Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease caused by the proliferation of bone tissue on both sides of the vertebrae, which results in trauma to adjacent muscles, ligaments, nerves and spinal membranes. These disorders most often lead to pain in the neck or other parts of the body, and can also cause a protrusion of the herniated disc.
Occurrence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be caused by prolonged stay in static positions, as well as by repeated movements of the head of the same type.
The most common manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are frequent headaches and dizziness, blurred vision, hearing loss, tinnitus, weakening of the voice, hoarse voice, snoring, impaired coordination of movements, deterioration of teeth, tingling or numbness. , soreness of the scalp, sore neck, throat.
Causes
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 injuries (fractures, bruises);
- intoxication, infection, metabolic disorders in the body;
- deficiency of vitamins, trace elements and body fluids;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- curvature of the spine, poor posture;
- flatfoot;
- instability of segments of the spine;
- hypothermia;
- work associated with frequent changes in body position, heavy lifting, excessive exercise;
- stress, nervous tension.
Symptoms
The symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis directly depend on the purpose. In this regard, a group of syndromes accompanying this disease is distinguished.
Radical
Radicular syndrome occurs when nerve roots are compressed in the cervical spine (nerve pinched). It is also called cervical radiculitis. The pain that occurs in the neck is transmitted downwards and can go down to the shoulder blade and even to the outside of the forearm to the fingers. Among the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, in some cases there is tingling in the forearm, hand or fingers, pasty, the effect of leaking goose bumps.
Irritation reflex
In the case of reflex syndrome, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include acute burning pain in the neck or nape of the neck, which occurs when moving after a static state (sudden rotation of the head, sneezing, after sleep). The pain can radiate to the shoulder and chest.
Heart
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in this syndrome largely coincide with the symptoms of angina pectoris. In this case, it is very important not to make a mistake in the diagnosis. In 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 sudden dizziness. Tachycardia and extrasystoles often occur against the background of the complete absence of signs of circulatory disorders.
Spinal artery syndrome
In this case, cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by such a symptom as a throbbing or burning headache, which most often captures the adrenal area, occiput, temple, darkening. The pain, as a rule, practically does not stop and only in some cases is paroxysmal. Increased pain occurs when moving or after a long stay in an awkward position.
There is a possibility of hearing and visual impairment (reduced 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 symptoms most characteristic of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- constant pain in the neck, spreading to the shoulder girdle, ear and eye area, nape and does not stop even at night;
- pain in the hands, forearms, shoulders, worsening even with light exertion;
- weakening of muscle strength and decreased sensitivity of the hands, arms, fingers, as well as difficulty in their movements;
- neck pain when turning and tilting the head;
- tension in the muscles of the neck, a feeling of relaxation in the morning;
- burning, tingling, numbness in the legs or arms;
- extensive headache with primary localization in the nape;
- 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.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home
The effectiveness of the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the timeliness of the started therapeutic procedures aimed at relieving the pain and neutralizing the inflammatory processes. The healing activities are performed in three stages:- pain neutralization;
- activation of the blood supply and metabolic processes in the affected areas of the spine;
- physiotherapy and manual techniques.
During the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which is accompanied by severe pain, to stop the pain syndrome and relieve muscle tension in the spinal segment of the movement, the patient is prescribed:
- paravertebral blockade from topical administration of drugs; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antispasmodics;
- ointments and gels.
To improve blood circulation in the spine of a patient with cervical osteochondrosis, drugs are prescribed to improve blood microcirculation, vitamin complexes and nicotinic acid.
Pain medications can only relieve symptoms, but they do not fight the breakdown of intervertebral discs. Regular activity and properly selected exercise complexes are the only right solution at each stage of the disease.
Therapeutic gymnastics
Exercises for cervical osteochondrosis are performed only during periods of remission, avoiding significant effort and pain.
A set of exercises to improve the mobility of the cervical spine, as well as the flexibility of the neck muscles.
Repeat each exercise 5 to 10 times.
- Exercise 1. In a sitting or standing position with arms lowered over the body and flat back, alternate smooth rotations of the head in the extreme left and right sides, keeping the chin strictly above the shoulder.
- Exercise 2. The starting position is the same. The head is tilted down until the chin touches the chest. The muscles in the back 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 out and the head is kept straight.
When the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine subsides and on the recommendation of the attending physician, a course of manual therapy is carried out, including massage of the areas damaged by the disease.
Massage for cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
Before starting the massage procedure, it is necessary to prepare the patient's back by intensively stroking the surface for 2-3 minutes. The direction of stroking is from the lower border of the shoulder blades to the neck, and then from the neck to the shoulder girdle. The final moment of the warm-up is kneading and shaking alternately on the right and left side.
Start the massage, as a rule, from the back, alternating stroking, squeezing and kneading. First, massage the shoulder area, gradually moving to the shoulder girdle. The neck massage starts from the scalp, going down to the back. In the absence of pain in the spine, squeezing with your fingertips is done very carefully in several lines.
The massage of the large pectoral muscles is performed in a supine position. In this case, stroking, squeezing, kneading are used.
The sitting massage is performed on a special massage chair. At the same time, the head is tilted forward and the neck muscles are maximally relaxed. The massage starts from the occipital bone, directing all movements down to the back.