Neck Pain.Call 02476 222002  The individual cervical vertebrae are abbreviated C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7. The cervical nerves are also abbreviated; C1 through C8. 

The neck or cervical spine

The neck or cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae that begin at the base of the skull and end in the upper torso. The structures of the neck are the bones and the ligaments provide stability to the spine. The muscles also provide support and protection to the structures of the neck as well as allowing for the motion. The neck supports the head allowing a significantly wider range of movement comparing to the other regions of the spine. However, the neck has less protection than the rest of the spine, the neck can be vulnerable to disorders and injury that result in pain, stiffness and restrict motion.  

The cervical spine starts at the base of the skull. Seven vertebrae make up the cervical spine with eight pairs of cervical nerves. The individual cervical vertebrae are abbreviated C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7. The cervical nerves are also abbreviated; C1 through C8.

What is cervical spondylosis?

Cervical spondylosis is a cause of neck pain. It tends to develop after the age of 30, and becomes more common with increasing age. The underlying cause is the age-related degeneration or wear and tear of the vertebrae and discs in the neck.

Everbody develops a degree of degeneration in the vertebrae and discs as we become older. However, cervical spondylosis is a term used if the degree of degeneration is more severe, and causes more symptoms whatever one’s age.

As the ‘discs’ degenerate, they become thinner.  The vertebrae develop  rough bony edges.  The nearby muscles, ligaments, and nerves become irritated by these degenerative changes which can cause symptoms of pain.

What are the symptoms of cervical spondylosis

Symptoms may vary from mild to severe, having a flare up of symptoms by over-use of the neck, or by spraining a neck muscle or ligament.

Symptoms include:

The neck pain may spread to the base of the skull and into the shoulders. Any movement of the neck can make the pain worse. The pain sometimes spreads down an arm, hand or even fingers. This is caused by irritation of a nerve which goes to the arm from the spinal cord in the neck. The pain is prone to flare ups from time to time; some people may also develop chronic and persistent pain.

Some neck stiffness, particularly after a night’s rest.

Headaches,  from time to time. The headaches often start at the back of the head just above the neck and travel over the top to the forehead.

Numbness, pins and needles or weakness may occur in part of the arm or hand. Tell a doctor if these symptoms occur as they may indicate a problem with a ‘trapped nerve’.

 

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