CERVICAL PAIN & CERVICAL DISC
Cervical pain is a general term for age-related wear and tear in the cervical spine that can lead to neck pain, neck stiffness and other symptoms.Changes in your spine are considered a normal part of aging. The spine likely begins this wearing-down process sometime in your 30s. By age 60, almost nine in 10 people have cervical pain.
Who is most at risk for getting cervical pain
Older age is a risk factor for cervical pain. In addition to age, you are more likely to experience neck pain or other symptoms related to cervical pain.
Smoke cigarettes or used to.- Have one or more family members with this condition.
- Strain your neck often for your job, like looking overhead or downward for many hours every day or keeping your head at an improper position for long periods of time.
- Have a previous neck injury, such as from a car accident.
- Do heavy lifting like construction workers.
- Are exposed to a lot of vibration like bus or truck drivers.
Symptoms
- Tingling, numbness and weakness in your arms, hands, legs or feet/li>
- Lack of coordination and difficulty walking
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
Diagnosing Your Cervical Disc Disease
To diagnose your cervical disc disease, doctor will first take a medical history to find out when your symptoms started, how severe they are, and what causes them to improve or worsen. You’ll likely have a neurological exam to test your strength, reflexes, and the sensation in your arm and hand, if they are affected
Imaging tests such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans can help your doctor visualize your spinal cord to pinpoint the source of your neck pain.
Treatments for Cervical Pain & Cervical Disc
Treatments for cervical pain & cervical Disc focus on providing pain relief, lowering the risk of permanent damage, and helping you lead a normal life.
Nonsurgical methods are usually very effective.
Physical therapy
Your doctor might send you to a physical therapist for treatment. Physical therapy helps you stretch your neck and shoulder muscles. This makes them stronger and ultimately helps to relieve pain.
You might also have neck traction. This involves using weights to increase the space between the cervical joints and relieve the pressure on the cervical discs and nerve roots.
Medications
Your doctor might prescribe certain medications if over-the-counter (OTC) drugs don’t work. These include:
- muscle relaxants, such as cyclobenzaprine to treat muscle spasms
- narcotics, such as hydrocodone (Norco), for pain relief
- anti-epileptic drugs, such as gabapentin (Neurontin), to relieve pain caused by nerve damage
- steroid injections, such as prednisone, to reduce tissue inflammation and subsequently lessen pain
Surgery
If your condition is severe and doesn’t respond to other forms of treatment, you might need surgery. This can involve removing bone spurs, parts of your neck bones, or herniated discs to give your spinal cord and nerves more room.
Surgery is rarely necessary for cervical spondylosis. However, a doctor may recommend it if the pain is severe and it’s affecting your ability to move your arms.
Other Nonsurgical Treatments
Many other treatments may provide some relief from a cervical herniated disc, such as:
- Ice or heat therapy. Applying ice for 15 or 20 minutes at a time may help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Some people may find applying heat for 15 or 20 minutes at a time also offers relief. Whether applying ice or heat, allow 2 hours between applications to reduce the risk for skin damage.
- Cervical traction. A mechanical device is strapped to the head and used to gently lift upward and stretch the cervical spine. The goal is to reduce pressure on the discs and nerve roots. Some people experience pain relief during traction but others do not. If traction provides relief, some patients may opt for a home device to perform the treatment on their own.
- Massage therapy. A gentle massage may provide some relief by helping to loosen muscles, increase blood flow, and promote relaxation. If a massage worsens pain, stop immediately.
Dr. Vardan says:
Most episodes of neck pain are due to muscle strain or soft tissue sprain, but it can also be caused by a sudden force. These types of neck pain often improve with time and non-surgical care such as medication and chiropractic manipulation. But if neck pain continues or worsens, there is often a specific condition that requires treatment. You must visit the doctor if you feel numbness & weakness.