Neck pain when turning the head, causes, treatment

The neck is the part of the human body that is most exposed to stress. The fact is that a significant number of nerves and vessels are concentrated in a relatively small area. In addition, the cervical vertebrae are almost constantly in maximum mobility.

Many people have experienced pain in this part of the body. Often its manifestation was expressed by a lumbago. As a rule, such a symptom is caused by sharp muscle spasms that occur as a result of the development of some pathology or due to exposure to external factors.

Type of lumbago

Pain syndromes in the neck area are very different. They differ in location and duration. The pain sensations themselves may also be different. In this regard, such a disease is classified based on its symptoms.

Based on location, they distinguish between lower, upper and post-traumatic syndrome. The sources of the first two types of such pathology of the cervical spine are often congenital defects. As for post-traumatic syndrome, it develops after an injury (immediately or some time after it).

Shooting pain in the neck is also distinguished by the duration of these uncomfortable sensations. In this case, it is divided into cervicago, as well as cervicalgia. Pathologies included in the first of these two groups arise suddenly. The person is absolutely healthy, but he experiences shooting pain in the neck. Cervicalgia includes chronic pathologies, which, in turn, are divided into vertebrogenic and non-vertebrogenic.

The condition in which shooting in the neck is classified into the following syndromes:

"Shoulder-hand." With this syndrome, a change in temperature and skin color occurs. At the same time, swelling occurs in the upper extremities.
Pectoralis minor muscle. This pathology is often considered a symptom of malfunctions in the vascular system and heart. The fact is that in such cases the distance between the head of the humerus bone and the pectoralis minor muscle is somewhat reduced. Due to the resulting pressure, the pain that occurs in the neck radiates to the sternum area.
Humeroscapular periarthrosis. With this syndrome, the muscles located in the subscapularis tense, and shoulder pain occurs. The person complains of difficulty breathing.
Pathology affecting muscle and fibrous tissues. In this case, degenerative-dystrophic changes develop. The cause of this disease is microtrauma.
Scalene muscle. When this syndrome appears, the patient complains that he has shooting in his neck and the pain spreads to one of his arms.

Sympathetic syndrome is also distinguished. In such cases, a person shoots in the neck and the following neurological symptoms occur:

dizziness and headaches;
loss of sleep;
blood pressure surges;
visual and hearing impairments.

The cause of this syndrome is usually osteochondrosis. In addition, if a person complains that he has a lot of pain in his neck, then a similar condition can be caused by other pathologies of the spine.

Causes and nature of neck pain when turning the head

The pain may intensify when turning the head . Depending on the nature of the pain that occurs, as well as the area of its localization, several possible causes of this phenomenon can be identified.

Pain in different parts of the neck (right, left, back) when turning the head can have the same causes.

Diseases of the spinal column

osteochondrosis – degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs, which cause the development of protrusion and the occurrence of intervertebral hernias;
intervertebral disc protrusion – displacement of intervertebral discs from their anatomically correct position due to their protrusion;
intervertebral hernia (one or several hernial prolapses at the same time) – represents the prolapse of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal due to rupture of the fibrous ring of the disc;
narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis) – occurs due to the formation of bone growths on the vertebrae, and can lead to compression of the spinal cord (myelopathy).

Myositis - this disease is an inflammatory process in the muscles of the neck and shoulders that occurs due to hypothermia. Accompanied by swelling of the muscles and skin, as well as swelling. Atrophy of the shoulder muscles is possible, resulting in severe muscle weakness in the upper extremities. In some cases, myositis without proper treatment can cause misalignment of the shoulder girdle.

Fibromyalgia is a disease characterized by excessive sensitivity of muscle and bone tissue. It may be accompanied by chronic pain not only in the neck, but also in other parts of the body. The pain may intensify with movements of the parts of the body affected by the disease, and also intensify as a reaction to cold or heat. The disease is accompanied by rapid fatigue, weakness of the whole body, sleep disturbances, and headaches.

