Meningitis and stiff neck: Causes, treatment, and more

Meningitis is an infection that affects the protective membranes that surround the spinal cord and brain, called the meninges. Meningitis can cause many symptoms, including a stiff neck.

Meningitis can be serious if a person does not seek treatment quickly. Meningitis can cause septicemia, a life-threatening blood poisoning that can permanently damage the nerves and brain.

There are several vaccines available that can protect against meningitis.

This article examines the connection between meningitis and a stiff neck. We also discuss when people should contact a doctor and the potential treatments for meningitis.

A stiff neck is one of the symptoms of meningitis.

The meninges are the protective layers that surround the brain and spinal cord. The spinal meninges cover the spinal cord and protect it from directly touching the neck, cervical spine, chest, and thoracic spine. The cranial meninges cover the brain and cushion it from direct contact with the skull.

The meninges have three layers:

• Pia mater: The innermost layer attaches to and lines the brain and spinal cord. The pia mater is the thinnest and most delicate of the meningeal layers.
• Arachnoid mater: The middle layer contains collagen and elastic tissue in a web-like structure. The cerebrospinal fluid runs beneath the arachnoid mater in an area called the subarachnoid space, above the pia mater.
• Dura mater: The outermost and most durable, toughest layer. It comprises dense fibrous tissue to provide protection and is the only meningeal layer sensitive to pain.

In meningitis, the cerebrospinal fluid and the surrounding meninges — the arachnoid mater and pia mater — are susceptible to infection and inflammation. The infection can also activate the fibers of the dura mater, which can contribute to neck pain and stiffness.

The meninges run from the brain and cover the spinal cord until just before the lower back. A person’s neck is the most mobile area that meninges cover.

When the meninges become inflamed and painful from movement, a person will notice this in their neck. This is why a person with meningitis often has a stiff, painful neck.

A person should seek medical advice as soon as possible if they think that they or their child has meningitis. A person should not wait for a rash or other additional symptoms to develop and should see a doctor at the earliest possible stage of the infection.

A bacterial or viral infection is the most common cause of meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more severe than viral meningitis.

A person can contract meningitis from someone else sneezing or coughing or from kissing. A person usually catches it from someone who has the virus or bacteria in their throat but is not showing symptoms themselves.

If a person thinks they or their child have had contact with someone with meningitis, they should seek medical advice.

A doctor will usually send a person with suspected meningitis to the hospital for tests to confirm the diagnosis and check whether the infection is viral or bacterial.

If a person has bacterial meningitis, they may require hospital treatment for about a week.

A doctor may treat the infection by:

• giving the person oxygen via a face mask
• injecting antibiotics directly into a vein
• injecting fluids directly into a vein

If a person has viral meningitis, they will generally look after themselves at home and usually recover without treatment within 7–10 days. A person should get plenty of rest and may feel better after taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication and antinausea medication to relieve symptoms.

Vaccines

There are currently no vaccines against viral meningitis, but four types of vaccines protect against the four types of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis. These are:

• pneumococcal vaccines, which help protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae
• meningococcal vaccines, which help protect against Neisseria meningitidis
• Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccines, which help protect against Hib
• bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which helps protect against tuberculosis

People should make sure they are up to date with their scheduled vaccinations.

Viral and bacterial meningitis may present different symptoms.

Viral meningitis

Babies often display the following symptoms of viral meningitis:

• lethargy
• fever
• difficulty eating
• irritability
• trouble waking or sleepiness

Common symptoms of viral meningitis in children and adults include:

• stiff neck
• lethargy
• fever
• headache
• sensitivity to light
• sleepiness or trouble waking
• lack of appetite
• nausea
• vomiting
• irritability

Bacterial meningitis

The symptoms of bacterial meningitis in newborns and babies include:

• vomiting
• trouble feeding
• being slow or inactive
• being irritable
• a bulging fontanelle, the soft spot on a baby’s head
• abnormal reflexes

For children and adults, symptoms of bacterial meningitis may include:

• sensitivity to light
• nausea
• vomiting
• confusion
• fever
• stiff neck
• headache

If a person has viral meningitis, they will usually get better without treatment, and people rarely suffer any long-term effects of the infection.

