Symptoms of a cervical spine syndrome
Symptoms of the cervical spine syndrome
The Cervical spine syndrome is not a disease in itself, but a complex of symptoms that affect the area of the Cervical spine concern, which can be caused by very different causes.
The main symptom in cervical spine syndrome are Pain in the cervical spine. These are classically localized in Shoulder and neck area and can sometimes radiate far into the arm.
Sometimes this pain is permanent, sometimes (especially in the early stages of the disease) they only occur with certain movements. In addition, there is often a circumscribed one Hardening of the muscles (Muscle tension, Myogelosis) in the affected area.
Accompanying symptoms in cervical spine syndrome differ depending on the underlying trigger. What also often occurs in parallel are headaches (please refer: Cervical spine syndrome and headache).
These can either be muscular-related, i.e. original pain in the neck muscles, which then pull up into the head or arise from circulatory disorders that can arise from processes occurring on or next to the spine that narrow the spaces in which blood vessels run.
This lack of blood circulation can also lead to an insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain, which in some people becomes noticeable as dizziness.
Other processes that are controlled by the brain can also be affected. For example, visual disturbances or hearing disturbances are more common (especially in the form of noises in the ears such as tinnitus).
A symptom that is particularly often associated with pain in a cervical spine syndrome is sensory disturbances in the shoulder, neck and / or arm.
This is because a cervical spine syndrome is usually caused by nerves emerging from the spinal column in the neck area being irritated, damaged or inflamed. Because of this, these nerves then no longer function properly, which can be seen on the basis of sensory disorders such as tingling sensations or numbness (Paresthesia or Hypesthesia) can manifest in the shoulder or neck, but especially in the arms.
Also read our article about Burning in the neck - what's behind it?
The nerves responsible for feeling are slightly more sensitive than those that control muscles and movements. This is why they are only damaged in advanced stages. In such cases it can lead to a feeling of weakness, decreased strength and in the worst case even to paralysis (Paresis) come.
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Duration of symptoms
The duration of the cervical spine syndrome is very variable, as it is determined by the cause of the cervical spine problem. If the symptoms improve within 3 weeks, one speaks of acute cervical spine syndrome, whereas when the symptoms persist for over 3 months, one speaks of chronic cervical spine syndrome.
The cervical spine syndrome is not completely curable in degenerative diseases and will repeatedly lead to complaints in diseases in which there is a change in the cervical spine. If the cervical spine syndrome is caused by muscle tension, blockages of the cervical spine or whiplash, the symptoms can persist for a few days to weeks. However, the cervical spine syndrome can completely disappear again through drug and physiotherapeutic treatment. In order to prevent recurring muscle tension or blockages, sport should be done with the aim of strengthening the muscles in the neck, neck and back.
With whiplash, the head can usually be moved gently again after the first day. It is no longer recommended to use a cervical brace to keep the body still, as the muscles then even shrink and a new cervical spine problem can arise, which ultimately leads to a cervical spine syndrome.
Read more on the topic: Duration of a cervical spine syndrome
Illustration of a cervical spine syndrome
1st - 3rd - cervical spine (cervical spine)
- First cervical vertebra (carrier) -
Atlas - Second cervical vertebra (turner) -
Axis - Seventh cervical vertebra -
Vertebra prominent - First thoracic vertebra -
Vertebra thoracica I - Shoulder corner - Acromion
- Humerus head - Caput humeri
- Shoulder blade - Scapula
- Humerus - Humerus
- Twelfth thoracic vertebra -
Vertebra thoracica XII - Parietal bone - Parietal bone
- Cerebrum - Telencephalon
- Cerebellum - Cerebellum
A - back of the head
B - neck
C - shoulder
D - upper arm
You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations
Common symptoms of cervical spine syndrome
Symptoms of cervical spine syndrome after an accident
After an accident, symptoms of the cervical spine syndrome usually occur as a result of so-called whiplash trauma (cervical spine distortion).
