Here’s a closer look at what cervical spondylosis is, how it can affect your day-to-day living, and how different treatments can help you prevent this condition from having a debilitating effect on your life.
What Causes Cervical Spondylosis?
Cervical spondylosis is most common among the elderly, because over time, the cartilage and bones in your will wear down. A few other conditions, such as bone spurs or dehydrated spinal disks (which also occur during the aging process) can accelerate the advancement of this condition.
However, it’s not only the elderly who can suffer from cervical spondylosis. This is especially true of those who suffer a neck injury during a car accident or fall. These accidents can cause younger people to also experience neck pain associated with cervical spondylosis. Individuals whose work or other activities involve lifting heavy objects and other repetitive physical tasks are also more likely to develop cervical spondylosis because of the extra pressure their activities place on the spinal cord.
Smoking, obesity, and a family history of cervical spondylosis can also increase one’s risk of developing this condition.
Treating Cervical Spondylosis
The effects and severity of cervical spondylosis can vary from person to person, however, there are a few key types of pain that most people with the condition experience. Most people with cervical spondylosis experience pain in the shoulder blade, arms, and even the fingers. An unusually stiff neck and an increase in headaches that start at the back of the head are other common symptoms.
If your doctor determines that you are indeed suffering from cervical spondylosis, there are multiple treatment options available. One of the most common (and effective) cervical spondylosis treatment options is to participate in physical therapy. Physical therapy for cervical spondylosis typically combines stretching and neck traction to strengthen the muscles in your shoulders and neck while also reducing the pressure that is placed on the spinal discs in your neck.
In addition to the physical therapy you can receive from a certified chiropractor, several at-home cervical spondylosis treatment methods can help provide relief. Regular exercise can strengthen your muscles and speed up the recovery process, while heating pads and soft neck braces can provide temporary pain relief. Over-the-counter medications can also be helpful for pain relief.
By strengthening their neck and shoulders and receiving specialized care from a chiropractor, most individuals experiencing cervical spondylosis are able to effectively manage their condition.
Tougher Treatments
While most individuals suffering from cervical spondylosis are able to receive adequate pain relief from the aforementioned treatments, sometimes, the pain is so severe that additional steps are needed.
In more serious cases of cervical spondylosis (such as where a patient suffers from nerve damage, tissue inflammation, or severe muscle spasms), doctors may prescribe a variety of medications to relieve pain. These may include muscle relaxants, steroid injections, or other medical treatments.
In very rare cases, surgery may be required to remove herniated discs or bone spurs to relieve the pain caused by cervical spondylosis. It should be noted, however, that this only occurs when an individual suffers from extreme pain and is unable to move their arms normally due to their condition. Thankfully, these situations are quite unusual, as most people are able to get the pain relief they need through straightforward physical therapy treatments.