To fully understand what cervicalgia is, the most common symptoms associated with it—such as headaches, nausea, dizziness—and to discover the best remedies for neck pain, it is essential to know the structure of the neck.
The neck consists of seven relatively small vertebrae that support the weight of the head, which is quite heavy. The cervical spine has remarkable mobility due to the numerous joints between each small vertebra and between the first vertebra, Atlas, and the skull. It utilizes 26 muscles to stabilize and create movement.
This complex structure is rich in innervations and proprioceptors, nerve endings that help control movement and provide spatial awareness. These interact with other “sensors” of our nervous system, such as nerve centers linked to eye movement, the vestibular system associated with balance, and the vagus nerve nuclei, part of the autonomic system responsible for controlling organ functions and vascular tone.
We can begin to understand how dysfunction of the musculoskeletal structure of the cervical spine can have far wider and more complex repercussions than just localized neck pain.
Finding the most effective remedies for neck pain is crucial for improving not only neck health but also overall well-being.
POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF CERVICALGIA:
Some symptoms associated with acute or chronic cervicalgia are often unknown to the public and can cause significant concern.
MUSCLE STIFFNESS
- Similar to low back pain, the neck can stiffen when certain structures become inflamed or when a nerve is irritated, causing the muscles to tighten to protect delicate structures.
POOR POSTURE
- Poor posture can exacerbate mechanical stress on neck structures and in turn create emotional stress through mechanisms described earlier. The small vertebrae of the neck must support the head, which itself is quite heavy (about 5-6 kg). A typical poor posture is holding the head forward, often with increased thoracic kyphosis. For every centimeter the head shifts forward, the load on the neck muscles increases by about 2 kg, significantly raising muscle tension.
BRACHIAL PLEXUS RADICULOPATHIES
- In the presence of disc disorders, vertebral subluxations, or structural degeneration, the nerve roots exiting between the intervertebral spaces can become compressed. This causes irritation and inflammation of the sensitive nerve structures. Symptoms such as tingling, paresthesia, muscle weakness, and pain in the arms may develop.
NAUSEA
- The neck houses nerves that are connected with the brain’s balance centers. When these nerves are compressed and irritated—for example, by muscle tension, joint issues, or disc injuries—they can disrupt signals related to balance and coordination, causing confusion and nausea.
- The vagus nerve is part of the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system, which controls vital functions like digestion and heart rate. It is associated with neck structures and, when irritated, can cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
- Especially in cases of chronic cervicalgia, individuals are more susceptible to elevated levels of both physical and emotional stress due to pain or difficulty sleeping. This situation stimulates the sympathetic autonomic nervous system, promoting the secretion of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which in turn cause vasoconstriction and increase heart rate. In these conditions, individuals with chronic cervicalgia may experience heightened stress levels and thus an increase and fluctuation in blood pressure, further worsening symptoms.
- Blood pressure is also altered by the effects that neck tensions and vertebral subluxations can have on baroreceptors located in the carotid arteries, which help regulate blood pressure.
Chiropractic Care: An Effective Choice Among the Best Remedies for Neck Pain.
If left untreated, these symptoms could worsen and become chronic, negatively affecting a person’s overall quality of life.
Chiropractic care, with its natural therapeutic approach, can not only help alleviate symptoms but also locate and resolve the root cause of the problem. This makes chiropractic a valid option among the best remedies for cervical pain.
The Chiropractor is the only healthcare professional trained to identify vertebral subluxations, their impact on the nervous system, and how to correct them.
In addition to improving neck mobility, there are benefits to all the symptoms associated with cervical spine problems described above.
After addressing vertebral subluxations, the chiropractor can work on muscular structures and recommend specific neuromuscular rehabilitation exercises.
