Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of the cartilage layers. Today this problem has increased worldwide.
In Europe alone, around 60% of adults suffer from cervical osteochondrosis. Doctors associate this fact with the static nature of people, their low mobility and a sedentary way of working.
If this disease developed around the age of fifty not so long ago, now it is impossible not to notice that the disease has rejuvenated significantly - the average age threshold here has dropped to 24 years.
But more and more 18-year-olds come to hospitals with this problem. When we talk about osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment cannot be ignored, since these questions are of interest to many.
How does osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develop - causes and first signs?
Everyone knows that the spine consists of bony vertebrae with cartilaginous "cushions" - intervertebral discs - between them. Due to impaired blood circulation and poor nutrition, the cartilage tissue does not receive a nutrient complex here. This leads to a change in the structure of the cartilage, its deformation and shrinkage. They gradually lose their previous elasticity and become less durable.
As the shock-absorbing intervertebral layers dry out, the vertebrae press against one another. As a result, nerve endings and bloodlines become compressed, causing pain and numbness in the muscles, migraines, and a host of other symptoms. Over time, the cartilage tissue is destroyed and turns into fibrous tissue. Gradually, neighboring vessels, nerve fibers and bone structures are involved in this pathological process.
The main factors in the development of cervical osteochondrosis
The main reason for the development of osteochondrotic pathologies is considered degenerative-dystrophic change. There are a number of factors that contribute to this. Consider the main reasons for the appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Congenital predisposition.
- Aging of the body.
- Disorders in metabolic processes.
- Overweight, obesity.
- Failure in nutrition - a lack of minerals and a systematic lack of fluids.
- Traumatic injury.
- Weak skeletal muscles, poor posture, flat feet.
- Physical inactivity, sedentary work.
- Physical overload, the peculiarities of the job when you have to work in an uncomfortable position, causes jerky muscular effort.
- The end of a sports career and the associated termination / reduction of performance burdens.
- Psycho-emotional stress.
- Nicotine addiction.
- The appearance of tumor structures.
It should be noted that the causes of pathological chondrotic changes in the cervical spine have not yet been adequately investigated. However, it is well known that prolonged standing or sitting without much exercise, an overly soft bed, untrained back and girdle muscles of the upper extremities, and inadequate nutrition are ideal combinations for the development of cervical osteochondrosis.
Disease development
Osteochondrosis does not occur suddenly. It develops gradually over a fairly long period of time - from several years to decades. The initial dystrophic changes in the vertebral beds do not show up in any way. They can only be detected by chance on an X-ray or during a CT scan.
At the next stage of the development of the disease, a decrease in the thickness of the cartilage layer is observed. Microscopic cracks appear on the intervertebral cartilage. You may experience numbness in certain areas of the muscles. Over time, a protrusion develops, hernias are possible. The patient suffers from headache and muscle pain.
At the last stage of the progression of the disease, bone tissue grows pathologically, nerve endings are damaged, and chronic pain syndrome develops. Due to cervical osteochondrosis, there may be a curvature of the upper spine, sciatica, stenosis (narrowing of the lumen of the spinal canal).
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - symptoms and treatment
We examined the first signs of osteochondrosis. Now let's talk directly about the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
Symptoms
The following symptoms are characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Numbness and cramps in the muscles in the neck, shoulders and upper back.
- Pulling sensations, pain in the back and cervix.
- Painful sensations can be given to the hands.
- Headaches, especially in the back of the head, migraines.
- Dizziness, tinnitus, visual disturbances (defocusing, appearance of "flies" and colored spots).
- Regular numbness in the toes of the upper extremities.
- Stiffness of head movements, restriction of turning and tilting, all accompanied by pain and pulling sensations.
- Pain when palpating the vertebral zone.
- A tendency to increase blood pressure.
Muscle weakness can lead to impaired movement coordination. In the presence of heart problems, they can be exacerbated due to a spasm of the vertebral artery. The pain can spread to the sternum and the retrosternal space.
As you can see the symptoms are different. As a result, people who recognize certain deviations in themselves turn to the wrong specialist (cardiologist, orthopedic surgeon, traumatologist) for help. This complicates the diagnosis and timely detection of cervical osteochondrosis.
Which doctor should I contact for osteochondrosis?
If a complex of the described symptoms of osteochondrosis appears, you should immediately consult a doctor. You need to make an appointment with a therapist or neurologist. After the first clarification of the clinical picture as a result of the interview, examination of the patient and palpation of the affected area, the doctor will give a referral for tests and prescribe an additional examination.
You may need to go through the following:
- Roentgen.
- Computed Tomography.
- MRI.
- Electromyography.
Radiography will help determine the location of the lesions and the degree of neglect of the disease. Tomographic examination helps to assess the condition of neighboring tissues and myography - the conductivity of muscle fibers and their innervation. All of this makes it possible to correctly diagnose and outline an effective treatment regimen. The process will be long and will require patience and work on yourself.
It will not be possible to completely restore the cartilage structures, but a significant improvement in the quality of life and the elimination of chronic pain is a completely doable task. You must return to the exams more than once.
