Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease caused by the spread of bone tissue on both sides of the vertebrae, causing trauma to the adjacent muscles, ligaments, nerves and spinal cord membranes. These disorders most often lead to pain in the neck or other parts of the body and can also cause protrusions on the herniated spine.
The appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervix may be caused by prolonged stay in static positions as well as constant repetitive head movements of the same type.
The most prominent manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are frequent headache and dizziness, blurred vision, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, weakening of the voice, hoarseness, snoring, decreased coordination of movements, deterioration of the teeth, numbness or cold in the fingers, soreness inscalp, pain neck, neck.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine occurs due to destructive changes in the cartilage tissue. This process can be due to a number of reasons:
- genetic predisposition to this disease
- overweight
- back injuries (fractures, bruises)
- poisoning, infection, metabolic disorders in the body
- lack of vitamins, trace elements and body fluids
- sedentary lifestyle
- curvature of the spine, poor posture
- flat feet;
- instability of segments of the spine;
- hypothermia;
- work associated with frequent changes in body position, heavy lifting, excessive physical exertion
- stress, nervous load.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis depend directly on the target. In this regard, a distinction is made between a group of syndromes that accompany this disease.
Radical
Radicular syndrome occurs when the nerve roots are compressed in the cervical spine (pinched nerve). It is also called cervical radiculitis. The pain that occurs in the neck is transmitted downward and can go down to the shoulder blade and even to the outer part of the forearm to the fingers. Among the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are in some cases the tingling in the forearm, hand or fingers, pastiness, the effect of running goosebumps.
Irriate reflex
In the case of reflex reflex syndrome, symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include acute burning pain in the neck or neck, which occurs when moving after a static condition (with sudden head turns when sneezing while sleeping). The pain may radiate to the shoulder 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 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, sneezing and a sharp head turn. Often the appearance of tachycardia and extrasystole is observed on the background of a complete absence of signs of circulatory diseases.
Vertebral Artery Syndrome
In this case, cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by such a symptom as a throbbing or burning headache, which most often catches the superciliary region, occiput, temple, darkening. The pain usually hardly stops and only in some cases has a paroxysmal character. Increased pain occurs with movement or after prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position.
There is a possibility of hearing and visual impairment (impaired hearing and visual acuity, tinnitus, vestibular disorders, eye pain). Due to general weakness in the body, nausea or loss of consciousness is possible.
Summarizing the above, we can distinguish a number of symptoms that are most characteristic of osteochondrosis of the cervix:
- constant neck pain 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, aggravation even with a light load;
- weakening of muscle strength and decreased sensitivity in hands, hands, fingers and difficulties with their movements
- pain in the neck when turning and tilting the head;
- tension in the muscles of the neck, feeling of lying back in the morning
- burns, numbness, tingling in the legs or arms
- extensive headache with primary localization in the neck
- darkening of the eyes, tinnitus, numbness of the tongue, dizziness, with a sharp turn of the head - fainting,
- visual and hearing impairment
- spread of connective tissue in the cervix
- pain in the area of the heart.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home
The effectiveness of cervical osteochondrosis treatment depends on the timeliness of the therapeutic procedures started with the aim of relieving pain and neutralizing inflammatory processes. Treatment activities are performed in three phases:
- pain neutralization
- activation of blood supply and metabolic processes in the affected areas of the spine;
- physiotherapy and manual techniques.
During exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which is accompanied by severe pain, to stop the pain syndrome and relieve muscle tension in the area around the spine, the patient is prescribed:
- paravertebral blockade by local drug administration;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antispasmodics;
- ointments and gels.
To improve blood circulation in the spine, a patient is prescribed cervical osteochondrosis medication to improve blood microcirculation, vitamin complexes and nicotinic acid.
Painkillers can only relieve the symptoms, but they do not fight the breakdown of the intervertebral discs. Regular activity and properly chosen exercise therapy complexes are the only correct decision at any stage of the disease.
Remedial Gymnastics
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is performed only during periods of remission, avoiding significant effort and pain.
A set of exercises to improve the mobility of the uterine 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 the arms lowered along the body and a flat back, alternate smooth head to extreme left and right sides, making the chin strictly over the shoulder.
- Exercise 2. The starting position is the same. The head is tilted down until the chin touches the brisket. The back muscles of the neck should be relaxed as much as possible. The head can be lowered even lower with resilient 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 exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine decreases, and on the recommendation of the attending physician, a course of manual therapy is performed, including massage of the areas damaged by the disease.
Massage for cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
Before starting the massage procedure, it is necessary to prepare the patient's back for intensive surface ironing for 2-3 minutes. The direction of strokes is from the lower edge of the shoulder blades up to the neck and then from the neck to the shoulder girdle. The last moment of the warm-up is kneaded and shaken alternately on the right and left sides.
Usually start the massage from behind, alternating strokes, squeezing and kneading. First, the area is massaged by the shoulder blades and gradually moved to the shoulder girdle. Neck massage starts from the scalp and goes down to the back. In the absence of pain in the spine, squeezing with the fingertips is performed very carefully along several lines.
Massage of the pectoralis major muscles is performed in a supine position. In this case, strokes, squeezing, kneading are used.
Seat massage is performed on a special massage chair. At the same time, tilt the head forward and relax the neck muscles as much as possible. The massage starts from the occipital bone and directs all movements down to the back.