Cervical spondylosis refers to common age-related changes in the area of the spine at the back of the neck. With age, the vertebrae (the component bones of the spine) gradually form bone spurs, and their shock-absorbing disks slowly shrink. These changes can alter the alignment and stability of the spine. They may go unnoticed, or they may produce problems related to pressure on the spine and associated nerves and blood vessels. This pressure can cause weakness, numbness, and pain in various areas of the body. In severe cases, walking and other activities may be compromised.
As it runs from the brain down the back, the spinal cord is protected by ringlike bones, called vertebrae, stacked one upon the other. The vertebrae are not in direct contact with one another, however. The intervening spaces are filled with structures called disks. The disks are made up of a tough, fibrous outer tissue with an inner core of elastic or gel-like tissue.
One of the most important functions of disks is protecting the vertebrae and the nerves and blood vessels between the vertebrae. The disks also lend flexibility to the spinal cord, facilitating movements such as turning the head or bending the neck. As people age, disks gradually become tougher and more unyielding. Disks also shrink with age, which reduces the amount of padding between the vertebrae.
As the amount of padding shrinks, the spine loses stability. The vertebrae react by constructing osteophytes, commonly known as bone spurs. There are seven vertebrae in the neck; development of osteophytes on these bones is sometimes called cervical osteoarthritis. Osteophytes may help to stabilize the degenerating backbone and help protect the spinal cord.
By age 50, 25-50% of people develop cervical spondylosis; by 75 years of age, it is seen in at least 70% of people. Although shrunken vertebral disks, osteophyte growth, and other changes in their cervical spine may exist, many of these people never develop significant problems.
Osteophyte formation and other changes do not necessarily lead to symptoms, but after age 50, half of the population experiences occasional neck pain and stiffness. As disks degenerate, the cervical spine becomes less stable, and the neck is more vulnerable to injuries, including muscle and ligament strains. Contact between the edges of the vertebrae can also cause pain. In some people, this pain may be referred--that is, perceived as occurring in the head, shoulders, or chest, rather than the neck. Other symptoms may include vertigo (a type of dizziness) or ringing in the ears.Cervical spondylosis can cause cervical spondylitic myelopathy through stenosis- or osteophyte-related pressure on the spinal cord.
Homeopathy cures cervical spondylosis permanently. Cases which do not get relief anywhere they get cure in Homeopathy. Homeopathy has vast range of more than 208 medicines for cervical spondylosis.It Takes 4 to 8 weeks in recent cases and longer time in more old cases to be cure. Homeopathic Medicines are prescribed on basis of individual symptom group, Modalities of pain and movements. Mild exercises are always advised with medicines. All the symtoms of cervical spondylosis and the individualising totality of the patient are considered to select the homoeopathic medicines.commonly indicated medicines are:Kalmia latifolia ,Lachnanthes tinctoria ,Rhus toxicodendron ,Cimicifuga racemosa, Bryonia alba , Magnesium phosphoricum , Nux vomica Gelsemium sempervirens , Calcarea fluorica , Phytolacca decandra Rhodium oxydatum nitricum , Strychninum purum , Belladonna Fel tauri, Ignatia amara , Kalium Nitricum, Rhododendron chrysanthum Silicea terra, Sulphur, Thuja occidentalis, Conium maculatum, Asarum europaeum, Causticum, Ammonium carbonicum, Calcarea carbonica Kalium Carbonicum, Paris quadrifolia, Menyanthes trifoliata