Question
Can you explain my MRI results. Mild spondylosis and/or posterior disc bulge, C4-5,C5-6,C6-7, impinges on the ventral thecal sac.  There is dorsal encroachment of the thecal sac at C5-6 and C6-7 by hypertrophic facet joints. There is no focal disc herniation, epidural mass, cord compression, central canal stenosis or foraminal narrowing.  There is normal cervical curve,normal spinal alignment and vertebral height is well maintained throughout the cervical region.There is no altered marrow signal to suggest marrow replacement.  There is mild diffuse cervical spondylosis.  Posterior spondylosis and/or disc bulge seen at C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7 impinges on the ventral thecal sac.  There is dorsal encroachment of the thecal sac at C5 and C6.  No intrinsic abnormality of the cord is identified.  I have worked at teaching computer software and now it hurts too bad to sit for any longer than one hour at my desk without having to lay down for awhile for the pain to ease up.  Thank you for your time and information.

Answer

Hanna Somatic Educatio Hello, Cathy,

Your neck muscles are so tight that they are shortening your neck, compressing discs, causing them to bulge, and forming bone spurs at their attachments.

The pain comes in part from muscle fatigue of the involved muscles and from facet joints of the vertebrae being irritated.

I write more on that situation at

http://www.somatics.com/whiplash.htm

The write-up also gives my recommendation for a solution.

Here is a page with video of an exercise that can help.  I think you'll need more than that, but this should help.

http://www.somatics.com/emergency_back_care.htm --  "12-Minute Emergency Back Self-Care"



regard,
Lawrence Gold