The pain in the back of the neck is one of the symptoms that can indicate the appearance of other diseases.

Among the most common related pathologies are:

• Degeneration of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine
• Arthrosis
• Cervical muscle injuries, such as contractures and torticollis
• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Osteoarthritis
• High blood pressure
• Sinusitis

Causes of back pain

Generally, adults can present with neck pain, depending on factors such as age, sex, sedentary lifestyle, smoking habits, and the activities they perform on a daily basis.

Aging itself is a risk factor, but it can also be related to poor posture, trauma to the cervical spine, obesity, and improper weight-bearing, among other reasons.

Main symptoms

The symptoms of neck pain include intense pain associated with nausea, vomiting, mental confusion, decreased level of consciousness, and limited movement. Such signs may indicate the onset of a life-threatening condition such as a brain aneurysm, stroke, or meningitis, for example. Other even more serious conditions, such as acute myocardial infarction andLocal neoplasms are also serious diseases that can cause symptoms of neck pain.

How to diagnose?

In addition to a medical evaluation, it is necessary to perform neurological tests, as they assess muscle strength, sensitivity, reflexes, and whether there are progressive neurological changes that may affect the central nervous system. The doctor may also use maneuvers that provoke or relieve pain, guiding the diagnosis, as well as request imaging tests (cervical spine x-rays,To treat the problem, the ideal is to see a spine surgeon, neurosurgeon, or orthopedist. In specific cases, the help of a rheumatologist, physiatrist, or neurologist is also necessary.

Read more: Rheumatologist: What does he treat? When to make an appointment?

Treatment and prevention of back pain

There are several types of treatments for neck pain, so the correct diagnosis is fundamental. Postural correction and strengthening, for example, are indicated in some cases. Rehabilitation with motor physical therapy is performed, as well as analgesia with anti-inflammatory drugs. In cases of persistent pain, for example, muscle relaxants or drugs derived fromopioids.

To prevent neck pain, people should maintain good posture, exercise regularly, avoid repetitive neck movements, reduce stress and anxiety, avoid heavy lifting, and finally, maintain healthy living habits.

Backache x headache: how to differentiate?

It is common to confuse the headache with the pain in the back of the neck. Firstly, the headache can be related to migraine headaches, associated with nausea, photophobia, phonophobia, and vomiting. Migraine lasts between 3 and 72 hours, and usually leaves the patient incapacitated.

However, some types of headache are related in their origin to the pain in the back of the neck, such as tension headache and cervicogenic headache. Tension headache is usually characterized by pain of lesser intensity andCervicogenic headaches, on the other hand, are headaches that originate from pain in the back of the neck. Therefore, the ideal treatment is individualized, considering all aspects of the patient and the medical evaluation with the specialist.

Read more: Foods that help combat headache

Source: Dr. Ygor Peçanha Alexim - Neurosurgeon at the Institute of Neurological Sciences of São Paulo (ICNE-SP)