If a person has bacterial meningitis, they will usually make a full recovery if they receive treatment quickly.

A person could experience severe long-term complications from bacterial meningitis. These include:

• recurring seizures, or epilepsy
• vision or hearing loss, either partial or total
• memory and concentration problems
• problems with coordination, such as balance and movement issues
• loss of limbs, as a doctor may have to amputate affected limbs in some cases

Meningitis can cause a stiff neck. This is because it causes inflammation and infection in the meninges surrounding the brain and spine. A person will likely feel the stiffness from the inflammation most noticeably in their neck, which is the most mobile area that the meninges cover.

Meningitis can be severe, especially if a bacterial infection causes it. A person should contact a doctor as soon as possible if they suspect they or their child have meningitis or have been with a person who has the infection. There is a much better chance of a full recovery if a person receives treatment quickly.

A person will usually recover from viral meningitis at home within 7–10 days and may use OTC medications to treat symptoms.

People often make a full recovery from meningitis, especially viral meningitis. A person may experience severe problems from bacterial meningitis, including seizures, vision or hearing loss, and coordination problems.

Meningitis and stiff neck: Causes, treatment, and more

Meningitis is an infection that affects the protective membranes that surround the spinal cord and brain, called the meninges. Meningitis can cause many symptoms, including a stiff neck.

Meningitis can be serious if a person does not seek treatment quickly. Meningitis can cause septicemia, a life-threatening blood poisoning that can permanently damage the nerves and brain.

There are several vaccines available that can protect against meningitis.

This article examines the connection between meningitis and a stiff neck. We also discuss when people should contact a doctor and the potential treatments for meningitis.

A stiff neck is one of the symptoms of meningitis.

The meninges are the protective layers that surround the brain and spinal cord. The spinal meninges cover the spinal cord and protect it from directly touching the neck, cervical spine, chest, and thoracic spine. The cranial meninges cover the brain and cushion it from direct contact with the skull.

The meninges have three layers:

• Pia mater: The innermost layer attaches to and lines the brain and spinal cord. The pia mater is the thinnest and most delicate of the meningeal layers.
• Arachnoid mater: The middle layer contains collagen and elastic tissue in a web-like structure. The cerebrospinal fluid runs beneath the arachnoid mater in an area called the subarachnoid space, above the pia mater.
• Dura mater: The outermost and most durable, toughest layer. It comprises dense fibrous tissue to provide protection and is the only meningeal layer sensitive to pain.

In meningitis, the cerebrospinal fluid and the surrounding meninges — the arachnoid mater and pia mater — are susceptible to infection and inflammation. The infection can also activate the fibers of the dura mater, which can contribute to neck pain and stiffness.

The meninges run from the brain and cover the spinal cord until just before the lower back. A person’s neck is the most mobile area that meninges cover.

When the meninges become inflamed and painful from movement, a person will notice this in their neck. This is why a person with meningitis often has a stiff, painful neck.

A person should seek medical advice as soon as possible if they think that they or their child has meningitis. A person should not wait for a rash or other additional symptoms to develop and should see a doctor at the earliest possible stage of the infection.

A bacterial or viral infection is the most common cause of meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more severe than viral meningitis.

A person can contract meningitis from someone else sneezing or coughing or from kissing. A person usually catches it from someone who has the virus or bacteria in their throat but is not showing symptoms themselves.

If a person thinks they or their child have had contact with someone with meningitis, they should seek medical advice.

A doctor will usually send a person with suspected meningitis to the hospital for tests to confirm the diagnosis and check whether the infection is viral or bacterial.

If a person has bacterial meningitis, they may require hospital treatment for about a week.

