Cervical spondylosis what is it ?

Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative disease of the cervical spine, characterized by the appearance of bone spurs (small bony growths) in the cervical vertebrae.

Osteophytes (bone spur) can be diagnosed by radiography. Cervical spondylosis occurs mainly in people aged over 40 years. Is the underlying cause both aging and wear of intervertebral discs and joints due to vicious positions of the cervical spine (eg incorrect state office). Bone spurs that form at this level are a form of body repair reaction. But sometimes they can hamper, causing pain and reduced mobility of the cervical spine. However, the pain is often when viewed on intervertebral lesions. Other causes of cervical spondylosis, besides those mentioned, are minor or major injury of the cervical spine, decreased tone muscle of the muscles of the neck due to inactivity, lack of exercise or spondylosis may occur due to congenital anomalies (rare).

Cervical spondylosis symptoms

Cervical spondylosis symptoms are: neck pain, morning stiffness. If spinal canal or intervertebral hole is narrowing because of bone spurd, may occur: dizziness, numbness of the hands, decreased muscle strength of upper limbs (weakness). In the cervical vertebrae (only at this level) there are cross holes. The vertebral arteries that irrigate them pass brain stem and cerebellum (hind brain). If these vessels are compressed, a small amount of blood reaches the brain and appear the following symptoms: headache in occipital region, abnormal gait (from oxygen deprivation cerebellum), dizziness.

Cervical spondylosis treatment

Cervical spondylosis, as well as other types of spondylosis is a degenerative disease, chronic, not heal, but symptoms can be improved by choosing appropriate treatment. Drug cervical spondylosis treatment can be used is: pain relievers, infiltration with lidocaine, procaine, in case of dizziness tranquilizers. Medications will be established and prescribed only by your doctor !

Cervical spondylosis condition rarely reach the surgery. This applies when the spinal canal is completely narrowed.

The diagnosis of cervical spondylosis should be put carefully and correctly. Many people aged under 40 suffer from neck pain, but that does not mean they have cervical spondylosis because the disease is rarely seen at an early age. Neck pain can occur due to an occipital nerve neuralgia (when patients walked with wet head in cold weather) or because of incorrect position of the spine (especially those who spend long hours at work, in front of the computer).

Cervical spondylosis non-drug therapy

Cervical spondylosis non-drug therapy is: physical therapy, physiotherapy and massage. This cervical spondylosis treatment is very successful and lasting longer.

Physiotherapy associated with therapeutic massage effect acts against neck pain with painkillers effect, help to increase trophicity adjacent areas and relax the spine and cervical para-vertebral muscles. Physiotherapy is more benefic and more lasting if these procedures are associated with therapeutic massage.
Physical therapy acts directly on the case (the vertebrae and inter-vertebral disc degeneration helping to rehydrate them). It leads to restore joint mobility, increase muscle elasticity and tone, reducing negative effects of bone spurs and improve overall body condition of psycho-motor standpoint . Physical therapy begins after the 12 sessions of physiotherapy associated with therapeutic massage.

Advices for patients with cervical spondylosis

• Avoid long positions with the head flexed. If the job requires such a position, you should perform periodic motion recovery without interrupting the professional activity.
• Rest without support head on high cushions, using only a roll placed under the neck.
• Follow the daily movements of antagonistic gymnastic extension, flexion and rotation of the head until the disappearance of muscle pain and neuralgic.
• Regain cervical muscle functionality through exercise and massage removes the unpleasant symptoms of spondylosis.
• Spondylolisthesis can be avoided by daily combat vicious perseverance column positions, beginning in adolescence.