Symptoms of inflamed cervicals

notice a Pain in the neckaccompanied by stiffness and difficulty moving it, may indicate that you have a inflammation in any of the structures of the cervical area of ​​the neck, such as the cervical vertebrae, muscles, ligaments and nerves. In this article we explain symptoms of swollen cervical and what to do in case of suffering this affectation.

What is the cervical spine and what is its function?

The cervical spine It is the upper part of the spine, located in the neck area. It is made up of seven short bones called vertebrae.

The cervical vertebrae They are numbered from 1 to 7: C1 is the highest, at the base of the skull, and C7 is the last, located just above the first thoracic vertebra. They have one different shape from other vertebrae of the spine, which allows them to perform different movements and allows flexibility of the neck.

As with the rest of the spine, one of the main functions of the cervical vertebrae (and perhaps the most important) is protect the spinal cord, which helps transmit nerve impulses throughout the body. But, in addition, the cervical spine provides head support and stabilityallows a wide range of motion flexion, extension and rotation of the neck and transmits the force of the body toward the head and neck, which is important for maintaining posture and performing physical activities.

These functions give us an idea of ​​everything that is affected when the cervicals become inflamed.

Symptoms of an inflamed cervical

He Pain in the neck It is the most characteristic symptom of inflamed cervicals. The pain can vary from person to person and depending on the severity of the inflammation. In some cases can be very intense and poignant.

Other common symptoms of swollen cervicals include:

Neck stiffnesswhich can make it difficult to move the head both to the sides and up and down.Headachewhich can be mild or severe, or dizziness.Sensitivity from the neck area to the touch.

In the most severe cases, the symptoms radiate to the arms and hands and there may be:

Tingling or numbness in the arms or hands.Weakness in the arms or hands.

What are the causes of inflamed cervicals?

Cervical inflammation refers to inflammation in the vertebrae or the muscles or other tissues that surround them. An inflammation of the cervicals can be due to many different causes, for example:

Injuries in the neck area such as cervical sprains, fractures or herniated discs. They are often caused by accidents.Rheumatoid arthritis.Muscle tension due to being in an incorrect posture for a prolonged period of time (for example, an incorrect posture in front of the computer), due to overexertion or stress.inflammatory diseases such as fibromyalgia or lupus, which cause inflammation throughout the body, including the neck.

If you think you might be suffering from any of these conditions, consult a specialist.

In this video we tell you why some people feel more pain than others.

What to do to reduce inflammation of the cervical?

In addition to do not overload the area and maintain a good posture when sitting down, looking at the mobile or working, there are some natural solutions that can help you are:

The massages Performed by specialists in this type of ailments can be a great relief. Do gentle stretchesFor example, moving the neck to the sides or rotating the neck helps to reduce tension and improve flexibility.Essential oilssuch as eucalyptus or lavender, have interesting properties to relieve muscle pain in the neck.

It may also be beneficial to put hot or cold compresses in the neck area, depending on the symptoms of inflamed cervicals:

apply cold if he pain is sharp or there is a recent injury (such as a sprain, blow, or bruise), to reduce swelling and pain.apply heat if he pain is chronic or there is stiffness or spasms, to relax the muscles.