Cervical Spondylitis Treatment
October 20, 2009
Cervical spondylitis is a painful condition that usually affects the vertebrae in the neck. Degeneration of the bones with advancement in age is responsible for this disease.
Cervical spondylitis primarily occurs after the age of 55. However, due to changes in lifestyle and working condition, nowadays, cervical spondylitis also occurs in individuals in the mid 30s.
Constant wear and tear causes degeneration of the intervertebral discs. The degeneration of these discs, which lie between the vertebrae of the neck region, makes them thinner. Small and rough bony areas or bony spurs, also known as osteophytes, develop on the edge of the vertebrae bones.
These bone spurs can exert pressure on the neighboring spinal nerves, muscle, ligaments and the spinal cord, producing pain in the neck. Moreover, deposition of minerals, especially calcium, in the intervertebral discs causes stiffness of the neck.
Symptoms of cervical spondylitis
The primary symptom of cervical spondylitis is pain in the neck. The pain often radiates into the shoulder region and the arms. Sometimes the pain can radiate to the lower region of the back of the head and even on top of the head. People suffering from cervical spondylitis also suffer from stiffness in the neck. Sometimes it creates numbness or weakness in the arms and fingers. Cervical spondylitis also creates vertigo and loss of balance.
Cervical spondylitis home remedies
Cervical spondylitis is not a reversible condition. However, with proper care, the symptoms of the disease could be kept under control. Often cervical spondylitis patients wear cervical collar to reduce the pain, vertigo and other symptoms associated with this degenerative condition.
Sometimes, neck tractions that exert pressure on the spinal nerves help to reduce the discomfort. Certain herbs could help to reduce the symptoms of cervical spondylitis. To reduce the pain, cervical spondylitis patients could take fenugreek seeds, dry ginger and turmeric.
In Ayurvedic medicine, guggul, whose botanical name is Commiphora mukul is effective in healing the symptoms of cervical spondylitis. Guggul has powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Ashwagandha, also known as Indian Ginseng, can also be used for treating cervical spondylitis. Cervical exercises helps to prevent further progress of the disease.
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