Sudden acceleration (for example in a rear-end collision) causes a sudden head movement. In retrospect, ligaments and muscles may be strained. In addition, there is often tension in the neck, so that head movement is only possible to a limited extent.
In addition, symptoms such as dizziness, headaches or visual disturbances can occur after the accident in the course of the cervical spine syndrome. The symptoms of the cervical spine syndrome can appear immediately, hours or even days after the accident. Most of the time, the symptoms of the cervical spine syndrome go away on their own.
However, if this lasts longer than a week, a doctor should be consulted. This can rule out serious damage to the cervical spine and prescribe physiotherapy so that the cervical spine syndrome does not remain permanent (chronic). Regardless of the time course, you should consult a doctor immediately if there are signs of paralysis in the arm and neck area. This can be serious nerve damage that requires specialist treatment.
You may also be interested in this topic: Cervical spine syndrome and headache
Cervical spine syndrome and dizziness
Dizziness (Vertigo), (please refer: Dizziness in the head) caused by cervical spine syndrome is also called more cervicogenic (of the Cervical spine coming) dizziness. The dizziness often manifests itself as Vertigo with an unsteady gait and in some cases with a disturbed sense of position in the room.
Also nausea can be triggered by vertebral vertebrae. As a rule, the dizziness symptoms decrease with head and shoulder movements and step parallel to it pulling or stabbing pain in the neck area on.
The Muscles of the shoulder and neck area is often tense and the Neck mobility restricted. The dizzy spells can stop for a few minutes to a few hours. The vertigo in the cervical spine syndrome is triggered by a Disturbance of certain sensory and nerve cellsworking on the muscles and tendons of the Cervical spine sit. These forward information about changes in the position or posture of the neck muscles to the Balance organs further that thereby the Regulate orientation in space can.
By disrupting these sensory and nerve cells in a cervical spine syndrome Tension or Whiplash can it become a Spatial perception disorder come, causing the dizzy spells. The vertigo symptoms can go through Stress increases because of stress further tension in the muscles triggered become.
Dizziness can at any age occur in humans over 75 years is a symptom of dizziness most common reason for a doctor's visit. Because it many causes of dizziness recurrent attacks of vertigo or persistent dizziness should be clarified by a doctor.
The dizziness caused by cervical spine syndrome can in most cases treated very well and simply become (e.g. with
- physiotherapeutic movement exercises
- Massages
- acupuncture
- Electrotherapy or
- Heat applications.
Cervical spine syndrome and chest pain
Another symptom that may be part of the cervical spine syndrome is chest pain (chest pain). Since the nerves run from the brain through the vertebral holes in the spine, one or more nerves can be pinched at any point in the spine if they are damaged.
So if there are blockages in the cervical spine and subsequently a cervical spine syndrome, can Nerves running along the rib cage irritated be and cause pain there. Since often not all nerves are irritated, but mostly the nerves on one side, the chest pain is only felt on one side of the chest. The pain caused by irritation of the nerves is mostly stabbing and often can be triggered by external pressure.
Cervical spine syndrome and visual disturbances
Various changes in visual perception are summarized as visual disturbances. In addition to the symptoms of neck pain, dizziness, tinnitus and headache, patients who suffer from cervical spine syndrome can also develop visual disturbances.
Visual disturbances in the context of a cervical spine syndrome and damage to the cervical spine can result from a circulatory disorder in the brain or directly in the eyes. Insufficient blood flow can be caused by a narrowing of a vessel in the cervical spine or neck.
Two little ones Vertebral arteries (Arteries of the spine) run right and left through a bony canal in the cervical spine and supply the brain with oxygenated blood. In the case of a cervical spine syndrome with a constriction of one of the two arteries, particularly with extreme head rotations, a circulatory disorder and thus an insufficient supply of the brain can occur, which triggers the visual disturbances. Such narrowing of the arteries can be caused by plaque deposits in the vessel itself (arteriosclerotic vascular stenosis) or caused by degenerative changes in the area of the bony cervical spine and lead to visual disturbances.
