Cervical spondylosis, a degenerative condition affecting the cervical spine, has traditionally been associated with aging, particularly among those over 50. However, in recent years, cases of cervical spondylosis in adolescents have become increasingly common, raising significant concerns among healthcare professionals. This condition is characterized by the wear and tear of the cervical discs and joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and even neurological symptoms if left untreated.
Why Adolescents?
While age-related degeneration is the primary driver of cervical spondylosis in adults, the causes in adolescents often differ. Key factors contributing to the increasing incidence in this younger population include:
- Postural Issues: The rise of digital technology and prolonged screen time has led to widespread poor posture, particularly forward head posture. When adolescents spend hours hunched over smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles, the cervical spine is placed under unnatural stress. This chronic strain accelerates wear on the cervical discs and joints, mimicking the degenerative changes seen in older populations.
- Inactivity and Sedentary Lifestyle: A lack of physical activity exacerbates the issue. Without regular movement and strengthening of the muscles that support the neck and upper back, the spine is left vulnerable to degenerative changes. Weak core and postural muscles fail to protect the spine from the repetitive strain caused by poor posture.
- Sports Injuries: Adolescents involved in contact sports, such as rugby, wrestling, or gymnastics, can experience cervical trauma. Repeated microtraumas to the neck, such as whiplash or direct impact, can accelerate the degenerative process and lead to early-onset cervical spondylosis.
- Congenital or Genetic Factors: Some adolescents may be predisposed to spinal conditions due to congenital abnormalities or a family history of spinal disorders. While less common, genetic predispositions can also play a role in how quickly the cervical spine begins to degenerate.
Clinical symptoms in Adolescents
Adolescents with cervical spondylosis often present with symptoms that can sometimes be overlooked or attributed to other causes:
- Neck Pain: The most common symptom is localized pain in the cervical region. This may be a dull ache or sharp pain that worsens with prolonged sitting or activity.
- Stiffness: Restricted range of motion in the neck, particularly when turning or bending, is another hallmark symptom.
- Headaches: Cervicogenic headaches, which radiate from the neck to the head, can occur due to muscular tension or nerve irritation.
- Radiating Pain: In some cases, adolescents may experience pain that radiates down the arms, shoulders, or upper back, indicating nerve involvement.
- Neurological Symptoms: In severe cases, neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the arms may develop due to compression of cervical nerves.
Treatment Approaches
The management of cervical spondylosis in adolescents should be tailored to address both the symptoms and the underlying causes. Treatment typically involves conservative approaches aimed at relieving pain, improving posture, and restoring function.
- Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in managing cervical spondylosis. A tailored program focusing on postural correction, strengthening the cervical and thoracic muscles, and improving flexibility can alleviate pain and prevent further degeneration. Techniques such as manual therapy, joint mobilization, and therapeutic exercises are highly effective.
- Chiropractic Adjustments: For adolescents with significant misalignment, chiropractic care can help in realigning the spine, which can relieve pressure on nerves and reduce symptoms.
- Massage Therapy: Pediatric or adolescent-focused massage therapy can help reduce muscle tension in the neck and upper back, alleviating pain and improving circulation. Techniques such as myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and gentle stretching are particularly beneficial.
- Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): From a TCM perspective, cervical spondylosis may be seen as a result of poor qi (energy) flow, often caused by stagnation due to lifestyle factors. Acupuncture can be used to stimulate circulation and relieve muscular tension.
- Multidisciplinary Care: collaborations between physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and other healthcare professionals provide a holistic approach to prevention. Combining different treatments can offer comprehensive support for spinal health.
Prevention: Starting Early
- Encourage Proper Posture
- Teach adolescents the importance of maintaining good posture, whether sitting, standing, or lying down.
- Key Recommendations:
- Sit with the back straight, shoulders relaxed, and head in a neutral position (avoid slouching or forward head posture).
- Use chairs that provide good lumbar support when sitting for long periods, such as at school or during study time.
- Limit Screen Time and Promote Ergonomics
- Extended use of digital devices contributes significantly to neck strain. Encourage healthy screen habits by:
- Setting limits on daily screen time to avoid prolonged forward head posture.
- Ensuring that screens (phones, tablets, computers) are positioned at eye level to reduce neck bending.
- Encouraging frequent breaks from screens, following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Promote Physical Activity
- A sedentary lifestyle weakens muscles that support the cervical spine, increasing the risk of degeneration.
- Activities like swimming, yoga, and Pilates can strengthen neck, shoulders, and core muscles, helping to maintain a healthy posture.
- Encourage regular exercise to keep muscles active and joints flexible.
- Implement Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
- Strengthening and stretching exercises for the neck and upper back should be incorporated into daily routines to counteract postural stress.
- Neck stretches: Simple neck tilts, rotations, and stretches can help release tension.
- Strengthening exercises: Focus on exercises that target the upper back and shoulders to balance muscle tension and improve posture.
- Support Healthy Sleep Habits
- Poor sleeping posture can contribute to neck issues. Encourage the use of supportive pillows that keep the neck in a neutral position during sleep.
- Sleeping on the back or side is generally better for cervical spine alignment than sleeping on the stomach.
- Early Detection and Intervention
- Educational tips to Parents, teachers, and adolescents about the early signs of cervical spondylosis, such as persistent neck pain, stiffness, or headaches.
- Early intervention through physiotherapy, massage therapy, or other treatments can prevent the condition from progressing.
- Regular Massage Therapy
- Regular massages can be helpful in relieving muscle tension, improving blood circulation, and maintaining flexibility in the neck and shoulder areas.
- It can counteract the effects of poor posture from prolonged screen use, helping to reduce strain on the cervical spine.
- It promotes relaxation, which can mitigate the physical effects of stress that may contribute to muscle tightness around the neck and upper back.
If you need more information, our great team (chiropractor, physiotherapists, acupuncturists and massage therapists) is here to help you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Book online or call at (905) 257 – 5888.