Shoulder and neck fatigue, feeling like you’ve been hit by the wind, turning into cervical disc herniation

On October 1, M.D. Doan Van Anh Vu, Department of Neurology, Military Hospital 175, said that previously patients often had mild shoulder and neck pain so they ignored it, and at the same time felt numbness in their right hand. Now the condition is severe, the patient went to Hospital 175 for examination, the results of an imaging survey of the cervical spine and nerve conduction assessment by electromyography at the Clinical Neurophysiology Unit showed spinal disc herniation. neck with nerve root compression.

After treatment with medication and combined pain relief with transcranial magnetic stimulation, the patient’s symptoms improved rapidly.

Lieutenant Colonel, MSc. Hoang Tien Trong Nghia, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, said that many patients have shoulder and neck pain but misunderstand that it is due to wind or weather changes, so they do not treat it, and over time the disease gets worse.

Usually, when temperatures change rapidly, tropical depressions, rainstorms or cold winds suddenly impact, people can experience “windfall”. Among them, being hit by the wind is a name according to Eastern medicine, while Western medicine calls it a cold. Patients affected by wind often exhibit fever or chills, dizziness, headache, nausea, shoulder and neck pain…

“Most of the above symptoms are not specific to windstroke but can be seen in many other conditions,” Dr. Nghia said, citing the case of the patient with shoulder and neck pain due to cervical disc herniation. Early detection and appropriate treatment can help patients improve their quality of life as well as avoid serious complications and disability due to damage to the nervous system.

Symptoms of cervical disc herniation last more than 10 days, while windstroke symptoms usually gradually decrease and go away on their own in about a week. Hernia pain is not only in the neck area but spreads to surrounding areas such as the shoulders, arms or the back of the head. In addition, the patient also has numbness in both hands and difficulty moving when muscle tension or overexertion occurs. Symptoms include an unstable hand holding an object.

In severe cases, the patient becomes paralyzed in both arms or limbs, loses feeling in the limbs, and may need surgery. For mild illness, the doctor prescribes treatment with medication, nerve blocks, transcranial magnetic stimulation, oriental medicine as well as physical therapy.

Prevent spinal disc herniation by maintaining correct posture when working and living. Always sit up straight, keep the computer screen at eye level and do not bend your neck too much. Use a chair with a supportive backrest and a back pillow if necessary. Exercise and move regularly.

Practice stretching exercises, especially the neck, shoulders and back to increase muscle flexibility. Exercises such as yoga, swimming, and walking are also very helpful.

Change living habits, avoid sitting or standing in one position for too long. Use a sleeping pillow of appropriate height and soft material, keeping the cervical spine in a natural position when sleeping. Use relaxation measures and home treatments. Gently massage the neck and shoulders to reduce muscle tension. Use heat therapy, such as warm or cold compresses, to relieve pain and relax muscles.