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Diseases and Treatment |
 
Cervical Spondylosis
To an extent, we all develop a degree of degeneration in the vertebrae and discs as we become older. However, cervical spondylosis is a term used if the degree of degeneration is more severe, and causes more symptoms, than is expected for a given age. As the 'discs' degenerate, over many years they become thinner. Sometimes the adjacent vertebrae develop small, rough areas of bone on their edges. The nearby muscles, ligaments, and nerves may become irritated by these degenerative changes which can cause troublesome symptoms.
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Spinal Transplant
Osteophytes
Yoga for cervical spondylosis
Homeopathy,
Neck pain and stiffness
What is the cervical spine?
The cervical spine is made up of small circular bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of each other. Between each vertebrae is an intervertebral disc which acts like a shock absorber and allows flexibility of the spine. Muscles and ligaments run between, and are attached to, the vertebrae. Nerves from the spinal cord pass between the vertebrae going to the shoulder, neck, arm, and upper chest.
What is Herniated inter-vertebral disk?
The inter-vertebral disks are made-up of two concentric layers, the inner gel like Annulus Pulposus and the outer fibrous Annulus fibrosus. As a result of advancing age, the nucleus looses fluid, volume and resiliency and the entire disc structure becomes more susceptible to trauma and compression. This condition is called as Dehydration of the disk. The disk then is highly vulnerable to tears and as these occur, the inner annulus pulposus protrudes through the fibrous layer, producing a bulge in the inter-vertebral disk. This condition is named as herniated disk. This can then cause compression to the spinal cord or the emerging nerve roots and lead to associated problems.
What is fibromyalgia and myo-fascial pain syndrome?
These are conditions characterized by pain in the muscles following severe spasm associated with morning stiffness, disturbed sleep, a feeling of swelling and have clear trigger points. These points are tender and when palpated produce the typical pain.
What are the symptoms of cervical spondylosis ? (in brief)
Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. You may have a flare up of symptoms if you over-use your neck, or if you sprain a neck muscle or ligament.
Symptoms include:
1. Pain in the neck. This may spread to the base of the skull and shoulders. Movement of the neck may make the pain worse. The pain sometimes spreads down an arm to a hand or fingers. This is caused by irritation of a nerve which goes to the arm from the spinal cord in the neck. The pain tends to wax and wane with flare-ups from time to time. However, some people develop chronic (persistent) pain.
2. Some neck stiffness, particularly after a night's rest.
3. Headaches from time to time. The headaches often start at the back of the head just above the neck and travel over the top to the forehead.
4. Numbness, pins and needles or weakness may occur in part of the arm or hand. Tell a doctor if these symptoms occur as they may indicate a problem with a 'trapped nerve'.
What are these caused due to?
1.Pain in the neck region can be caused by a variety of reasons. Different centers in and around the cervical vertebrae are sensitive to pain and problems connected with any of these regions can cause pain. The Periosteum ( The outer layer of the cervical vertebrae ), The anterior and posterior ligaments ( the ligaments which run along the vertebrae and stabilize them), The facet joints ( the joint formed between the sideward protrusions of the vertebrae ) The para-vertebral muscles are all pain sensitive and any lesions to the above structures are capable of producing pain.
2.Pain, numbness and lack of sensation in the other areas are produced by problems effecting the nerves that emerge from the cervical region. By far, the most common cause of cervical spondylosis is the spasm of the para-vertebral muscles of the neck.
3.The main causes of these problems are a) Spondylosis, b) Herniated inter-vertebral disks, c) Fibro-myalgia and myo-fascial pain syndromes. Though the three refer to three different entities, they are interrelated and often super-imposed.
Symptoms
Cervical spondylosis can lead to chronic pain and stiffness in the neck that may also lead numbness of the upper extremities.
Well the most common symptoms with which these patients approach the doctor are
1. Pain and stiffness in the neck.
2. The pain and stiffness could be confined to the neck alone.
3. There could be radiation of the pain from the neck to the right hand.
4. There could be radiation of the pain from the neck to the left hand.
5. There could be radiation of the pain from the neck to the back of the head.
6. There could be giddiness associated with pain and stiffness.
7. There could be only pain in the upper arm.
8. There could be numbness in the tips of the fingers.
9. These above symptoms could all suggest that you could be suffering from a condition known as - Cervical Spondylosis.
Neck stiffness and pain may be worse with upright activities.
Numbness and weakness may appear in the arms, hands, and fingers, and weakness in the legs.
May feel or hear grinding or popping in the neck when you move.
Muscle spasms or headaches.
May feel irritable and fatigue, disturb sleep and impair your ability to work.
The diagnosis is usually through physical examination and imaging
1.Physical exam - the doctor may identify tender spots along the neck and evaluate your ability to move the neck in various directions. The function of the nerves and muscles in the arms and legs may be tested.
2.Imaging - X-rays and MRI studies may be used to show bone spur and other abnormalities and reveal the extent of damage to the cervical spine.
Treatment for cervical spondylosis -TYPE A
Exercise your neck and keep active
Aim to keep your neck moving as normally as possible. As far as possible, continue with normal activities. In the past, some people have worn a neck collar for long periods when a flare-up of neck pain developed. It is now known that if you wear a collar for long periods it may cause the neck to 'stiffen up'. So, try to keep your it as active as possible.
exercises for cervical spondylosis
Professionals who spend hours doing desk work or in front off the computers should take small breaks in between and try and do simple neck exercises
Some of those neck pains and stiffness which does not improve in spite of exercise and medication are most certainly due to stress. When a person is in constant stress the muscles in the neck goes into spasm and causes pain and stiffness in the neck so it is very important for the doctor to identify the cause and treat it accordingly.
Read more on neck pain and stiffness and learn specific neck strengthening exercises with illustrations.
Treatment for cervical spondylosis- Homeopathy-TYPE B
The symptoms may last for several months or years. Most of the time if symptoms are mild, the doctor may recommend rest, medication, and physical therapy.
1.Rest - may need to wear a soft cervical collar or neck brace to limit neck motion to relieve nerve irritation.
2.Medication -medications or other non-narcotic pain relievers to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
3.Physical therapy - Hot and cold cervical traction or active exercise program to relieve pain symptoms.
When the symptoms are too severe, most of the doctors may recommend surgery. Chiropractic is another alternative of healing for cervical spondylosis treatment.
The most commonly used medicines used for the treatment of cervical
Rhus Tox ..Pain and stiffness in the nape of the neck,pain between the shoulders,
Kalmia..pain from the neck down the arms,pain extending to the shoulder blades
Conium.. with giddiness
Other commonly used medicines are
causticum,calcarea phos,calcarea flour,nux,hypericum,
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