What's wrong with the pain in my neck and left shoulder

Pain in the neck and left shoulder is quite common in life. The most common cause is cervical spondylosis. The incidence of cervical spondylosis has been very high in recent years. It is related to repeated strain and some bad sitting postures. In addition, some professional white-collar workers often use computers and maintain a posture for a long time, which can easily lead to the onset of cervical spondylosis. Understanding the reasons in this regard, we should strengthen prevention in daily life. Let us learn about it.

Neck and left shoulder pain

What are the reasons why more and more young people suffer from cervical spondylosis? What causes the overload of the cervical spine?

1. Long-term incorrect sitting posture

Viewed from the side, the human cervical spine is a forward arch curve. Since most young people today have to sit in an office for long periods of time using computers, and because they keep their heads down or slightly down for a long time, the cervical spine always remains in a backward arch state. The ligaments and muscles around the cervical spine are in a "tense" state for a long time, and over time, they develop cervical spondylosis.

2. Cold neck

Nowadays, air conditioners and electric fans have become must-have heat-relief tools for every household, but air conditioners and electric fans are also a common factor causing cervical spondylosis. When the neck muscles and tissues are in a cold state, they will cause muscle spasms. In the summer, because people tend to stay cool and the air conditioner or electric fan blows directly on the body, the neck is stimulated for a long time, which can induce cervical spondylosis over time.

3. Changes in daily habits

Nowadays, people's living habits, such as travel and entertainment, have undergone tremendous changes compared to before. Nowadays, people go to get off work and go home by car every day, especially young people who get up early to go to work. They like to take a nap while riding in the car. A sudden emergency brake may cause damage to the ligaments and intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. Mobile phones have become a necessity in life. They have various functions, such as chatting, watching videos, playing games, etc. People spend a lot of time every day looking down at their mobile phones, which is fatal to the cervical spine.

Here are some effective treatments for cervical spine.

1. External traction:

Suitable for radiculopathy, cervical spondylosis and sympathetic cervical spondylosis. However, it is not suitable for patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who have obvious spinal cord compression and obvious cervical segmental instability. The traction method is simple, but it takes up the patient's normal life and work time, and requires professional personnel and equipment to complete, so it cannot be implemented at home.

2. Massage:

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that cervical spondylosis is caused by long-term fatigue of the neck, imbalance of qi and blood, exogenous wind and cold, and blockage of meridians. Massage treatment can harmonize qi and blood, dispel wind and cold, dredge muscles and meridians, thereby achieving the effect of relieving spasms and relieving pain. Massage is suitable for all types of cervical spondylosis except the spinal cord type with severe cervical spinal cord compression, and requires professional nursing staff to perform.

3. Physical therapy:

It can improve some blood circulation, relax spasmodic muscles and relieve symptoms. The methods include high-frequency, low-medium-frequency electrotherapy (such as TENS, intermittent electrotherapy, computer medium-frequency), ultrasound, heat therapy, magnetic therapy, etc. Physical therapy also requires taking time away from the patient's normal life.

4. Exercise:

Mainly doing medical gymnastics exercises. This method takes a long time to treat and requires long-term persistent exercise, which is difficult for ordinary people to persist.