Symptoms of Text Neck Syndrome

The major reason behind the development of Text Neck Syndrome is the unnatural posture that people get struck wherein they look down to their mobile phone’s screen, making a hunched position. This incorrect posture in the long run can cause sore neck along with stiffness and pain in the shoulders. In addition to this, Text neck Syndrome can also lead to conditions like:

• Chronic Headache
• Pain in the upper region of the spine (Cervical Spine)- This pain can vary from chronic to nagging to striking pain along with muscle spasms
• Muscle spasm in the shoulder along with stiffness and pain
• Many a times, the cervical nerve gets effected due to which certain neurological symptoms in the form of radiating pain which moves down from the arm to the hand; can also be experienced.

Pressure on the spinal cord can cause Spinal cord compression.

Spinal cord compression

The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerves which stretches from the brain to the lower part of the back and connects all the nerves of our body with each other. These nerves carry messages to and from the central nervous system.
Together the brain and the spinal cord make up the central nervous system. The bones of the spine are called vertebrae and they surround and protect the spinal cord.

Spinal cord compression happens when there is pressure on the spinal cord. This pressure may be caused by a cancer that started in, or has spread into, the bones of the spine. 5/10 people out of 100 suffering from cancer can develop spinal cord compression. Most of these are due to cancer spreading to the spine from another part of the body. All types of cancer can spread to the bones of the spine. But it is more common in cancers of the prostate, breast or lung, and lymphoma.. Apart from cancer, other causes of spinal cord compression include injury to the spinal cord, weakening of the bones (osteoporosis) and infection.

Pressure on the spinal cord stops the nerves working normally and causes symptoms. The symptoms you have depend, on which part of the spinal cord is compressed (squeezed). Spinal cord compression is a serious problem that needs to be treated as soon as possible

The symptoms to look out for include

• Pain or tenderness in the middle or top of your back or neck.
• Severe pain in your lower back that gets worse or doesn’t go away.
• Pain in your back that becomes worse when you cough, sneeze or go to the toilet.
• Back pain that stops you from sleeping.
• Numbness, weakness or difficulty using your arms or legs.
• A band of pain down your arm or leg or around your body.
• Changes in sensation in a part of your body, for example pins and needles or electric shock sensations.
• Numbness in the area around your back passage. (the saddle area)
• Not being able to empty your bowel or bladder.
• Problems controlling your bowel or bladder.
• Erection problems in men.

It is recommended to opt for an MRI scan within a week after consulting the doctor. If you have changes in sensation or weakness in your arms and legs then you should go for the scan within 24 hours, which will show whether you have a cancer affecting the spine. It will also show that which part of the spinal cord is compressed.

If you can’t have an MRI scan, then you can go for CT scan.

Watch out against irregular back pain-It might be Spinal Stenosis

Spinal pain is one of the major health problem being faced by the people. Young or old,office goer or blue colared worker,all are affected by the pain,with the type and severity being the only differentiators. One such pain, is Spinal Stenosis,a problem which occurs when bulging discs, arthritic spurs, and thickened tissues combine to compress the nerves traveling through the spinal cana.

In Spinal Stenosis, the open spaces within the spine (backbone) gets narrowed which causes pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. The narrowing process, which is gradual, reduces the space available for the spinal cord and nerves. In most cases, the narrowing of the spine is associated with stenosis which ultimately compresses the nerve root. It may cause leg pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in body.

Spinal stenosis symptoms generally includes irregular pain which goes away on resting.The pain is pronounced while walking.The condition is caused by years of wear and tear and not generally by sudden injury.

There are two types of spinal stenosis lumbar stenosis and cervical stenosis and unless and until very severe and complicated,it can be non surgically treated. It is important for the patient to be physically active and exercises may not cure but play a major role in quicker recovery. Change in daily activities like using a recliner instead of strait jacketed back seat are other important measures which can be taken.

Another treatment which works in about fifty percent of the cases is set of epidural injection.These have a further role as those require surgery, the one’s who have taken these injections have quicker and better recovery. If despite all these measures the patient continues to suffer from debilitating pain, then surgery is one such good option. In fact the result of the surgery in the case of Stenosis is second only to removal of Herniated discs. But there are due considerations which should be taken care of before the surgery and only best of the surgeons who is very sure of his craft should undertake it.

The surgeon should be sure of damaged stenosis. No other nerve should be pinched during the surgery. Also the physical condition of the patient should be considered before hand. If such precautions are undertaken the surgeries are generally safe and lead to good outcomes for the patients.   

After the surgery, pain may persist for a few days, requiring the use of pain medications and inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling. Walking and strengthening exercises will be prescribed for the lower back and abdomen which will help stabilizing the spine. Hot showers and hot compresses or the use of an ice pack also will help removing pain.

Slipped Disc - A lifestyle problem

Disc problems have become so common these days and it would not be wrong to call it a lifestyle problem.

The symptoms of a damaged disc can vary according to its location and severity. They may include:

·         Back pain

• Pain radiating down the legs
• Worsening pain associated with bending over or sitting down for a long time
• Worsening pain associated with activities like coughing or sneezing
• Numbness or pins-and-needles in an arm or leg.  

Some people are more susceptible to disc problems than others. Risk factors may include:

• Obesity
• Poor muscle tone
• Lack of regular exercise
• Cigarette smoking
• Advancing age
• Poor posture
• Incorrect lifting techniques.

The majority of disc problems will resolve regardless of treatment. Bed rest is occasionally best for initial management of severe sciatica.  Some common treatments include:

• Heat treatment
• Regular massage
• An exercise program designed to improve strength and flexibility
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or steroids
• Pain-relieving medication
• An injection of anti-inflammatory steroids into the region of the disc
• Uncommonly, in severe cases of ruptured disc, an operation may be needed to trim the protruding bulge (laminectomy)
• Also uncommonly, in severe cases of degenerative disc disease, an operation may be needed to remove the disc and fuse together the two vertebrae on either side.