Neck Pain - Causes & Prevention

You may heard the body aches in winter. Many people also experience severe pain in the neck. Sometimes severe pain is accompanied by a tingling sensation in the fingers. If so, it is cervical spondylosis. 

What Is Cervical Spondylosis?

In simple language it is called arthritis of the neck. That is, corrosion of the cartilage between the vertebrae in the neck of the spine. There are seven vertebrae in the neck. These vertebrae are connected to each other by discs and ligaments. The greatest curvature of the cervical spine is along the disc between the fifth and sixth vertebrae. Spondylosis is more common in this disc because the pressure is the highest at this point. In the process of degeneration the disc loses its water and becomes dry. Healthy discs are soft, elastic and more durable.

When the disc begins to wear down, its flexible fibers become stiff and break under stress. The disc between the two vertebrae degenerates and thins. As a result, the edges of the vertebrae rub against each other and new bone grains of different sizes appear. If one of these sharp bony spikes punctures the nerve root, it causes severe pain in the hand. A corrosion disc can move out of its normal position, that's called  'slipped disc'. In that case, the disc presses on the nerve root causing pain. A slipped disc is usually caused by an accident, a sudden fall, or a neck injury. Degenerative spine movement is not facilitated when the elasticity of the disc is lost.

Spondylosis usually occurs in the lower four vertebrae of the neck that means fourth to seventh vertebrae. Spondylosis is rare in the upper three vertebrae. Because there is not much pressure. Cervical spondylosis pain is always felt in the back of the neck, never in the front of the neck. If the pain is severe, it may radiate to the shoulder and back of the arm to the elbow. Sometimes the pain can spread to the hands and fingers. Coronary heart disease or angina pain is felt on the inner side of the arm and often radiates to the fingers. However, this pain does not increase with neck movement. In cases of cervical spondylosis, the pain is aggravated by moving the neck. Heart pain is usually felt on the left side.

Diagnosis

X-rays are used to confirm spondylosis. However, in some cases CT scan or MRI should done.

Treatment Method

The following steps are usually taken for severe neck pain due to cervical spondylosis-

• 1) Stop Neck Movement
• (1.1) Activities that cause neck movement should be stopped immediately. Travel should also be stopped as the neck feels jerky during travel. Those who work in office, they should leave from working for some days
• (1.2) Cervical collars can be used to prevent abnormal movements of the neck. For the first few days, it's best to wear a cervical collar while sleeping—it prevents inadvertent neck movement during sleep.
• (1.3) While sleeping, the neck should be bent forward or 10-15 degrees from the normal position. A normal-shaped pillow bends the neck forward more. So these pillows should be avoided while sleeping. A very low pillow or cervical pillow should be used while sleeping to support the neck spine. Basically, this pillow will be under the neck.

• 2) Medication 
• (2.1) Analgesics are administered for immediate relief from pain. Sometimes injections are needed to relieve pain. Actual treatment is provided after pain relief.
• 3) Serve Hot
• (3.1) Whenever there is pain in a joint or bony joint, the muscles around the joint tighten and reduce the mobility of the joint as a protective mechanism. Basically the body's natural defenses are by muscle contractions—that's what we do after a cervical collar. But when the muscle contraction or tension is too much, pain occurs. Heat is the best way to relax muscles. For this reason, the muscles should be heated. In this case hot water bag, electrical heating pad or infrared lamp can be used. It is best to pour warm water on the neck while bathing. The most preferred treatments are short wave diathermy and ultrasound heat. These are given by physiotherapists.
• 4) Traction 
• (4.1) Traction is the most effective treatment option when the disc is displaced and puts pressure on the nerve root. As a result of traction, the space between the two vertebrae increases and due to this, the disc presses on the nerve root. Increasing or decreasing the traction weight depends on the situation. Traction can be given sitting or lying down. If traction is given while lying down, the bed should be kept 6-9 inches high with a bed block towards the head. If pain increases due to traction, traction should be stopped and any defect should be checked and corrected.
• 5) Massage
• (5.1) Massage is a very effective way to relax tense neck muscles. However, care should be taken while doing massage that these should not be reversed. Both shoulders and neck should be massaged slowly. Muscles should not be twisted forcefully, as this will cause damage.
• 6) Strengthening The Neck Muscles
• (6.1) When the neck muscles become weak, the spine is damaged. But if the muscles are strong then there is no extra pressure on the spine, so the spine may not damaged. Neck muscles can be strengthened through some exercises. But these exercises should be done after the initial pain subsides.
• (6.2) Put both hands together in front of the head and press the head forward. The pressure of the head on the hands will increase, but both hands shall put equal pressure on the head.
• (6.3) Take the hands behind the head and press the head back. Care should be taken to press both hands in front of the head.
• (6.4) Similarly, pressure should be applied on the right side of the head with the right hand and on the head with the left hand. The head will also press evenly on the hands.
• (6.5) Basically the pressure of hand and head towards each other should be such that the head cannot escape. That is, the stronger the hand presses on the head, the harder the head must be pushed in the opposite direction.
• 7) Exercise To Relax Tight Muscles
• (7.1) After the initial pain subsides, cervical spondylosis patients can do some exercises to relax tight neck, upper back and shoulder muscles-
• (7.2) Turn the head left and right.
• (7.3) Save the head and bring it forward. Then take it backwards.
• (7.4) Rotate the head clockwise and counterclockwise.
• (7.5) Raise and lower both shoulders. Then rotate both shoulders.
• (7.6) Place your hands on your shoulders and rotate your elbows.

-Dr. Syeda Alisha Ashraf