Cervical spondylosis might sound like daunting medical jargon, but it simply relates to symptoms of pain and stiffness of the neck. In today’s day and age with jobs related to limited movements, stiffness and joint aches have become widely prevalent. Simple tips and tricks can help prevent them and also tackle any symptoms relating to cervical spondylosis.
Cervical spondylosis is a condition that affects the neck. With the constant wear and tear of the joints of the neck, pain and stiffness result overtime. In addition to changes in the joints, the disks that are present in between the vertebrae also shrink and lose their elasticity. Medically it is often referred to as osteoarthritis of the neck, as the symptoms and signs are similar to arthritis in other parts of the body.
The exact cause of cervical spondylosis is not completely understood. It is considered to be a multifactorial condition, where a combination of various lifestyle factors are responsible for the eventual wear and tear of the joints. Some lifestyle factors include:
To an extent, a genetic component might also contribute to the development of cervical spondylosis. Symptoms primarily appear when the joints injuries are significant. However, in some rare cases, significant joint injury also might not precipitate pain.
The symptoms of cervical spondylosis can vary from one person to the next. This is primarily due to the threshold of pain as well as the severity of the joint destruction. It is good to note that there are a few women who will not experience any pain even if their joint is severely injured.
The most common symptoms related to cervical spondylosis is pain and neck stiffness. However, there are some specific symptoms to watch out for and report to your health care practitioner.
Ideally, if you have any or a combination of the symptoms above consulting with a doctor would be ideal.
Any patient that has one or more of the symptoms listed above should consult with a physician. During your visit, your physician would ideally conduct a physical exam which will help them determine whether your symptoms require further testing.
Your physician will test the way you move your neck, assess the stiffness and also observe other movements of your limbs and the way you walk. In these cases, doctors commonly order X-rays, MRI, and CT scan to assess the underlying structures and determine possible causes of the pain the patient is experiencing.
Treatment usually involves taking care of the pain and also helping you with restoring most of your movement. Medications are usually given for short term relief. The cornerstone in treatment involves supportive care and also physical therapy to restore movement.
The most common medications recommended include:
Some simple lifestyle changes are also recommended in order to reduce the pain in the neck. These include:
Some exercises that can be attempted to relieve the tension in your neck includes:
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These are some simple exercises that can be attempted several times a day, especially if you have a job that involves sitting in front of a screen. Do a few repetitions at least one to two times in a day. These simple techniques help to relieve some stiffness and reduce pain.
A movement that results in pain, shouldn’t be attempted. Pain requires medical attention. Stretching the neck further can only worsen the underlying injury to the joints in the neck.
Physical therapy will also be required for a short course of time for patients who have severe pain. Mobilization would have to be restored. A physiotherapist will massage and also manipulate the muscles in the neck to increase daily movement. This usually takes a course of a few months of repeated therapy.
On rare occasions, some types of cervical spondylosis would require surgery. For women who have progressive symptoms, pain that doesn’t subside or serious anatomical defects, physicians would often consider surgery.
Cervical spondylosis is a relatively common condition. Wear and tear of the neck joints and cervical spine often lead to the pain and stiffness observed in cervical spondylosis. It is a chronic condition which is more prominently observed in women who are in their late 40s and 50s. While it is a condition more prominent with age, certain factors like trauma and injuries can precipitate symptoms earlier.
When you begin to experience severe pain in your neck to an extent that it limits your movement, consulting with a physician is ideal. Often looking over your daily tasks can tell you what is causing the pain in your neck. An unhealthy diet, poor posture and lack of physical activity are some of the main causes of pain, in almost any joint in the body. Women who make simple lifestyle changes, like reducing weight, following a healthy diet and exercising more, tend to have a reduction in these types of condition.
However, the best course of action is always getting any discomforts checked out by a professional. Treatment in the initial phases can help prevent further damage and initiate the healing process.
Hindi Version Of This Article -
पढ़ें इस लेख को हिंदी में और जानिये - सर्वाइकल स्पांडिलाइसिस: असहनीय पीड़ा से बाधित जीवन |