Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease caused by the proliferation of bone tissue on both sides of the vertebrae, causing trauma to the adjacent muscles, ligaments, nerves and spinal cord membranes. These disorders usually lead to pain in the neck or other parts of the body and can also lead to protruding herniated discs.
The occurrence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be caused by prolonged stay in static positions and by repetitive head movements of the same type.
The most pronounced manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are frequent headaches and dizziness, blurred vision, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, weakness of the voice, hoarseness, snoring, impaired coordination of movements, deterioration of the teeth, numbness or coldness of the fingers, pain in the scalp, pain in the neck, in the throat.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs due to destructive changes in cartilage tissue. This process can have various reasons:
- genetic predisposition for this disease;
- overweight;
- spinal injuries (fractures, bruises);
- poisoning, infection, metabolic disorders in the body;
- lack of vitamins, microelements and body fluids;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- curvature of the spine, bad posture;
- flat feet;
- instability of segments of the spine;
- hypothermia;
- work that involves frequent changes in posture, heavy lifting and excessive physical exertion;
- Stress, nervous strain.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis are directly related to the target. In this regard, a group of syndromes that accompany this disease is distinguished.
Radicular
Radicular syndrome occurs when nerve roots in the cervical spine (pinched nerve) are compressed. It is also known as cervical radiculitis. The pain that occurs in the neck is transmitted downwards and can reach the shoulder blade and even the outer part of the forearm to the fingers. Among the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, in some cases, there is tingling of the forearm, hand or fingers, pies, and the effect of goose bumps.
Irriate reflex
In the case of reflex-reflex syndrome, symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may be acute burning pain in the neck or back of the head that occurs when moving after a static state (with sudden head turns, when sneezing, after sleeping). The pain can radiate to the shoulder and chest.
heart
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in this syndrome are largely in line with the symptoms of angina pectoris. In this case, it is very important not to make a mistake in the diagnosis. In 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 a sharp turn of the head. The appearance of tachycardia and extrasystole is often observed against the background of the complete absence of signs of circulatory disorders.
vertebral artery syndrome
In this case, cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by a symptom such as a throbbing or burning headache, which most commonly affects the superciliary region, the back of the head, the temple, and the darkening. The pain, as a rule, practically does not stop and is only paroxysmal in some cases. Increased pain occurs when moving or after prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position.
There is the possibility of hearing and visual impairments (reduced hearing and visual acuity, tinnitus, vestibular disorders, eye pain). Against the background of general weakness of the body, nausea or loss of consciousness is possible.
In summary, we can distinguish a number of symptoms that are most characteristic of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- constant pain in the neck that extends to the shoulder girdle, ears and eyes, the back of the head and does not stop even at night;
- Pain in hands, forearm, shoulder, which worsens even with low stress;
- Weakening of muscle strength and decreased sensitivity of hands, hands, fingers, as well as difficulties in their movements;
- neck pain when turning and tilting the head;
- Tension of the neck muscles, feeling of leaning back in the morning;
- Burning sensation, numbness, tingling in the legs or arms;
- extensive headache with primary localization in the back of the head;
- Darkening of the eyes, tinnitus, numbness of the tongue, dizziness, with a sharp turn of the head - fainting,
- decreased visual acuity and hearing;
- proliferation of connective tissue in the cervical spine;
- pain in the heart area.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home
The effectiveness of the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the timeliness of the started therapeutic procedures for pain relief and neutralization of inflammatory processes. The treatment activities are carried out in three stages:
- pain neutralization;
- Activation of the blood supply and metabolic processes in the affected areas of the spine;
- Physiotherapy and manual techniques.
During the period of exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which is accompanied by severe pain, in order to stop the pain syndrome and relieve muscle tension in the area of the spinal movement segment, the patient is prescribed:
- paravertebral blockade through local drug administration;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, and anticonvulsants;
- ointments and gels.
To improve blood circulation in the spine, a patient with cervical osteochondrosis is prescribed drugs to improve blood microcirculation, vitamin complexes and nicotinic acid.
Painkillers can only alleviate symptoms, but not combat disc breakdown. Regular activity and properly selected exercise therapy complexes are the only correct decision at any stage of the disease.
Remedial gymnastics
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is only performed during periods of remission, avoiding considerable exertion and pain.
A series of exercises to improve the mobility of the cervical vertebrae and the flexibility of the neck muscles.
Repeat each exercise 5 to 10 times.
- Exercise 1. In a sitting or standing position with arms lowered on the body and flat back, alternate smooth head rotations to the left and right, with the chin kept strictly over the shoulder.
- Exercise 2. The starting position is the same. The head is tilted down until the chin touches the chest notch. The back muscles of the neck should be relaxed as much as possible. The head can be lowered even lower with elastic movements.
- Exercise 3. The starting position is the same. The neck is pulled back while the chin is pulled in and the head is kept straight.
When the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine subsides and, on the recommendation of the attending physician, manual therapy is carried out, including massage of the areas damaged by the disease.
Massage for cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
Before starting the massage process, the patient's back must be prepared by stroking the surface intensely for 2-3 minutes. The direction of stroking is from the bottom of the shoulder blades to the neck, and then from the neck to the shoulder girdle. The last moment of warming up is the alternating kneading and shaking on the right and left side.
As a rule, start the massage from behind, alternately stroking, pressing and kneading. First, the area of the shoulder blades is massaged and gradually moved to the shoulder girdle. The neck massage starts on the scalp and goes backwards. In the absence of pain in the spine, pressing with the tips of your fingers is carried out very carefully along several lines.
Massage of the pectoralis major muscles is performed in the supine position. In this case, it is stroked, squeezed, kneaded.
The sitting massage is performed on a special massage chair. At the same time, the head is tilted forward and the neck muscles relaxed as much as possible. The massage begins at the occiput and directs all movements backwards.