Diseases of the muscles of the neck and back - regular performance of any physical activity in which the muscles of the neck and back are constantly involved, due to muscle strain and constant spasms, the muscles can transform into dense lumps. In medicine they are called trigger points.

Infectious diseases of the spine

osteomyelitis – an infectious disease of the bone marrow accompanied by purulent-necrotic processes;
tuberculosis - leads to destructive changes in the bone structure and deformation of the spine.

Diseases of the thyroid gland and lymph nodes

lymphadenitis – inflammation of the lymph nodes;
thyroiditis is an inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland.

Benign or malignant tumors (including metastases).

Trauma to the cervical spine or previous surgery.

Neck pain may be accompanied by accompanying symptoms : brachialgia (neck pain accompanied by pain in one of the upper limbs) or cervicalgia - extends to the upper limbs and shoulder girdle. Pain in the neck, which has a shooting character, is medically called cervicago.

Pain in different parts of the neck when turning it can be an “echo” of diseases of the esophagus, brain, cardiovascular system, and lungs. Also, painful sensations in the neck can be a consequence of purulent-inflammatory processes in the body.

Video: “What should I do if my neck is jammed?”

Symptoms

Shooting pain in the neck on the left or right can appear not only during movement, but also at a time when a person is at rest. This symptom may intensify after physical activity or independently of it (for example, at night while resting).

The intensity of the sensation when there is a shooting in the neck also varies. Such pain can range from very minor, accompanying a sharp turn of the head, to very severe, when a person has to turn his entire body in order to look left or right.

With cervicago, it shoots in the neck on the right side or on the left (usually only one). Such symptoms occur during sudden movement of it. If the pain radiates to the arms, chest or head, then movement becomes simply impossible. With any attempt to tilt or rotate, the manifestation of the pathology intensifies even more.

Causes of pain in the cervical spine

Pain in the neck can be different: throbbing, pulling, shooting, tingling, sharp, aching. It usually worsens with muscle tension and slight movement. Often, pain in the neck on the left or right when turning the head is accompanied by dizziness, headache, tinnitus, and numbness of the upper extremities.

Let's look at the most common causes of pain when turning, bending or other movements of the head and neck.

Traumatic injuries

It can be:

injuries (sprain, rupture) of the neck muscles or ligaments;
vertebral fractures;
dislocations and fractures of intervertebral joints.

The most common injury to the neck is a very dangerous “whiplash” injury. It occurs in a person when a vehicle suddenly brakes or during a jump.

Whiplash injuries are most common among drivers and athletes.

Extensor neck injuries are characterized by the following symptoms: pain and crunching in the anterior part, muscle tension, impaired mobility.

Diseases associated with pain in the neck

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system - osteochondrosis or spondyloarthrosis of the cervical spine, herniated intervertebral disc. Pain with osteochondrosis radiates to the shoulder, arm and may be accompanied by an unbearable headache, flashing “spots” before the eyes. This is typical for compression of the nerve roots, spinal cord or blood vessels located in the cervical spine.
Myositis or inflammation of the neck muscles.
Autoimmune diseases - psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, systemic lupus erythematosus. These diseases are manifested by pain in the collarbone, neck and stiffness of the shoulder area.
Infectious pathologies of the musculoskeletal system - osteomyelitis, tuberculosis, brucellosis.
Infectious diseases of other localizations - meningitis, tetanus, polio, herpes zoster, borreliosis, encephalitis, malaria. Cause hypertonicity (rigidity) of the cervical and occipital muscles and severe pain in the neck when turning the head
tumors and spinal metastases Sarcomas and hemangiomas present with pain, which intensifies as the tumor grows. The pain does not go away with rest, intensifies at night and is not relieved by medications. Muscle weakness gradually develops, sensitivity decreases, and cerebral circulation deteriorates.
Diseases of internal organs - angina pectoris, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, myocardial infarction, gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, gastric ulcer, small cell lung cancer, abscesses and hematomas of the brain.

