Ultimately, it is most important to correlate the patient’s clinical symptoms with the pathoanatomy visualized on the imaging that is obtained. Therefore, if a transitional segment is suspected, an MRI scout image is recommended for the purpose of counting caudad from C2 to the lumbosacral junction. Similarly, some patients may have aberrant segmentation of the cervicothoracic junction, the thoracolumbar junction, or both. 2 This suggests that extra or missing ribs may add to counting confusion. In fact, one study showed that L6 segments do indeed behave like S1 segments in patients with only four lumbar vertebrae, the inferior-most lumbar segment, L4, behaves like an L5. Rarely patients will have six lumbar vertebrae, although some consider these to be lumbarized S1 segments, because an L6 spinal nerve is typically not described. Transitional segments are typically described as involving the lumbarization of the first sacral segment or the sacralization of the fifth lumbar segment. In up to 15% of the population, 1 a transitional segment may occur. Visit the Posture section of our Lower Back Pain page for more helpful tips to relieve pain.For a patient with normal spinal segmentation, identify the level in the anteroposterior (AP) view by counting cephalad from the sacrum this is similar to the process of reading an MRI. Repeat this both on your side and stomach, using a pillow to cushion your head. Neck Lifts: Lie on your back on the floor and lift your head up and down.Resistance: Use your hands to press against different sides of your head, and then resist the movement with your neck.Side To Side: Slowly bend back and forth, trying to touch your ears to your shoulders.Swivel: Slowly turn your head right and left, only as far as comfortable.Front To Back: Move your head back and forth 4-5 times, keeping your head tilted upright.These are just suggestions, so please make sure to okay any exercises with Dr. Ahuja or your physical therapist may suggest different ones depending on your individual needs. Here are a few helpful neck movement exercises that may aid in your recovery. Some medications will only treat pain caused by inflamed tissue, while others will specifically target pain due to pinched nerves.Ahuja to maximize the effect that they will have in improving your symptoms. It is important to take medications exactly as prescribed by Dr.Medications are often an effective way to calm muscle spasms, reduce inflammation, and control pain.It can be done several times a day for 5-7 minutes and is a simple way to improve your symptoms. Traction helps relieve pressure between the vertebrae and discs and can help open up the holes that are pinching the nerves and causing pain.Cervical spine traction is a physical therapy kit that can be done with a therapist or at home.It can also cause numbness and weakness in the arms and hands. This pinching can cause back, shoulder, and arm pain.Central stenosis can pinch the spinal cord, and foraminal stenosis can pinch the nerve roots that exit through the foramen.It is sometimes referred to as a “pinched nerve”. Cervical spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal column or foramen due to bone spurs or disc protrusion.Since bone spurs can put pressure on discs, the discs can flatten, dehydrate, and become degenerate.Ĭervical spinal stenosis (aka “Pinched Nerve”):.Wear on the vertebrae can cause bone spurs, which are bony malformations that can put pressure on discs and inflame the nerves, causing pain.A bulging disc can also put pressure on the nerve, but the disc does not actually rupture as with a herniated disc.The herniated disc can push on the spinal canal and nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, and weakness.Wear on a disc can cause the outer layer to rupture, creating a hernia.More complicated causes of neck and arm pain include: Herniated and bulging discs: Problems in the cervical spine, or the section of the spine in your neck, can cause pain in the neck as well as numbness and weakness in the arms.Potential causes of neck and arm pain include: Subarachnoid and Intracranial Hemorrhages.

Cervical spine with right tilt x ray