NECK PAIN

NECK PAIN

The neck (cervical spine) is composed of vertebrae which begin in the upper torso and end at the base of the skull. The long vertebrae along with ligaments provide stability to the spine. The muscles allow for support and motion.

Neck pain or cervical spine pain is a common ailment occurring in all age groups affecting 50 – 70% of people. Prevalence of neck pain was diagnosed to be common in women 48% than in men 38%.

The neck can be vulnerable to injury and disorders that produce pain and restrict the motion. Since, it is less protected than the rest of the spine.

The most common cause of neck pain is soft tissue abnormalities due to injury or prolonged wear and tear. The factors which cause repetitive strain on soft tissues are prolonged sitting postures in computer professionals with out adequate support, forward head posture, faulty postures during sleep, and overhead tasks in electricians, painters and machine operators.

Proprioception is defined as the perception of positions and movements of the body segments in relation to each other. When there is damage to the mechanoreceptors in the joint, the persistent presence of pain inhibits the surrounding musculature to contract, which impairs the threshold of Proprioception leading to the recurrence of the symptoms.

Cervical spine pain is treated depends on what diagnosis it reveals and most patients are treated successfully. A better understanding of the variety of spine pain population is to cost-effective assessment and management necessary for primary spine care specialist.

To make the rehabilitation holistic, it is necessary to retrain Proprioception of the joint which helps in the reduction of neck symptoms and improvement in general health for self-experienced working ability.

OSTEOPOROSIS

Five Fundamental steps to maintain bone health

A. Encage in regular PHYSICAL ACTIVITY 30 minutes per day for 3 to 5 days per week

B. Take medications if need and do check for Bone mineral density once a year.

C. Consult family doctor about bone health and maintenance.

D. Intake of recommended amount of Calcium and vitamin D.

E. Avoid smoking and Excessive alcohol.

Geriatrics

Geriatrics is the branch of medicine dealing especially with the problems of ageing and diseases of the elderly. People are classed as elderly on reaching up to the age of 60 years, but in the 21^st century due to the high standards of living have increased the life expectancy up to 75 years.

The increasingly ageing population presents unique challenges for rehabilitation medicine. One third of the population over age 65 – 75 years experiences one fall per year. In the elderly population Falls are common in old age, Falls have been highly associated with the muscle strength, alternation, altered stride characteristics balance etc..

Frequent Falls and difficult in doing functional abilities are particularly likely to occur due to ageing process or weakness. These impairments may have an addition or interactive effect on an individual’s level of mobility mainly on doing functional tasks.

Fall is an event in which a person comes to rest inadvertently on the ground. A fall can result in disability by decrease in confidence, restricting mobility causing injury and debilitation and resulting in loss of independence. Old people need to strengthen their muscles in order to reduce their risk of falling and improve their functional ability. (Simpson 1993). Strict observation in home circumstances is necessary to achieve the sufficient intensity to the exercise program as in hospital setting.

Functional activities are highly skilled movement pattern which have been developed and refined with many years of practice. The leading factor to a decline in function in elderly people is lack of practice to these functional activities leading to a downward spiral in ability.

Exercise is a great way to keep older people active and function, but should be approached with caution. Exercises should not to be vigorous to be beneficial. Mild, regular and functional exercise is the key factor for staying healthy and happy.