Symptoms of cervical spondylosis compressing nerves

If cervical spondylosis compresses the nerves, it can cause pain, numbness or weakness in the neck, shoulders and even arms, which requires a clear diagnosis and symptomatic treatment. Prompt medical treatment is key, especially when symptoms have affected daily life.

Cervical spondylosis is caused by uneven stress or degeneration of the cervical spine over a long period of time, which leads to cartilage wear and compensatory bone hyperplasia. The hyperplastic bone is usually called "bone spurs". When bone spurs compress the spinal cord or nerve roots, they will cause a series of neurological symptoms.

Different degrees of bone hyperplasia may cause different symptoms of nerve compression. In mild cases, it may only cause neck stiffness or limited movement, which is often not easy to notice. When the situation worsens, in addition to the discomfort around the neck, numbness, tingling, and even muscle weakness in the shoulders and hands may occur. Some people even find it difficult to hold chopsticks steadily. If the bone spur compresses the vertebral artery, dizziness, nausea and other symptoms may also occur.

To relieve symptoms, you can usually pay attention to maintaining a good sitting posture and avoid looking down or looking at your phone for a long time. Moderate neck stretching exercises, such as the "M" exercise, can help relax the neck muscles. However, if symptoms such as pain or numbness persist or worsen, you need to go to the hospital as soon as possible. The doctor may recommend physical therapy, drug treatment, or even surgical intervention based on the results of imaging examinations.