Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the cervical spine, characterized by damage to the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs and adjacent bone structures, with the occurrence of reactive inflammation and dysfunction of the spine.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be felt at any age.It is believed that in people who are prone to degenerative changes of the cartilage, the first manifestations of the disease can be observed during the school years.In fact, today this disease has become significantly younger, so it is diagnosed much more often in patients under the age of 45-55.
In most clinical cases, cervical osteochondrosis is the result of age-related changes in the human body.Among other common causes of the disease, scientists name genetic predisposition, sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, intense physical strain on the spine, excess weight and abnormal development of the skeletal system.
It is known that the clinical manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis differ from other types of diseases (thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis).This can be easily explained by the structural features of the cervical spine and the functions assigned to it.
Regardless of the degree of neglect, prevalence and localization of the pathological process, professionals cannot ignore it.It is important to understand that over time the disease will only progress and at some point it will have irreparable consequences.Therefore, do not hope for chance and do not try to deal with the problem yourself, but when the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis appear, immediately seek professional help from specialists.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Since the cervical vertebrae have a different structure and also differ from the rest of the spine in their proximity to each other, it is understandable why the clinical appearance of cervical osteochondrosis differs from the thoracic and lumbar variants of the disease.Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by very strong pain, disruption of normal blood circulation in the neck vessels and pinching of nerve bundles.
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- intense pain in the neck and back of the head, widespread headache, pain in the upper shoulder girdle and arms;
- muscle weakness or numbness in the upper limbs;
- the appearance of a crack when turning the head;
- complex movement of the head to the side;
- frequent dizziness, lightheadedness, general weakness, which occurs when the neck vessels that supply the brain are compressed;
- impaired memory and coordination, hearing problems and the like.
During its development, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine goes through several stages, each of which has its own characteristics and is characterized by specific clinical symptoms:
- Stage 1 - the beginning of degenerative-dystrophic degeneration of the osteochondral tissue of the cervical spine, accompanied by subtle changes in the patient's health (such patients may experience periodic weakness, dizziness, short-term headaches);
- Stage 2 - thinning and cracking of the intervertebral discs occurs, which is clinically manifested by persistent pain, severe weakness, fatigue and numbness in various parts of the face, neck and upper limbs;
- Stage 3 - intervertebral disc herniation appears, accompanied by pain in the back of the head, serious problems with the normal blood supply to the tissues and conditions before fainting;
- Stage 4 - the bone tissue of the vertebrae begins to grow and compresses the nerve roots, which leads to the disruption of their function, the persistence of the pain syndrome and the appearance of severe stiffness of movements.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the spine can only be confirmed by a doctor during the examination of the patient and a detailed diagnosis of his condition.The choice of effective treatment tactics depends on the stage of development of the pathological process, its prevalence and the presence of complications.It is important to understand that the treatment of such a disease as cervical osteochondrosis should be carried out by a qualified and experienced specialist.Otherwise, the patient not only risks receiving ineffective therapy, but also faces the consequences of illiterate care.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Treatment of exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis should be comprehensive.In such therapeutic regimens, practitioners may use medical methods to alleviate the symptoms of the disease, as well as physiotherapy techniques, massage, physical therapy, and the like.
Regardless of the method of influencing the diseased spine, treatment methods for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine serve a number of purposes:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- restoration of lost sensitivity in various parts of the face and upper limbs;
- strengthening the muscles and ligaments supporting the vertebrae;
- relief of local inflammation and reduction of tissue edema;
- eliminating the consequences of pinched nerve roots;
- preventing the progression of the pathological process.
Doctors often prescribe painkillers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, glucocorticoids, and chondroprotectors as drug therapy for osteochondrosis.Therapeutic gymnastics and physical therapy can achieve good results in the treatment of the disease.
Surgical correction of abnormalities occurring in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a last resort, which is used in the absence of the effect of conservative treatment.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis
Therapeutic gymnastics is an effective method of eliminating the manifestations of osteochondrosis, which also helps to avoid the progression of the pathological process and achieve a stable remission.A series of physical exercises is selected individually.Its volume and nature depend on the degree of complexity of the disease, its clinical manifestations and the presence of the consequences of the disease in the person.
Among the main clinical effects of therapeutic exercises, the following should be highlighted:
- the strengthening of the muscular corset of the back and the ligaments that hold the cervical vertebrae in the correct anatomical position;
- posture adjustment;
- improves blood flow in soft tissues;
- normalization of innervation.
It is important to note that the person should not feel pain or discomfort while performing the exercises.Therapeutic exercises can be used for therapeutic purposes, as well as to prevent the development of osteochondrosis.
The benefits of massage
In osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, massage helps to increase the tone of the muscle layer and eliminate pain.Today, experienced masseuses use different massage techniques in their practice, but the most effective in osteochondrosis are:
- stroking to stimulate the upper muscle layers, starting from the collar area, gradually moving to the collarbone and armpit area;
- rubbing, which improves blood flow and relieves tension;
- pressing, as a method of influencing deeper areas of the skin, is performed by grasping the tissue through the neck;
- kneading, which affects the deep layers of the neck tissues and can harm the patient if done incorrectly.
Only an experienced professional can perform massage treatments.An illiterate approach to treatment can lead to the worsening of osteochondrosis and even the appearance of serious consequences in the patient.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures for cervical osteochondrosis can be used as monotherapy, as well as in combination with other effective techniques.They can improve the condition of muscle tissue, eliminate local swelling and soothe irritated nerve fibers.The most common and popular methods of physiotherapy for osteochondrosis today are balneotherapy, electrophoresis, UHF therapy, magnetotherapy, phonophoresis and acupuncture.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy, which aims to normalize blood flow in the affected areas, relieve muscle spasms and relax the paracervical muscles, is well proven in osteochondrosis of the neck.This method can significantly improve the clinical picture of the disease and prevent its worsening.In addition, manual manipulation of the tissue prevents the progression of the pathological process and prevents its complications.
Prevention
In order to prevent the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes of the cervical spine, doctors recommend following simple rules, in particular:
- lead an active lifestyle, regularly do gymnastic exercises, visit the pool;
- give up bad habits;
- if you work sitting, give yourself enough breaks to warm up;
- ensure healthy and restful sleep on an orthopedic mattress with a good pillow.
When the first signs of the development of cervical osteochondrosis appear, you should not postpone a visit to a specialist or self-medicate them.It should be understood that only the timely provision of qualified help at the initial stage of the development of the disease will help to completely eliminate unpleasant manifestations and prevent the progress of the process.