Do you have unpleasant neck pain accompanied by dizziness, general weakness and tiredness? All of these should be a wake-up call for anyone, because any of the symptoms listed can indicate the development of cervical osteochondrosis.
It is worth treating such alarming symptoms with full responsibility, because without timely treatment, the pathology can have more serious consequences, including an intervertebral hernia.
What is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of the spine, during the development of which the structure of the connective tissue changes.
The disease is often disguised as a violation of another type, but a timely visit to a specialist allows you to diagnose in a timely manner and begin direct treatment.
Degenerative changes in the tissues of the cervical spine are most commonly found in the medical history of people of mature (45-59) and old (60-74) ages.
Nevertheless, it should be noted: in modern society there is a rejuvenation of the disease, which is confirmed by the regular diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in children and adolescents.
It is important that osteochondrosis can occur both in isolation, and in combination with the defeat of other parts, especially the thoracic, lumbar and sacrum regions.
Causes of Cervical Osteochondrosis
Today it is impossible to name the exact reasons for the appearance of degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs. There is no confirmation that cervical osteochondrosis is a senile phenomenon.
Numerous studies by scientists from different countries have shown that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine has predominantly provoking factors.
The predisposing reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the neck include:
- low activity, inactivity and predominantly sedentary lifestyle;
- Types of work that involves static load on the cervical spine;
- Overweight, insufficient physical development;
- violation of the processes of development of connective tissue;
- chronic spine injuries;
- Deformation of the spine, use of pillows that are not comfortable enough, mattresses for rest;
- genetic predisposition.
The vast majority of reasons are related in one way or another to the natural processes of obsolescence of the body systems, as well as the likely development of bone and cartilage tissue pathologies.
What is the danger of cervical osteochondrosis?
A decrease in mobility and restricted mobility of the joints, loss of muscle elasticity and other signs of aging in the body are inevitable, natural processes that accompany a person during ontogenesis.
The annoyance of pain, which occurs much earlier than the natural age of aging with exercise, often leads to a loss of quality of life and even disability.
To determine how to treat cervical osteochondrosis, you will need professional advice from your doctor. Without professional, timely diagnosis and necessary treatment, the disease progresses, which can lead not only to a deterioration in well-being, but also to serious disorders in the functioning of the nervous and vascular systems.
The main signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The structure of the human skeleton, the ability to walk upright, and the impressive size of the head have made some parts of the spine the most vulnerable, especially the cervical spine.
Among the noticeable features of the structure of the cervical spine, it is worth highlighting the presence of vertebrae, which are mainly small and have a relatively small number of muscles, in connection with which a disease such as osteochondrosis most often occurs in this area.
Pain is the most common spinal disease syndrome. Depending on the area affected, it can focus on:
- in the collarbone and / or shoulder;
- along the entire cervical spine;
- not the front surface of the sternum.
It is quite difficult to independently determine the primary signs of the disease, since in the vast majority of cases they are insignificant and very non-specific:
- Pain in the areaneckmainly in the evening;
- Heaviness,Back pain;
- slight numbnesstingling in shoulder, hands;
- Crunch,Clicking when turning the head.
The progression of the disease is accompanied by a number of already noticeable key symptoms.
Vegetative-dystonic symptom
It is characterized by sharp pain in the neck, especially in the area just below the back of the head.
The painful feeling often occurs when staying in the same position for a long time, for example in the morning hours.
The muscles of the neck are tense, there is difficulty moving the hand to the side, stiffness in the movements of the fingers.
Due to the compression of the vertebral arteries, neurological manifestations are often found:
- recurring headache;
- Nausea;
- Fainting.
Spinal symptom
Localization of the area - left behind the chest.
With the gradual disruption of the structure of the intervertebral discs, there is compression, and with it, injury to the nerve roots, which leads to narrowing of the arteries and veins, which, in turn, leads to the formation of radicular and ischemic syndrome.
Circulatory disorders cause:
- severe migraine headache;
- Dizziness;
- Visual impairment, tinnitus;
- Disorders of the autonomic functions.
In rare cases, the manifestation of cardinal syndrome is followed, accompanied by tenderness of the heart muscle, lack of air and cardiac arrhythmias.
Degrees of development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and its characteristic symptoms
The development process of the disease is rather slow, but at the same time has 4 clearly tracked stages:
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 1st degree - the appearance of discomfort and slight pain with prolonged walking, static position. The beginning of the formation of a seal in the intervertebral discs;
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 2nd degree - bright painful sensations. To get rid of pain, manual therapy and appropriate drugs are used;
- osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 3rd degree - the presence of pronounced lesions of the connective tissue of the affected area;
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 4th degree - the last stage of the development of the disease, characterized by damage to almost all parts of the spine.
The last stage of the development of the disease requires surgical intervention, which entails a long recovery.
Diagnosis of the disease
If you have characteristic symptoms for the diagnosis and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you should consult an orthopedic surgeon or neurologist.
As part of the diagnostic measures, the specialist determines the mobility and pain in the neck area as well as the degree of sensitivity and recognizes other functional disorders.
Among the most effective diagnostic methods, it is customary to distinguish:
- X-ray of the cervical spine, performed in different projections;
- CT (computed tomography);
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) if a hernia / protrusion is suspected.
In the case of circulatory disorders, rheoencephalography and an examination of the fundus can also be used.