Other factors that cause neck pain when turning your head

Muscle spasms are a fairly common cause of neck pain. The spasm occurs when the neck is in an uncomfortable position for a long time and is accompanied by severe pain when trying to turn the head. This is a professional pathology of cashiers, musicians, programmers. Muscle spasms can occur after sleeping in an uncomfortable position or when turning the head sharply. This pathology is characterized by severe pain, swelling of the neck, and spontaneous muscle contractions.
Psychosomatic diseases - depression, neuroses, overwork.
Hypothermia, colds, when pain in the lymph nodes in the neck may occur.

Injuries

Often people have experienced shooting in the neck on the left or right as a result of local hypothermia (fan, air conditioner) or when suddenly turning the head. Such reasons lead to pain on one side or the other of the neck. The head of such a patient deviates slightly to the right or left due to the existing strong muscle spasm.

Neck mobility in these cases is severely limited. Even a slight movement of the shoulder or head leads to increased discomfort. Pain arising from such reasons can be transmitted to the arm, shoulder, head or chest. A person stops complaining about shooting in the neck on the left or right after about 10 days. In rare cases, the pathology drags on and causes discomfort to the person for 8-12 weeks.

Sometimes shooting pains in the neck occur after a night's rest. The reason for their appearance is an uncomfortable sleeping position. The localization of pain in such cases is only in the neck. By evening, the discomfort subsides a little.

Athletes often suffer from cervicalgia. The pain they experience after training is a consequence of a sprained neck ligament. If you experience severe discomfort during heavy work or exercise, you may suspect an injury. If it is not a bruise, but a fracture, then along with the unbearable pain, mobility in the neck and also in the shoulder practically disappears. There may also be numbness in the limb.

Sometimes, when the spine is injured, the pain syndrome develops gradually. For example, the so-called whiplash injury, which often occurs in divers and in road accidents, is formed in the event of a sharp extension and flexion of the neck. Pain in such cases usually appears after about a day. Sometimes people suffer for a long time from swallowing problems, headaches, vision problems and constant pain in the neck on the left or right, without connecting their pathological condition with the injury.

Treatment

In many cases, when the cause of such an unhealthy condition is overwork, hypothermia or stress, you can relieve the pain yourself. The main thing is not to limit yourself to taking painkillers. An integrated approach is needed: it is necessary to limit the mobility of the head with the help of orthopedic devices; massage, special gymnastics, rubbing ointments or using compresses are useful.

But if such pain is a symptom of any disease, only a doctor can determine how to treat it correctly. After all, it is very important that not only symptomatic therapy is carried out, but the underlying pathology is treated.

Various therapeutic measures depend on the cause of the pain, but there are some that are used in any case:

Medicines to relieve pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, to improve blood circulation and metabolic processes.
Rest for several days, sometimes immobilization of the neck using a Schanz collar or a more rigid orthosis is indicated, which will help speed up the healing of damaged tissue.
Cold or warm compresses.
Massage, rubbing ointments.
Physiotherapy.

Treatment of this pathology should be comprehensive, necessarily including massage or manual therapy.

Drug therapy

Many people, when they don’t know what to do to get rid of pain when turning their heads, start taking painkillers. Sometimes this helps if the condition is not associated with a serious illness. But it is worth remembering that any analgesics or NSAIDs should not be taken without consulting a doctor for more than 3-5 days. Therefore, if the pain does not go away during this time, it is better to consult a specialist.

In addition, in many cases, pain relief alone will not help restore neck mobility, since you still need to relieve muscle spasms, normalize blood circulation, and relieve inflammation.

Arthrosis of the cervical spine

Therefore, in such cases, a complex of drugs is usually prescribed:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and inflammation - Ortofen, Nise, Diclofenac, Meloxicam and others.
Muscle relaxants for relieving muscle spasms - Mydocalm, Sirdalud.
Chondroprotectors help restore cartilage tissue and improve spinal mobility - Teraflex, Dona, Chondroxide.
Various ointments relieve pain, inflammation, warm and relax.
Multivitamins make up for the lack of vitamins; Neuromultivit and Milgamma work best.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

In addition to medications, treatment for neck pain necessarily includes other methods. Most often, massage is prescribed, which helps to relax the muscles and improves neck mobility. Manual therapy is effective, but in this department it must be used very carefully. In addition, spinal traction is sometimes indicated. This method helps well with pinched nerve fibers, osteochondrosis, and intervertebral hernia.

