Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: symptoms and treatment

The main causes, symptoms and prevention of cervical osteochondrosis. Bonus: preventive gymnastics.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine. With age, and without treatment and prevention, the disease tends to progress. Osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the spine.

If you experience pain in this department, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible, as progressive osteochondrosis can cause serious health problems, including impaired vision, persistent migraines, and even death.

Osteochondrosis is not necessarily an age-related change; it often affects people at a young age.

Eight main causes of osteochondrosis

• Inheritance,
• injuries,
• excessive physical activity,
• age-related changes,
• Metabolic disorders,
• sedentary work (hypodynamia),
• wrong posture while sleeping,
• Stress (psychosomatics).

If you experience one or more symptoms, you should consult your doctor for treatment or prevention.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

The causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be varied. It is not just age-related changes that can cause disease. The disease also affects young people who prefer sedentary work.

Inactivity is the leading cause of osteochondrosis. Lack of moderate exercise leads to muscle weakness and poor circulation. Further pinching of the nerves and the appearance of an intervertebral hernia are possible.

Factors that contribute to the development of cervical osteochondrosis

1. Injury to the structure and position of the brain stem relative to the spine and deformity of the first cervical vertebra.
2. Acquired forms of deformities - kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis and their combinations.
3. Older people over 60 years. At this age, natural age-related changes in the intervertebral discs occur. Overgrowth of bone growth.
4. Bad posture due to bending over or prolonged uncomfortable position.
5. Injuries to the cervical spine.
6. Incorrect muscle load.
7. obesity.

If the load on the muscles is not symmetrical, it can lead to deformation. These changes are caused by the habit of lifting weights with one hand, carrying a bag on one shoulder, and using a pillow that is too soft when you sleep.

Degrees of osteochondrosis

Modern science knows three main stages in the development of cervical osteochondrosis. They differ in the degree of damage to the vertebrae and in the methods of treatment.

First degree osteochondrosis

It begins with a rupture of the disc capsule and the appearance of microcracks in the annulus fibrosus. This type is characterized by degenerative transformations in the neck joints and changes in tissue structures.

Signs of first degree osteochondrosis:

• worried about joint pain in the neck and shoulder girdle, vasoconstriction and circulatory disorders;

• the appearance of pain in the neck with a sharp turn of the head, which indicates compression of the nerve endings;
• complaints in the cervical area, temples, back of the head and headaches of a constant nature;
• blurred vision, the appearance of flies and veils in the eyes.

Second degree osteochondrosis

Characterized by a reduction in the distance between the intervertebral discs. It brings point pain with every load, it becomes difficult to turn or tilt your head.

Third degree osteochondrosis

It is a chronic disorder of the musculoskeletal function of the spine. Significant changes in the structure of the spine can be seen.

A lack of treatment at this stage can lead to a stroke. Death is possible.

Signs of third degree osteochondrosis:

• partial or complete paralysis of the joints of the neck and shoulders;
• decreased sensitivity of the upper limbs;
• herniated disc becomes visually perceptible;
• Death of certain parts of the cerebral cortex due to circulatory disorders and insufficient oxygen supply.

In the third stage of osteochondrosis, surgical operation is required.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis in different parts of the spine

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

• sharp pain in the neck that goes into the upper limbs,
• headache,
• Fingers can become numb,
• high blood pressure,
• impaired the coordination of movements,
• feel stiff,
• attacks of nausea are not excluded,
• If a nerve is pinched, pain can be felt when swallowing,
• painful sensations in the teeth are possible.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:

• Chest pain, which can radiate to the heart and lungs, goes into the shoulder blades,
• painful sensations all over the spine,
• rib pain,
• shoulder pain,
• spots in front of the eyes,
• tinnitus.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region:

• Menstrual disorder
• Lumbar pain syndromes that extend to the lower extremities
• Lumbago
• Hernia between the vertebrae
• increased tiredness.

Women with suspected osteochondrosis are prescribed X-rays, CT and MRI, ultrasound and neuromyography. You can recommend visiting a mammologist and gynecologist to rule out diseases whose symptoms are similar to osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis in women

There are three main types of osteochondrosis in both women and men:

• cervical,
• lumbar,
• chest.

Women are more likely than men to develop osteochondrosis of the neck and chest region. This phenomenon is due to the fact that in men the muscles of the chest of the neck are naturally more developed. This means that these departments have the best support. Therefore, if possible, it is necessary to strengthen the back and neck muscles with suitable exercises.

