SUFFERING WITH NECK PAIN / SHOULDER PAIN / HEADACHES / GIDDINESS? – It might be CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS.
CAUSES
These days especially during Covid 19 period neck pain/strain/stiffness is prevalent among all age groups due to lifestyle changes, work from home, online schooling, spending more time before computers/mobiles etc. and driving on bad roads regularly.
- Bad neck positions while working and watching mobile phone, TV etc.
- Repetitive injury.
- Age related degeneration of discs present between neck bones.
- Inflammatory and metabolic diseases.
SYMPTOMS
Initially most people experience no symptoms. Later you might experience;
- Neck stiffness
- Neck pain
- Headache
- Shoulder pain
- Numbness and tingling sensation of arms, hands or legs
- In severe form you may lose control over urination or defecation (bladder or bowel control)
DIAGNOSIS
Cervical spondylosis can be diagnosed with physical examination, imaging tests like x-ray, CT scan etc, and nerve function/conduction tests.
PREVENTION AND CARE
- Maintain correct posture while working, driving, watching & texting on a phone.
- If you commute daily more than 10 km by 2 wheeler, choose a vehicle with good suspension, generally bikes have good suspension over scooters.
- Regular physical activity.
- Reduce unnecessary screen time.
- Reduce alcohol intake.
- Take balanced nutrition.
- Sufficient intake of Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Boron and other minerals.
- Maintain optimum Vitamin D levels.
TREATMENT
Treatment depends on severity of the problem and includes pain killers (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs), muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, physiotherapy and surgery.
Using a soft neck brace will help in reducing pressure over your neck bones and pain but should be used only for a limited period daily as it will weaken your neck muscles and leads to worsening of your symptoms.
PATIENT EXPERIENCE
CASE 1:
On a fine morning during the second wave of the pandemic (COVID 19), I received a phone call from a parent about his 22 years old son. His complaint was severe headache that had lasted 1 week and was not relieved with painkillers. The boy was attending online classes daily for 6-7 hours and spending hours more for other work. So daily he spends 9 to 10 hours in front of the computer screen.
TREATMENT ADVISED
I recommended a combination of pain killers and muscle relaxants for the boy to reduce his neck spasms. I also advised him to follow posture correction guidelines when using the computer to prevent the onset of cervical spondylosis. Within 3 days, he was completely healed and is now following these steps as a preventive measure against this condition.
CASE 2:
Mother of a school child consulted me with right shoulder pain for 10 days, not relieved with pain killer spray. Her history revealed that she helps her child in her online school classes. Mother sits beside child and watching computer screen in a position that will cause neck strain which she was not aware of.
TREATMENT ADVISED
I advised her posture correction guidelines to be followed while helping her child’s online classes, that’s all. Problem solved.