A doctor may treat the infection by:

• giving the person oxygen via a face mask
• injecting antibiotics directly into a vein
• injecting fluids directly into a vein

If a person has viral meningitis, they will generally look after themselves at home and usually recover without treatment within 7–10 days. A person should get plenty of rest and may feel better after taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication and antinausea medication to relieve symptoms.

Vaccines

There are currently no vaccines against viral meningitis, but four types of vaccines protect against the four types of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis. These are:

• pneumococcal vaccines, which help protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae
• meningococcal vaccines, which help protect against Neisseria meningitidis
• Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccines, which help protect against Hib
• bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which helps protect against tuberculosis

People should make sure they are up to date with their scheduled vaccinations.

Viral and bacterial meningitis may present different symptoms.

Viral meningitis

Babies often display the following symptoms of viral meningitis:

• lethargy
• fever
• difficulty eating
• irritability
• trouble waking or sleepiness

Common symptoms of viral meningitis in children and adults include:

• stiff neck
• lethargy
• fever
• headache
• sensitivity to light
• sleepiness or trouble waking
• lack of appetite
• nausea
• vomiting
• irritability

Bacterial meningitis

The symptoms of bacterial meningitis in newborns and babies include:

• vomiting
• trouble feeding
• being slow or inactive
• being irritable
• a bulging fontanelle, the soft spot on a baby’s head
• abnormal reflexes

For children and adults, symptoms of bacterial meningitis may include:

• sensitivity to light
• nausea
• vomiting
• confusion
• fever
• stiff neck
• headache

If a person has viral meningitis, they will usually get better without treatment, and people rarely suffer any long-term effects of the infection.

If a person has bacterial meningitis, they will usually make a full recovery if they receive treatment quickly.

A person could experience severe long-term complications from bacterial meningitis. These include:

• recurring seizures, or epilepsy
• vision or hearing loss, either partial or total
• memory and concentration problems
• problems with coordination, such as balance and movement issues
• loss of limbs, as a doctor may have to amputate affected limbs in some cases

Meningitis can cause a stiff neck. This is because it causes inflammation and infection in the meninges surrounding the brain and spine. A person will likely feel the stiffness from the inflammation most noticeably in their neck, which is the most mobile area that the meninges cover.

Meningitis can be severe, especially if a bacterial infection causes it. A person should contact a doctor as soon as possible if they suspect they or their child have meningitis or have been with a person who has the infection. There is a much better chance of a full recovery if a person receives treatment quickly.

A person will usually recover from viral meningitis at home within 7–10 days and may use OTC medications to treat symptoms.

People often make a full recovery from meningitis, especially viral meningitis. A person may experience severe problems from bacterial meningitis, including seizures, vision or hearing loss, and coordination problems.

Stiffness of the spine, back and neck: causes and treatment

Free appointment
and diagnostics

Pain relief
in 1-2 sessions

Author’s method
treatment

Internships in the USA,
Israel, Germany

The spine is the basis of the musculoskeletal system, which has a serious load when walking. Lifestyle, diseases, injuries provoke various disorders. The stiffness of the spine in the neck and back area manifests itself in the form of limited movements, in which it becomes impossible to move freely in space and do the usual manipulations. The patient experiences discomfort when turning the head, turning or bending forward. Later, there are pains of varying intensity that do not go away after taking a hot shower or resting in a horizontal position.

1

Positive dynamics in 97% of cases

The results of the treatment course are confirmed by control MRI images.

2

No side effects

The methods used in our clinic are safe and have no side effects.

3

Long-term effect

Treatment minimizes the risk of new hernias in other segments, as well as hernia recurrence.

Spinal stiffness is a wake-up call that needs attention. It is not considered a disease in its essence, but is recognized as a symptom of a more serious pathology. A timely visit to a doctor allows diagnosing disorders in the musculoskeletal system, taking a course of treatment recommended by a doctor.