Physiotherapeutic treatment is effective for any pathology. This can be electrophoresis, UHF, laser, magnetic therapy, paraffin baths, acupuncture. Mud applications and medicinal baths are useful. These procedures normalize muscle tone, improve blood circulation and metabolic processes, and have a general strengthening effect.

And therapeutic exercises will help consolidate the results of treatment and restore range of motion. They begin to perform special exercises after the pain and inflammation subsides. They strengthen muscles, increase mobility, and prevent muscle spasms. All exercises are performed slowly, without sudden movements, avoiding pain.

Folk remedies

This pathology can be treated at home. Therefore, many patients, in addition to the methods prescribed by the doctor, use various folk recipes.

A bag of heated salt works well to warm the neck during muscle spasms.
Pour boiling water over a horseradish leaf, after cooling, apply it to your neck and wrap it with a scarf. You can leave the compress overnight if there is no severe burning.
A compress is made from burdock or cabbage leaves in a similar way.
Mix 50 g of honey and vodka, add 2 tablespoons of fine salt and a little grated horseradish. When the mass becomes homogeneous, use it to rub your neck.
An effective warming compress is made from 300 ml of alcohol, 10 ml of camphor and a bottle of iodine.
Mix the yolk, camphor alcohol, vodka and mustard powder. Rub your neck before going to bed.
If you mix crushed ginger root, a little garlic and butter, this ointment will help you quickly get rid of cramps.
A drink made from aloe and black radish juice mixed with honey is very relaxing and soothing.

The neck itself will not stop hurting, its mobility will not be restored. Therefore, it is better to immediately consult a doctor and begin proper treatment than to constantly suffer from the inability to turn your head.

Spine ailments

Why does it shoot in the neck on the right or left? The most common cause of pain is osteochondrosis. This is a degenerative-dystrophic change in the spine, which is observed in almost 50% of people who have celebrated their half-century anniversary. However, today the disease is getting younger. The risk of developing cervical osteochondrosis is high even at an earlier age. The reason is a sedentary lifestyle, staying in the same position for a long time (in the office or at the computer). In such cases, congestion occurs in the neck, and blood circulation in it worsens. This is what causes the development of degeneration of intervertebral discs and vertebrae.

With osteochondrosis, it often shoots in the neck and radiates to the head or arm, as well as to the chest. But sometimes the pain is limited only to the neck area.

Referred pain

Sometimes a person cannot understand why he has discomfort in his neck. Nevertheless, cervicalgia may well be one of the first symptoms of a serious pathology that is life-threatening. For example, if there is a shooting in the neck on the left side and the pain radiates to the jaw, then this condition may indicate the development of a myocardial infarction. Such a symptom requires urgent medical attention.

Neck pain also occurs with intracranial hemorrhage, pathologies of the brain or esophagus. If they are accompanied by discomfort in the shoulder, then this condition may indicate ailments of the blood vessels and lungs. Paroxysmal pain, covering the entire back of the neck and the back of the head, indicates a migraine.

Why does my neck and back of my head hurt?

Burning pain in the neck and back of the head is a consequence of the inflammatory process in the muscle fibers. It can occur either due to injury or due to exposure to cold temperatures. Often this symptom accompanies myositis - inflammation of muscle fibers, which develops after prolonged exposure to cold air (from an open window, air conditioner).

Post-traumatic myositis develops 3 to 4 days after the injury. This is usually a muscle or tendon strain with microscopic tears in the fibers in which blood accumulates. This liquid becomes a favorable substrate for the development of an aseptic inflammatory process. Cervical myositis is characterized by severe pain, which intensifies with movement and palpation. The skin is hyperemic, and there is slight swelling of the soft tissues at the site of pain.

