Cervical spondylitis is a medical condition that refers to degenerative wear and tear of the disks in the neck. This condition may lead to disc bulges and prolapses with or without pain. In over 80 percent of the cases, people experience stiffness and pain in the neck that may spread towards the shoulders or head. If unattended, the condition may result in pain radiating from arms and numbness in the extremities apart from loss of co-ordination. Although this is an age related medical phenomenon, more and more people in the 20-40 years age group are suffering from this condition due to unhealthy lifestyle, bad habits and stress. But don’t worry. Being diagnosed with cervical spondylitis doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your life the way you did. All you need to do is to follow these simple ways to ensure you stay healthy with spondylitis and reduce the severity of its symptoms. These simple methods require some changes in your lifestyle that will not just help to deal with the condition, but will also help in making you fitter and healthier overall.
Consider surgical intervention
If you are under 65 years of age and have no medical complications, then you should give a thought to surgery. For people suffering from acute cervical spondylitis, surgery can be a great option. Surgery can help with the disorder and the cervical arthritis of the neck. It can also treat pain, muscle weakness in limbs and reduce the pressure on nerve roots. For people who have been experiencing social or occupational difficulties due to vertebrobasilar insufficiency or nerve stiffness, surgery can be the only resort as it can diminish the chances of stiffness and ‘drop attack’ related to it which is the major cause of strokes in elderly people. Surgery at the same time can also relieve pressures on spinal cord. But if you have moderate pain or you are over 65 years of age, then surgery must not be a treatment option. Also, surgery demands several lifestyle changes and physical therapy for proper treatment of the condition or else the condition may relapse.
Use of painkillers and drugs
Pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders or head is the most crucial issue with cervical spondylitis. Most of the patient suffer a set back because of immobilization of the nerves in neck area and due to difficulty in moving neck and head and sitting on chair for longer durations. Therefore, it is necessary to deal with the pain. If you have your ‘good days’ and ‘bad days’ with cervical spondylitis, then you can use some painkillers once in a while to deal with the pain. Try over the counter medications such as aspirin, Tylenol or ibuprofen that will help relieve the symptoms. If your doctor suggests then you can also go for spine injections that can help to reduce the pressure on spinal nerves. Muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine can be taken for muscle spasms but only after consultation with a medical professional. Getting corticosteroid medication injected around the disk and spinal nerves is also an option. But make sure that you get these treatments once in a while as they have their own side effects. Also, follow other lifestyle changes to ensure healthy living with this condition.
Give importance to Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a well documented and proven method of dealing with cervical spondylitis and its symptoms. The therapy initially aims at immobilizing the cervical spine to limit the movement of the neck which in turn reduces nerve irritation. In the later stages, the therapist may try to reduce the pressure on the nerves and then help the patient to strengthen the muscles of the neck region. Neck and upper back exercises along with mild massages may be incorporated into the routine to benefit the patient. Deep heat transfer may be used to reduce pain. So, if your doctor recommends physiotherapy, then you must ensure that you don’t miss out any appointments with the therapist. Give importance to physiotherapy as it can help in rejuvenating you and reducing your symptoms. Yes, it does require a major lifestyle change and you have to find some time each week for the therapy, but the results are worth it. Before traveling, always ask your therapist for his opinion.
Watch how you sit
People with jobs that require sitting for long periods of time or those who work with a laptop or computer tend to have a bad posture. This can be a major cause behind cervical spondylitis. Moreover, if you are already suffering from this condition, then wrong posture or sitting on the wrong kind of chair can aggravate your condition, cause excessive pain and stiffness in the neck. Therefore, watch the way you sit. Don’t crouch while sitting. Make sure that your spine is straight and your neck is relaxed. Also, it is wrong to sit for longer periods on an uncomfortable chair. So, find a chair that supports your neck or get one made as a custom fit. Don’t sit in front of the computer for long periods and take a break after every 15 minutes or half hour. During this break, you can walk around the room or just stretch your hands and neck. This will help your body to relax and calm down during the working hours and will minimize the chances of developing pain or aggravating the symptoms. The best thing is that you can easily follow it at your home as well as workplace. In fact, you can even inspire your family or colleagues to follow the routine so that they don’t develop this condition.
Wearing cervical collars
Cervical collars can reduce the mobilization of the neck, limiting its movement. This can help in easing the pain and reducing the stiffness around the neck area and shoulders. At the same time, it can help in keeping your neck straight and relaxed. So, try wearing cervical collar on your neck to reduce nerve irritation and spondylitis symptoms. If you have moderate pain, then use only soft cervical collars. Wear them during daytime. Rigid orthoses or collars can immobilize the neck nerves and reduce pain in people with acute spondylitis. Also, different people have different collar needs based upon their compliance levels and tolerance. So, refer to your medical practitioner to know which type of collar will work the best for you. Remember, this will require a lifestyle change as you will have to wear your collar at work and home. Don’t forget to carry the collar even when you are traveling.
