Osteochondrosis of the neck is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the cervical spine, which is 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 prone to degenerative changes in the cartilage, the first manifestations of the disease are observed during the school years.In fact, today this disease is significantly younger, so it is much more often diagnosed 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 point to genetic predisposition, sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, intense physical load on the spine, excess weight and abnormal development of the bone system.
It is known that osteochondrosis of the neck differs from other types of diseases (thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis) in its clinical manifestations.This can be easily explained by the structural features of the cervical spine and its assigned functions.
Regardless of the degree of neglect of the pathological process, its spread and localization, it cannot be neglected by specialists.It is important to understand that over time the disease will only progress and at some point lead to irreparable consequences.Therefore, you should not hope for chance or try to treat the problem yourself, but when the first signs of osteochondrosis of the neck appear, immediately seek qualified help from professionals.
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 cervical osteochondrosis differs in clinical appearance from variants of the disease in the thoracic and lumbar regions.Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by very severe pain, disturbances of normal blood circulation in the cervical vessels and pinching of the nerve bundles.
Among the main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- severe pain in the neck and back of the head, widespread headache, pain in the upper part of the shoulder girdle and arms;
- muscle weakness or loss of sensation in the upper limbs;
- the appearance of a crisis when turning the head;
- complex movements of the head to the side;
- frequent dizziness, lightheadedness, general weakness that occurs when the vessels of the neck that supply the brain are compressed;
- impaired memory and coordination, hearing problems and the like.
During its development, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine passes through several stages, each of which has its own characteristics and is characterized by a set of specific clinical signs:
- Stage 1 - the beginning of degenerative-dystrophic degeneration of the osteochondral tissue of the cervical spine, which is accompanied by slight changes in the patient's health (such patients may experience: periodic weakness, dizziness, short-term headaches);
- 2nd stage - thinning and cracking of the intervertebral discs occurs, which is clinically manifested by the development of constant pain, severe weakness, fatigue and numbness in various parts of the face, neck and upper limbs;
- Stage 3 - herniations of the intervertebral discs occur, which are accompanied by pain in the back of the head, serious problems with the normal blood supply to the tissues and seizures;
- Stage 4 - the bone tissue of the vertebrae begins to grow and presses on the nerve roots, which leads to a violation of their functioning, preservation of the pain syndrome and the appearance of severe stiffness in movements.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the spine can only be confirmed by a doctor during an 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 spread and the presence of complications.It is important to understand that the treatment of a disease such as cervical osteochondrosis must 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 vertebrae
Treatment of exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis should be comprehensive.In such therapeutic schemes, specialists can use both medical methods to alleviate the symptoms of the disease, as well as physiotherapeutic techniques, massage, physiotherapy and the like.
Regardless of the method of impact on the diseased spine, all methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine have several goals:
- elimination of the pain syndrome;
- restoration of lost sensitivity in various parts of the face and upper limbs;
- strengthening the muscles and ligaments that support the vertebrae;
- relief of local inflammation and reduction of tissue swelling;
- elimination of the consequences of pinched nerve roots;
- preventing the progression of the pathological process.
As drug therapy for osteochondrosis, doctors often prescribe to patients drugs from the group of analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, vitamins of group B, glucocorticoids and chondroprotectors.Therapeutic gymnastics and physical therapy can achieve good results in the treatment of the disease.
Surgical correction of disorders in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a measure of last resort, which is used in the absence of effect from 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.The set 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 consequences of the disease in the person.
Among the main clinical effects of therapeutic exercises, the following should be highlighted:
- strengthening the muscle corset of the back and the ligaments that hold the cervical vertebrae in the correct anatomical position;
- posture alignment;
- improving blood flow to soft tissues;
- normalization of innervation.
It is important to remember that one should not experience pain or discomfort while performing the exercises.Therapeutic exercises can be used for therapeutic purposes, as well as to prevent the development of osteochondrosis.
Benefits of massage
With osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, massage helps to increase the tone of the muscle layer and eliminate pain.Today, experienced massage therapists use various massage techniques in their practice, but the most effective for osteochondrosis are:
- stroking to stimulate the upper muscle layers, starting from the collar area, gradually moving to the collarbone and armpit area;
- friction, which helps improve blood flow and relieve tension;
- squeezing, as a method of affecting the deeper areas of the skin, is carried out by grasping tissue through the neck;
- kneading, which is an impact on the deep layers of the neck tissue and, if performed incorrectly, can harm the patient.
Only an experienced specialist should perform massage procedures.An illiterate approach to treatment can provoke an exacerbation of osteochondrosis in the patient and even the appearance of severe consequences.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures for osteochondrosis of the neck can be used both as monotherapy and in combination with other effective techniques.They can improve the condition of muscle tissue, remove local edema and calm irritated nerve fibers.The most common and popular physiotherapy methods for osteochondrosis today include balneotherapy, electrophoresis, UHF therapy, magnetic therapy, phonophoresis and acupuncture.
Manual therapy
With osteochondrosis of the neck, manual therapy has proven itself well, which is designed to normalize blood flow in the affected areas, relieve muscle spasms and relax the paracervical muscles.This method can significantly improve the clinical picture of the disease and prevent its exacerbations.In addition, manual tissue manipulation prevents the progression of the pathological process and prevents its complications.
Prevention
To prevent the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical vertebrae, doctors recommend following simple rules, in particular:
- lead an active lifestyle, regularly perform gymnastic exercises, visit the pool;
- give up bad habits;
- when working seated, take sufficient breaks to warm up;
- ensure a healthy and sound sleep on an orthopedic mattress with a good pillow.
When the first signs of the development of cervical osteochondrosis appear, you should not delay the visit to a specialist or self-medicate.It should be understood that only the timely provision of qualified help in the initial stages of the development of the disease helps to completely eliminate its unpleasant manifestations and prevent the progression of the process.