The mechanism of spinal stiffness

You can understand why this condition occurs by studying the anatomical features of the musculoskeletal system. The spinal column is made up of individual vertebrae that form the spinal canal along with the arcuate processes. It contains the spinal cord surrounded by the dural membranes. Paired radicular nerves depart from it, giving signals to different parts of the body. There are also large blood vessels through which blood circulates, saturating all organs with oxygen and useful substances carried in it.

The vertebral column is surrounded by ligaments that keep it stable. Such a property of the spinal column as flexibility becomes possible due to the presence of intervertebral joints. Mobility is possible thanks to the muscles of the back. The full functioning of all parts of the musculoskeletal system guarantees the integrity of the intervertebral cartilage disc. He is responsible for the distribution of the load, making movements.

The intervertebral disc receives its nourishment from the surrounding muscle tissue and does not have its own circulatory network. If the diffuse influx of substances is disturbed, it loses its elasticity. This leads to an increase in the volume of the disk, a decrease in its height. Inflammation occurs in the surrounding muscles, which causes stiffness.

Causes of developing pathology

If the muscles are constantly in a tense state, the mobility of the spinal column is limited. This feeling disappears after a short rest, maximum relaxation. If the stiffness of the spine of the neck and back does not go away for three or more days, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis. Screening is able to show that the patient is developing one of the diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Common causes of pathology include:

• Osteochondrosis of the cervical or thoracic regions. With this violation, the intervertebral discs lose their ability to function normally. Pain syndrome occurs when performing physical work, excessive loads on this part of the spine.
• Sciatica. It is one of the consequences of osteochondrosis. Nerve roots are compressed due to strong muscle tension, which leads to stiffness.
• Herniated disc or deformity. Such disorders develop over a long period of time. In place of immobility comes severe pain. The situation is aggravated by physical inactivity, bad habits, chronic stress.
• Osteoporosis. This is a pathology accompanied by loss of bone mass. Bones become porous due to the leaching of calcium, a component responsible for strength.
• Spondylosis. The bone processes of the vertebrae increase and proliferate. They compress the nerve roots, which leads to inflammation of the muscles surrounding the area.

Additional risk factors include being overweight, repetitive movements, malignant or benign neoplasms. Excessive physical activity and hypothermia of the back also become the causes of pathological processes in the spine.

Treatment success is 90% dependent on experience
and physician qualifications.

Free medical consultation and diagnostics

• Chiropractor
• Vertebrologist
• Osteopath
• Neurologist

During the consultation, we carry out a thorough diagnosis of the entire spine and each segment. We are exactly
we determine which segments and nerve roots are involved and cause symptoms of pain. As a result of the consultation
We give detailed recommendations for treatment and, if necessary, prescribe additional diagnostics.

1

Perform functional diagnostics of the spine

2

Let’s perform a manipulation that significantly relieves pain

3

We will create an individual treatment program

Book a free appointment

Symptoms of the disorder

Stiffness of the cervical spine often bothers the patient in the evenings after the end of the working day. This symptom occurs if he has been in a static posture for a long time. If you do not do therapeutic exercises and muscle relaxation exercises, this will lead to the development of osteochondrosis. A concomitant symptom of the disorder is headaches of varying intensity. Tension of the muscles of the collar zone and neck prevents proper blood supply, contributes to an increase in blood pressure.

Stiffness of the thoracic spine indicates the presence of osteochondrosis. In the process of diagnosis, the destruction of the costovertebral joints is sometimes established. Accompanying disorders will be difficulty in taking a deep breath and discomfort between the shoulder blades. A problem with the costovertebral joint limits the mobility of the chest. The patient cannot take a full breath, the lung tissue does not fully expand. This causes oxygen starvation of the brain, provokes the development of respiratory failure.

Treatment of spinal stiffness

It is recommended to consult a doctor in the early stages of the pathology, when the correction of the negative condition is easiest. You should immediately contact the clinic in the following cases:

• symptoms do not disappear after the use of painkillers applied locally to the affected area;
• Stiffness resulted from mechanical damage;
• the patient is concerned about numbness of the legs;
• Mobility restriction persists for three or more days.

