Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease caused by the spread of bone tissue on both sides of the vertebrae, which results in trauma to 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 elongated herniated spinal discs.
The onset of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be caused by prolonged standing in a static position, as well as by repeated repetitions of the head of the same type.
The most pronounced manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are frequent headaches and dizziness, blurred vision, hearing loss, tinnitus, hoarseness, hoarseness, snoring, impaired coordination of movements, worseningof teeth, numbness or coldness of fingers, headache, neck pain, sore throat.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine occurs due to destructive changes in cartilage tissue. This process can be due to a number of reasons:
- genetic predisposition to this disease;
- overweight;
- spinal cord injuries (fractures, bruises);
- intoxication, infection, metabolic disorders in the body;
- lack of vitamins, trace elements and body fluids;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- spine curvature, poor posture;
- flat feet;
- instability of spinal segments;
- hypothermia;
- work accompanied by frequent changes in body position, heavy lifting, excessive physical exertion;
- stress, nervous tension.
Symptoms
The symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis depend directly on the target. In this regard, a group of syndromes that accompany this disease is distinguished.
Radical
Radicular syndrome occurs when nerve roots are compressed in the cervical spine (compressed nerve). It is also called the cervical radicle. The pain that occurs in the neck is transmitted down and can go down to the shoulder and even to the outside of the forearm to the fingers. Among the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, in some cases, there is a tingling sensation in the forearm, hand or fingers, pastiness, the effect of the execution of goose bumps.
Irritation 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 you move after a static position (with sudden turns of the head when sneezing, after sleep). The pain may radiate to the shoulder and chest.
Kardiak
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in this syndrome mainly 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 turn of the head. The appearance of tachycardia and extrasystole is often observed against the background of a complete absence of signs of circulatory disorders.
Vertebral Artery Syndrome
In this case, cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by a symptom such as a throbbing or burning headache, which most often catches the superciliary region, occiput, temple, darkening. The pain, as a rule, practically does not stop, and only in some cases it is paroxysmal. Increased pain occurs with movement or after prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position.
There is a possibility of hearing and vision impairment (decreased hearing and visual acuity, tinnitus, vestibular disorders, eye pain). Against the background of general weakness of the body, nausea or loss of consciousness is possible.
Summarizing the above, we can distinguish a number of the most characteristic symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis:
- persistent pain in the neck, extending to the shoulder girdle, ears and eyes, the back of the head, and not stopping even at night;
- pain in hands, forearm, shoulder, worsening even with a light load;
- weakening of muscle strength and reduced sensitivity of the hands, arms, fingers, as well as difficulty in their movements;
- neck pain when turning and tilting the head;
- neck muscle tension, feeling of stretching back in the morning;
- burning, numbness, tingling in the feet or hands;
- extensive headache with primary localization in the occiput;
- darkening of the eyes, tinnitus, numbness of the tongue, dizziness, with a sharp turn of the head - fainting,
- reduces 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 the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the timing of therapeutic procedures aimed at relieving pain and neutralizing inflammatory processes. Treatment activities are performed in three stages:
- pain neutralization;
- activation of blood supply and metabolic processes in the affected areas of the back;
- physiotherapy and manual techniques.
During an exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which is accompanied by severe pain, in order to stop the pain syndrome and relieve muscle tension in the area of the spinal movement segment, the patient is prescribed:
- paravertebral blockade by local drug administration;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antispasmodics;
- oils and gels.
To improve blood circulation to the spine, a patient with cervical osteochondrosis is prescribed medication to improve blood microcirculation, vitamin complexes, and nicotinic acid.
Painkillers can only relieve symptoms but do not fight intervertebral disc degradation. Regularly selected activity and exercise therapy complexes are the only correct decision at any stage of the disease.
Healing gymnastics
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is performed only during periods of remission, avoiding considerable effort and pain.
A set of exercises to improve the mobility of the cervical vertebrae as well as the flexibility of the cervical muscles.
Repeat each exercise 5 to 10 times.
- Exercise 1. In a sitting or standing position with arms sitting along the body and a flat back, alternate gentle turns are made on the extreme left and right sides, holding the chin strictly over the shoulder. .
- Exercise 2. The starting position is the same. The head is tilted down until the chin touches the chest hole. The back muscles of the neck should be as relaxed as possible. The head can be lowered even lower with spring movements.
- Exercise 3. The starting position is the same. The neck is pulled back while the chin is pulled in and the head is held straight.
When worsening osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and with 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 back of the patient by stroking the intense surface 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 heating is kneading and shaking alternately on the right and left sides.
The massage usually starts from the back, alternating between stroking, squeezing and kneading. First, the shoulder blade area is massaged, gradually moving to the shoulder girdle. The neck massage starts from the scalp, going down to the back. In the absence of back pain, squeezing with the fingertips is performed very carefully along several lines.
Chest muscle massage is performed in a supine position. In this case, stroking, squeezing, kneading are used.
Sitting massage is performed in a separate massage chair. At the same time, the head is tilted forward, and the neck muscles are relaxed as much as possible. The massage starts from the occipital bone, directing all the movements down to the back.