If the brain and / or eyes are no longer adequately supplied with blood, not enough oxygen will reach these regions. Thus visual problems can arise. These visual disturbances can express themselves in different ways: Sometimes there is double vision, flickering, reduced visual acuity or even a restricted field of vision. The resulting visual disturbances can be accompanied by dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), nausea, vomiting and migraine-like headaches.
In addition to the visual disturbances, a migraine attack can also occur. In addition to the severe migraine headaches, flashes of light, visual field restrictions or eye flickering can occur.
Read more on the topic: Cervical spine syndrome and visual impairment
If the cause of the visual disturbance is a cervical spine syndrome, these will disappear again with the treatment of the cervical spine problem.
A herniated disc (Prolapse) in the area of the cervical spine can cause visual disturbances as well as many different symptoms (such as paralysis of the arms, numbness or tingling). Visual disturbances often occur in cervical spine syndrome, especially in stressful psychological situations, and are often accompanied by symptoms such as
- Pain
- Ringing in the ears
- nausea
- Vomiting and
- seizure falling
accompanied.
You can also read the following relevant topics:
- Tingling sensation indicating a herniated disc
and - Symptoms of a herniated disc of the cervical spine
Cervical Spine Syndrome Difficulty swallowing
difficulties swallowing can without accompanying pain (Dysphagia) or with Sore throat or Pain when swallowing occur (Odynophagia). Swallowing disorders can be caused by numerous causes or diseases, such as a cervical spine syndrome. So can Blockages of the cervical vertebrae or muscular tension of the Neck and shoulder muscles lead to difficulty swallowing.
Also a bony remodeling between each Vertebral bodies (Spondylosis deformans) can lead to swallowing difficulties with and without pain caused by significant problems with the functionality of the cervical spine to be accompanied. Occasionally, too Bone spurs (Osteophytes) on the cervical spine recognized as the cause of swallowing difficulties. The most common cause of such spur formations are Signs of wear.
The difficulties swallowing in the context of a cervical spine syndrome can in some cases also with a hoarseness (so-called "Frog in throat syndrome"). Swallowing disorders often occur parallel with dizziness and ringing in the ears on.
Cervical spine syndrome and tinnitus
The term Tinnitus describes the abnormal perception of a noise, ringing, or tone in the ears. Is there a acute blockage of the head joint with a cervical spine syndrome will be common one-sided, dull noises in the ears described. But also Noise and the Perceiving high notes can indicate cervical spine problems.
The tinnitus can occur permanently or seizures again and again for short episodes. The tinnitus symptoms can also be triggered by a cervical spine syndrome, but there are many causes for tinnitus. The simultaneous occurrence of tinnitus and cervical spine syndrome does not necessarily have to be related. However, there is one close nervous connection between Joints of the upper cervical spine with the Auditory and balance nerves.
This explains why, for example Joint problems or muscle tension in the context of a cervical spine syndrome the Promote the development of tinnitus or amplify existing noises in the ear can. In addition, the Cranial nerve nuclei of the auditory and equilibrium nerves by Branches of the spinal arteries (Vertebral arteries), which each pull right and left through the bony transverse processes of the individual cervical vertebrae.
In the case of a cervical spine syndrome, for example, it can through Signs of wear and tear on the cervical vertebrae to a Circulatory disorder and thus to one Reduced blood flow to hearing important cranial nerve nuclei. For this reason, ringing in the ears can be caused by a cervical spine syndrome.
Frequent Concomitant symptoms of tinnitus are
- Low frequency hearing loss in one ear
- increased hearing sensation (Hyperacusis) and
- Vertigo
Cervical spine syndrome and abnormal sensations / tingling
Sensitive disturbances, for example through Expressing tingling in the arms, in the case of a cervical spine syndrome by a mechanical compression of the nerve roots that leak from the cervical spine. A Irritation of these nerve roots can for example by a disc prolapse in the field of Cervical spine or through bony constriction due to changes on the vertebral bodies.