Finally, it is necessary to monitor the course of the disease, adjust the treatment program, and predict possible complications or improvements. Even if the pain has subsided, it is not a reason to refuse to undertake repeated diagnostic measures.
How to deal with osteochondrosis of the neck
A number of different methods should be used for the disease to break free. In most cases, active treatment lasts for several months. But here a lot depends on the enthusiasm, conscientiousness and willpower of the patient. In some cases, surgery is required. When starting treatment, you need to adhere to the following principles.
- Medical advice should be followed steadfastly. All changes in condition and side effects should be reported to the attending physician.
- You need to learn how to dose the load, avoid excessive muscle activity and muscle overload of the cervical spine.
- It is necessary to give up sports overload and, if necessary, change jobs.
- Physiotherapy exercises are a prerequisite. They should be done systematically and preferably daily. Special gymnastics for the neck should be selected individually, taking into account the patient's abilities and the degree of neglect of the disease. A series of exercises is performed under the guidance of an instructor.
- The use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs should be justified and strictly dose. All drugs, especially hormonal ones, are prescribed by a doctor.
- Maintaining the anatomically correct posture is important. Even in dreams. Therefore, the mattress must be sufficiently firm. In the case of an orthopedic pillow, they are determined by the direct fitting method.
- If necessary, you should regularly sit for a long time, every few hours, and do a short warm-up for the neck. It is advisable to stand up at the same time, although a sitting position is also allowed.
Why do you need to warm up?
With this simple method, you can:
- Restoring normal blood flow;
- stretching stiff muscles;
- Getting rid of numbness, tingling, pulling sensations;
- Relieve muscle tension;
- Prevent muscle spasms and muscle groups;
- Avoid overloading the cervical spine.
All exercises are as simple as possible. They are familiar to everyone from childhood and do not take much time. A few minutes will be enough. They can be done both at home and at work. Are you ashamed of the views of tactless employees?
Retire on the stairs or in a toilet cubicle. You may even be able to perform transport exercises discreetly to avoid unnecessary attention. All exercises should be done with your back straight. It is recommended that you expand your shoulders and protrude your chest a little. Make the maximum allowable rotations with your head to one side.
Act carefully and without fanaticism so as not to damage the weakened spine. After that, alternately lower your head on one shoulder or the other several times. Now you can make several rotational movements - 10-15 in each direction.
Another good exercise. Stretch your spine as much as possible, as if you were suspended from the crown of your head. Now slowly tilt your head forward and try to press the edge of your chin against your chest. Then you need to slowly and very carefully perform the opposite action. With some damage, you cannot tilt your head back! Please consult your doctor.
The order in which the exercises are performed does not matter. The action set and the number of repetitions are selected individually. As you stretch your neck, don't forget about your chest. They are closely related. It is recommended that you try to bring your shoulder blades together from time to time. You may hear a crunch.
Don't be afraid - these are the vortices in place. After that, you can usually feel relief. To relieve tension in the trapezius, you should raise your shoulders as much as possible and then lower them vigorously as low as possible. Actions are carried out several times. Then move your shoulders and shake your hands.
medication
Different types of drugs are used for cervical osteochondrosis. These medicines are used during times when the disease is worsening. You are supposed to solve a number of tasks:
- Elimination of pain;
- Fight inflammation;
- Strengthening the metabolic processes in the affected tissues.
Medicines are also used, including hormonal and vitamin supplements, that stimulate the restoration of cartilage tissue.
Other methods of dealing with pain
In addition to exercise therapy and drugs, the following methods of action are included in the complex of measures to eliminate the manifestations of osteochondrosis of the neck zone.
- Increase in intervertebral spaces due to stretching of the spine. A metered load applies here. The effects are carried out in a number of ways, including the use of special tables. With this measure, you can return the spine to its previous length, give it the correct shape, and release pinched nerves. Some patients desperate for an effective way to get rid of chronic pain turn to bone setters. This is where the spine is attacked. This method can be helpful if a professional with medical training is involved.
- The massage also gives good results. This procedure helps to distribute the blood, improve the nutrition and gas exchange of the cartilage tissue, relieve tension and muscle cramping, and relieve pain. If possible, you should also resort to self-massage. However, you need to act competently after giving the appropriate instructions. You can massage your neck, shoulders, scalp, arms and collar area yourself. Rubbing, kneading, light pressure is applied. Acupressure massage is effective when the impact is on the active points of the body. However, this requires special knowledge and considerable experience. Hence, only a professional chiropractor should be consulted.
- Various means are used in physiotherapy: magnetic field, laser, ultrasound, low-frequency current. Medicines are often used here. This method of their introduction has a local effect, increases its effectiveness and avoids a number of side effects. Physical interventions help fight pain, inflammation, accelerate post-traumatic and post-operative rehabilitation.
- Like manual therapy, acupuncture promotes or inhibits various processes in the body by acting on the so-called biologically active points of the body. Reflexology allows you to correct your metabolism, increase blood circulation, and relieve pain. Despite its effectiveness, this method is not suitable for everyone due to the use of needles that some patients categorically do not accept.
The greatest efficiency of these measures is achieved when they are used in a single complex under medical supervision. The success of the therapy depends to a large extent on the patient's commitment and desire to deal with osteochondrosis.