Cervical pains, or cervical spondylosis translates to pain in the neck region, which often develops due to age or a variety of other factors. The spondylosis damages the neck joints and bone disc structures and stems primarily from damages to the bones and cartilage in the cervical spine. It is reported that over 80% of the population over 60 years of age suffer from cervical pains, and need medication to go through with their daily lives.
The causes of cervical spine pain are many, and some of them are bone outgrowths. This condition is fairly common and happens when the body is trying to grow bones in order to make the spine stronger, however this often results in overgrowth of bones which pressurizes the nerve endings in the spine giving rise to the pain. Other causes are injuries to the back neck region or dehydrated discs. Discs are required between two bones for absorbing shocks. If the gel material in the disc dries up, it causes friction among two bones which results in the pain. Neck pains can arise from unhealthy habits like being involved in movement that sprains the neck or makes the neck hold itself at uncomfortable positions for long periods of time
Cervical spine pain can originate in the neck and spread along the shoulder blades, hands, fingers and even the base of the head. As such the pain will increase if motion against the direction of the pain is created. Things like sneezing, coughing and standing up too quickly, that involve sudden movement of the cervical spine can cause cervical spine pain.
Cervical spine treatments come in all kinds of intensity levels, from physical therapies to surgeries. However, non surgical methods have turned out to be more beneficial to the population, however, these take time and patience to happen.
A physical therapist generally helps in reducing neck pain by allowing the patient to do targeted exercises which release tension from the muscles around the neck area. The exercises can include neck stretching and shoulder movements to bring about cervical pain treatment. Other spine disease treatments from the physical therapist includes applying of suspended weights on shoulders or neck and applying traction.
There are medications for cervical pain treatments as well, however it is recommended that a doctor is consulted first. A prescription may include an over the counter drug, such as muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine, narcotics for pain relief, anti epileptic drugs such as gabapentin and steroid injections.
To relieve pain, surgeries are recommended to extreme cases of cervical pain that has rendered the patient immobile. Most surgeries reduce bone outgrowths, parts of the neck bones or herniated discs to prevent the compression of nerves around the neck area. Surgeries are better suited for those who want long term relief and are in the extremes of the condition.
Summary: Cervical pains, or cervical spondylosis is pain in the neck region that often comes from compression of the nerves around the neck area, spraining of the neck, unhealthy and sudden movements of the neck, and damages pertaining to the bone discs and even bone outgrowths around the neck region. Treatments include physiotherapy, medication and in extremes of cases, surgery.
