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Inflammation of the neck
Inflammation in the neck is common with the lifestyle many have today. Often the cause is overstretched neck muscles due to poor posture and sedentary work in a head-down position at a computer screen, for example. This causes a daily repetitive movement pattern of very low-intensity static work for the neck muscles. This fatigues the muscles and fascia and causes oxygen deficiency with excess lactic acid in the tissue which causes the flow to thicken, muscle fibers slide less smoothly against each other and thus they have to work harder. The irritation creates inflammation and there is increased pressure in the affected tissue. Pain receptors thus become overexcited and signal pain.
Inflammation is the body’s response to an injury. It can be a larger more obvious injury but also small tears and micro-injuries, due to overexertion and over-direction… Inflammation can also be a response to an infection, caused for example by bacteria or viruses. The symptoms of redness, heat and swelling are caused by an increased activity and blood supply to the area. The small blood vessels become more permeable to blood plasma, which then leaks into the so-called ground substance of the fascia, the flow outside the cells. This carries, among other things, substances to start the healing of the injury. Inflammation is therefore a good thing that is triggered by the immune system to heal the body.
Symptoms of Inflammation of the Neck
Symptoms of neck inflammation are mainly soreness, pain and stiffness with a feeling of fatigue and difficulty moving the head and neck. In addition to pain and reduced mobility, inflammation causes redness, heat and swelling over the neck muscles. Symptoms such as redness and swelling can be difficult to see on their own in the case of the neck, but tenderness, pain and heat are more obvious.
What can cause inflammation of the neck?
Inflammation of the neck can often be caused by prolonged static work of the neck muscles and fascia. It is common to sit for long periods, too often and for too long without a break, leaning forward over a mobile phone or computer. It can also be caused by an imbalance and uneven loading of joints and muscles, causing compensations that spread upwards to the neck. The primary problem may be, for example, an oblique and unbalanced pelvis.
Static work for the neck muscles and fascia quickly leads to oxygen deficiency and lactic acid accumulation and they become fatigued. The flow in the fascia deteriorates and becomes more viscous. Pain receptors in the fascia become overexcited and signal pain. This can be prevented by taking frequent small breaks, moving the neck and varying the working position.
Inflammation in the neck can also be caused by a trauma, an injury. For example, a fall or traffic accident can cause a whiplash injury. However, there is often no visible skeletal damage on X-ray, but the symptoms come from inflammation of the fascia of the neck muscles, where there is a poor, sluggish flow.
When and where should I seek treatment for inflammation of the neck?
If you have suffered an acute injury, it is good to check immediately with a doctor that there has been no fracture or other serious damage to the skeleton. If the pain in the neck comes on suddenly and without a known cause, it is also important to talk to a doctor to rule out serious underlying disease.
Most often, however, the pain due to inflammation in the neck is harmless and you can benefit from fascia treatment at a fascia clinic as soon as possible. Of course, it is good to seek fascia treatment as soon as possible. It is often quicker to solve problems if you don’t drag it out for too long. In addition, pain and a change in movement patterns can create new problems. So seek help as soon as possible.
At Fascia Clinics, you get a body balancing to get the body in balance and get as even a load as possible on all joints. A Fascia Clinic treats, among other things, with soft vibrations, which aim to get the flow going in the fascia. This facilitates movement, improves posture and balance, promotes cellular nutrition, removes waste products, improves communication between cells, and more.
Most people find the treatment gentle and comfortable and does not cause any damage to the tissue. Fascia clinics look at the big picture and try to solve the cause of your problems, not just temporarily hide the symptoms.
What can I do myself in case of inflammation of the neck
Once you have an inflammation, you should try to move around to get circulation and flow going. It clears out stagnant waste, oxygenates and nourishes the cells and generally increases mobility in the body. It can also be helpful to have warmth around your neck, such as a heated wheat pillow.
Don’t use a pillow that is too high when you sleep, as it will push your head up and forward and can make your pain worse. A specially designed pillow that supports your neck and still allows your head to lie back can be comfortable.
Above all, make sure to go for regular treatment to keep track of the body’s balancing and preferably also for preventive purposes to grind the pain in the neck. If you feel that it starts to hurt in the neck or elsewhere, contact a Fascia Clinic immediately before the problems increase.
Inflammation of the Neck – Exercises
Movement is always good, it keeps the flow and circulation going.
Specific exercises for the neck can be to regularly gently move the head in a rolling motion in both directions. Also to move the head gently to the sides and forward and backward and slowly stretch in all directions. If you feel uncomfortable, hold on and stretch slowly, preferably for a couple of minutes.
Relaxation exercises are also very important. Lie on your back on the floor, legs raised at 90° to a chair, arms out to the sides, palms up. Lie like this for 10 minutes and breathe deeply and slowly. Press your breath into your abdomen and feel yourself pushing your diaphragm down into your pelvis. Try to get down to six breaths per minute. This allows the entire spinal column muscles and fascia to relax and rest.