Possible complications
The lack of timely treatment can lead to serious complications, including:
- Bulging of the intervertebral discs(Herniation / bulging);
- Rupture of the intervertebral disc,accompanied by entrapment of the nerves and blood vessels, which can be fatal;
- Radiculopathy(Damage to the nerve roots), the formation of osteophytes (spines on the vertebral body) with the manifestation of numerous paresis and paralysis.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is determined by a specialist and depends on the degree of development of the pathology, the form of its course and the features of the clinical manifestation of the disease.
Today the most effective methods of treating the disease are:
- Treatment with conservative methods, including medicinal / non-medicinal;
- surgical intervention;
- a complex combination of techniques.
physical therapy
Assumes the effect of physical factors on the affected area. With an integrated approach and competent implementation of all procedures, improvements can already be seen in the second or third month of treatment.
Some of the most popular areas of physical therapy for treating cervical osteochondrosis include:
- Electrotherapy;
- Shock wave therapy;
- Magnetic therapy;
- Balneotherapy;
- Laser therapy;
- Vibration massage.
Neck massage for osteochondrosis
The massage should be carried out carefully and without force. A violation of the massage technique can have negative consequences.
The starting position for the massage is the "prone position" or "sitting with a straight back".
All existing massage techniques are based on techniques such as:
- Stroking - affecting the surface layers of the skin. It is performed with the palms of the hands and fingertips from the back of the head down to the level of the upper third of the back;
- Squeezing - affects the deep layers of skin in the upper third of the back. It is performed with two fingers of the hand (thumb and forefinger), which are passed over the neck;
- rubbing - the main goal is to warm up the skin and increase blood circulation in the desired area;
- knead - affects deep tissue, must be used with caution, as illiterate people can aggravate the situation.
physical therapywith cervical osteochondrosis
There are certain exercises used to treat cervical osteochondrosis. The most effective of them are:
Self-expanding
Starting position: sit / stand with your back straight.
Order of execution: While maintaining the starting position, try to lower your shoulders as low as possible while straightening the top of your head.
Execution intensity: at least 10 times (2-5 seconds), at least 3 times a day.
Self massage
Inventory: terry towel.
Starting position: sitting / standing, wrap your neck with a towel, grasp the ends with your hands.
Procedure: alternately pull the ends of the towel and gently knead the neck muscles.
Important! During the exercise, make sure that the towel does not slip and does not rub your neck.
Gymnastics (flexion / extension, twists, bends)
Starting position: sit / stand with your back straight.
The order of execution: From the starting position, perform a gentle flexion / extension, rotation or inclination of the head, first in one direction, then in the other.
Power intensity: 5-7 movements in one direction.
Medicines for cervical osteochondrosis
This is especially important during an exacerbation because important blood vessels pass through the cervical spine that provide nutrients to the brain.
As treatment agents, tablets, injections, ointments, and other topical agents prescribed by the attending physician can be used.
Important! Self-medication with drugs from different groups is unacceptable and can lead to disability and death.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
One of the most effective drugs, often used in osteochondrosis in the form of injections, but it is also available in the form of tablets, patches and ointments.
The main direction of action is to relieve pain, remove swelling and inflammation.
Muscle relaxants
Provides an effective reduction in muscle tension, which significantly reduces pain.
The recommended duration of treatment is 2 to 4 weeks.
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and warming ointments for cervical osteochondrosis
To increase their effectiveness, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs include steroid substances in their composition.
The action of warming ointments is aimed at relieving pain, as well as warming, which activates the flow of blood to the site of application of the drug.
Chondroprotectors
They are used to slow down degenerative processes and accelerate the regeneration of connective tissue. Has a cumulative effect.
Recommended dosage regimen: 2 to 6 months.
Features of diet in the treatment and prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Proper nutrition is an undeniably important part of keeping the body healthy.
In the context of the prevention or treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, nutrition is a supportive, but at the same time very important component.
The main goals of proper nutrition in treating or preventing osteochondrosis are:
- Elimination of the likelihood of nutritional deficiency necessary for the implementation of metabolic processes in the tissues of the intervertebral discs;
- Maintaining optimal body weight;
- Reducing the risk of vascular changes and preventing circulatory disorders.
Nutritional principles
Diet for cervical osteochondrosis is based on the principles of rationality and functionality:
- Reduce inhibitions - a healthy diet is varied, balanced and at the same time saturated with all the necessary substances.
- Adhering to the drinking regime is an important part of preventing the breakdown of intervertebral disc tissue.
- Reducing salt intake - eliminates the likelihood of increased blood vessel stress and maintains water and electrolyte balance.
- Limiting the use of starches and sugars to eliminate the likelihood of metabolic disorders.
Forbidden and recommended food
Diet in the treatment and prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine requires the exclusion of such products that clog the body, such as:
- Alcohol, which disturbs the water-electrolyte balance and causes tissue dehydration;
- fatty meat and hard-to-digest smoked meat;
- sour, spicy foods that increase inflammation;
- Semi-finished products that adversely affect the digestive processes;
- Sweets, sugar that disrupt blood circulation.
The list of recommended foods mainly includes easily digestible foods of plant and animal origin that are high in protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber, including:
- Chicken, rabbit, lean beef, and pork;
- Fish and seafood;
- Dairy products, eggs;
- Cereals of various types;
- Whole wheat bread;
- Fruits, vegetables, berries and herbs.
Preventive measures
The basis of the health of the human cervical spine is a strong back, the health of which is due to:
- a sufficient level of physical activity;
- Maintaining optimal body weight;
- comfortable bed with anatomical pillows and a high quality mattress;
- maintain correct posture;
- a combination of prolonged sitting with periods of rest and physical warm-up;
- Adhering to proper diet.
In addition, it is recommended to avoid neck injuries and, of course, lift unbearable weights.