Such diseases are treated by an orthopedist, neurologist, vertebrologist, osteopath and chiropractor. Additionally, consultations of a surgeon, oncologist, gynecologist, urologist may be required.

Before prescribing treatment, the doctor will make an accurate diagnosis. Therapy must begin with the correction of the underlying disease that caused the stiffness. Back problems due to the development of osteochondrosis are treated by an osteopath and a chiropractor. These specialists help restore mobility even in severe cases. A number of studies are necessarily carried out to exclude the presence of contraindications to the techniques used.

Manual therapy

The task of a manual therapist is to completely relax the neck muscles, improve blood circulation in soft tissues, restore metabolism and normalize blood flow to the brain. Manual therapy is a set of techniques aimed at eliminating pain, stiffness, discomfort in the cervical and thoracic spine. The impact is carried out exclusively by hand without the use of equipment.

Osteopathy

Osteopath works on soft tissues, influencing internal organs. Such techniques help to solve a number of problems associated with chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The duration of the sessions is determined individually depending on the type of underlying disease and the dynamics of recovery. The doctor monitors the patient after the session, controls his well-being. In most cases, there is mild dizziness, which disappears after a while.

Kinesiology taping

This is a relatively new procedure used to treat spinal stiffness. Elastic strips – teips – are superimposed on the affected area. In appearance and characteristics, they resemble adhesive tape. The procedure helps to form a new muscle stereotype, relaxes pinched areas, relieves spasm. With kinesiology tape, you can sleep and do daily activities. They do not constrain movements, do not cause discomfort and irritation on the skin. At the end of the treatment period, the strips are carefully removed by the doctor.

Professional approach

Treatment of the spine in the clinic of Dr. Length allows you to eliminate the symptoms and cause of the disease without surgery. Among the methods used are kinesio taping, Di-Tazin therapy, osteopathy, manual technique, SWT, drug electrophoresis. A free consultation with a doctor and diagnostics using modern equipment of the clinic allow you to make an accurate diagnosis and eliminate errors in treatment. Our doctors will relieve you of pain and return the joy of free movement.

We are recommended by 94% of patients.
Thank you for your trust and your choice.

Material verified by an expert

Mikhailov Valeriy Borisovich

Manual therapist, vertebrologist, neurologist

Work experience – 25 years

Video reviews of patients

Articular block in the neck 90 006 Hernias in the lower back and neck

Clinic Dr. Length I came in with spinal problems. With two intervertebral lower hernias and two intervertebral hernias in the neck. I was assigned a comprehensive 10 step program. For 4 months, my lower vertebrae completely disappeared and crunches in my neck disappeared …

Lumbo-sacral hernia

“After the first time, my back stopped hurting. I felt relieved. Now 7 sessions have already passed and the back really does not hurt. I began to forget about it. And at first it hurt a lot.”

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve

“For 4 months I suffered from severe inflammation of the sciatic nerve on the right side. After the first visit, relief came immediately within six hours. After 6 courses, the pain was almost gone.

Pain in the lower back and leg

Yakovleva Natalya Mikhailovna
Head of the department, surgeon of the highest category, oncologist-mammologist
I want to express my deep gratitude for the fact that I was put on my feet in the truest sense of the word. I came to the clinic a month and a half ago with severe pain in the lower back and leg. These complaints were long enough and the treatment that I used in the past was ineffective. Fortunately, I ended up in the clinic of Dr. Length and his team of super professionals!

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

“I applied 2 months ago with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. I have a sedentary job and my neck muscles were very cramped. It was impossible to work. Before that, I went to other doctors, but this did not solve my problem. For 2 months I have a fairly positive dynamics. Every week it gets better and better.”

Bechterew’s disease

“I have had Bechterew’s disease for 10 years. The vertebrae began to move out, I began to slouch. I turned to other chiropractors, very famous, media ones. In the end, I didn’t get any results. After 2 sessions I felt much better. Now I don’t have any pain.”

