We are aware of cervical spondylosis which is a case of permanent wear and tear in the cervical spine. There are various treatments on how to cure cervical spondylosis permanently. From medical measures and therapies to home remedies, several such treatments are initiated for relief.
Through physiotherapy and other lifestyle adjustments, individuals often adapt to the state. However, in severe cases, doctors suggest going for surgery. Conservative treatment for cervical wear and tear begins with assessing the depth of the situation and opting for either medications or therapy. Preliminary pain management can also be done at home with remedial steps and effective measures.
In this article, we will shed light on various aspects of cervical spondylosis and how to seek a cure for the condition.
What is Spondylosis?
Spondylosis refers to a degenerative disease that mostly affects the spine area leading to discomforts which range from minor to gross over time. In the initial days, back pain and aches in the neck region are bearable however without suitable treatment, symptoms of spondylosis can worsen over time. Pain often spreads to the mid and lower back affecting regular movement and creating difficulty in carrying weights.
Generally, experts have categorised Spondylosis into two following types:
- Lumbar Spondylosis: This one is concerned with symptoms of aches in the lower back region. It is often called the degeneration of disks.
- Cervical Spondylosis: This affects the neck region and is often called osteoarthritis of the neck. The prolonged duration of reading, writing or sitting straight becomes difficult as the symptoms worsen, especially when left untreated.
Spondylitis vs Spondylosis
Many people get spondylitis and spondylosis mixed up but they are two different conditions. Spondylitis is an inflammatory condition of the spine joints most often associated with autoimmune diseases like ankylosing spondylitis. Spondylosis is a degenerative condition caused by aging resulting in wear and tear in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.
While both can cause stiffness, pain, and discomfort, spondylitis primarily results from inflammation, whereas spondylosis is due to disc degeneration, bone spurs, or calcification. Symptoms of both may include persistent back pain, difficulty sitting for long hours, and stiffness in the neck or lower back. In severe cases, spondylitis can lead to spinal fusion, while untreated spondylosis may result in nerve compression, causing tingling sensations or radiating pain.
Symptoms of Cervical Spondylosis
If you want to know how to cure cervical spondylosis permanently then you need to begin with identifying the symptoms first. While some signs are pretty obvious, the initial symptoms may not be so noticeable leading to ignorance until the condition worsens. Here are some of the symptoms of cervical spondylosis to look out for:
- Prolonged and lingering pain in the neck which might worsen over time especially when you move.
- Often, you might experience a heavy stiffness in the neck region after waking up or during the day.
- Headaches that start from behind the neck and then move towards the front, sometimes extending up the length of the spine.
- Pain might also be experienced in the shoulder blades as well.
- Difficulty in balancing your body.
- Gradually, as the condition worsens, the pain might spread to your arms and lower back travelling down the length of the spinal cord. This might make it difficult for one to carry even light loads or sit for a long time.
- Numbness is often experienced in the arms, legs and shoulders.
- If the pain is acute, then you might experience tingling in the fingers and weakened reflexes.
- Dizziness.
Causes of Cervical Spondylosis
Causes of cervical spondylosis include ageing when the muscles and bones are likely to degenerate. The neck bones and tissues are affected, leading to inflammation in the bones. Other risk factors for developing cervical spondylosis include the following:
- Smoking: It is found that smoking is a leading cause and contributor to disc degeneration.
- Inactivity: Lack of exercise and physical activities can lead to inflammation in the muscles and exacerbate muscle dystrophy and spinal issues.
- Obesity: Being overweight can increase the pressure on the muscles and bones leading to frequent wear and tear. Spinal issues are likely to be more in the case of patients with obesity rather than healthy and active individuals.
- Lifting Heavy Weights: Individuals engaged in lifting weights and occupied by hard laborious tasks may experience twist and strain in the neck region. Frequent bending and lifting of loads can strain your neck and lead to muscle tears.
- Arthritis: With age, the signs of arthritis are acute and can spread to different parts of the body like the neck causing cervical spondylosis.
- Neck Injuries: Exposure to sudden neck injury while playing or a sudden accident can lead to neck aches and cervical spondylosis.
- Herniated Discs: With ageing, you can experience muscle dystrophy – wear and tear in the spinal disks that lead to cracks in bones and even cervical spondylosis.
Risk Factors of Cervical Spondylosis
Wondering about how to cure cervical spondylosis permanently, then you need to fix the risk factors and address them. Here is a list of general risk factors of cervical spondylosis for you to look out for:
- Occupation: Awkward positions while working, overhead work and repetitive neck motion can lead to wear and tear in the neck region.
- Age: One of the most common reasons and risk factors for cervical spondylosis is ageing and degenerating muscles and bones.
