(c) mzacha

Oh, the scourges of aging! In the neck, one of these is cervical spondylosis, aka arthritis of the neck. It is due to the formation of bone spurs, which often irritate nearby spinal nerves. Cervical spondylosis can get really painful in the case of myelopathy, that is, when the spinal cord is involved.

There are a number treatments for cervical spondylosis, and they are generally non-invasive. If you doctor tries to talk you into surgery, beware that going this route will likely take its toll on you, but whether it is the best option for pain relief remains questionable.

(c) Michael J. Summerville

Many people think of chiropractors as merely back doctors. In reality, the chiropractic profession is built on the belief that spinal alignment affects the health of the whole body. Therefore, your chiropractor might treat your spine in order to bring about a variety of health benefits, including back health.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, about 18 million adults and 2 million children go to a chiropractor. While it's true that most visits are for common back conditions and injuries, here's an example of the chiropractic view of health in an ongoing research effort:

Researchers at the University of Chicago gave a particular type of chiropractic called NUCCA to patients taking medicine for their high blood pressure. NUCCA chiropractic specializes in adjusting only the top of the neck. They found a significant decrease in the amount of medication the patients needed after the manipulation. More studies on this connection are expected.

Chiropractic is considered to be a CAM therapy and so it takes your whole being into consideration. Is it right for you?

Photo: Kameleon007

The thought of post-Halloween back pain may conjure images of taking the costumes back up to the attic or lugging heavy bags of candy. But let's not forget the extra weight you may be carrying from having eaten those Halloween treats! With the holidays approaching, be forewarned that back pain a very common problem for overweight people. Carrying extra pounds can increase your risk for developing several back disorders.

If you are a spine surgeon or a surgical nurse specializing in spine who likes to write, About.com has an opportunity for you! As an About.com Contributing Writer, you will work with me to cover the sub-topic of spinal procedures and surgeries. You'll be responsible for producing about 15 short articles per month, and you can also write more than the minimum, if you want.

If you are interested in applying or learning more, please email your RESUME and a WRITING SAMPLE -- both IN THE BODY OF AN EMAIL -- to contributingwriters@about.com. Put the "Back and Neck Pain" in the subject line of the email. Good luck!

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