Question
Hi There,  
 First of all just let me say thank you for your help for all of us out here who are getting your free help/advise. I think it is wonderful what you are doing. O.K. so here is my dilema , I have been having neck problems for a couple of years now. It started out with slight numbness tingling and lots of pain.It eventually got so bad i had to see a doctor.I went and after a few months she sent me for an MRI. Well  I just had my second MRI done it has been a year since the first one. I really don't understand what is going on with my neck. She is always sooo busy and  i dont understand what it all means. The report states that there is mild reversal of the cervical spine curvature centered at the c5-6 level. There is loss of normal disc signal at all levels, consistent with disc desiccation. Degenerative changes of the discs and end plates are most pronounced at c4-5andc5-6. At c4-5 there is a  small left paracentral disc osteophyte complex with minimal effacement of the left anterolateral aspect of the thecal sac. At C5-6 there is a broad-based posterior disc osteophyte complex extending asymmetrically to the right with effacement of the exiting right C6 nerve root, There is mild uncovertebral joint spurring,slightly worse on the right.
Then at the bottom of the report it says impression it reads  1. C5-6 right paracentral disc osteophyte with effacement of the exiting right C6 nerve root. 2. Degenerative changes of the cervical spine, most pronounced at C4-5 and c5-6. 3. Please see level by level for discussion above.  My first MRI stated i had several bulging disc and arthritis.    I hope you can shed some light on what it all means to help me understand what is going on. I really appreciate your time and effort!
                               Thanks
                                    Melissa

Answer
Melissa:

Thanks for writing!

This says that the cushions (pieces of gristle or cartilage} between the bones in your neck are drying up. And your neck is curving the wrong way. It should curve toward the front of the body, but it does not do that as much as it should.

The drying up and the changes in the curves are enough that parts of the cartilage or bones or both are touching your spinal cord or the nerves which come off of the spinal cord.  These bones and gristle get in the way of the nerves and spinal cord as the nerves and spinal cord are trying to do their work. This situation causes a lot of pain.

Surely this is a case of dehydration. How much water do you drink? Um-huh. Well, that ain't enough. Double it.

Chrondroition glucosamine sulfate has also been shown to rebuild the spine in cases like this. Get the expensive kind.

Also, there are various posture changing devises which will replace the curve. Start with a rolled up bath towel. Lay back on it as you lay on the floor or the bed and lay there for about 15 minutes, morning and night. A Posture Pump is also a very effective devise.

When the neck curve has changed like this the whole spine is out of whack. Go to www.sorsi.com, www.icak.com and www.soto-usa.com and look for a good chiropractor near you. They can get to the root of this situation and correct it.

Does this answer your question?

Dr. Rozeboom