Cervical Spondylitis (Neck Pain)

Clinically, Cervical spondylosis is a disorder caused by abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones of the neck (cervical vertebrae) with degeneration and mineral disposition in the cushions (discs) between the vertebrae (cervical disks).

Alternative Names

Cervical osteoarthritis (Arthritis - neck; Neck arthritis)

Symptoms

• Neck pain (may radiate to the arms or shoulder)

• Loss of sensation abnormal sensations of the shoulders, arms, or (rarely) legs

• Weakness of the arms

• Neck stiffness that progressively worsens

• Loss of balance

• Headaches, particularly in the back of the head

• Vomiting sensation

Causes

• Cervical spondylosis results from chronic degeneration resulting due to chronic stress on the spine due to overuse, misuse or less use of the cervical spine.

• There may be abnormal growths or "spurs" on the vertebrae (the bones of the spine).

• These accumulated changes caused by degeneration can gradually compress one or more of the nerve roots. This can lead to increasing pain in the neck and arm, weakness, and changes in sensation

• In advanced cases, the spinal cord becomes involved and it may affect the arms and the legs as well. Traumatic accidents or falls can cause severe neck injuries.

• Other causes include herniated disk, fibromyalgia (pain syndrome throughout the body), and arthritis. Meningitis, although much less common can cause significant neck stiffness.

• A previous neck injury (which may have occurred several years ago) can predispose to spondylosis, but major risk factor is aging. By age 60, 70% of women and men show changes consistent with cervical spondylosis on x-ray.

Yogic Therapy - A Robust Cure

The joint capsule of the gleno humoural joint (shoulder joint) gets calcified and inflamed in this problem and the surrounding structure of the shoulder joint gets affected in the form of muscle stiffness in cervical region which may aggravate cervical spondolitis and weakness in shoulder muscles, which needs to partial muscles atrophy of the muscle superficial to the gleno- humoural joint.

Medical Yoga Therapy addresses all these problems in this sequence:

• It relieves stiffness from the cervical region and posterior shoulder gurdle. This results into the decompression of the nerves and blood vessels supplying blood to the shoulder joints and arms, which then results into pain relief.

• Horizontal arm stretch in particular addresses the root cause of the problem by stretching and restoring the flexibility of the affected Gleno-Humoural joint.  Horizontal arm stretch can be highly customized as per the location of the pain in the shoulder joint.

• The sequence strengthens the atrophic muscles of the shoulder region.

• The sequence helps to release tension which is caused due to restricted physical activity and feeling of being handicapped.

Sequence of Asanas

A special sequence comprising of asanas like Skandhabandha Asana, Horizontal Arm Stretch, Rope Jacket, Oblique arm stretch followed by Shavasana with cervical pillow/spinal roll is designed. Props are appropriately used to make the 'Saadhaka' comfortable and gain from the posture. The asanas are aimed at relieving the pain and strengthening the area to cure the ailment.

As patients suffer from pain and restricted motion, the asanas and therapies are done differently with use of props and belts to ease the poses and provide maximum benefit to the patients. These therapies should only be performed under an expert guidance to avoid any complications.