Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease caused by the proliferation of bone tissue on both sides of the vertebrae, causing trauma to nearby muscles, ligaments, nerves, and spinal cord membranes. This disorder most often causes pain in the neck or other parts of the body, and can also lead to the protrusion of a herniated spinal disc.
The appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is due to prolonged in static position, as well as by repetitive head movements of the same type.
The most obvious manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are frequent headaches and dizziness, blurred vision, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, weak voice, hoarse voice, snoring, impaired coordination of movements, tooth decay, numbness or coldness of the fingers, painon the scalp, pain in the neck, throat.Cause
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs due to destructive changes in cartilage tissue. This process can be caused by several reasons:
- genetic predisposition to the disease;
- overweight;
- spinal injuries (fractures, bruises);
- poisoning, infection, metabolic disorders in the body;
- deficiency of vitamins, micro elements and body fluids;
- inactive lifestyle;
- curvature of the spine, poor posture;
- flat feet;
- instability of spinal space segments;
- hypothermia;
- work related to frequent body position changes, weight lifting, excessive physical activity;
- stress, nervous tension.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis directly depend on the target. Accordingly, a group of syndromes participating in the disease are distinguished.
Radicular
Radicular syndrome occurs when nerve roots are compressed in the cervical spine (pinched nerves). It is also called cervical radiculitis. The pain that occurs in the neck is spread down and can go down to the scapula and even to the outside of the forearm to the fingers. Among the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, in some cases, there is tingling in the forearms, hands or fingers, excitement, the effects of goose bumps.
Irritate reflex
In the event of reflex-reflex syndrome, symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include acute burning pain in the neck or occiput, which occurs when moving after a static condition (with sharp head rotation, when sneezing, after sleep). Pain can radiate to the shoulders and chest.
Heart
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in this syndrome largely coincide with the symptoms of angina pectoris. In this case, it is very important not to make mistakes in the diagnosis. With cardinal syndrome, the nature of the pain is paroxysmal and prolonged (up to several hours). Increased pain occurs with sudden movements caused by coughing, sneezing, and sharp head rotation. The appearance of tachycardia and extrasystole is often observed against the background of complete absence of signs of circulatory disorders.
Vertebral Artery Syndrome
In this case, cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by symptoms such as throbbing or burning headaches, which most often attack the superciliary, occiput, temple, darking areas. Pain, as a rule, practically does not stop, and only in some cases, it is paroxysmal. Increased pain occurs with movement or after prolonged in an uncomfortable position.
There is a possibility of hearing and vision impairment (decreased hearing and vision, tinitis, vestibular disorders, eye pain). Against the background of general weakness of the body, nausea or loss of consciousness is possible.
With the above conclusion, we can distinguish some of the most characteristic symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis:
- constant pain in the neck, extending to the shoulder girdle, ears and eyes, the back of the head and does not stop even at night;
- pain in hands, forearms, shoulders, worsening even with a slight load;
- weakening of muscle strength and decreased sensitivity of the hands, arms, fingers, as well as difficulty in movement;
- neck pain when turning and tilting head;
- neck muscle tension, feeling lying down in the morning;
- burning sensation, numbness, tingling in the legs or arms;
- widespread headache with primary localization in the occiput;
- dark eyes, tinnitus, numbness of the tongue, dizziness, with sharp head rotation - fainting,
- decreased visual and auditory acuity;
- proliferation of connective tissue in the cervical spine;
- pain in the heart.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home
The effectiveness of the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the timeliness of the initiated therapeutic procedure aimed at relieving pain and neutralizing the inflammatory process. Treatment activities are carried out in three stages:
- pain neutralization;
- activation of blood supply and metabolic processes in the affected spinal area;
- physiotherapy and manual techniques.
During the period of cervical osteochondrosis swelling, accompanied by severe pain, to stop the pain syndrome and relieve muscle tension in the area of the spinal movement segment, the patient is prescribed:
- paravertebral obstruction by local drug administration;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antispasmodic drugs;
- ointments and gels.
To improve blood circulation in the spine, a patient with cervical osteochondrosis is given medication to improve blood circulation, vitamin complexes and nicotinic acid.
Pain medication can only relieve symptoms, but does not fight intervertebral disc degradation. Properly organized and complex exercise therapy exercises are the only right decision at each stage of the disease.
Recovery gymnastics
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is performed only during the remission period, avoiding significant effort and pain.
A set of exercises to increase the mobility of the cervical vertebrae, as well as the flexibility of the neck muscles.
Repeat each exercise 5 to 10 times.
- Exercise 1. In a sitting or standing position with arms lowered along the body and back flat, smooth head alternating to the extreme left and right sides made, keeping the chin tightly over the shoulder.
- Exercise 2. The starting position is the same. The head is tilted down so that the chin touches the notch of the chest. The back muscles of the neck must be relaxed as much as possible. The head can be lowered lower with elastic movements.
- Exercise 3. The starting position is the same. The neck is pulled back, while the chin is pulled inwards and the head continues straight.
When exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine subsides and on the recommendation of the attending physician, a course of manual therapy is carried out, including the sequence of areas damaged by the disease.
Massage for cervical osteochondrosis
Before starting the massage procedure, it is necessary to prepare the patient's back by performing an intensive superficial stroke for 2-3 minutes. The direction of caressing is from the lower border of the shoulder blade to the neck, and then from the neck to the shoulder belt. The last moment of warming up is kneading and shaking alternately on the right and left.
Massage is started, as a rule, from behind, alternately stroking, squeezing and kneading. First, the shoulder blade area is massaged, gradually moving to the shoulder belt. Neck massage starts from the scalp, down to the back. If there is no pain in the spine, squeezing with your fingertips is done very carefully along a few lines.
Massage of the pectoralis major muscles is performed in the supine position. In this case, rubbing, squeezing, kneading is used.
Sitting massage is done in a special massage chair. At the same time, the head is tilted forward, and the neck muscles are relaxed as much as possible. The sequence starts from the occipital bone, directing all movements backwards.