Most often, cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself in women who lead a sedentary lifestyle or perform sedentary work (office work, salespeople, drivers), and osteochondrosis of the chest region most often manifests itself in women who have had scoliosis since childhood.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

To make the correct diagnosis, you need to make an appointment with a doctor. Other diseases can also be hidden beneath the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.

Cervical osteochondrosis cannot be transmitted by itself and can be fatal if it progresses to the last, third stage.

Treatment started in good time helps to avoid serious, irreversible consequences.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

Here is a sample list of medical specialists to help you understand the problem.

• General practitioner (general practitioner). Therapists make general diagnoses without treatment, prescribe general tests (urine, blood biochemistry). They take your individual complaints into account and refer you to the right specialist.
• neurologist. A neurologist deals with the treatment of the initial and intermediate stages of cervical osteochondrosis. Typically, an x-ray of the spine is taken when visiting a neurologist. If osteochondrosis is confirmed, an appropriate treatment is selected.
• trauma surgeon. Consultation with this specialist is mandatory if the tissue changes. Perhaps the appointment of MRI, spondylography, CT. Another treatment is also selected.
• neurosurgeon. If an intervertebral hernia is suspected, consultation with a neurosurgeon is prescribed with reference to the results of CT and MRI.
• Physiotherapist. Deals with the elimination of clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis.
• rehabilitation specialist. Treatment by a rehabilitation therapist implies a recovery period after surgery. During this time, special therapeutic exercises (movement therapy) are selected.
• chiropractor. Prescribed to eliminate pain.
• rheumatologist. Gives advice and prescribes diagnosis for people with various forms of arthritis.
• oncologist. Visiting an oncologist is indicated for those with suspicious CT and MRI findings. Professional advice helps to confirm or rule out the presence of tumor diseases of the bone tissue. A biopsy can be prescribed.

Modern methods of treating osteochondrosis:

• surgical intervention (for irreversible changes
• Osteopathy,
• manual therapy,
• Physiotherapy,
• Massage,
• work with psychosomatics,
• Reflexology,
• drug therapy.

Drug therapy

The aim of drug therapy is to relieve inflammation and pain. Properly selected drugs restore blood circulation and healthy tissue nutrition.

In the acute stage, drug therapy stabilizes the patient's condition and prepares them for the next stage of treatment. Ointments, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids and vitamin complexes are used.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy involves a combination of natural and hardware effects on the body. Effectively relieves pain and restores physical activity.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is effective when it is supervised by a good specialist.

Massage stimulates blood circulation and improves tissue nutrition. Manual therapy is convenient for home use (massagers and various applicators).

Before using products for manual home therapy, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

Reflexology

Reflex therapy has an effect due to the effect on biologically active points of the body. It can be done in the form of acupuncture, acupressure, sometimes moxibustion. Once you have decided on this particular method of treatment, make sure you have a qualified specialist in front of you, as exposure to inappropriate biological points can have negative consequences.

Movement therapy

Physiotherapy exercises (LFK) for osteochondrosis are imperatively prescribed in the recovery period. The purpose of exercise therapy is to strengthen the ligaments and muscles, exercises will help restore blood circulation.

Properly chosen exercises can help prevent recurrence and deepening of the damage.

Exercises for cervical osteochondrosis

Finally, we will introduce you to some exercises from the complex of physiotherapy exercises.

Consult a doctor before training.

Exercises in the movement therapy complex can be uncomfortable. Therefore, try to relax as much as possible beforehand and make sure that breathing is calm and measured.

It is not recommended to overload the muscles while exercising. Do as much as you can and return to the exercises after resting.

To get the effect of final recovery, it is necessary to perform up to 300 movements on the diseased spine and 100 repetitions for adjacent sections.

When cervical osteochondrosis is recommended to avoid sudden head movements. The exercises are performed standing with your back straight and your feet shoulder-width apart (repeat 15 times):

1. Tilt your head to the left and hold it for 10 seconds. Put pressure on the shoulders, tense the neck muscles and resist the pressure. Repeat the same movements on the right. Repeat the first exercise and bend forward and backward.
2. Turn your head to the right and try to reach your shoulder with your chin. Hold back the movement for a few seconds. Repeat the exercise with a turn to the left.
3. Use your chin to draw numbers from 0 to 9 in the air.

Back exercises:

1. Raise your head and hold it for 10 seconds. Lower your head and take a five-second break.
2. Pull your chin towards the ceiling and hold it down for 10 seconds. Then gently lower your head.

Additional exercises:

1. Raise your head and keep it parallel to the floor for 10 seconds. Then gently lower your head and pause for a few seconds.
2. Repeat this exercise while lying on the other side.