Pain in the spine

“I came in with problems in my back, cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. I was prescribed procedures, had a massage, and was assigned to do physical education at home. This made it much easier for me. I’m already turning my head. I have no pain.”

Shoulder shoulder periarthrosis

I went to the clinic with severe pain in my shoulder. My hand did not rise, I could not sleep at night, I woke up from pain. After the first treatment session, I felt much better. Somewhere in the middle of the course, my hand began to rise, I began to sleep at night.

Arthrosis of the knee joint, 2nd degree

She came in with a very serious illness. I could not walk, I have arthrosis of the 2nd degree of the knee joint. I went through a course of treatment at the Clinic and now I am going 100%.

Herniated disc

“I came to the clinic after I had back pain and it turned out to be a herniated disc. I went to other places, but they only relieved attacks of pain. Hope for a return to normal life was given only by Sergei Vladimirovich, his golden hands!

Scoliosis

“Since I was a teenager, I have suffered from scoliosis in the thoracic region. I felt a feeling of discomfort, tension, periodic pain in the spine. I turned to various specialists, a massage therapist, an osteopath, but I did not feel a strong effect. After treatment, Length S.V. I almost have a straight spine. Currently, I do not feel any problems and discomfort.”

Intervertebral hernia

“At the 5th-6th session there was an improvement. I felt much better. The pain is gone. Improvement progressed more and more each time. Lesson 10 today. I feel great.”

Pain in the lumbar and cervical region

“I am 21 years old. I went to the clinic with discomfort in the lumbar and cervical region. I also sometimes had sharp pains. After undergoing therapy, I felt a significant improvement in my back. I have no pain. The condition as a whole has improved.”

Pain in the back

“At the beginning of the path of treatment, my back hurt very badly. I could no longer walk. I take 5 steps and stop. My entire journey consisted of such stops. In the very first procedure, I left the office with no pain in my spine. ”

Cervical hernia

“I came in with a problem in my neck and my right arm was very sore. The neck did not turn, the hand did not rise. After the 3rd session, I felt better. After the 5th, all this pain began to decrease. It turns out I have 2 hernias in my cervical vertebrae. After the sessions, I did an MRI and one hernia decreased. Now he began to move, his hand earned.

Pain in the neck

“I went to Dr. Long because I had a very bad pain in my neck on the right side. I fell on a snowboard 5 years ago, even went to an osteopath, but somehow it didn’t really help. Now everything is fine, there are some consequences left, the muscles were spasmodic. When I came, I had steel muscles, now my neck is very soft.”

Pain in the thoracic region

“I went to the clinic with back pain, namely in the thoracic region. After 10 sessions of treatment, I could already calmly go about my usual business, sit at work until lunch, without howling in pain. Now I’ve come back for an adjustment after 2 months. I’m fine, my back doesn’t hurt.”

Hernia and protrusion

“I came to the clinic with L4-L5 hernia and L5-S1 protrusion. Today the course of treatment has ended. Lower back hurt, it was difficult to bend down. After completing the course and receiving instructions in the form of physical exercises, it became much easier. After a month of treatment, I do not feel any stiffness of movements. ”

Pain in the lower back and hip joint

“I have been suffering from back pain since I was young. When they became unbearable, I went to Dr. Length’s clinic. Already after the first procedure, the pain in the hip joint was gone. After the third procedure, the shooting pains in the lower back stopped.

Applying today will help

avoid surgery tomorrow!

Relieve pain and inflammation

After 2-3 treatments, exhausting pain goes away, you feel better.

Eliminate the cause of the disease

Comprehensive rehabilitation of the spine improves well-being: you feel a surge of strength and energy.

Let’s start the process of regeneration

The process of restoration of damaged tissues begins, hernias and protrusions decrease.

Let’s strengthen the muscular corset

Strong back muscles support the spinal column, preventing the recurrence of the disease.