Swimming and stretching are the best
Exercising is one of the best ways to deal with the pain and stiffness in your neck. So, make sure that you make exercising a part of your routine even on weekends and when you are traveling. Swimming is the most recommended exercise for people with cervical spondylitis as it helps to open up the nerves, strengthens the muscles of your arms, shoulders and neck and helps you to move your head and neck. Swimming also helps in relieving the pain associated with cervical spondylitis. Apart from this, you can try stretching exercises for your neck to ensure that your nerves don’t pile up on each other and you don’t develop muscle spasms. This will also reduce the pain from sitting and working and will also help you to stay healthy. Sleep on a firm mattress and don’t sleep on your stomach if you have cervical spondylitis. Try this basic stretching exercise whenever you feel any stiffness- reach your right arm over the head so that the palm of your hand is on the top of the skull. Let the fingers rest on the left ear and gently press the head towards right shoulder. Make sure that the shoulders are relaxed. Stay in this position for 30 seconds, then repeat with left hand. Also, don’t push the head backward. You can swim or try mild aerobics for at least 20 minutes, five days a week.
Intake of essential nutrients
Very few people know that some of the nutrients can help in dealing with this condition or reducing its symptoms. Therefore, remember that you need to have an intake of essential nutrients to lead a healthier life with cervical spondylitis. Make sure that you take at least one glass of milk everyday as people with low amounts of calcium are more prone to this condition and its symptoms. Also, include salad or raw fruits and vegetables in your eating routine to get essential nutrients. Have foods rich in vitamin C and D as they help in dealing the pain. Avoid spicy, fried and fatty foods and don’t take sour curd. You can have a glass of warm water with lemon juice in the morning. Also, reduce your weight if you are fat or obese as this will help you get rid of the excess pain due to cervical spondylitis. Make sure that you include these changes in your lifestyle and motivate your friends and family members to have a healthy eating regime.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is a great way of living a healthier, happier life with cervical spondylitis. This involves using products that will help you deal with the pain and symptoms of cervical spondylitis and reduce the ill effects of the condition. For instance, you must use a chair that is comfortable, has a long back and preferably has a soft cushioning to support the neck region. The chair must be wide enough for you to sit comfortably. Use a keyboard that has cushioning for your arms so that you don’t strain the palms. The computer table must be customized so that the computer is directly at the eye level. Have a computer with flat screen so that you don’t have problems working on it. Ergonomically designed products can help you deal with your condition effectively.
Consumption and use of essential herbs
Herbal remedies are alternate treatment strategies for cervical spondylitis. Although they work a little slow, their relief is long lasting and healthier. Try dry ginger as it is an anti-inflammatory product which reduces the pain in neck, is a potent analgesic and also good for reducing inflammation in blood and stiffness in the bones and spine. Withania Somnifera is an Indian Ayurvedic medicine that is anti-inflammatory as well anti-stress product. Stress can result in excessive pain and nerve tension in the neck. This product can help in dealing with the stress and over a period of time it can relieve cervical spondylitis and neck arthritis without any side effects.
Practice yoga and meditation
Yoga and meditation are probably one of the best ways to deal with cervical spondylitis and to ensure healthy living. Yoga can help in efficiently stretching the muscles of your neck, relieving stiffness and strengthening spine, muscles of the neck and shoulder. At the same time, it can ease the pain of the neck. Poses like fish pose can correct faulty postures, make you feel calmer, relaxed and energized. Try cobra pose every day to ensure that you spine stays strong and correct. Do sun salutations or ‘Surya Namaksar’ to alleviate the pain associated with this condition and to make your neck and other body parts more flexible and free of diseases. Meditation on the other hand can work wonders at calming you and eliminating the stresses of your life. Mediating for just 5 minutes each day and breathing in and out deeply can help you focus your mind on staying healthy, reducing stiffness and nerve irritation. Make sure that you combine yoga with stretching exercises. Initially, it might seem difficult to hold the poses but slowly you will start progressing and noticing the difference.
Rejuvenating massages
External massage of the neck and shoulders can provide instant relief in case of mild and constant neck pain and stiffness. Don’t go in for violent massages with deep pressure as they over work the muscles. The gentle massage can be taken two to three times a day when you have pain. Medicated oils can be used during winter and must be warmed before their application. The massage must use light work of the fingers and arms to open up the nerves piled up on each other and to deal with muscle spasms. The neck should be relax. You can also try hot shower to alleviate the pain. But make sure that such rejuvenating massages are taken only once in a while and aren’t a part of your daily routine. Don’t get massages if you feel that they aggravate your pains.
