Neck myositis: symptoms and treatment at home

What it is?

Neck myositis is an inflammation of the neck muscles , manifested in soreness of the affected area, muscle weakness and deterioration of mobility. Usually the pain is localized on one side of the neck, spasm and swelling occur in this place, and it becomes difficult for the person to turn his head.

Neck myositis is an inflammation of the muscle fibers of the cervical region

The pathology occurs with equal frequency in women and men, and can also occur in children. The appearance of inflammation does not depend on age. According to ICD 10, the disease has a code M60 .

In medicine, the following types of pathology are distinguished::

• Interstitial myositis. This is inflammation that develops in the tissues between the muscles.
• Infectious . It is provoked by various infectious pathogens.
• Traumatic myositis. Occurs due to neck injuries.
• Myositis is parasitic . Develops due to the penetration of parasites into muscle tissue.
• Progressive myositis . Inflammation spreads to an increasing number of muscles in the cervical-shoulder girdle.
• Neuromyositis . Inflammation spreads not only to muscles, but also to nerve fibers.
• Polymyositis . With this form of the disease, several muscle groups are affected at once. Usually occurs in people suffering from autoimmune diseases.
• Purulent . This is the most severe form of the disease. Staphylococcus or streptococcus can enter the muscles through wounds during injury or during surgery.
• Myositis ossificans . In addition to the neck muscles, the vertebrae of the cervical spine are also affected.
• Myositis, unspecified . Occurs for unknown reasons.

The most dangerous purulent myositis

Rehabilitation of the patient after therapy for neck myositis

After treatment, experts recommend that patients:

• during therapy and upon its completion, remain at rest and do not unnecessarily strain the neck muscles;
• follow a strict diet high in proteins, vitamins and microelements;
• periodically do therapeutic exercises. An exercise program can be developed by a rehabilitation physician;
• gradually increase physical activity;
• avoid injury and hypothermia.

Causes and risk factors

Cervical myositis can occur for various reasons.

The main ones are the following:

• Neck injuries . These could be: sprains, bruises, fractures. Traumatic myositis is a common occurrence among professional athletes, as they constantly face injuries.
• Infectious diseases . Inflammation is especially often provoked by diseases such as influenza, sore throat, tonsillitis. A person’s immunity decreases, so viruses attack the muscular system, causing inflammation.
• Helminthic infestations . Various parasites can penetrate muscle tissue and poison the body with decay products.
• Poisoning with chemicals , alcohol. Toxins spread throughout the body, provoking inflammatory processes.
• Hypothermia . It is especially dangerous to be in a draft for a long time.
• Spinal diseases . A person unwittingly takes a position that is comfortable for him, but anatomically incorrect. As a result of muscle tension, inflammation develops.
• Staying in the same position for a long time . For example, due to profession or simply while sleeping on an uncomfortable bed.
• Prolonged stress . During stress, the body produces the hormone cortisol, which provokes inflammatory processes.

The following categories of people are at risk::

• Office workers, students, schoolchildren.
• Professional athletes.
• Those whose work involves being outside.
• Suffering from osteochondrosis, scoliosis, kyphosis, spinal hernias.
• Having a history of diseases such as gout, diabetes, other systemic diseases.

Causes of the disease

Contrary to the popular belief that cervical myositis occurs only from hypothermia, there are many reasons that lead to the development of inflammation. It could be:

1. A consequence of another disease - rheumatism, flu, sore throat, diabetes and many others.
2. Occupational disease – among drivers, musicians and other professionals who spend a long time in an uncomfortable position.
3. Uncomfortable position while sleeping.
4. Injuries and damage.

In general, myositis is easily treatable if we are talking about a simple form of the disease that arose due to a banal draft.

Consequences and complications

Many patients do not consult a doctor with this problem, preferring to treat myositis on their own with ointments, heating, etc. This is possible if the inflammation is not severe and occurs due to an uncomfortable position or after being in a draft. However, cases of severe inflammation should not be left without medical attention, otherwise serious complications may arise.

Myositis tends to progress; more and more muscle groups are involved in the inflammatory process . Inflammation can spread to the muscles of the esophagus, larynx, and respiratory muscles. Then the patient will have difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, and cough.

Acute inflammation without proper treatment turns into chronic, in which the pain will either subside or worsen. Atrophy of the affected muscles will gradually develop, their shortening .

Untreated myositis can lead to muscle atrophy

Diagnosis of myositis

When diagnosing myositis, data from anamnesis are used (questioning the patient to determine the potential causes of the development of the pathology, its course and existing complaints), physical examination, additional laboratory and instrumental examination methods. Of the latter, the most frequently prescribed are:

• General and biochemical blood tests. They allow you to identify signs of an inflammatory reaction in the body, as well as increased levels of certain enzymes, for example, creatine phosphokinase (CPK). In autoimmune pathologies, specific antibodies are also detected.
• Electromyography (EMG). It is used to assess the functional capabilities of the muscle and its innervation, as well as for differential diagnosis with other diseases.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Allows you to obtain a layer-by-layer image of the affected tissue. It is often used to differentiate myositis from other pathologies, including osteochondrosis.
• Muscle biopsy. Allows you to identify changes in the striated muscles specific to a particular pathology. An invasive, but the most accurate diagnostic method makes it possible to establish a final diagnosis.

Symptoms

The main symptom of the disease is pain in sore muscles . On palpation the pain intensifies. Also, increased pain is observed when turning the head. Swelling and redness form at the site of the lesion. The pain radiates to the back of the head and temple. Some patients have difficulty swallowing and chewing food.

If the inflammation is too strong, developing against the background of an infectious disease, the patient may develop a fever and the general condition may worsen. In the chronic form of the disease, the pain bothers you at night and before the weather changes.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the disease is not difficult. Usually the doctor is based on the patient’s complaints and external examination.

