Cervical Spondylosis – Stretches and Exercises
Cervical spondylosis is a condition which causes the deterioration of the ligaments, discs, and vertebrae in the cervical spine or in the neck.
This problem is also known as arthritis problem of the neck, degenerative osteoarthritis or cervical osteoarthritis.
The name cervical spine is given to 7 small vertebrae which form our neck. A spine is starting from the base of the skull. In the problem of cervical osteoarthritis, the corners of the vertebrae often developing bone spurs which are called osteophytes. Over the time, our disc is getting thinner, and their ability to absorb the shock is getting the list, which is increasing the risk of cervical osteoarthritis symptoms.
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Swelling in neck joints is called facet joints which can pinch or press nearby nerves roots or the spinal cord itself. This can cause the sensation or tingling of needles and pins in the extremities and sometimes this pain happen in the limbs too. In some cases of cervical osteoarthritis, there are chances of losing coordination and feeling too. Some of the patients may find difficulty in walking.
This thing is normal for peoples to experience degenerative changes as they are getting older. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) calculates that around fifty percent of people start experiencing worn discs after reaching in the middle of the age.
Cervical spondylosis normally does not cause any symptoms, but some people feeling the pain and some feel immense pain depends on their situation. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) includes in their research that sixty percent of the people that age is over 65 years are living the problem of Cervical spondylosis.
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Facts about Cervical Spondylosis
Around 70 percent peoples over 65 years of age are suffering from Cervical spondylosis but there are very fewer people those experience the pain.
A Physiotherapist can help you in the problem of Cervical spondylosis as there are few exercises which can help to relieve the pain and stiffness in the neck.
Physical therapy, steroid injections, and muscle relaxants can help in ease the symptoms of Cervical spondylosis and a surgical option is also available in some severe cases.
Symptoms of Cervical spondylosis include pain and weakness. In some serious cases, the disc can press or a nerve can cause lo mobility and consciousness issues.
Exercises for Cervical spondylosis
Sports therapists are providing physical therapy on the neck in the problem of Cervical spondylosis.
This problem can be easily treated with some simple exercises of neck under the guidance of a specialist or doctor.
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A person who is suffering from Cervical spondylosis can ease the symptoms with few simple neck exercises.
Neck stretch in the problem of Cervical spondylosis
Keep your body in straight position.
Push your chin forward in a way that stretches your throat.
Softly tense your neck muscles.
Hold this position for 5 seconds.
Return your head back in center position.
Push your head back with the chin held high, and hold in the same position for 5 seconds.
Do 5 repetitions of this exercise.
Neck tilt in the problem of Cervical spondylosis
Tilt your head in forwarding position so that the chin touches your chest.
Softly tense the neck muscles.
Hold this position for 5 seconds.
Return back your head to a neutral position.
Do 5 repetitions of this exercise.
Neck tilt (side-to-side) in the problem of Cervical spondylosis
Lean your head in down towards either shoulder, leading with the ear.
Softly tense the neck muscles.
Hold this position for 5 seconds.
Return your head to the center and repeat the same exercise on the other shoulder.
Do 5 repetitions of this exercise.
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Neck turn in the problem of Cervical spondylosis
Turn your head into one side as far as you remain comfortable, being sure to keep your
chin at a level height.
Tense your neck muscles for 5 seconds.
Return the head back to central position.
Repeat this exercise on the opposite side.
Repeat this exercise 5 times on each side.
These exercises are not cured cervical spondylosis, they just help in the relief of pain. These exercises can help in the moderation of the impact of the condition and reduce the pain the stiffness.
Treatment in the problem of Cervical spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is harmless in most of the cases. When the symptoms of Cervical spondylosis occurs, then the problem tend to resolve themselves over the time, normally without taking any treatment. After all, treatments are available which can help you in the reduction of pain whenever the symptoms occur
Giving relaxation to the muscles is very useful for the patient who has neck spasms, in which when the neck muscles are tightening suddenly. Cyclobenzaprine or a related muscle relaxant may be prescribed.
Amitriptyline is a drug/medicine which is normally used in the treatment of depression, but sometimes this medicine is also prescribed by doctors for reducing the pain which has not responded to any other type of treatment. Gabapentin medicine can also be prescribed. (Note:- Kindly consult your doctors about this medicine).
A steroid injection given by a doctor to you in the neck might also help you from severe pain.
By taking physical therapy can also help you to come out from the cervical pain.
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Surgery in the problem of Cervical spondylosis
In some of the cases, symptoms of the stiffness and pain continue to getting worst and can also occur nerve problem.
In some of the cases, a patient may need to take surgery for the treatment of neck pain which radiates down the persists and arm, or if there is a muscle weakness, loss of sensation or a loss of bladder function of bowel problem.
If your MRI test result shows that there is a problem in nerve root compression or pressure on your spinal cord which is also known as myelopathy, then the patient may get benefit from the surgery.
The surgeon may remove some osteophytes or protruding pieces of the bone and there is also possibly of portions of a disc to take pressure off the spinal nerve root or spinal cord.
Another type of surgery is also known as cervical fusion. This surgery will help in the reduction of pressure on the root joints and the spinal cord.