Understanding Cervical Issues vs. Spondylitis

We all have experienced a dull ache in the back, a stiff neck, or a strange twinge that lingers after waking up. Most of us ignore this experience, thinking maybe I was just tired or it's part of growing up. You might wonder if they are general cervical issues or spondylitis. There is no need to worry, especially if you’re one of those people who may be fearing that it might prolong or become permanent. The crucial point is to understand what you’re experiencing to treat it effectively.

In this blog, we will explore cervical issues, spondylitis, and how it is different from spondylosis.

Understanding Cervical Issues

Cervical issues are basically cervical spine problems in the neck. It includes the neck’s discs, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. These issues include:

• Muscle strain from carrying heavy bags or groceries, exercising too much, sudden jerks, or accidents.
• Whiplash, due to sudden forward and backward head jerking. 
• Arthritis or inflammation of the neck joints.
• Myelopathy, due to compression of the spinal cord.
• A herniated disc, basically caused by a rupture or bulge of the gel-like spinal disc center.
• Wear and tear on joints due to aging.

The symptoms of cervical issues include experiencing:

• Stiffness in the neck
• Aches or pain in the neck
• Numbness in the arms
• Mild dizziness
• Difficulty in moving the neck

What Do You Mean by Spondylitis?

Spondylitis can be referred to as inflammation of the vertebrae or the bones of the spine. We usually confuse spondylitis with spondylosis. Spondylosis, sometimes called degenerative spondylosis disease, is a condition related to wear and tear or age-related degeneration of the neck and lower back joints. 

• Spondylitis: triggers ankylosing spondylitis, swelling of the spinal bones or joints
• Spondylosis: triggers disc dehydration, cartilage wear, and bone spurs
  

Knowing this difference will help you to monitor your posture, exercise activities, and practice healthy lifestyle habits.

What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic condition that affects the spine. It is a type of arthritis that triggers pain and stiffness in the spinal joints. It causes inflammation in the lower back and hips, at times leading to fusion of vertebrae. Most people think of it as general back pain, but it’s a condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own joints. The early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis are: 

• Persistent lower back pain that doesn’t improve with rest.
• Continuous stiffness after waking up in the morning, even after resting for long hours.
• Lingering fatigue, causing you to experience dizziness or tiredness frequently.
• Neck pain resulting from twisting your head and even moving it upward and downward.
• Hip pain that affects the sacroiliac joints connecting to the spine.
• Chest pain due to pressure, stress, or extra weight on the cervical spine. 
• Sharp or dull pain in the left or right buttock, resulting from sacroiliitis.

Is Cervical Spondylitis Curable?

Wondering if cervical spondylitis is curable? Well, it’s unfortunate that it is commonly regarded as incurable or non-reversible by many medical advisers; however, its symptoms can be managed. Its symptoms can be managed by:

• Medication: Using pain relievers and muscle relaxants.
• Physical home activities: Engaging in gentle or simple exercises to strengthen your neck muscles.
• Posture correction: Incorporating posture corrector belts, back support gears, and ergonomic chairs to maintain safe sitting and standing postures. It allows you to perform your daily activities with comfort and relief.

Can Spondylitis Cause Dizziness?

Spondylitis indeed causes dizziness. Mechanisms like cervical spondylitis compress and apply pressure on the neck. This affects the neck’s sense of position. The compression applied also affects proper blood flow, leading to nerve irritation and affecting balance. Due to muscle tension and posture, it causes tight and stiff muscles. This leads to inner ear malfunction, causing you to face difficulties in concentrating or focusing. While walking, dizziness is triggered, causing you to fall or trip frequently. Doing household chores like cleaning requires you to look down and up continuously, causing dizziness.

Key Takeaways for Cervical Issues and Spondylitis

Understanding cervical issues and spondylitis helps you to maintain and manage the health and recovery of your neck and spine. It helps to understand both issues before experiencing them and even while experiencing them. Here’s what to learn and remember about cervical issues and spondylitis:

• Pay attention to early symptoms to prevent the progression of cervical issues and spondylitis.
• Practice safe lifestyle activities like doing light neck and spine strengthening exercises.
•  Monitor where you sit by using ergonomic chairs and incorporate a backrest to maintain a safe posture.
• Sleep on soft surfaces, particularly on flat surfaces, and use contoured pillows to maintain proper neck and spinal alignment while sleeping. 
• Understand the differences between cervical spondylitis and spondylosis to take proper action.
• Seek medical guidance to get safe medication and to understand the severity of your condition.

Wrapping Up

You might feel overwhelmed with cervical issues like osteoarthritis in the neck, dullness, stiffness, or pain. It shouldn't be hard for you to manage early spondylitis with guidance from your healthcare provider and lifestyle changes. It’s crucial to fully understand the differences between spondylitis and spondylosis, as they may sound almost the same but have different meanings. Spondylitis affects spinal bones and joints, while spondylosis affects bones, discs, and ligaments of the spine. Invest in effective Leeford Ortho support gear to support your neck and spine safely. 

They are made with hypoallergenic fabrics and extra padding for comfort and customized support, making them ideal when dealing with or recovering from cervical and spondylitis issues. They help you to recover safely, even from serious neck injuries like whiplash or minor fractures. From long office hours to heavy lifting or awkward sleep, neck and spine strains can cause chronic pain and lingering discomfort. A properly fitted cervical collar and a contoured cervical pillow support the neck muscles, reduce tension, and promote better posture. This helps you manage cervical issues and spondylitis more comfortably and effectively.