Cervical spondylosis, also known as cervical
osteoarthritis or neck osteoarthritis, is
a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the joints in your neck.
This condition usually appears in men and women older than 40 and progresses
with age. As you age, the bones and cartilage that make up your backbone and
neck gradually deteriorate, sometimes forming irregular bony outgrowths called
bone spurs. These changes, which are characteristic of cervical spondylosis,
occur in everyone's spine.
The signs and symptoms of cervical
spondylosis are:
-
A
stiff, painful neck
-
Shoulder,
arm or chest pain
-
Tingling
and pinprick sensations in the arms, hands, legs or feet
-
Numbness
and weakness in the arms, hands, legs or feet
-
Lack
of coordination
-
Difficulty
walking
-
Abnormal
reflexes
-
Loss
of bladder or bowel control, or urinary or bowel retention
The most commonly used
treatments are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen
(Advil, Motrin, others) for pain relief. These drugs provide short-term pain
relief but also decrease blood circulation to the muscles and joints. NSAIDs
have potential side effects such as liver damage and gastric irritation.
Acupuncture has been used for
thousands of years to treat effectively a wide variety of painful conditions. If
you suffer from cervical spondylosis, acupuncture can offer pain relief naturally
and with no adverse side effects. If you would like to pursue this form of alternative
medicine treatment or information, please contact Xiaoyan.
Cervical Spondylosis