- Neck Injuries: Previous neck injuries or surgeries may lead to cervical spondylosis, as it can recur even after healing.
- Smoking: Smoking can also be held responsible for neck aches and cervical spondylosis due to chemicals inhaled.
- Genetics: Sometimes cervical spondylosis is experienced in different generations as a genetic disorder.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of movement, resting and sedentary lifestyle and long periods of sitting can contribute to cervical spondylosis, neck sprain and stiffness.
- Obesity: Excess weight on the neck puts strain and in the long run an obese person can develop cervical spondylosis.
- Spinal Trauma: Exposure to spinal trauma accelerates the process of developing cervical spondylosis in the long run.
- Depression and Anxiety: Mental health issues have been associated with a sedentary lifestyle which can ultimately contribute to sprains, aches and cervical spondylosis.
- Congenital Narrow Vertebral Canal: If one has a congenital narrow vertebral column, then the risk of developing cervical spondylosis in that person is higher.
Prevention of Cervical Spondylosis
To know how to cure cervical spondylosis permanently, one needs to opt for the prevention of cervical spondylosis in the first place. Here are some of the preliminary measures and prevention methods that can be taken beforehand:
Lifestyle
Following lifestyle changes and modifications must be taken:
- Maintain a healthy weight and consume a diet rich in vitamin D.
- Stay active.
- Ensure enough rest for the body (optimal sleep of 6-8 hours).
- Do not engage in prolonged neck extension.
- Use proper tools and equipment for games and different sports.
- Use a seat belt in vehicles to avoid unnecessary perks to the neck region.
Posture to Prevent Neck Injury
The following measures must be taken for prevention of neck injury:
- Avoid sitting in the same posture for too long.
- Do not wear too tight clothes and stiff necklines.
- Use a pillow that supports your neck during any spinal injury or aches.
- Adjust the screen of your computer to your eye level so the neck is not too extended.
- Take short breaks between your work schedules.
- Avoid tilting your head too much during reading or writing to prevent straining your spine.
Diagnosis of Cervical Spondylosis
To find out how to cure cervical spondylosis permanently, here are some diagnosis methods suggested by the experts. A combination of physical exercise and a medical history review aids in diagnosing spinal and neck issues. Imaging tests like X-rays and MRIs further help detect degenerative conditions such as cervical spondylosis.
Initial Assessment
Initially, assessments are done through observation and physical testing by estimating the range of motion, and flexibility of reflexes. By checking muscle strength, healthcare providers can determine whether the neck region is sprained. They might ask you for physical symptoms and a history of neck injury to confirm the situation.
Image Testings
Different image testing methods include X-ray which can reveal any bone spurs and directly showcase cervical spondylosis. MRI or Magnetic resonance imaging is taken for soft tissues, muscles, nerves and spinal cords. This helps to detect whether muscles are pinched or compressed. CT scan, Myelogram and Electromyography are other measures to detect underlying cervical spondylosis symptoms.
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Home Remedies and Self-Care for Cervical Spondylosis
If you are looking for ways on how to cure cervical spondylosis permanently but with home remedies and measures, we have some self-care initiatives that one can take.
List of home remedies and self-care for cervical spondylosis:
Gentle Movement and Exercise to Relieve Stiffness
One needs to maintain an active lifestyle so that the muscles around the body are motile and flexible. Some modified exercises are also available and prescribed by experts to patients to cure aches due to cervical spondylosis. Neck rotation and lateral stretches relieve the tension in this region. Performing shoulder rolls also aids in curing sprains and cervical spondylosis.
Heat and Cold Therapy
Often alternating warm and cold compress can make the patient feel relaxed and relieved from the continuous aches. Hot pads or cold packs are pressed in the affected area for 10-15 minutes to ease inflammation and acute discomfort. Taking warm and cold baths also aids in soothing muscle sprains.
Improving Postures
Maintain a proper posture while sitting upright or walking to prevent straining. Pillow support around the neck region and creating an ergonomic workstation helps to align and reduce aches.
Lifestyle Modifications
Take regular breaks from prolonged work hours and engage in stress-reducing activities like meditation and yoga. Adequate sleep helps to release stress and makes the body relax and rejuvenate for the next day. By avoiding sitting posture for a long time, you can stretch and walk in intervals to keep the back and neck muscles supple.
Conclusion
NCBI also published the study While identifying and addressing symptoms of cervical spondylosis can aid in curing it faster and better, lifestyle modifications and home remedies play a crucial role. Additionally, you should stay hydrated to flush out toxins from the body and keep the muscles and tissues supple. Include vegetables and fruits in your diet and replenish the body’s need for fluids. It helps prevent muscle wear and tear as well as symptoms of spondylosis.
