Do you have any unpleasant neck pain with dizziness, general weakness and tiredness? All of this should be a wake-up call for any person because any of the symptoms listed may indicate the development of cervical osteochondrosis.
It is advisable to treat such alarm symptoms with full responsibility, because in the absence of timely treatment, the pathology can cause more serious consequences, including intervertebral hernia.
What is cervical spine osteochondrosis?
Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of the spine in which the structure of the connective tissue changes.
The disease is often disguised as a different type of violation, but a timely visit by a specialist allows for timely diagnosis and initiation of immediate treatment.
Degenerative lesions of cervical spine tissues are most commonly found in the medical history of mature (45-59) and elderly (60-74) people.
Nevertheless, it is worth noting that in modern society, the disease is rejuvenating, as evidenced by the periodic diagnosis of cervical spine osteochondrosis in children and adolescents.
Importantly, osteochondrosis can occur both in isolation and in combination with defeat of other parts, especially the chest, lumbar, and sacrum.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Today, it is impossible to name the exact causes of degenerative processes in intervertebral discs. There is no confirmation that cervical osteochondrosis is a senile phenomenon.
Numerous studies by scientists from different countries have found that there are predominantly provocative factors in cervical spine osteochondrosis.
Predisposing causes of cervical osteochondrosis include:
- low activity, inactivity, and a predominantly sedentary lifestyle;
- works involving static loading of the cervical spine;
- overweight, insufficient physical development;
- violation of connective tissue developmental processes;
- chronic spinal injuries;
- deformity of the spine, use of inadequately comfortable pillows, mattresses for rest;
- genetic predisposition.
The vast majority of causes are in one way or another related to the natural processes of aging of body systems and the likely development of pathologies in bone and cartilage tissue.
What is the risk of cervical osteochondrosis?
Decreased levels of mobility and limited joint flexibility, loss of muscle flexibility, and other signs of body aging are inevitable, natural processes that accompany a person in ontogenesis.
Anxiety about pain, which occurs much earlier in motion than the natural age of aging, often leads to a deterioration in quality of life and even disability.
To determine the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, you need professional consultation from your doctor. In the absence of a professional, timely diagnosis and the necessary treatment, the disease progresses, which can cause not only deterioration in well-being, but also severe disorders of the nervous and vascular systems.
Main signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The structure of the human skeleton, the ability to walk vertically, and the impressive head size have resulted in some parts of the spine being the most vulnerable, especially the neck.
Among the striking features of the structure of the cervical spine, it is worth highlighting the presence of mainly small vertebrae and a relatively small number of muscles, in connection with which a disease such as osteochondrosis occurs most frequently in this area.
Pain is the most common syndrome of spinal disease. Depending on the area involved, you can focus on:
- in the clavicle and / or shoulder;
- along the entire cervical spine;
- not the anterior surface of the sternum.
It is quite difficult to determine the primary signs of the disease on their own, as in the vast majority of cases they are insignificant and very non-specific:
- pain in the areaneckespecially in the evening;
- seriousness,back pain;
- slight numbnesstingling in the shoulders, hands;
- crunch,click when turning the head.
The progression of the disease is accompanied by a number of already noticeable leading symptoms.
Vegetative-dystonic symptom
It is characterized by pain in the neck, especially in the area below the back of the head.
The painful feeling often occurs when you stay in the same situation for an extended period of time, such as in the morning.
The muscles of the neck are tense, there are difficulties in moving the hand to the side, stiffness in the movement of the fingers.
Due to the compression of the vertebral arteries, neurological manifestations are often found:
- recurrent headache;
- nausea;
- faint.
Spine symptom
Localization of the area - to the left behind the chest.
Gradual disintegration of the structure of the intervertebral discs results in compression and consequent damage to the nerve roots, leading to narrowing of the arteries and veins, which in turn leads to the development of radical and ischemic syndromes.
Causes of circulatory disorders:
- severe migraine headache;
- dizziness;
- visual impairment, tinnitus;
- disorders of autonomic functions.
In rare cases, manifestations of cardinal syndrome are monitored, accompanied by myocardial compressive pain, shortness of breath, and arrhythmia.
Degrees of development and characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The process of developing the disease is rather slow, but at the same time it has 4 clearly traceable stages:
- Grade 1 cervical spine osteochondrosis - discomfort and minor pain with prolonged walking in a static position. The onset of seal formation in intervertebral discs;
- Grade 2 cervical spine osteochondrosis - bright painful feelings. Manual therapy and appropriate medications are used to relieve pain;
- Grade 3 cervical spine osteochondrosis - the presence of marked lesions of the connective tissue of the affected area;
- Grade 4 cervical spine osteochondrosis - the last stage in the development of the disease, characterized by damage to almost all parts of the spine.
The final stage in the development of the disease requires surgery, which involves a long recovery.
Diagnosis of the disease
In the presence of typical symptoms, you should consult an orthopedist or neurologist to diagnose and treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
As part of the diagnostic procedures, the practitioner determines the mobility and pain in the neck area, as well as assesses the degree of sensitivity and identifies other functional disorders.
The most effective diagnostic methods are usually distinguished:
- X-ray of the cervical spine in various projections;
- CT (computed tomography);
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) when a hernia / protrusion is suspected.
In case of circulatory disorders, reoencephalography as well as fundus examination can be used.
Possible complications
Lack of timely treatment can lead to serious complications, including:
- protrusion of intervertebral discs(formation of hernia / protrusion);
- rupture of the intervertebral disc,involves stinging of nerves and blood vessels, which can be fatal;
- radiculopathy(damage to the nerve roots), the formation of osteophytes (spine in the body of the spine), with a number of paresis and paralysis.
How to treat cervical spine osteochondrosis?
The 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 characteristics of the clinical manifestation of the disease.
Today, the most effective methods of treating the disease are:
- conservative treatment, including drug treatment / non-drug treatment;
- surgical intervention;
- a complex combination of techniques.
Physiotherapy
It assumes the effect of physical factors on the affected area. With an integrated approach and competent execution of all procedures, the improvement becomes apparent as early as the second or third month of treatment.
The most popular areas of physiotherapy for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck are:
- electrotherapy;
- shock wave therapy;
- magnetotherapy;
- balneotherapy;
- laser therapy;
- vibration massage.
Neck massage in osteochondrosis
The massage should be performed carefully, without exertion. Violation of the massage technique can have negative consequences.
The starting position of the massage is the "prone" or "straight back" position.
All existing massage techniques are based on techniques such as:
- stroking - affects the surface layers of the skin. It is performed with the palms and fingertips from the back of the head down to the level of the upper third of the back;
- compression - affects the deep layers of the skin in the upper third of the back. This should be done with the two fingers of the hand (thumb and forefinger), through the neck;
- rubbing - the main goal is to warm the skin and increase blood flow in the desired area;
- kneading - affects deep-lying tissues, should be used with caution as illiterate use may aggravate the situation.
Physiotherapyin cervical osteochondrosis
There are certain practices for treating cervical osteochondrosis. The most effective of them are:
Self-extinguishing
Starting position: sitting / standing with straight back.
Sequence of execution: while maintaining the starting position, try to keep your shoulders as low as possible while stretching the top of your head up.
Exercise intensity: at least 10 times (2-5 seconds), at least 3 times a day.
Self-massage
Inventory: terry towels.
Starting position: sitting / standing, close your neck with a towel, hold the end with your hands.
Procedure: Tighten the ends of the towel alternately, gently kneading through the neck muscles.
Important! During the exercise, care must be taken that the towel does not slip or rub against the neck.
Gymnastics (bending / stretching, turns, bends)
Starting position: sitting / standing with straight back.
Sequence of execution: from the starting position, perform a smooth bending / stretching, turning or tilting of the head, first in one direction and then in the other.
Power intensity: 5-7 movements in one direction.
Medications for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck
It is especially important during exacerbations as important blood vessels pass through the cervical spine and nourish the brain.
Tablets, injections, ointments, and other topical agents prescribed by your doctor may be used as treatment.
Important! Self-medication with drugs from different groups is unacceptable and can lead to disability and death.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
It is one of the most effective drugs often used to treat osteochondrosis in the form of injections, but is also available in the form of tablets, patches, and ointments.
The main direction of action is to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.
Muscle relaxants
It effectively reduces muscle tension, which significantly reduces pain.
The recommended treatment time is 2-4 weeks.
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and warming ointments for osteochondrosis of the neck
To increase their effectiveness, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs contain steroids.
The effect of warming ointments is aimed at relieving pain as well as warming up, which activates blood flow at the site of application of the drug.
Chondroprotectors
They are used to slow down degenerative processes and accelerate connective tissue regeneration. It has a cumulative effect.
Recommended dosing schedule: 2-6 months.
Nutritional characteristics in the treatment and prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Proper nutrition is undeniably an important element in maintaining the health of the body.
In the context of the prevention or treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, diet, although an aid, is at the same time a very important ingredient.
The main goals of proper nutrition in the treatment or prevention of osteochondrosis are:
- eliminating the likelihood of a lack of nutrients in the intervertebral discs required to perform metabolic processes;
- maintaining optimal body weight;
- reducing the risk of vascular lesions, preventing circulatory disorders.
Principles of diet
The nutrition of cervical osteochondrosis is based on the principles of rationality and functionality:
- Minimizing inhibitions - a healthy diet is varied, balanced and at the same time saturated with all the necessary substances.
- Adherence to a drinking pattern is an important element in preventing the breakdown of intervertebral disc tissue.
- Reducing salt intake - eliminates the likelihood of increasing vascular load and maintains water and electrolyte balance.
- Restrict the use of starches and sugars to eliminate the likelihood of metabolic disorders.
Prohibited and recommended food
In the treatment and prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, nutrition requires the exclusion of products that clog the body, such as:
- alcohol, which disturbs the water-electrolyte balance and provokes tissue dehydration;
- fatty meats and smoked meats that are difficult to digest;
- acidic, spicy foods that increase inflammation;
- semi-finished products that adversely affect digestive processes;
- sweets, sugar, which interfere with blood circulation.
The list of recommended foods consists mainly of easily digestible foods of plant and animal origin rich in protein, complex carbohydrates and fiber, including:
- chicken, rabbit, lean beef and pork;
- Fish and seafood;
- dairy products, eggs;
- different types of cereals;
- 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:
- adequate level of physical activity;
- maintaining optimal body weight;
- comfortable bed with anatomical pillows and quality mattress;
- maintaining proper posture;
- a combination of prolonged sitting, rest, and physical warm-up;
- adherence to proper nutrition.
In addition, it is recommended to avoid neck injuries and, of course, lifting unbearable weights.