Cervical Disc Disease is the result of the slow decay of time. The human body wasn’t built to last forever, and the vertebrae in the neck are no exception to that rule.
Cervical Discs
The cervical discs are the cushions between the seven vertebrae located in your neck. Over time they flatten out, become dislocated or otherwise degenerate. Think of the shocks in your car. They become less and less effective at doing their job as time wears on. Your cervical discs serve the same purpose for your spine and wear out over time.
About two thirds of everyone will experience some kind of neck pain in their lifetime. However, Cervical Disc Disease sufferers have to deal with much more than just a pain in the neck. It’s a pain that radiates out into the shoulders and can cause weakness, numbness and fairly severe discomfort.
As the discs in your neck degenerate, stiffness and soreness can occur. Additionally you may have a herniated disc, which would put pressure on surrounding nerves, causing pain.
Treatment
Most people can do without surgery for Cervical Disc Disease. If the condition is serious enough, a doctor will perform a procedure called a discectomy, which involves removing the damaged disc. This is generally followed by a second procedure that replaces the disc with an artificial implant.
However, most people can get away with natural or home remedies for the problem. Here are a few suggestions:
•Try an over the counter pain killer, particularly an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). They can be very effective at relieving pain and reducing swelling. However, be warned. If taken improperly, their side effects can have pretty severe consequences including liver disease and ulcers. It’s best not to become reliant on this method.
•Try a heating pad, particularly an infrared heating pad. Infrared heating pads are the latest technology when it comes to heat therapy for pain. The heat penetrates the area much more deeply than a traditional heating pad can, giving users long lasting pain relief. The Healthy Back Institute has a variety of infrared heating pads available on their website losethebackpain.com.
•Physical therapy can also help relieve the pain of Cervical Disc Disease. The therapist will help you learn a range of exercises that you can do even after therapy is over to help keep pain from the disease at bay.
•Acupuncture is becoming more and more widely recognized among the medical community as an effective tool for relieving pain. It involves inserting many small needles into the affected area to help promote healing.
Prevention
Although Cervical Disc Disease results from degeneration, it doesn’t mean you have to live with the pain. Once you’ve conquered it, there are several things you can do to keep pain at bay. First, maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating right and exercising regularly. This will help your body to have the proper building blocks for a strong core.
Additionally, be very aware of your posture. Slouching can put undue pressure on your neck and cause pain and additional herniated discs. So, stand up straight! Don’t hunch over your keyboard if you sit at a desk all day. Simple things like this can help keep Cervical Disc Disease pain at bay.
For more information on Cervical Disc Disease, visit losethebackpain.com.
