CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal disks in your neck. As the disks dehydrate and shrink, signs of osteoarthritis develop, including bony projections along the edges of bones (bone spurs).
Cervical spondylosis is very common and worsens with age. More than 85% of people older than age 60 are affected by cervical spondylosis
Symptoms
- Most people experience no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they typically include pain and stiffness in the neck.
- Sometimes, cervical spondylosis results in a narrowing of the spinal canal within the bones of the spine (the vertebrae). The spinal canal is the space inside the vertebrae that the spinal cord and the nerve roots pass through to reach the rest of the body. If the spinal cord or nerve roots become pinched, you might experience:
- Tingling, numbness and weakness in the arms, hands, legs or feet
- Lack of coordination and difficulty walking
- Loss of bladder or bowel control.
Causes
Dehydrated disks. Disks act like cushions between the vertebrae of the spine. By the age of 40, most people’s spinal disks begin drying out and shrinking. As the disks become smaller, there is more bone-on-bone contact between the vertebrae.
Herniated disks. Cracks also appear on the exterior of the spinal disks. The soft interior of a disk can squeeze through these cracks. Sometimes, it presses on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Bone spurs. As the disks break down, the body may produce extra amounts of bone in a misguided effort to strengthen the spine. These bone spurs can sometimes pinch the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Stiff ligaments. Ligaments are cords of tissue that connect bone to bone. Spinal ligaments can stiffen with age, making the neck less flexible
Risk factors
Risk factors for cervical spondylosis include:
Age. Cervical spondylosis occurs commonly as part of aging.
Occupation. Jobs that involve repetitive neck motions, awkward positioning or a lot of overhead work put extra stress on the neck.
Neck injuries. Previous neck injuries appear to increase the risk of cervical spondylosis.
Genetic factors. Some individuals in certain families will experience more of these changes over time.
Smoking. Smoking has been linked to increased neck pain.
Complications
If cervical spondylosis severely compresses your spinal cord or nerve roots, the damage can be permanent.
Cervical Spondylosis Ayurvedic Treatments
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for Ayurvedic treatments for cervical spondylosis. Each therapy is unique to the age and condition of the individual and can be tailored according to how well their bodies respond.
Abhyanga Swedam
Abhyanga-Swedam is an Ayurvedic massage therapy followed by fomentation that usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes. A certified practitioner delivers the treatment as a combination of gentle strokes and deep kneading using medicated massage oils. Applying gentle pressure around the neck area may help with cervical spondylosis. Fomentation helps the medicated oil to reach deeper into the tissues.
Elakizhi
Elakizhi induces applying boluses of medicinal leaves in target areas to flush out toxins from the body through sweating. The therapy is delivered by a certified practitioner using fresh herbal Leaves. The treatment is believed to pacify Vata dosha and may aid in reducing musculoskeletal pains.
Sarvangadhara
Sarvangadhara is an oil-dripping therapy that practitioners administer using warm, medicated oils over sarvanga-or the whole body. The treatment is said to benefit individuals suffering from various musculoskeletal issues. The massage covers all body parts from head to toe and can promote relaxation and treat aches, fatigue, and stress.
Greeva/ Kati Vasti
Greeva/ Kati Vasti is an Ayurvedic therapy focused on back and neck pains. Greeva / Kati Vasti is a specialized oil therapy for the neck, back, and shoulder, delivered by a trained practitioner. The procedure involves puddling warm, medicated oil over the affected area, followed by a gentle massage to maximize the treatment’s benefits.
Navara kizhi
Navara Kizhi is a massage therapy focused on joint & muscle pain and sore tissues. This Ayurvedic therapy is delivered in two steps. First, the affected area is massaged using warm, medicated oils to prepare for the second phase. After this, the whole body or affected body is massaged with a warm poultice filled with a mixture of cooked medicated navara rice, cow’s milk, and various herbal decoctions.
Pizhichil
Although Pizhichil is a full-body Ayurvedic massage, it can be focused on specific areas for pain relief. It is a special form of the Kerala Panchakarma technique. Special linen cloth is dipped in warm, medicated oil and is squeezed all over the body and the head, followed by a gentle massage delivered to the recipient in multiple positions. It takes two to four practitioners to provide this massage effectively, and it lasts an hour and a half.