We treat

• Treatment of salt deposits in the joints
• Treatment of protrusion of the lumbar spine with modern methods
• The author’s method of treating scoliosis
• Gonarthrosis of the knee joint – treatment of 1, 2, 3 degrees
• Pain in the calves after running and walking, causes and treatments for pain
• Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica in Moscow

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Pain in the neck – causes, what diseases it occurs in, diagnosis and treatment methods

Arthritis

Hernia

Protrusion

Arthrosis

Trauma

Osteochondrosis

Myofascial syndrome

4548

09 June

Pain in the neck – the causes of occurrence, in which diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment.

Almost two-thirds of people have experienced neck pain at least once in their lives – cervicalgia. Such pain does not always indicate a serious illness. But if relapses occur more and more often, this can be an alarming signal.

Varieties of pain

Conventionally, the causes of cervicalgia are divided into two groups:

1. arising from diseases of the spine (herniated discs, arthrosis, dysfunction of the intervertebral joints) and subluxation of the vertebrae (whiplash). The consequences of such injuries can manifest themselves throughout life;
2. arising from other causes: infectious and endocrine diseases, tumor processes, rheumatism.

Possible causes

Myofascial syndrome

Prolonged overstrain of the neck muscles, sprains, hypothermia lead to pain, which is characterized by moderate intensity and short duration. In this case, there is often a limitation of the mobility of the head and a spasm of the neck muscles, in which seals and pain are felt when pressed.

As a rule, pain in myofascial syndrome disappears on its own within a few days.

Cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the spine, which occurs as a result of deformation and destruction of the intervertebral discs. Loss of elasticity, compression and destruction of the discs lead to overload of the intervertebral (facet) joints, arthrosis, pinched nerve roots and pain. With age, due to the drying of cartilage, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, which causes damage to the intervertebral joints and ligaments.

Dysfunction of the facet joints

Damage to the structure of the intervertebral, or facet, joints is one of the most common causes of pain in the neck.

The thinning of cartilage on the articular surfaces leads to the appearance of bone growths – osteophytes. They narrow the lumen of the intervertebral foramina and compress the nerve endings. As a rule, this causes dull pain (gradually increasing, of low intensity), especially in the morning after sleeping in an uncomfortable position (on a high pillow, in the prone position). When moving, it increases, and at rest it weakens. The pain may radiate to the back of the head, ear, temple, or shoulder.

Herniation and protrusion of the intervertebral discs

Compression of the intervertebral discs that have lost their elasticity leads to their protrusion (protrusion) into the spinal canal and the subsequent formation of a hernia.

As a result, compression of the spinal cord occurs, leading to a violation of the sensitivity of the hands (numbness, burning, weakness) and pain. Shooting (irregular, one-sided) pain is aggravated by tilting, rotating, or tilting the head back, so that the person instinctively tilts the head forward and in the direction opposite to the location of the pain.

Cervical myelopathy

Prolonged compression of the hernia of the spinal cord leads to a violation of the spinal circulation.

Painful sensations occur not only in the neck, but also give between the shoulder blades, to the shoulders. They increase with movement and do not stop even after taking painkillers. Characteristic signs are the appearance of goosebumps, numbness of the limbs, problems with fine motor skills. Dizziness, memory impairment, changes in gait are possible.

Whiplash

Whiplash injury of the cervical spine occurs in a person with a sharp bending of the neck forward or backward, followed by recoil in the opposite direction. This type of damage most often occurs in an accident. In this case, stretching and damage to muscles, ligaments, intervertebral discs and cervical vertebrae occur. In the most severe cases, dislocations and fractures of the cervical vertebrae occur.

The consequences of an injury can be pain in the cervical region and shoulders, migraines, spasms of the muscles of the neck, impaired mobility.

Associated symptoms include blurred vision, fatigue, and headaches.

