Cervical Spine

Strategies against a stiff neck or The Cervical Spine and The Lumbar Spine

Cervical spine is the most flexible part of the human body.
- Treatments include heat therapy like hot baths, hot water bottles and medication like painkillers and sedatives as well as medicines to reduce swelling. This provides short term relief. The compression can also be removed by stretching the cervical spine. Massages and gentle extension man oeuvres are also effective. Acupuncture is also recommended.
- The neck can be protected from injury with exercises that strengthen the cervical muscles like backstroke swimming, frequent breaks during desk work and a healthy sleeping posture.
- Injections help when pain is acute, irritated nerve roots are tranquilized by anesthetics and inflammations are reduced with steroidal saline solutions. The needle should be properly inserted as any kind of mistake can lead to injuries.

Signs of wear and tear in lumbar region are among the most serious occupational damages in the skeletal system.
- Treatment includes early attrition in which the inter vertebral discs in an infant are supplied with nutrients through blood vessels. Later, the supply lines are lost through strain of learning how to walk. From now on, the inter vertebral disc must support itself through osmosis.
- In the region of lower spine, neural strands emerge from inter vertebral foramina which supply the pelvis and legs. If the cross-section of these foramina is reduced, it becomes a tight squeeze. Disc related ailments are often treated through a process of trial and error – non surgically with immobilization or gymnastics medicinally with local painkillers like procain injections or cortisone.. An open operation in which entire disc is removed is largely avoided. The standard procedure is a micro-operation, during which surgeons introduce instruments and lights through a narrow speculum, monitor the procedure with the help of microscope and remove surplus disc tissue.
- Initially, severe pain should be tackled promptly and decisively in order to regain mobility quickly.
- A systematic strengthening of the musculature in the torso, correct nutrition and ergonomic workplace design can prevent slipped disc problems.

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PAIN – Deep in bones and joints consequence of stress, strain, lack of exercise.

Cervical spine is the most flexible part of human body. The pain in cervical spine is the consequence of lifelong strain, incorrect posture and stress, lack of exercise and excess weight. The spinal nerves emerging from spinal chord that are responsible for arms, head and torso are very close to neural network of nervous system and the arteries that supply the brain. Sudden movements, muscle stiffness, pressure of inter-vertebral discs can lead to compression. This leads to painful cervical vertebral syndrome, which can result in paralysis.

CERVICO-BRACHIAL SYNDROME

Pinched spinal nerve roots are the cause. The pain radiates from the neck across the shoulder and into the hands. The cause is often a shrinking of the inter-vertebral disc, leading to a decline in its buffer function. The dorsal vertebrae are then subjected to a greater amount of strain, and react with osseous neo-formations. The result is bead like or spur shaped marginal spikes which stiffs the neck and press against spinal nerves and the spinal chord. An effective measure is stress reduction and muscle training. This condition is called cervico-brachial syndrome.

LOCAL CERVICAL SYNDROME

The constant bending of head cramps the trapezius muscles that connect the back of the head, vertebrae, collar bones and shoulder blades. The increased muscle tone triggers pain that radiates all the way down to the arms, legs and sternum. If the vertebral arteries or spinal canal are constricted, it can lead to migraine like attacks with headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, impaired vision and swallowing disorders.

THE LUMBAR SPINE

The lumbar vertebrae are located at the lower end of our central axis. It begins with the protrusion of the inter-vertebral disc, which results from the stress on the lower spine. Then, the gelatinous nucleus of the disc pushes against the surrounding fibrous ring. Tiny tears appear and at some point the ring breaks and the gelatinous mass flows out and presses against the nerves or the disc material can spill out. In such situation, developing and strengthening the back muscles is recommended.

THE HIP JOINT OR OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis or bone loss weakens the entire skeleton among older people but primarily affects the spine and pelvic region. This bone loss does not lead to any symptoms for a long time and is only noticed when some accident or situations related to that occur. Bone degeneration can be especially intensive in women in the first five years after menopause. In such situations, sports and a good amount of exercise to prevent painful curvatures or femoral neck fractures is recommended.

THE KNEE JOINT OR ARTHROSIS

Arhrosis is the deterioration of joints and occurs most often in the knee. Its exposure to extreme lifelong strain causes the cartilaginous buffer to become increasingly thinner, non-elastic and stiff. The surrounding tissue can also later become inflamed, leading to a rough deformation of the contact areas and reduced lubrication at the cartilage. Eventually, there is a risk of the joint becoming stiff. Being overweight is considered a high risk factor which is why doctors recommend weight loss.