To clarify the diagnosis, the following research methods are prescribed::

• Blood analysis. During inflammation, an increase in leukocytes is detected in the blood.
• Stool analysis for parasites. It is carried out if a parasitic form of the disease is suspected.
• X-ray of the neck. Allows you to determine the extent of the damage and determine whether the process has spread to the vertebrae. Also, using radiography, myositis is differentiated from osteochondrosis.

You can learn more about pathologies of the back muscles in the following articles:

• You can learn more about inflammation of the back muscles - myositis by following the link
• Where are acupuncture trigger points and what are they?
• Here's what to do when you have a back muscle strain.

Types of myositis

In clinical practice, the following types of myositis are most often encountered:

• Cervical myositis. The most common option. The main manifestation is a dull pain in the neck muscles, most often one-sided. Sometimes it can radiate to the ear, back of the head, temple or interscapular area. Head movement is often limited due to pain.
• Lumbar myositis. The key symptom is a dull pain in the lower back that can radiate down the leg. It intensifies when bending the body, pressing on the muscles of the lower back.
• The most common cases are cervical and lumbar myositis. Photo: starast/Depositphotos
• Dermatomyositis. Manifested by weakness of the muscles of the shoulder and pelvic girdle, as well as the abs and neck. Because of this, patients have difficulty when trying to get up from a sitting or lying position, or climbing stairs. In severe forms of the disease, breathing and swallowing are impaired. In this case, the pain is less pronounced. Dermatomyositis also affects the skin, which is manifested by a heliotrope rash (red rashes on the eyelids, less often on the face, neck and torso) and Gottron's sign (pink or reddish scaly plaques and nodules on the extensor surfaces of the elbows and knees). Additionally, disturbances in the functioning of the lungs and heart may occur.

Myositis in pregnant women

Myositis in pregnant women

In some cases, the triggering factor for the development of myositis or the aggravation of its course is pregnancy. The most common triggers are:

• Effect of the hormone relaxin on skeletal muscles.
• A shift in the center of gravity and additional stress on the abdominal muscles and lower extremities.
• Exacerbation of previously existing pathologies in connection with pregnancy.

Clinical manifestations of myositis during pregnancy are no different from the symptoms of the disease in other categories of patients. However, during treatment, you need to choose the right medications, avoiding drugs with a teratogenic effect. Therefore, treatment tactics must be coordinated with the attending physician.

Treatment

In most cases, myositis is treated conservatively. Surgical therapy is used for the purulent form of the disease.

Basic therapy methods:

• Drug treatment.
• Physiotherapy.
• Physiotherapy.
• Massage.
• Folk remedies.
• Diet.

Drug treatment

Did you know that...

Next fact

The following groups of drugs are used to treat neck myositis::

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy exercises are prescribed after acute inflammation has been relieved . The exercises are aimed at increasing neck mobility and restoring blood circulation in the affected area. All exercises can be performed under the supervision of a specialist at a slow pace. The patient's well-being should not deteriorate.

Massage

Massage plays a big role in the treatment of myositis. It must be performed by a specialist. During the massage, muscle spasms are relieved, blood circulation is normalized, and swelling is eliminated . To enhance the effect after the session, it is useful to make warm compresses or rub your neck with medicinal ointment.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can be used in combination or act as an independent method of treatment . With the help of physiotherapy, pain is eliminated, swelling is relieved, and inflammation is reduced. The most effective methods: electrophoresis, ultrasound, magnetic therapy.

Folk remedies

It is possible to treat myositis with folk remedies. A greater effect is achieved by using folk remedies as an addition to drug therapy. Various compresses and rubbing with medicinal oils are widely used.

Popular folk recipes:

• 
  Pay attention to the recipes for folk remedies for the treatment of myositis. Ointment made from rendered lard and horsetail. Rub overnight until all symptoms disappear.

• Compress of fresh cabbage leaves or burdock leaves. They are tied to the sore spot overnight and covered with warm cloth.
• Warming up with hot potatoes. Potatoes are boiled in their skins and applied hot to the neck. Then rub the sore spot with an alcoholic infusion of birch buds.
• Iodine network. Iodine has anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects. At night, apply a mesh of iodine to the affected area; usually the pain subsides in the morning.

It is also useful to ingest teas made from medicinal anti-inflammatory herbs. It could be chamomile, linden, currant leaves.

Diet

Diet is of no small importance in the treatment of neck myositis. During the acute period, salty, smoked, and fatty foods should be excluded . Eat foods rich in fiber and vitamins. B vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids are especially useful. The source of Omega-3 is fatty fish. It is important to maintain a drinking regime, as this will allow the body to remove toxins faster.

Prevention and prognosis

With the modern pace of life, it is difficult to avoid neck problems. However, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of myositis if you follow simple rules :

• Avoiding being in drafts. If you need to be in cold air for a long time, you need to cover your neck with a warm scarf.
• Timely treatment of infectious diseases.
• Avoiding neck injuries.
• Performing industrial exercises during sedentary work.
• Choosing a comfortable orthopedic mattress for sleeping.
• Taking vitamins to maintain immunity, especially during the cold season.
• Compliance with medical recommendations for autoimmune diseases.
• Regular examination for parasites.

The prognosis of the disease is favorable . Myositis of the neck is completely curable. If you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, you can get rid of the problem in 4-6 days.

Video: “Causes of neck pain”

Which doctor should I contact?

It is best to seek the help of a therapist

who will assess your health and refer you for tests. Based on your appointment with your therapist, you may be referred to:

• neurologist
  ;
• surgeon
  .

Often this pathology is a consequence of other diseases, so it is not enough to use ointment for severe neck myositis, expecting that the condition will improve.