Neck pain due to muscular tonic syndromes

Muscle tonic syndrome is a condition that is caused by prolonged spasm of several muscle groups in the head, neck, and chest. Compression of the neurovascular bundles leads to pulling, sometimes severe pain. In particular, the syndrome of the scalene muscle is a symptom complex in which the innervation and blood supply of the scalene muscles of the neck, going from the cervical vertebrae to the first and second ribs, are disturbed. This syndrome is characterized by pain and stiffness in the neck, more often in the morning, a certain position of the head (the head is tilted forward and slightly towards the tense muscle). The pain can be mild, aching, but sometimes sharp, aggravated at night, with a deep breath, when the head is tilted to the healthy side. Sometimes pain is transmitted to the shoulders, to the axillary and interscapular regions, to the anterior chest.

Neck pain from other causes

Constant and prolonged pain in the neck can be caused not only by diseases of the spine.

First of all, infectious diseases should be excluded, in particular, nonspecific or tuberculous spondylitis, epidural abscess. Persistent pain that worsens rather than improves at rest may be a sign of vertebral metastasis. These symptoms are accompanied by fever, general weakness, sweating. When pressing on the spinous processes, local pain occurs.

Damage to the spine is also possible with rheumatoid arthritis. As a rule, at an early stage of the disease, pain occurs in the neck, neck and head. The pain may radiate to the forehead and eye sockets, aggravated by bending and turning the head. Loss of sensation in the neck and arms.

Diagnostics and examinations

First of all, the doctor pays attention to the clinical symptoms: the localization and distribution of pain, impaired sensitivity in the neck, shoulders, arms, decreased reflexes, general condition, the nature of the pain (increased by movement or at rest).

The doctor may prescribe:

• complete blood count

Blood test. Complete blood count (without leukocyte formula and ESR) (Complete Blood Count, CBC)

Synonyms: UAC. CBC without differential.

Brief description of the study Complete blood count

Blood consists of a liquid part (plasma) and cellular, shaped elements…

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

390 RUB

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blood chemistry: minimal profile

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

3 990 rub

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urinalysis (urinalysis with sediment microscopy)

Method of determination

Determination of physical and chemical parameters is carried out on an automatic analyzer using the “dry chemistry” method.

Hardware microscope…

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C-reactive protein (CRP, CRP)

C-reactive protein is an acute phase protein, a sensitive indicator of tissue damage during inflammation, necrosis, trauma.
Synonyms: Blood test for CRP; C-jet …

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To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor will need the results of computed and magnetic resonance imaging

Which doctors should I contact?

If you experience pain in the cervical region, first of all, you need to visit:

• therapist;
• neurologist;
• oncologist (at the conclusion of the therapist).

What should be done when pain occurs?

The Shants collar will help relieve pain and relieve tension in the cervical region.

It unloads and relaxes the muscles, reduces the pressure of the vertebrae on each other, helps restore normal blood circulation in the cervical spine.

Treatment

Conservative and surgical methods are used to treat patients with neck pain.

Conservative methods include drug and non-drug therapies.

Non-drug treatment, in particular, therapeutic exercises, ensures the restoration of the correct muscle balance, relaxation of overstrained muscles. Favorable influence is provided by methods of orthopedic treatment, manual and physiotherapy.

Only specialists can perform traction and massage.

Drug therapy is primarily aimed at eliminating pain. For example, blockades with local anesthetics reduce the intensity of pain. Most of the drugs used to treat neck pain are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as diclofenac. Also, in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs, the doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants – drugs whose action is aimed at relieving muscle spasms and reducing the tone of skeletal muscles.

With symptoms of compression of the nerve endings and spinal cord (sensory and motor disorders, paralysis), surgical treatment is indicated. The doctor assesses the benefits and risks of such operations individually. An alternative to surgical interventions on the spine in some cases are percutaneous high-frequency denervation of the facet joints and percutaneous laser vaporization of a herniated disc, which are minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures.

Sources:

1. Clinical guidelines “Rheumatoid arthritis”. Developed by: Association of Rheumatologists of Russia, LLC “Russian Rheumatological Association “Nadezhda””. – 2021.
2. Clinical guidelines “Neuromuscular scoliosis”. Developed by: Russian Association of Traumatologists and Orthopedists, Russian Association of Spine Surgeons.