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Have you experienced discomfort in your neck and shoulder region? Does it feel as if the head of yours is heavy for your shoulders , or you feel a stiffness that is unbearable around your neck? It’s highly likely you have cervical spondylosis, also known as cervical spine or more commonly referred to by the name neck cervical. Here’s everything you need to know about this condition.
What exactly is what is the cervical spine?
Health Shots reached out Dr Sushma Singh, a Consultant Physiotherapist of Masina Hospital, to understand more about this disease. She says “Cervical spine is made up of vertebrae that extend from the skull up to the C7 vertebrae (upper torso) muscles and ligaments in the cervical area provide the stability and allows for flexibility (ROM). Any inflammation, any abnormality or injury could cause neck pain.”
Because the pain occurs in the seven bones that comprise the spine which are situated within the neck area, patients are more likely to suffer stiffness and pain in the neck and shoulders , instead of the entire spine. This is the reason why it is often referred to as neck cervical.
Signs and symptoms of cervical spine
Patients suffering from cervical spine frequently describe the pain as persistent burning or stabbing pain in the neck or shoulder region. Some also experience stiffness and tightness of the muscles in their cervical region. Dr. Singh states that the two main symptoms are:
1. The Stiff Neck type of pain may decrease ROM and feel like the neck is stiff or stuck.
2. The pain that comes from movement can be felt when you move like when the neck is moved upwards or upwards or tilt it from the other way.
Neck pain can hinder routine activities and may affect living quality in the event that it is not treated. Most of the time the pain in the neck isn’t significant and is usually cured within a couple of days. However, in certain instances it could indicate an injury that is serious and requires a an appointment with a doctor. If the symptoms last for more than a week then consult your doctor. They’ll examine the area with x-rays, MRI, CTScan, etc.
However, if your situation isn’t too severe, you could opt for home therapy or even try some treatments at home, according to Dr. Singh.
Here’s how you can ease neck pain that is caused by spain in the cervical area:
1. Hot packs and cold therapy often referred to as cryotherapy, can be tried, based on the degree of discomfort. In this type of therapy, cold packs or liquid nitrogen are employed to break down and freeze the tissue that causes the pain.
2. Traction is another technique in physiotherapy that is used for stretching soft tissue as well as separate bone fragments or joint surfaces by pulling force that aids in relieving discomfort.
3. Exercises that strengthen and allow you to stretch the muscles of your shoulders and neck is the most effective method to relieve the discomfort. You can do exercises such as neck rotations and shoulder rolls as well as neck flexion and neck rolls.
4. IFT/TENS transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential therapy (IFT) are the most frequent treatment options for various kinds of chronic and acute pain. These are physiotherapy techniques that could be of great aid in relieving neck discomfort.
5. The practice of good posture is a method of prevention to avoid suffering from this type of health issue. We all have jobs that require us sit for long periods of time It is vital to have a healthy posture that includes an upright back and a relaxed shoulder.
Are you suffering from neck pain? It could be that you are suffering from cervical spine Learn more about it
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