Did you know that there are several treatment options available for cervical conditions? Depending on the severity of your condition and the underlying cause, your doctor may recommend different treatments. Edison cervical conditions can be treated with medications, physical therapy, and surgery.
Cervical conditions include:
- Cervical spondylosis: This is age-related wear and tear of the spine in the neck, causing stiffness and pain.
- A herniated disc occurs when the soft cushion between your vertebrae slips out of place and puts pressure on a nerve.
- Cervical stenosis is the narrowing of the neck’s spinal canal, which can cause pain and weakness down the arms.
- Radiculopathy is a pinched nerve in the neck that can cause pain, numbness, and tingling down one arm.
These are some of the causes of cervical conditions:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated disc
- Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid arthritis
- Spinal stenosis
Cervical conditions diagnosis
When you visit your doctor for cervical symptoms, they will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your medical history to determine the cause of your condition. They may also order imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI scans to understand better what’s causing your symptoms.
These are some of the symptoms of cervical conditions:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Numbness or tingling in the shoulder, arms, hands, and fingers
- Weakness in the arms or legs
- Pain that radiates down the arm to the hand
Treatment options for cervical conditions
Now that you know about the causes and symptoms of cervical conditions, below find the available treatment options:
Physical therapy
Depending on your diagnosis, you may benefit from physical therapy to reduce pain, improve your range of motion, and increase strength in the affected area. Your physical therapist may also suggest exercises to strengthen your neck and back muscles. Therapy entails manual manipulation of the spine, heat therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter pain relievers or muscle relaxants to relieve your symptoms. In more severe cases, they may also prescribe steroids or other strong medicines to help reduce inflammation and pain.
Surgery
Surgery may be an option if your condition does not respond to the treatments above. Types of surgeries for treating cervical conditions include discectomy, laminectomy, and spinal fusion. These types of procedures help to reduce pain and nerve compression caused by herniated discs or other degenerative changes in the spine.
- Discectomy: This procedure removes a piece of the intervertebral disc to relieve pressure from the spinal nerves.
- Laminectomy: This surgery removes part of the vertebra, known as the lamina, to reduce nerve compression.
- Spinal fusion: This type of surgery fuses two or more vertebrae to reduce motion and instability in the spine.
- Cervical disc replacement: This surgery replaces a damaged or herniated disc with an artificial one.
Alternative treatments
In addition to the treatments listed above, your doctor may suggest alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic care. Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into your skin to help relieve pain and improve function. Massage therapy helps reduce muscle tension, while chiropractic manipulations can help realign the spine.
Make sure to speak with Jeff Pan, MD, about which treatment option is best for you.
About the Author
