Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease caused by the proliferation of bone tissue on both sides of the spine, causing injury to adjacent muscles, ligaments, nerves, and spinal cord membranes. These disorders most often cause pain in the neck or other parts of the body, and can also lead to a rash on the herniated discs.
Detection of cervical osteochondrosis can be caused by prolonged stay in a static position, as well as by constant repetitive movements of the same type of head.
The most common manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are frequent headaches and dizziness, blurred vision, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, weakening of the voice, frequent, snoring, impaired coordination of movement, toothache, pain in the teeth, numbness of the skin, numbness of the skin, numbness of the skin.Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs due to destructive changes in cartilage tissue. This process can be caused by a number of reasons:
- genetic predisposition to this disease;
- Excess weight;
- Spinal cord injuries (fractures, bruises);
- intoxication, infection, metabolic disorders in the body;
- Deficiency of vitamins, trace elements and body fluids;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Spine curvature, poor posture;
- flat feet;
- instability of spinal column segments;
- hypothermia;
- work associated with frequent changes in body position, heavy lifting, physical activity;
- Stress, nervous load.
Symptoms
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis directly depend on the target. In this regard, a group of syndromes accompanying this disease is distinguished.
Radical
Radical syndrome occurs when the nerve roots are compressed in the cervical spine (stretched nerve). It is also called cervical sciatica. The pain that occurs in the neck goes down and can go down to the foot and even to the fingers on the outside of the forearm. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include, in some cases, a tingling sensation in the forearm, hand, or fingers, as well as the action of goose bumps.
Irritated-reflex
In the case of reflex-reflex syndrome, symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include severe burning pain in the neck or occipital region that occurs after a static position (with a sudden turn of the head, sneezing, after sleep). Pain may radiate to the shoulders and chest.
heart
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis during this syndrome largely coincide with the symptoms of angina pectoris. In this case, it is very important not to make a mistake 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, wheezing, and sharp twisting of the head. The appearance of tachycardia and extrasystole is often observed against the background of the complete absence of signs of circulatory disorders.
Spinal Artery Syndrome
In this case, cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by a symptom such as a feeling of pain or burning during the headache, which most often captures the pressure, the occiput, the temple, the darkness. The pain is usually virtually unresolved and is only paroxysmal in some cases. Increased pain occurs during movement or after prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position.
There is a possibility of hearing and vision disorders (hearing and vision impairment, tinnitus, vestibular disorders, eye pain). Against the background of general weakness of the body may be nausea or loss of consciousness.
To summarize the above, here are some of the most common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:- Persistent pain in the neck, extending to the shoulder girdle, around the ears and eyes, on the back of the head, and does not stop at night;
- Pain in the hands, forearms, shoulders, worsening even with a small load;
- Weakening of muscle strength and reduced sensitivity of the hands, arms, fingers, as well as difficulty in their movement;
- pain when turning and tilting the neck;
- Neck muscle tension, feeling back in the morning;
- burning, numbness, tingling in the legs or hands;
- Extensive headache with primary localization of the occiput;
- Darkness in the eyes, tinnitus, numbness of the tongue, dizziness, dizziness with a sharp turn,
- decreased visual acuity and hearing;
- proliferation of connective tissue in the cervical spine;
- Pain in the heart region.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home
The effectiveness of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis depends on the timing of initiating therapeutic procedures aimed at relieving pain and neutralizing inflammatory processes. Healing activities are carried out in three stages:
- pain neutralization;
- Activation of vascular and metabolic processes in the affected areas of the spine; Physical therapy and manual techniques.
In case of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, accompanied by severe pain, to stop the pain syndrome and relieve muscle tension in the spinal movement segment, the patient is prescribed:
- Paravertebral blockade by local drug administration;
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antispasmodics;
- Ointments and gels.
To improve blood circulation in the spine, a patient with cervical osteochondrosis is prescribed medications to improve blood microcirculation, vitamin complexes and nicotinic acid.
Painkillers can only relieve symptoms, but they do not fight the degeneration of the intervertebral discs. Regular activity and properly selected exercise therapy complexes are the only right solution at any stage of the disease.
Fitness in gymnastics
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is given only during remission to avoid significant effort and pain.
A combination of exercises to improve cervical spine mobility as well as neck muscle flexibility.
Repeat each exercise 5 to 10 times.
- Exercise 1. In a sitting or standing position, with the arms lowered along the body and with a flat back, alternate smooth head is done on the extreme left and right sides, with the chin held firmly above the shoulder.
- Exercise 2. The starting position is the same. The head is tilted down until the chin touches the chest area. The back muscles of the neck should be relaxed as much as possible. The head can be lowered further with spring movements.
- Exercise 3. The starting position is the same. The neck is pulled back while the chin is raised and the head is held properly.
When the exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis disappears and on the recommendation of the attending physician, a course of manual therapy is conducted, including massage of the affected areas of the disease.
Massage for cervical osteochondrosis
Before the massage procedure, it is necessary to prepare the patient's back with an intense superficial blow for 2-3 minutes. The direction of the blow is from the lower border of the shoulder blades to the neck, and then from the neck to the shoulder girdle. The last moment of warming is tearing and shaking alternately on the right and left sides.
Start the massage, usually from the back, alternately rubbing, squeezing and massaging. First, massage the area of the shoulder blades, gradually moving to the shoulder girdle. Neck massage starts from the scalp, goes to the back. In the absence of back pain the incision with the fingertips is made very carefully along several lines.
Massage of large chest muscles is performed in a supine position. In this case, used for stroking, squeezing, kneading.
Session massage is performed on a special massage chair. At the same time, the head is tilted forward while the neck muscles are relaxed as much as possible. The massage starts from the occipital bone, with all movements leading to the back.