Cervical Spondylosis Home Treatment – The 6 Possible Options
Cervical spondylosis is often referred to as arthritis of the neck. It’s a common age-related condition that usually occurs in persons aged over 50. It’s even more common for those aged over 60. As we get older our bodies get weaker. As this happens the bones, cartilage, discs, and joints of the backbone degenerate too causing pain or stiffness in the neck. There are many different cervical spondylosis home treatments available and this article will take you through some of the most popular ones.
What causes cervical spondylosis?
Cervical spondylosis is caused by the degeneration of our bodies as we age. We will all experience this at some point in our lives. While around half of us will feel no pain from it the other half are not so lucky. Thankfully there are plenty of cervical spondylosis home treatments available which you’ll learn about later in this article.
What are the typical symptoms of cervical spondylosis?
When it comes to cervical spondylosis the severity of symptoms will vary from person to person. However, typically they will include one or more of the following:
Neck pain
This may be solely confined to the neck or may spread out to the shoulders and base of the skull. The pain may also extend down an arm to the fingers too as the nerves become irritated.
Headaches
Of course, every headache will be associated with cervical spondylosis. However, if you do have a headache that starts at the back of the neck and goes over the top of your head to your forehead along with other symptoms it may be a sign of this condition.
Pins and needles
Some patients report a tingling in a hand or part of the arm that feels like pins and needles. This feeling is often the result of an irritation of the spinal nerve as it exits the vertebral area.
Neck stiffness
This is very common, especially after a night’s sleep.
Cervical Spondylosis Home Treatment – The 6 Options
While surgery is available for very severe cases, most people suffering from cervical spondylosis find relief from nonsurgical home treatment. The following is a list of some of the most commonly used ones:
Painkillers
This is often the first port of call for many people when in pain. While paracetamol is OK, many people find that anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen work better. Codeine is also a very good painkiller but be aware as is very strong and can be addictive. If the pain persists, sometimes a doctor will prescribe amitriptyline. This is a low-dose antidepressant that has been known to relieve chronic neck pain.
Soft Cervical Collar
Your doctor may advise you to wear one of these to limit movement of the neck allowing it time to rest. However, they should only be used for short periods of time. Long-term use of a cervical collar can actually weaken the neck muscles.
Exercise
This is the essential treatment of all. Carrying out a number of neck stretches daily will help maintain range of motion and flexibility in both the neck and spine.
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient Indian form of exercise based on principles. It focuses on breathing, strength, and flexibility and is great for helping to relieve the pain of cervical spondylosis. Some of the most effective yoga poses for treating this condition are:
- The bow pose (Dhanurasana) – helps to stimulate and stretch the neck muscles.
- The cat pose (Marjariasana) – stretches the neck, helping to relieve a backache.
- The fish pose (Matsyasana) – stimulates and stretches the throat and neck.
- The bridge pose (Setu Bandhasana) – stretches the neck, improving blood flow and relieving headaches.
Epsom Salt Bath
This natural substance can work wonders for the body and is a nice way to relax too. The reason that it works is that the magnesium in it helps to regulate the pH levels within the body. As a result, it reduces inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the neck and shoulders. To prepare an Epsom salt bath simply pour 2 cups of it into a lukewarm bath and soak for around 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat around 2 or 3 times a week.
As you can see there are many home treatment options available when it comes to cervical spondylosis. You may find that using a combination of treatments is the best way to relieve your pain. Treatment results are different for everyone. If at any point you feel your symptoms are worsening, seek help from your doctor.