Cervical disc degeneration : Definition, Causes , Treatement

Cervical disc degeneration 

Has your quality of life been affected by your neck pain?

Do you notice that your posture has become bent and stooped? 

has your work been affected by head and neck pain? 

are you unable to be the best you can be, because of your neck condition?

Over the next few minutes you'll learn about a specific type of net condition, called cervical disc degeneration, how it occurs and what you can do to prevent pain and achieve a healthy spine

What is Cervical disc degeneration?

Cervical spine disc degeneration is a form of arthritis, discs are located between each vertebra of the spinal column. the cervical spine is considered to be the first seven vertebrae at the top of the spinal column, those vertebrae extend from the base of the skull to the upper back. The vertebrae are individual bones attached to each other by a multitude of small ligaments and spinal fassett joints, the spinal vertebrae surround and protect the spinal cord as it extends from the base of the brain through the spinal canal to the base of the spine.

There is one large nerve root extending off of the spinal cord between each vertebra on both the right and left sides. vertebrae are shaped with holes or Foreman to allow the nerve root to freely pass and exit between each vertebra. 

Every muscle in the upper extremity is supplied by the nerve roots that traveled down the arm, there are discs separating each vertebra of the spine, these discs help to separate the vertebrae to allow for movement, they also helped create the space between each vertebra through which each nerve root exits the spinal column. 

Each disc acts as a shock absorber between vertebrae and adds flexibility to the spine, the cumulative effect of the micro traumas or injuries that occur in our lives can cause the fibers of disks to become weak. These fibers on the outer parts of the desk are called the annular fibers, inside the center of a disk is material called the nucleus pulposis. Imagine a jelly-filled doughnut, the annular fibers are the outside and the nucleus pulposis is the filling. 

Symptomes of Cervical disc degeneration disease

Abnormal biomechanics of the vertebrae can cause gradual wear and tear on a disk annular fibers, as the disc fibers weekend or become injured a bulge of the disk can develop, in some cases disc fibers rupture allowing the nucleus pulposis material to protrude creating a disc herniation, this protruding disc material can press on a nerve root which can result in:

• Radiating pain
• Burning 
• Numbness and tingling in the upper back and down the arm

according to an article and arthritis research and therapy, as the body ages the boundary between the two parts of the desk becomes less obvious and with increasing age the nucleus or center of the disk generally becomes more stiff, and fibrotic, and less gel like, The loss of this gel like structure in a disk has a major effect on the discs load-bearing ability.

Causes of Cervical disc degeneration disease

Injuries to the cervical spine caused by  

• whiplash 
• jarring injuries to the neck 
• misalignment 
• repetitive activities 

Most cases of disc degeneration involved poor posture of the head and upper torso, when the head is protruded forward in front of the body it often results in the cervical spine developing a reverse curve posture, 

The normal cervical spine should have a 60-degree arc in the neck, with the head position squarely above the shoulders, if the head jets forward in front of the shoulders it causes excessive wear and tear on the discs in the neck, 

Treatement of Cervical disc degeneration disease

Quite often disc degeneration combined with bone spurs and wear and tear of the vertebrae occur at the same time, these changes in the health of the cervical spine and it's discs are forms of osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. Once a disk has begun to degenerate there is no reversing the process

Therefore it is important to improve the alignment of the cervical vertebrae to help prevent the advancement or worsening of disc degeneration. 

If you have mild or moderate disc degeneration it's important to prevent that degeneration from advancing into a severe condition

• Discs function best when they're well hydrated so drinking plenty of water can maintain disc health

• Smoking has shown to be a significant factor in a decrease in disc health, so reducing or quitting smoking is also beneficial 

• Rapper spinal biomechanics can help delay the advancement of the degenerative process 

• The vertebrae above and below a weak disk may need chiropractic adjustments to improve the health of the disc, and to remove pressure on the joints of the vertebrae as well as possible compression of the nerve roots 

• If necessary your doctor or healthcare provider may also recommend additional treatment to reduce the inflammation surrounding compressed nerve root. 

Most cervical spine pain cases can improve with conservative care

Your health care providers have the extensive training needed to diagnose and treat the cause of your pain, and to provide the education to help you heal and prevent reoccurrence. it is important for you to work with your doctor of chiropractic to prevent future flare-ups from developing, and to stop the advancement of the wear and tear process by improving the alignment of the vertebra of your neck and back.

By receiving proper treatment and by following your doctor's recommendations most cervical spine conditions can be improved  

Tips to relieve Cervical disc degeneration disease

Your health care team has a star player, you, with you leading the way towards a better state of health, it is important to 

• keep all appointments 
• follow you treatment plan for longer lasting results 
• exercise as instructed 
• eat properly 
• and follow stretching and ergonomic recommendations 

working together as a team you and your health care professionals can 

• decrease the likelihood of future problems 
• prevent degeneration from advancing
• decrease relapses or flare ups 
• stop the development of chronic pain syndromes 

A better quality of life is the wellness goal to better health, with proper dis care and prevention you're on the right path to achieving that goal 

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