This a painful condition of the neck when there is an acute pain while turning, bending the neck forward, backwards sideways the problem arises due to narrowed gap in the cervical verterbrea. In addition to pain, while moving the neck, there is cricking sound, and stiffness. As a result of all such symptoms, the pain may radiate to shoulders, shoulders blades, either or both the arms, in condition to nausea, headache and vertigo – though all these symptoms may not manifest in some patients.
Those who sit in a particular positioin especially who remain glued to chairs at a stretch, keep their necks forward (like house wives, tailors, masons, watch repairers, farmers, painters and others artisans etc) are more prone to this problem. This is a disease emenating from the wrong sitting posture.
Elimination of basic cause is the only remedy, as medicines play only a temporary and supporting role but do not, generally, lead to cure.
Treatment
(Orthopaedic) Cervical exercises, in consultation with a plysiotherapist/orthopaedic surgeon, should be practised daily, either at home or some rehabilitation unit where all the requisite facilities are freely available In acute cases, Cervical traction may have to be adhered to. Following steps may be taken, in addition to the exercises,
(i) Take anyone ofthe arralgesics advised under Arthritis’ – One tablet 2-3 times daily (like Combiflam. Frenac plus, Mobizox, Mascodac, osteoflamar-MR, Spontrel, Magadol-SP, Powergesic-MR etc) and continue for 3-5 days whereafter discontinue, but may be resumed after a gap of 5-7 days.
(ii) Apply anyone ofthe topical analgesics mentioned earlier.
(iii)Use Cervical Collar, if advised by your doctor but do not wear the same for 24 hours. Remove the collar when at rest or when retiring to bed. Use the same only when movement is required.
(iv)Continue with neck exercises in consultatioin with your doctor
(v) Improve your sitting posture and do not bend forward, exert, cause jerk /tilt to your neck, nor sit in one position for more than an hour, giving rest to your neck and shoulder muscles in between. Relax and close your eyes for 2-3 minutes
(vi) Use hard bed. Abjure use of pillows As an alternative a rolled towel may be placed between hollow of your head and shoulders.
(vii) If there is Nausea/Vertigo, take a tablet of stemitil (5mg) or Perinorm (lOmg), or Avomine (25 mg) – once/twice a day or when symptoms appear to be surfacing
Caution – All medicines should be used only under medical advice, in the case of children, pregnant and lactating ladies, the elderly, persons having heart and liver complications, cancer etc