Neck pain

Abstract

• Neck pain can radiate to the neck, shoulders and head and be accompanied by restricted movement and numbness.
• Neck pain is often caused by muscle tension and poor posture.
• In addition to medication, numerous gentle treatment methods are available, including acupuncture.

Neck pain: a widespread disease with many different manifestations

The neck is tense and aching, the neck is often stiff, the pain radiates into the shoulders or arms and sometimes there is numbness in the fingers: Around one in two people in Germany suffer from neck pain at least occasionally. Women are affected more often than men.

What can cause neck pain?

Neck pain can be caused by many reasons:

• Muscle tension due to poor posture or draughts
• Wear and tear, especially in old age
• Injuries after accidents (whiplash)
• Rheumatic diseases
• Fibromyalgia syndrome
• Infections
• Tumors
• Bone diseases

Serious triggers for neck pain are rather rare. Muscle tension remains the most common cause.

Who is affected?

If the neck hurts, this is rarely the result of an isolated event, such as an uncomfortable sleeping position or a draught. Rather, the muscles become overloaded over time, and this is accompanied by permanent poor posture, which ultimately leads to pain and tension. Particularly affected are people who:

• work frequently and for long periods at the computer.
• work “overhead” for long periods due to their job.
• move little.
• suffer from age-related signs of wear and tear in the neck or shoulders.

Some sports can also cause tension in the neck, e.g. breaststroke or cycling in a bent position.

People who are under acute emotional strain (e.g. professional or personal stress, anxiety disorders) often subconsciously tense the muscles in the neck and shoulder area. This can also result in permanent neck pain.

Which doctor is responsible and how is the diagnosis made?

The first point of contact for neck pain is your family doctor or orthopaedic surgeon. A medical history interview provides the first clues as to the causes. This usually involves asking about the patient’s work situation, daily routine and medical history. The clinical diagnosis also includes a physical examination, which covers the physique, mobility of the head, neck, shoulders, arms and joints.

The examination also focuses on muscle tension and strength, reflexes and sensitivity to touch. Sometimes the spine is also included if there is a suspicion that the pain is radiating from there.

If the examination reveals any abnormalities, the doctor may order further examinations using imaging techniques such as X-rays, computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

What treatment methods are available?

The exact treatment for neck pain depends on the causes. In many cases, the pain can be cured without medication or it subsides on its own after a few days or weeks. Gentle healing methods can be used as support.

Here you will find an overview of the most common treatment methods for neck pain.

Are there any home remedies for neck pain?

Heat relaxes the muscles and promotes well-being: Warm neck compresses, exposure to red light or a hot bath can relieve neck pain caused by tension. Doctors also generally recommend regular exercise. This also includes taking breaks at the workplace, especially at a computer screen and during certain manual activities.

How can I prevent neck pain?

Neck pain caused by poor posture and tension can often be prevented by changing workplace conditions and daily routines.

Here you will find an overview of possible measures:

When should I see a doctor?

In the case of short-term acute pain that can be treated with heat and/or mild painkillers, a visit to the doctor is often not necessary for neck pain. It is usually sufficient to eliminate the causes of the tension, for example by changing your sleeping position, making your workplace more ergonomic or taking regular breaks, for example when doing manual work.

If symptoms persist and recur, it is advisable to consult a doctor to clarify the causes. If, in addition to the pain, you experience numbness or tingling in your fingers and/or slight signs of paralysis, you should definitely see a doctor.

Questions and answers

Can I get sick leave for neck pain?

If you have severe, recurring and chronic pain that is accompanied by symptoms of numbness and paralysis, it is advisable to take sick leave. Temporary sick leave may be necessary for neck pain, especially if you work physically or are predominantly in a rigid posture.

Can neck pain cause headaches?

Headaches are even a common side effect of neck pain. The pain sometimes extends to the shoulders and head. Even if you “only” suffer from headaches, neck tension can be a possible cause. Tension headaches often start in the neck or are accompanied by neck pain. Conversely, the neck can also be affected during a migraine attack.

What helps quickly against neck pain?

Heat helps with acute pain: place a hot cherry stone cushion or hot water bottle on your neck or take a hot bath. For mild pain, you can massage the trigger points, i.e. hardened areas in the muscles.

But beware! If mechanical changes are the cause of the neck pain, such as whiplash, you should never do anything yourself!

Sources

• https://www.apotheken-umschau.de/gelenke/nackenschmerzen-steifer-hals
• https://www.t-online.de/gesundheit/krankheiten-symptome/id_83080026/hausmittel-was-hilft-bei-nackenschmerzen-.html
• https://www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/64681/Akupunktur-und-Alexander-Technik-lindern-Nackenschmerzen-in-Vergleichsstudie
• https://www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/70320/Wie-Schmerzen-auch-ohne-Medikamente-gelindert-werden-koennen