Hi YorkieLass,
I think you've just found out the hard way just how sporadic the C/S community can be. A lot of previous posters have moved on to other sites and the postings have decreased accordingly. Just so you don't leave emptyhanded, here's a copy of some tips I posted months ago, to help with daily self management with minimal medications. Hope you find it useful:
Cervical Spondylosis Self Management
A guide to managing your day
Cervical Spondylosis ( C/S ) is a confusing and disorientating medical condition. Symptoms will vary from person to person depending on different levels of wear and tear on the neck vertebrae. Because of this, and perhaps because it has been considered best to deal with C/S on an individual basis, it seems it has been difficult for the medical professionals to produce a guide book to general self management for the C/S sufferer, with day to day advice. The purpose of this booklet is to try and fill that gap.
The focus here will be on advice for managing, both practically and psychologically, at home and at work, and not on qualified physiotherapy, medications or surgery. The expertise of the professionals, whilst absolutely necessary at times of crisis, doesn’t always meet the everyday needs of C/S sufferers.
As a long time C/S sufferer myself, I have been only too aware of the typical despondency that lurks behind this condition. “ I get knocked down, I get up again “ should be our anthem. It’s a difficult road to travel and one of the ambitions of this guide would be to try and help develop an overview which puts despondency and creeping negativity into a perspective we can better handle. The guide will be in 4 parts, namely:
1. Activities and movements which might aggravate painful C/S symptoms.
2. Practical tips for managing painful symptoms.
3. Dealing with adverse social reactions.
4. Developing a positive overview of C/S.
Activities and movements which can aggravate painful C/S symptoms.
One of the problems with C/S is that the painful reaction to any aggravation is usually a delayed reaction. It will kick in after 2 or 3 days and may take weeks, even months, to resolve fully. So, it is wise to understand what the possible aggravators are and to avoid any painful consequences by being continually mindful of what activities or movements to avoid.
1. Lifting heavy weights:
This will vary from person to person, but a weight of 10 kgs or under should be ok for those with moderate C/S. For those with a more serious condition, it is best to avoid lifting any weights at all.
Page 2
2 Head movements:
Looking overhead, as in watching planes go by or admiring an ornate
ceiling, should be avoided. This movement may compress the neck vertebrae and might cause problems. Turning the head to look behind, or
to the side, as in car driving, can be another aggravator, especially if done quickly. Always be conscious of what seems to be the most comfortable position for the head and settle for that.
3. Working overhead:
Raising the arms above the shoulder horizontal, to do physical work, can
cause problems. Working directly overhead, as in repairing a ceiling
light socket, will definitely cause reactions. Painting or repairing
ceilings should be avoided. A good rule here is to try to be as close to, or
even above, the work you intend doing.
4. Sleeping in a draught:
Because the neck tends to be exposed, when we sleep, it is wise to
check for and eliminate any draughts in your sleeping environment. A
constant draught, playing on the neck, night after night, will exacerbate
any stiffness that already exists.
5. Driving:
Any jerky movements to look to the rear, or to the side can cause
problems. Simply reaching to the back seat, from the drivers seat can
set something off.
6: Gardening:
Any work with spade, shovel or fork seems to relay pressure to the
neck, and is best avoided. Again, any overhead trimming should also
be avoi