What Causes Heat Sensation in the Cervical Spine?
Recently, my cervical spine has been feeling warm, and at times I also experience neck stiffness. There is a cracking sound when I turn my neck. Why does the cervical spine feel warm?
Doctor's answer (1)
Cervical spine heat sensation is usually caused by the following possible factors:
1. Muscle tension or strain: Maintaining a single posture for a prolonged period, such as working with the head down, using computers or mobile phones, may lead to excessive tension in the neck muscles, causing an inflammatory response and resulting in a feeling of heat.
2. Cervical spine injury: Falls, traffic accidents, or falling injuries may cause local soft tissue damage. Severe cases might involve fractures, accompanied by inflammatory reactions such as increased skin temperature and pain.
3. Muscle fatigue: Overexertion or trauma may lead to nonspecific inflammatory changes in muscles and fascia, causing local muscle tension, restricted movement, and possibly even systemic fever.
4. Cervical spondylosis: Conditions such as cervical disc herniation and cervical osteophyte formation can lead to poor local blood circulation and accumulation of inflammatory mediators, triggering a sensation of heat in the cervical region.
5. Nerve compression: When cervical nerves are compressed, in addition to pain and numbness, a sensation of heat may also occur. This is due to increased local metabolism caused by nerve irritation, producing a feeling of warmth.
6. Infection: Infections such as cervical lymphadenitis or throat infections may also affect the cervical spine area, causing heat sensations. This situation is usually accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever and fatigue.