When the neck muscles are strained, pain is felt immediately after an awkward or sudden movement. The unpleasant sensation increases over 12 to 24 hours. Habitual movements are disrupted, swelling and redness occur. In severe cases, a hematoma and bruise may appear after 24 to 48 hours.

For injuries, first aid is to ensure complete rest. If there was a fall, then it is advisable to fix the cervical and thoracic spine until the presence of fractures, displacements and avulsions of the vertebrae is excluded. Cold is applied. Then, after 24 hours, treatment includes rest and warming ointments. Rehabilitation with massage and physical therapy, depending on the degree of injury, is possible after 5 to 10 days.

To treat myositis, heat, warming compresses, and ointments are used. In severe cases, antibacterial therapy is indicated. Among the methods of manual therapy, excellent results are obtained by reflexology, which allows you to quickly and effectively eliminate pain, massage, which accelerates the regeneration of damaged tissues, and physical therapy.

All this information is not a comprehensive answer to the question of why the neck and back of the head hurt. Sometimes this condition accompanies a sharp increase in blood pressure or is a harbinger of an ischemic stroke of the brain. Therefore, in any case, consultation with an experienced doctor is necessary.

Lifestyle influence

Why do programmers and office workers shoot in the neck and head? Similar sensations are associated with trigeminal neuralgia. Pain with this pathology is felt in the neck, moving to the back of the head and behind the ears. At the same time, it shoots from the right (very rarely - from both sides) with the spontaneous onset and abrupt end of such states.

Sometimes cervicalgia with the transition of pain to different areas indicates the presence of nervous exhaustion and depression. At school age, similar symptoms arise due to prolonged sitting at a desk, when the child takes a crooked posture, leading to scoliosis.

What reasons?

If a person has had neck and head pain for a long time, then it is necessary to find out the exact cause of the pain syndrome. Let's look at the main diseases that can cause pain in the neck and back of the head:

Osteochondrosis. This is the most common cause of this disease. The fact is that with this disease, bone processes can press on the artery, as a result of which the blood supply to the brain will deteriorate and pain will appear. It is usually localized at the back of the head. In addition, the person becomes dizzy, nauseated, and numbness in the limbs.
Neuralgia. This disease mainly occurs in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, for example, office workers. In addition, the following factors can provoke this disease: hypothermia, meningitis, stress. It is characterized by severe pain, which intensifies when turning the head. Very often the pain syndrome is one-sided only on the right or left.
Cervical migraine. This disease manifests itself as pronounced pain in the temples and back of the head. The main cause of this type of disease is atherosclerosis or injury. The patient may complain of nausea and dizziness, in addition there is deterioration in vision and hearing.
Myogelosis. Painful sensations occur due to tightening of the neck muscles. Most often, the cause of myogelosis is the following factors: hypothermia, curvature of the spine, long stay in an unnatural position. Myogelosis can cause not only pain, but also dizziness. With this disease, a person feels stiffness in the neck and shoulder girdle. Myogelosis can go away on its own, but if you give a massage, your health will improve.
High blood pressure. Pain in the back of the head can occur both due to intracranial pressure and hypertension. In the first case, headaches arise due to an increase in the volume of fluid, which not only washes the brain, but also performs a protective function. And in the second case, the pressure most often increases due to atherosclerosis and is manifested by pain in the back of the head, mainly in the morning.
Osteophyte proliferation. Degeneration of ligament tissue occurs, they turn into bone tissue and thereby cause painful sensations that are localized in the back of the head and in the shoulder girdle. Most often, older people and those who lead a sedentary lifestyle suffer from this disease.
Muscle tension. In some cases, the neck and head hurt due to prolonged muscle tension. It can occur as a result of performing some physical exercise incorrectly or due to prolonged work at the computer. At first, the pain syndrome is localized in the neck and back of the head, and then can move to the frontal part of the skull. The pain is usually moderate, but when pressure is applied to the muscles, it intensifies and may cause dizziness and ringing in the ears.

