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How Can Neck Pain When Diagnosed With Cervical Spondylosis Be Managed?

Posted on Mon, 19 Jun 2017

Question: Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Thanks for letting me know that I have cervical spondylosis and advising me to wear a cervical collar for a week. I wore a cervical collar for a week until last Friday. While it did help me temporarily, the neck pain is still there. I also have pain in shoulder blades and at specific points in mid back and lower back. The pain is usually less in the mornings and as the day progresses, it increases. It's usually worse in late afternoons and in the evening. It gets better with sleep and sometimes with exercise.

Please advise what I can do to keep the pains under control and hopefully get rid of them.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
isometric neck exercises will help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.

The pain in cervical spondylosis can be well controlled with the help of isometric neck exercises.

ISOMETRIC EXERCISES:
Do not hold your breath as you do these. For each exercise press for 5-6 counts, then relax.
- Press your forehead into your palms. Resist any motion.
- Press your hand against the side of your head.Resist any motion.
- Press both hands against the back of your head. Try to pull your head up.Resist any motion.
- Press your head against your temple. Try to turn your chin to your shoulder. Resist any motion.

You can do these exercises 5 times each twice a day.
You also need to correct your posture habits, like appropriate neck position while working on the computer, avoiding pillow while sleeping, or while making sudden movements.

I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.

Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (38 minutes later)

Thank you Dr XXXXXXX I will do the exercises you suggested and get back to you if the pain does not subside.

I am thankful to you for guiding me with how to relieve my pain. I had my employer perform ergo evaluation and made some adjustments to my office chair. I requested for occupational medicine evaluation.

I will keep you posted.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thank you.
I am happy I could help.
Please do recommend our services to others too in case you found them helpful. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Wishing you the best in whatever you do.
Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (10 days later)

Dear Dr XXXXXXX

Thanks for suggesting exercises for my neck pain. I have been doing isometric exercises for the neck for more than a week now. They have not helped relieve pain as much as I would like. I have constant pain in the shoulder blades and in the neck. It feels as though there is a lump in the neck. I feel pain and pressure in the neck, mid back and in lower back. The pain changes with position. If I lift my hands, I feel pain in my shoulders. Neck pain and pressure gets aggravated when I am sitting low while driving my car. Back pain gets aggravated if I bend forwards. I feel pain in the legs as well, especially when I climb steps. I have noticed that any kind of stress makes pain worse. It gets better with moving.

I am able to do all activities normally, but sometimes the pain aggravates and makes things difficult. Please advise.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Pain killer and muscle relaxant is needed for relief.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The exercise alone will not relieve pain. The exercise will help in decreasing the further progression of spondylottic changes of spine. For pain relief you need to do a hot compress and take oral muscle relaxants. You can also apply local analgesic gel for relief.
The symptoms you have are often found in vitamin D and magnesium deficiency.
I suggest you to consult an orthopedician and get prescribed vitamin D and magnesium supplements. Your symptoms should improve with that. Also eat magnesium rich foods like bananas, beans, chickpeas, fish, nuts, soybeans, spinach etc which are natural sources of magnesium.

Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Thank you, Dr XXXXXXX As always, your advice really helps me.

I am in the US now. It is difficult to consult a specialist doctor here without prescription from a general physician and my general physician wants me to get occupational medicine evaluation first before taking any steps. I am trying to get this done but this looks like unknown territory.

Can you please suggest any muscle relaxant gels which I can get in the US ( over the counter ) ? Also, can I use any vitamin D supplements that are available over the counter ? Please let me know the dosage.

Thanks again for helping me so much.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Use local analgesic gel.

Detailed Answer:
Muscle relaxants are not usually available over the counter. You can try Robax or do apply a local analgesic gel and a muscle relaxant gel for relief. Volini gel will help. You can take over the counter Vitamin D supplements. You need to take 60000Uonce a week with milk.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (12 minutes later)

Thank you, Doctor. I will eat bananas and nuts, apply volini gel and take vitamin D supplements. I will continue the exercises as well. I will let you know the progress in a week.

Thanks,
XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
That wll help.

Detailed Answer:
Wishing you an early recovery.
Best regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar