Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: symptoms and treatment

Spinal diseases are a serious pathology that modifies the normal physiology of both the axial skeleton and the entire organism as a whole.Damage to only one cervical region leads to disruption of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, organs of vision and hearing, shoulder and elbow joints.Therefore, every person who cares about their health needs to know the reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, its main symptoms, methods of treatment and prevention.

What is cervical osteochondrosis

The human cervical spine is made up of 7 vertebrae connected by elastic discs.Normally, the vertebrae are located close to each other, firmly hold the head and participate in movement.The first signs of the disease appear in a person between the ages of 25 and 45.Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra develops: a degenerative-dystrophic change in the intervertebral discs.Their decrease leads to compression and displacement of nerves and blood vessels.If osteochondrosis is not treated, the disease begins to progress rapidly.

Causes of the development of cervical osteochondrosis

Let's consider the main causes of cervical osteochondrosis:

• lack of physical activity, or vice versa, excessive stress;
• sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work;
• bad posture such as scoliosis;
• constant stress, nervous tension.

Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis are injuries, hereditary diseases: genetic predisposition, intrauterine trauma.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are very diverse and depend on the stage of development of the disease:

1st degree	The symptoms are mild, sometimes small lumbago, sleep disturbances and headaches are noted.But the first minor signs do not cause great concern, so people do not consult a doctor.
2nd degree	The photographs show protrusions and decreased height of the intervertebral discs.The pain becomes constant, stiffness and numbness appear in the areas of the face and head.A cough appears.Migraine pain develops, nausea and dizziness intensify.Sleep is disturbed and tiredness increases.Cardiovascular disturbances are observed.
3rd degree	The development of intervertebral hernias in cervical osteochondrosis leads to compression of nearby tissues: vessels, nerves.A strong, aching pain appears in the back of the head and neck, dizziness and nausea appear.Patients experience weakness and numbness in the hands.Muscle tone changes, tension appears in the neck muscles.Patients experience the development of sclerosis.
4th degree	The appearance of osteophytes leads to narrowing of the intervertebral holes, compression of the nerves and damage to the joints.All symptoms intensify and become permanent.At this stage, a decrease in signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is observed, due to the fact that the vertebrae practically grow together and mobility decreases.Lack of care at this stage can lead to disability.

Since from each vertebra the nerves approach certain organs, the localization of damage can be determined by the clinical manifestations of the disease.

Cervical osteochondrosis syndrome

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, compression and pinching of the spinal nerve roots occur.This pathology is rare.This is due to the fact that the cervical ligaments are strong and hernial protuberances practically do not come out of the intervertebral holes.

Radicular syndromes

Radicular syndromes are caused by oxygen deficiency of the latter.

Irritant reflex syndromes

Irritant reflex syndromes are characterized by burning, acute occipital or cervical pain.It occurs when the head moves after prolonged tension caused by a long state of immobility of the neck.In addition, unpleasant sensations occur in the joints of the chest and shoulders.

Cardiac syndrome

Cardiac syndrome resembles angina pectoris.Patients complain of heart pain that appears during physical or emotional stress.But when examining the functioning of the heart, no pathology is detected, and heart medications do not bring relief.Cardiac syndrome develops in suspicious people with a tendency to phobias.For treatment, such patients may need the help of a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is an insidious disease.One of the greatest dangers is the narrowing of the heart (coronary) vessels, which can lead to a heart attack.

Severe headaches with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine lead to a decrease in a person's memory and performance and the inability to perform professional tasks.

Changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral discs cause numbness of the roots, accompanied by dysfunction of the corresponding organs or leading to disability.

Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis

If you have neck problems, you should consult a neurologist or orthopedist.The diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is made based on the patient's complaints, life history, examination, examination.

To clarify the diagnosis, it is necessary to take x-rays, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging to identify protrusions or hernias.For symptoms of cerebral circulatory disorders, ultrasound of the vessels of the neck, cerebral encephalography and fundus examination are performed.If there is a variety of symptoms affecting other organ systems, additional diagnostics prescribed by a cardiologist or rheumatologist are performed.

How to treat cervical osteochondrosis

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis should always be carried out comprehensively.All measures are aimed not only at eliminating pain, but also at eliminating other pathological symptoms.The treatment is carried out using methods and means such as:

• drug therapy;
• massage;
• physical therapy;
• unconventional methods;
• surgery.

