Neck and shoulder pain attacks young people more and more
Patient H.N (32 years old, residing in Ho Chi Minh City) came to the University Medical Center Hospital (facility 3) for examination in a state of multiple pains in the right neck and shoulder area, difficulty turning around, accompanied by hand numbness and scaly pain. Previously, due to not having time to go to the hospital, he chose massage services at a spa near his house. However, after 2 days of practice, the condition not only did not improve but also became more severe.
After the massage, my shoulder condition did not improve but was also stiff neck and pain spread down to the arm, causing insomnia" - Mr. H.N shared.
Worried, Mr. H.N went to the hospital for examination. Here, doctors found that the cause was that Mr. H.N often worked in an air-conditioned environment, sat for a long time in front of the computer and used a high pillow when sleeping, leading to stiffness of muscle groups around the neck and shoulder area.
Mr. H.N used medicine, acupuncture, acupressure and shoulder and neck exercises. After 14 days of treatment, Mr. H.N's condition improved, and there were no more symptoms of pain or numbness.
Similarly, Ms. P.Y (33 years old, Thu Duc ward, Ho Chi Minh City) who often has to sit and work for a long time in front of a computer also experiences shoulder and neck pain. Ms. P.Y also went to a spa near her house for massage. However, after that, her shoulder and neck condition did not improve, but the areas being massaged were bruised, and the pain spread throughout her back.
At the time of massage, the staff shared that because the muscle bundles became stiff, it was necessary to do it strongly to stretch the muscles. At that time, although it was very painful, I still let them do it. Because I thought that after the muscle bundles stretched, the pain would subside" - Ms. P.Y shared.
Neck and shoulder pain, don't rush to massage
Dr. Kieu Xuan Thy - Deputy Head of Facility 3, University Medical Center Hospital HCMC said that neck and shoulder pain is increasingly common, especially in office workers, drivers and people who regularly maintain one posture for a long time.
Recently, the number of patients coming for examination due to neck and shoulder pain has tended to increase, many cases of pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulder area after waking up, mainly due to lying in the wrong position. However, doctors also recorded some cases of complications after treatment at spas.
According to Dr. Thy, neck and shoulder pain may be related to muscle strain, damage to the neck and shoulder area, cervical spondylosis or herniated discs. Common factors include sitting and working for a long time, bowing your head a lot, lying on pillows too high, stress and weather changes.
If not treated properly, patients may have limited movement, numbness in limbs or nerve damage. Depending on the cause and condition of the disease, doctors may prescribe medication, physical therapy or traditional medicine methods such as acupuncture, massage, acupressure.
Dr. Thy recommends that patients need to see a doctor if they have severe pain accompanied by fever, red swelling in the neck and shoulders, weakness or loss of sensation in the hands, or prolonged pain that does not improve after rest.
Dr. Calvin Q. Trinh - Director of HMR Center for Functional and Physical Rehabilitation, warns that the neck area contains the spinal cord and important nerve structures. Massaging with excessive force, breaking joints or using tools to directly impact the spine can cause spinal displacement, disc damage, nerve compression, and even affect the spinal cord.
The risk is particularly noteworthy in people with spinal disease, osteoporosis or spinal degeneration. High neck injury can affect movement, sensation, breathing and cardiovascular, and even life-threatening.
Therefore, experts recommend that people with neck and shoulder pain should be examined to determine the cause before treatment. Massage, acupressure or spinal adjustment methods should be performed by a professional at a reputable medical facility or treatment facility.
