Hello doctor: What does neck and shoulder pain when waking up warn about?

'I am 55 years old and recently I often have pain in my neck and shoulders, especially when I wake up in the morning. Is this a sign of cervical spondylosis? What should I do to get it examined and treated?' (M.Loc, in Ho Chi Minh City).

Specialist Doctor 2 Le Trong Nghia, Deputy Head of Neurosurgery - Spine Department, Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital replied : Hello Mr. Loc, the symptom of neck and shoulder pain, especially in the morning after waking up, is a common manifestation of problems related to the cervical spine, the most common of which is cervical spondylosis - a common condition in middle-aged and elderly people.

Why do I have neck and shoulder pain when I wake up?

When we sleep, our neck and shoulders need to be supported in the correct position. If we lie in the wrong position, the pillow is too high or too hard, the neck and shoulder muscles are stretched for a long time, which can lead to pain in the morning.

Not only due to sleeping position, morning neck and shoulder pain can also be related to changes in the structure of the spine, especially in people over 50 years old.

One of the earliest and most common changes is disc dehydration. Simply put, discs, the soft cushions between the vertebrae, dry out and shrink as we age. As the discs thin, the vertebrae come closer together, increasing friction between the bones, which can cause pain when moving.

In addition, the degenerative process can also cause:

Bone spur formation : The body creates extra bone to "compensate", but accidentally compresses the nerve roots or spinal cord.

Cervical disc herniation : The outer layer of the disc ruptures, causing the nucleus pulposus inside to push into the spinal canal.

Ligament stiffness: Causes the neck to be less flexible, stiff, and painful to move.

The above risk factors can cause neck pain, stiffness, spreading to the shoulders and arms, especially in the morning after waking up.

Pain in the neck and shoulders, especially in the morning after waking up, is a common symptom of problems related to the cervical spine.

PHOTO: TH

How to recognize cervical spondylosis?

For an accurate diagnosis, the patient needs to visit a medical facility with a Neurosurgery - Spine department. The doctor will conduct a clinical examination and may order an X-ray or MRI of the cervical spine to assess the state of degeneration, nerve damage or the degree of spinal stenosis...

If the condition is mild, you may be prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, combined with physical therapy and appropriate posture adjustments. In more severe cases, when there are signs of nerve compression causing numbness and weakness in the limbs, you may need epidural injection or surgery.

Advice from the doctor

You should see a doctor soon for proper diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications such as pain spreading to the arm, muscle weakness or movement disorders.

While you are waiting to see a doctor, you can try some home remedies such as:

Choose a low, soft pillow and keep your neck straight when sleeping. Avoid sitting for too long, especially when using your phone or computer. Practice gentle stretching exercises or massage your neck and shoulders regularly. Apply a warm compress to your neck and shoulders for about 20 minutes every night before bed to help relax muscles, reduce stiffness and improve blood circulation.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/alo-bac-si-nghe-dau-moi-vai-gay-khi-ngu-day-canh-bao-dieu-gi-185250601073437478.htm