Pharmacological treatment

Drug therapy for osteochondrosis is aimed at reducing pain in the cervical spine, restoring vascular blood flow and maintaining motor and mental activity.Main groups of drugs:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs	The drugs relieve inflammation, eliminate pain and have an antipyretic effect. Caution: You cannot take these drugs for a long time, as they can cause side effects: liver damage, peptic ulcer, hematopoietic disorders and increased thrombus formation.
Muscle relaxants	Reduce muscle tone and spasm.
Vascular drugs	They improve blood flow in the vessels, relieve headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, flashing "visions" and help restore memory.
Venotonic	Venotonics is prescribed when there is a violation of the venous blood flow of the head.
Antispasmodics	Reduces cerebral vascular spasms.
General tonics: ginkgo biloba, ginseng	Prescribed for CSF hypotension.
Serotonin receptor agonists	Increases arterial tone.
Neurotrophs	Prescribed for dizziness and tinnitus.
Diuretics	Reduce swelling in pinched tissues.
Chondroprotectors	Prevents the destruction of cartilage tissue and intervertebral discs.
Sedatives and antidepressants	Reduce nervous tension, anxiety, depression, depression and increased fatigue.
Group B vitamins, complex vitamin preparations	Improves trophism (nutrition) of cartilage and nervous tissue.Prescribed in the form of tablets or injections (during an exacerbation).

Attention: drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis, in addition to their therapeutic effect, can have side effects and present serious contraindications.Therefore do not self-medicate under any circumstances.Only a specialist, a neurologist, can prescribe the necessary drugs, individually select the dose and determine the duration of taking the drugs.

First aid for a disease in the stage of severe exacerbation is therapeutic and pharmacological blocks, which only a specialist has the right to carry out.

Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis

Surgical treatment is prescribed for cervical osteochondrosis only in extreme cases, for example with the formation of osteophytes (marginal growths of the bone tissue of the vertebrae), spondylolisthesis (vertebral displacement) or stenosis (narrowing) of the spinal canal.Surgery is prescribed only if all other treatment methods have failed to produce a positive effect.

The surgeries are performed as delicately as possible, using microsurgical instruments and a microscope.Surgeons most often perform endoscopic operations or microdiscectomy.During the operation, the ligaments are removed, the affected vertebral fragments are removed and the hernial protrusions are removed.The postoperative period is generally long, but the prognosis for rehabilitation is favorable.

Massage

Massage performed outside the period of exacerbation is prescribed to consolidate the therapeutic effect or for preventive purposes.It is usually prescribed in a cycle of 10-14 sessions, several times a year.Purpose of the massage:

• improve lymphatic flow;
• normalize blood circulation;
• relax the neck muscles, collar area;
• improve the nutrition of cartilaginous tissue;
• prevent further development of the disease;
• reduce the risk of relapse.

Which massage to choose - manual or mechanical, which also helps well with cervical osteochondrosis, only the doctor decides.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy procedures complement other types of treatment and have a beneficial effect on the health of the cervical spine.Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed in the remission phase, they relieve pain, muscle spasms, strengthen muscles and restore motor activity.For osteochondrosis, the following is often used:

• balneotherapy;
• detensor therapy;
• laser therapy;
• magnetotherapy;
• UV therapy.

Unconventional treatment methods

Non-traditional treatment methods complement the official ones and help to quickly cope with cervical spine problems.

1. Acupuncture.Inserting the needles into special, painful points along the spine relieves muscle tension, relieves pain, reduces inflammation and improves blood circulation.
2. Dry or underwater extraction.It is prescribed to elevate the vertebrae and increase the distance between them.Thanks to this procedure, pain decreases, blood circulation is restored and the load on the joints is reduced.
3. Needle applicator.The needle-shaped tips of the applicator act on the active points of the cervical spine, restore function and reduce inflammatory processes in the muscle and cartilaginous tissue.
4. Leeches.Not very presentable in appearance, but medicinal leeches have a unique saliva, the components of which relax muscles, improve trophism in the affected tissues, reduce swelling and relieve pain.
5. Hydrotherapy.Water showers, saunas and baths with medicinal herbs complete the traditional treatments.
6. Foot massage.Effectively affects the entire body, relieves fatigue, pain, improves metabolic processes in the spine.

Therapeutic exercise

This disease does not like movement, therefore, to get rid of such a serious scourge, it is necessary for physical exercise to firmly establish itself in our life.Therapeutic gymnastics can be performed daily, except during periods of exacerbation.A doctor can help you choose the right exercises, and the first sessions can be performed in a physiotherapy room under the supervision of a doctor.

The task of a physiotherapy specialist is to show how to perform exercises correctly, help choose the correct pace, amplitude and duration of exercises.In the future, you will have to do physiotherapy at home, not forgetting that the load should be increased gradually and all movements should be performed smoothly.

Daily exercises help strengthen the neck muscles, reduce the load on the intervertebral discs and serve as a good prevention of osteochondrosis.

Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis

It's no secret that prevention is the best cure.And the sooner you do this, the fewer health problems there will be in the future.

When to start preventive measures?Of course, it is better from childhood.If you are the parent of a preschooler, don't limit your child's natural desire for physical activity.It is not necessary to enroll him in the sports section: let him run, jump on the street, buy a skipping rope, a hoop, a bicycle, a scooter.Create a sports corner at home, invent or find interesting exercises on the Internet, turn them into a game and have fun doing it yourself.

If your child is already a schoolboy, pay attention to how he sits at the desk, whether it is comfortable and whether he has to bend over notebooks and textbooks too much.Remember that when sitting in a chair, the child's knees should be bent at a 90 degree angle?The same degree should be between the hips and the spine.If the angle is not maintained, you need to adjust the height of the chair or table.The chair should have a comfortable seat, armrests and a high backrest on which to rest your elbows while relaxing.

Pay attention to the height of the monitor: when you are sitting, your eyes should look towards the top of the monitor and the keyboard should be positioned below elbow level.Check how comfortable it is for you and your child to sit at your desk.Do you feel comfortable doing a sedentary job at an office desk?If not, think about how you can help yourself.Maybe you can change the height of your chair, raise your monitor, or invest in a stylish footrest.

Observe your posture as you work.Without offense, remember how animals sit, for example, your favorite dog, resting the entire surface of the buttocks on the floor, stretching the lower back, without bending into a donut.After 15-20 minutes you need to take a short rest.At home, it is easier to do a warm-up: you can stand up, stretch with pleasure, do a few dance steps to the music and stretch your neck.

What can you do in the office if the natural desire to get up from the desk often is not appreciated?You can use a seated warm-up:

1. Smooth turns of the head left and right, up and down, rotation in circles, clockwise and counterclockwise (be careful not to feel dizzy);
2. Press your chin to your neck, then to your chest and turn your head left and right;
3. Place your palm on your forehead and press it as hard as you can (10 seconds), then move your palm to your right temple, left temple, and back of your head.Do you feel tense in your neck muscles?Surprising;
4. Massage the neck, starting from the occipital opening to the shoulders, knead the shoulders, then gently slide your fingers several times from the occipital to the shoulders to ensure uniform outflow of blood.

The warm-up will be incomplete if you do not take care of the condition of the lower spine and arms:

1. Rotate your shoulders: 10 times back and forth, up and down;
2. Bring your shoulder blades together and widen them, feel how your back muscles tense pleasantly and thank you.These muscles are engaged in static work, supporting our body in an upright position.But they also get tired faster than others, especially children.This is why children so often force themselves to change sitting positions.And there is no need to reproach them for this;
3. To help relax your pelvic spine, contract and relax your gluteal muscles several times;
4. Move on your legs, tense and relax the muscles of the thighs, then the shins, the toes, repeat this exercise several times;
5. Clasp your hands in a lock, do a "wave" several times, including hands, elbows and shoulders in the work;
6. Make a fist with four fingers and rotate your thumbs clockwise and anticlockwise several times;
7. Work with your hand: clench your fist tightly, then straighten your hand forcefully and spread your fingers.

These exercises, depending on the number of repetitions, can last from 3 to 5 minutes.You can perform several approaches per day.You may wonder why you need to do full-body exercises if only your cervical spine bothers you.The fact is that usually the entire spine suffers, so a general preventive warm-up will only bring benefits.

Interesting: Estonian healer Luule Viilma writes that any illness is given to a person in order to have time to understand his life.And the faster a person realizes his mistakes in life, the faster recovery will occur.According to L. Viilma, the cause of this disease is the fear of being guilty, accusation, excessive demands on oneself and others.Understanding why the illness occurred, forgiving yourself and others is a way to get rid of all the bad and restore health.

Physical activity and simple exercises should be included in your daily routine.You don't have to study for hours, especially if you don't have time to do so.On the Internet you can find videos with short warm-ups.To lose weight and reduce the load on the problem part of the spine, you should pay attention to the exercise system using the Tabata method, which suggests performing exercises at a high pace, with certain intervals of rest and load.

Attention: before carrying out such physical activity, you need to consult with specialists and choose the optimal exercises.It is not possible to practice using such a system during periods of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.

To lighten the load on the cervical vertebrae, it is good to take care of a comfortable position of the body during sleep.For your neck and head, using the perfect orthopedic pillow is an ideal option.

What else can be said about prevention?Of course, this is a reasonable diet, monitoring body mass index, exercise, nature walks, and most importantly, the desire to be healthy.Our health is in our hands and every person needs to use this gift.