The narrowing at the nerve roots results in a Irritation of the arm plexus, a plexus of nerves that runs through the Union of the individual nerve roots arises and supplies the arm. This irritation manifests itself as mostly as boring, pulling or dull pain, that radiates from the neck into the shoulder, arm and hand.
With increasing severity of the narrowing of the nerve roots, it can too
- Paresthesia (Numbness)
- Reflex failures
- Sensory disturbances (Tingling) and finally to
- Signs of paralysis
especially around the arms and hands come. In general, the causes of the tingling sensations in the cervical spine syndrome can be identified imaging diagnostics of the spine detect. Often the symptoms of tingling in the arms are accompanied by neck and shoulder pain with or without radiating to the back of the head.
By certain movements in the cervical spine the radiating pain or abnormal sensations (e.g. tingling) in the arms are intensified. Depending on whether the cause of the cervical spine syndrome is more likely in the upper, middle or lower cervical spine is well founded, it can depend different places in the shoulder, arm and hand area tingling sensations occur.
If you suspect a herniated disc of the cervical spine as the cause of your discomfort, we recommend our topic: Symptoms of a herniated disc of the cervical spine
Cervical spine syndrome and heart disorders
With a cervical spine syndrome, it can Nerve plexus irritation and nerve nodes of the so-called sympathetic nervous system come. The sympathetic nervous system is part of the involuntary nervous system (Autonomic Nervous System) and influences, among other things, the heart's activity. It
- increases blood pressure
- increases the activity of the heart and breathing
- makes the pupils wide and
- leads to a increased perspiration
If the sympathetic nervous system is disturbed and irritated by a cervical spine syndrome, for example caused by a blockage of the head joint, the Organism at constant maximum output set. Possible symptoms of this sympathetic stress (Sympatheticotonia) are caused by permanent irritation in the cervical spine syndrome Indigestion, the Perceiving noises in the ear, Disorders of memory (e.g. Difficulty concentrating), Sleep disorders, visual disorders and much more.
The sympathetic nervous system in the cervical spine syndrome can also affect the heart. It can lead to, for example, a Increase in blood pressure come or to Heart attacks up to Arrhythmias of the heart. The antagonist of the sympathetic nervous system is that Vagus nerve (most important nerve of the so-called Parasympathetic nerve), which can also be damaged by a cervical spine syndrome.
If the functionality of the vagus nerve is impaired, it can lead to
- irregular or fast heartbeat
- difficulties swallowing
- dizziness
- Neck stiffness or
- a headache
come. Heart problems can multiple causes have and should always clarified by a doctor become.
Heart problems can be caused by cervical spine syndrome, but can also be Heart discomfort to radiating pain in the left shoulder or in the neck, which are misinterpreted as cervical spine syndrome as the real cause is one Functional restriction of the heart itself is.
Palpitations in cervical spine syndrome
Problems in the cervical spine associated with cervical spine syndrome can also affect the heart and cause symptoms such as a racing heart. This is because certain nerves run close to the neck and cervical spine.
If there is damage or irritation to the cervical spine, these nerve cords can be irritated or injured. If this is the case, the Control of the heartbeat wrongly controlled causing symptoms that affect the heart (in the course of the cervical spine)Palpitations, palpitations, arrhythmias) can occur.
If a heart problem occurs alongside other symptoms of cervical spine syndrome such as neck pain and stiffness, headache, dizziness, visual disturbances or muscle weakness in the arm and hand area, damage to the cervical spine should also be considered as a cause.
Cervical spine syndrome and tremors
Sometimes the pain in the spine and especially in the cervical spine due to a cervical spine syndrome can be so severe that it also affects the entire body.
Long-term pain, in particular, is at risk of causing systemic complaints all over the body.