Risk factors

In what cases does the likelihood of developing muscle spasms in the cervical region increase significantly? This happens due to:

uncomfortable posture during sleep;
carrying heavy objects;
long periods of time in front of a PC monitor;
hypothermia;
stress;
sudden turns of the head;
spinal injuries, etc.

In addition, people at risk of developing a shot in the neck are:

those engaged in heavy physical labor and not taking the simplest safety measures;
working in offices, as well as sitting or standing in one position for a long time;
having excess weight;
ignoring the need for a balanced diet;
not caring about posture;
leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Recommendations in case of lumbago

In most cases, the painful syndrome stiffens the neck suddenly. And the person wants to somehow get rid of it even before visiting the doctor.

Of course, self-treatment of such neck pain is undesirable. But in order to alleviate your condition, you can:

Lie on a hard, flat surface with your back down. This pose will relieve stress in the cervical spine. If it is not possible to lie on your back, you are allowed to lie on your stomach. It is not recommended to use the floor as a hard surface. After all, possible drafts can cause even greater harm.
Apply cold to the area of pain. This should be done on the first day after the onset of discomfort. Such actions should be supervised by the attending physician.
Apply something warming. Similar procedures will help with lumbago in any part of the neck or back of the head. During their implementation, control is necessary to prevent overheating. Otherwise, there will be an increase in muscle swelling, which will cause a relapse of the condition.

If your neck shoots, what should you do? To relieve pain, it is recommended to take an antispasmodic drug. This could be Paracetamol, No-Shpa, Aspirin.

To relieve pain from shooting, it is advisable to use a special neck corset. A cotton-cardboard splint can be taken as such an item.

You should not massage the sore spot yourself. The muscles in this area are tense due to spasms. Improper massage will not relieve neck stiffness or swelling. It will only bring harm.

Treatment methods

Treatment for neck pain when turning the head is selected individually. In most cases, a course of medications is sufficient to eliminate the main cause of discomfort and unpleasant symptoms. Treatment takes place at home, but the patient must periodically visit the doctor for repeated examinations and correction of the regimen. Surgery may be required in advanced cases when conservative methods are not effective enough.

A course of medications is the basis for treating neck pain. The doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, ointments or injections. Painkillers and medications to improve blood circulation may also be required. For osteochondrosis, drugs based on chondroitin and glucosamine are effective for restoring cartilage. Muscle relaxants will relieve muscle tone and reduce compression of nerves and blood vessels.
Surgeries are prescribed if drug treatment does not help. Minimally invasive removal of hernias, neoplasms, and osteophytes in advanced stages of osteochondrosis is practiced. Joint surgery is performed under the control of an arthroscope - a special device that allows you to visualize the picture through small punctures, without large incisions.
Additional techniques are required for complex treatment. At home, you need to perform simple exercises to strengthen the muscles of the cervical spine. The doctor may also prescribe wearing an orthopedic collar, physiotherapy sessions and therapeutic massage.

Doctors at the Clinical Brain Institute specialize in treating diseases that manifest as neck pain. The effectiveness of the techniques depends, among other things, on the correct implementation of the recommendations. It is important to take prescribed medications on schedule, do exercises, and contact for follow-up consultations on time.

Diagnostics

What to do: shoots in the neck on the left (right)? If a person asks this question, then he needs to consult a specialist. After the initial examination, the doctor will prescribe the necessary set of tests. This will allow you to determine the exact causes of the pain. This complex contains:

clinical and biochemical tests;
studies to determine hormonal levels (to exclude thyroid diseases);
tumor markers;
X-ray examinations (to detect osteochondrosis).

In cases where the patient complains of tinnitus and dizziness, as well as changes in vision and hearing when turning the head, a specialist will prescribe a tomographic examination. In addition, the patient is sent for ultrasound examinations to determine the characteristics of blood flow in the vessels located in the neck area.

A set of diagnostic measures is designed to detect anomalies in the structure of the vertebrae, as well as some diseases of the spine. It is also possible to determine circulatory disorders caused by compression of blood vessels.