breathing exercises.
3. During the cold and flu season, gargling with a sea water solution is helpful to prevent viral infections.
4. Put a humidifier in the apartment: dry air depresses the local immunity of the nasopharynx and can cause chronic irritation.