The term cervicalgia is used to refer to pain that is located at the level of the neck.
The neck is made up of multiple structures, such as the cervical spine, muscles, ligaments, the spinal cord, nerve roots, blood vessels and organs such as the trachea, esophagus and the thyroid gland.
Any alteration to these structures can trigger pain in the cervical region; however, there is no doubt that the most frequent cause of cervicalgia is muscular-skeletal alterations.
There are various causes that can provoke cervical pain. It is fundamental to identify the specific cause to implement the appropriate treatment.
The muscles can suffer:
Ligaments can also suffer inflammatory injuries and tears, contributing to cervical pain and limitation of movement.
The vertebral bodies can suffer:
The discs, which are the cushioned structures between the vertebrae, can have a degenerative process (discartrhosis) that can produce deformation.
These deformations can compress the nerve roots or the spinal cord, causing pain, numbness and other neurological symptoms.
The joints between each vertebra may be affected by a degenerative process, called cervical spondylarthrosis, also known as "wear and tear".
In this picture, abnormal vertebral growths called osteophytes or spurs can occur, which can cause:
Given that there are various causes of cervical pain, you need to go to a specialist to obtain a proper diagnosis, which is the basis for providing proper treatment.
Therapeutic exercise has as its objective:
This approach is fundamental in the conservative treatment of cervical pain and can help prevent recurrences.
Cervical pain is a common condition that can have multiple causes, from muscular alterations to degenerative problems of the cervical spine. Accurate diagnosis is fundamental to implement the appropriate treatment.
At the Centro de la Columna Vertebral we have specialists trained to perform diagnosis and treatment in case of cervical pain and other pathologies. The integral approach, which includes therapeutic exercise and other conservative treatment modalities, can help significantly improve patients' quality of life.
Cervicalgia is the medical term used to refer to pain located at the level of the neck. It can have multiple causes, with muscular-skeletal alterations being the most frequent.
The most frequent causes include muscle contractures, sprains, degenerative problems of the discs (discartrhosis), disc herniations, and cervical spondylarthrosis. Any alteration in the structures of the neck can cause cervical pain.
Cervical spondylarthrosis is a degenerative process of the joints between the cervical vertebrae, also known as "wear and tear". It can produce osteophytes or spurs that compress nervous structures.
Treatment depends on the specific cause. Generally it includes therapeutic exercise to improve stability, strengthen musculature and balance structures. It is fundamental to receive an adequate diagnosis from a specialist.
It is recommended to consult a specialist when pain persists for more than a few days, is intense, is accompanied by neurological symptoms (numbness, weakness) or interferes with daily activities. Early diagnosis allows for more effective treatment.