Chronic pain patients who have pain in the cervical spine for weeks and months often react with whole-body pain and general reactions.
Sometimes, with very pronounced pain in the cervical spine, it also occurs Tremors and to writhing patients.
The tremor is overstimulation of the muscles. It usually comes about because the muscles of the cervical spine are so strongly stimulated and the patient tries to relax the muscles over and over again. Instead, muscle spasms are caused by pain, which can lead to convulsive tremors.
Cervical spine syndrome and drowsiness
Severe and chronic pain in the area Cervical vertebrae if sustained for a long time, they also lead to severe general symptoms.
Patients who have a cervical spine syndrome that is difficult to control also usually complain of pulling a headachewhich result from the fact that the cramped muscles of the cervical spine pass the pain forward to the head area.
Similar to heavy ones Migraine attacks it can happen that neurological complaints occur.
In rare cases, it can also cause the patient to become cloudy Drowsiness come. Unconsciousness due to a cervical spine syndrome has not yet been described. It can happen that patients do not react adequately and are sleepy.
Of course, dangerous and acute causes of this drowsiness must also be clarified during the appropriate diagnosis. Drowsiness and sleepiness with a cervical spine syndrome can also occur due to the ingested painkillers, which are usually very high doses for difficult to control complaints.
In either case, an exact cause of the drowsiness must be investigated.
Cervical spine syndrome and symptoms on the face
In the field of Cervical spine not only run along numerous muscles but also nerves and blood vessels. In this context, the nerves that supply the corresponding muscles of the cervical spine are particularly noteworthy.
With quite pronounced cervical spine syndromes, irritation of the nerves in the cervical spine occurs, leading to spreading pain.
Patients over Facial pain report, can usually not localize the origin of this pain.
The pain is reported as either pulling or tearing, or as dull and radiating.
Sometimes a so-called differential diagnosis is also used Trigeminal neuralgia in question.
This means irritation of the Facial nerve Trigeminal nerve. It runs along the cheekbones on both sides and is spanned by muscles. These muscles are also indirectly related to muscles of the posterior cervical spine. Theoretically, cramps in this area can also be passed on to the front part of the face. Facial pain due to a Cervical spine syndrome are rare but must definitely be included in the suspected diagnoses in the case of specified facial pain.
Cervical spine syndrome and shortness of breath
The muscles of the upper body are more or less linked and adjoin one another. In the case of a cervical spine syndrome, muscle spasms can also lead to spasms of the adjacent muscles Thoracic spine come, these can in turn ensure that the muscles of the chest cramp and these are now responsible for the chest movement when breathing.
Cramping in this area can prevent the chest from rising and falling as easily as Shortness of breath is perceived. This impression is mostly subjective, as the oxygen supply is usually sufficient. Another cause of shortness of breath in cervical spine syndrome is the actual pain, which, if severe, is also due to it autonomic nervous system can pass and in this case can actually lead to shortness of breath.
Difficulty breathing in a cervical spine syndrome is rare and so an exact search for the cause must be carried out in the case of stated breathing difficulties. Some strong medications that are supposed to relieve the pain of cervical spine syndrome can also cause breathing difficulties.
Above all, drugs from the group of morphine preparations should be mentioned here.
Cervical spine syndrome and fatigue
Pain in general is exhausting for the entire body. The body does not come to rest, is startled from periods of rest, and those affected try to take direct or indirect measures practically every minute to make the pain more bearable.
Most of the time this is also accompanied by restlessness and / or walking around by the patient. The aim is to find the position that causes the least pain.
Short-term pain is bearable for both the body and the patient. However, if longer pain attacks occur, the body and psyche are impaired. After long periods of pain, patients are tired and exhausted, ill-tempered and hopeless. Chronic pain sufferers often have one too depression.
Strong pain relievers that are taken can also lead to fatigue, which greatly affects the patient. Fatigue is also the reason why patients with severe pain should not take part in road traffic.
