Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease caused by the proliferation of bone tissue on both sides of the vertebrae, which involves trauma to adjacent muscles, ligaments, nerves, and the spinal cord membrane. These disorders most often lead to pain in the neck or other parts of the body and can also cause protrusion of the herniated spinal plates.
The appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be caused by prolonged stay in a static position as well as constant repetitive head movements of the same type.
The most common manifestations of osteochondrosis of the neck are frequent headache and dizziness, blurred vision, hearing loss, tinnitus, loss of voice, hoarseness, snoring, impaired coordination of movements, pain in the throat, pain in the teeth, numbness or coldness in the fingers, cold.
Causes of Occurrence
The cause of osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine is due to destructive changes in cartilage tissue. There are several reasons for this process:
- genetic predisposition to this disease;
- overweight;
- spinal 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 spinal cord segments
- ;
- hypothermia;
- work involving frequent changes in body position, heavy lifting, excessive physical exertion;
- stress, nervous strain.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cervicothoracal osteochondrosis depend directly on the target. In this regard, a group of syndromes accompanying this disease is distinguished.
Radicular
Radical syndrome occurs when the nerve roots compress in the cervical spine (pinched nerve). It is also called cervical radiculitis. The pain in the neck spreads downwards and can go down to the shoulder blade and even to the outside of the forearm to the fingers. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck include, in some cases, tingling in the forearm, hand or fingers, shepherding, and the effect of running goose hills.
Irriate reflex
In reflex-reflex syndrome, symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck may include acute burning pain in the neck or cervix, which occurs when moving after a static state (sudden head turns, sneezing, after sleep). The pain can radiate toward the shoulders and chest.
Heart
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in this syndrome largely coincide with 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 long-lasting (up to several hours). Increased pain occurs with sudden movements caused by coughing, sneezing, and a sharp turn of the head. Tachycardia and extrasystoles often occur in the background of a complete lack of signs of circulatory disorders.
Vertebral artery syndrome
In this case, osteochondrosis of the cervix is accompanied by a symptom such as a throbbing or burning headache that most often catches the superciliary region, the occiput, the temple, and darkening. The pain, as a rule, practically does not stop and is only paroxysmal in certain cases. Increased pain occurs when moving or staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time.
Hearing and vision impairment (decreased hearing and vision acuity, tinnitus, vestibular disorders, eye pain) is possible. Nausea or loss of consciousness may occur in the background of general weakness of the body.
Summarizing the above, we can distinguish several of the symptoms that are most characteristic of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Constant pain in the neck, shoulder girdle, ears and eyes, headrest, and does not stop at night;
- pain in the hands, forearms, shoulders worsens, even with a slight load;
- weakened muscle strength and decreased sensitivity of hands, hands, fingers and difficulty moving;
- neck pain when turning and tilting the head;
- tension in the muscles of the neck, feeling in the morning;
- burning, numbness, tingling in the legs or arms;
- extensive headache with primary localization in the cervical spine;
- darkening of the eyes, tinnitus, numbness of the tongue, dizziness, with a sharp turn of the head - fainting,
- decreased 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 cervical osteochondrosis treatment depends on the timeliness of initiated therapeutic procedures to relieve pain and neutralize inflammatory processes. Management activities are performed in three stages:
- pain neutralization;
- activation of blood supply and metabolic processes in affected areas of the spine;
- physiotherapy and manual techniques.
At the time of worsening osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, accompanied by severe pain, in order to stop the pain syndrome and relieve muscle tension, the patient is prescribed in the movement segment of the spine:
- paravertebral blockade with topical application of drugs;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antispasmodics;
- ointments and gels.
To improve blood circulation in the spine, a patient with osteochondrosis of the neck is prescribed medications to improve blood microcirculation, vitamin complexes, and nicotinic acid.
Painkillers can only relieve symptoms but do not combat degradation of intervertebral discs. Regular activity and properly selected exercise complexes are the only right decision at any stage of the disease.
Physiotherapy
Practical therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is performed only during the period of remission, avoiding significant 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 5-10 times.
- Exercise 1. In a sitting or standing position, with arms lowered along the body and a flat back, they turn alternately with a smooth head to the left and right extreme sides, the chin held firmly above the shoulder.
- Exercise 2. The starting position is the same. The head leans down until the chin touches the incision in the chest. The back muscles of the neck should be relaxed as much as possible. The head can be lowered even lower with spring movements.
- Exercise 3. The starting position is the same. He pulls his neck back while his chin retracts and his head is kept straight.
When the worsening of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is relieved and manual therapy is given, including massage of the affected areas, as recommended by your doctor.
Cervicothoracic osteochondrosis massage
Before starting the massage, the patient's back should be prepared with an intense superficial caress for 2-3 minutes. The direction of the stroking extends from the lower edge of the shoulder blade to the neck and then from the neck to the shoulder. The last moment of warm-up on the right and left is alternately kneading and shaking.
Massage is usually started from behind, alternating between caressing, squeezing and kneading. First, the area of the shoulder blades is massaged, gradually moving to the shoulder girdle. The neck massage starts from the scalp and goes down. In the absence of spinal pain, squeezing with the fingertips is done very carefully.
Massage the chest muscles in a supine position. In this case, caressing, pressing and kneading are used.
Seated massage is performed on a special massage chair. At the same time, the head leans forward and the neck muscles relax as much as possible. The massage starts from the occipital bone, directing every movement downwards.