Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease caused by the overgrowth of bone tissue on both sides of the vertebrae, which results in trauma to adjacent muscles, ligaments, nerves, and membranes of the spinal cord. These disorders most often lead to pain in the neck or other parts of the body and can also cause herniated discs to protrude.
The appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be caused by a prolonged stay in a static position, as well as constantly repetitive head movements of the same type.
The most pronounced manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are frequent headaches and dizziness, blurred vision, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, weakened voice, hoarseness, snoring, poor coordination of movements, deterioration of the teeth, numbness or a feeling of cold in the fingers, pain in the scalp, pain in the neck, throat.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the cervico-thoracic spine occurs due to destructive changes in cartilage tissue. This process can be due to several reasons:
- genetic predisposition to this disease;
- overweight;
- injuries to the spine (fractures, bruises);
- intoxication, infection, metabolic disorders in the body;
- deficiency of vitamins, microelements and body fluids;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- curvature of the spine, poor posture;
- flat feet;
- instability of the segments of the spine;
- hypothermia;
- work associated with frequent changes in body position, lifting heavy objects, excessive physical exertion;
- stress, nervous tension.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis depend directly on the target. In this regard, a group of syndromes accompanying this disease is distinguished.
Root
Radicular syndrome occurs when the nerve roots are compressed in the cervical spine (pinched nerve). It is also called cervical radiculitis. The pain that occurs in the neck is transmitted downwards and can extend to the scapula and even the outer part of the forearm to the fingers. Among the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, in some cases, there is tingling of the forearm, hand or fingers, grazing, the effect of goosebumps.
Irriate-reflex
In case of reflex-reflex syndrome, symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include a sharp burn in the neck or occiput, which occurs during movement after a static state (with sudden turns of the head, when sneezing, after sleep). The pain can radiate to the shoulder and chest.
Cardiac
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. 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 captures the eyebrow region, occiput, temple, darkening. The pain, as a rule, practically does not stop and only in some cases has a paroxysmal character. Increased pain occurs with movement or after prolonged stay in an awkward position.
There is a possibility of hearing and visual disturbances (decreased hearing and visual acuity, tinnitus, vestibular disturbances, eye pain). Against the background of a general weakness of the body, nausea or loss of consciousness is possible.
To summarize the above, we can distinguish a number of the most characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- constant neck pain extending to shoulder girdle, ears and eyes, back of head and does not stop even at night;
- pain in hands, forearm, shoulder, worse even with light load;
- weakened muscle strength and decreased sensitivity of hands, hands, fingers, as well as difficulty in their movements;
- pain in the neck when turning and tilting the head;
- tightness of the neck muscles, sensation of lying down in the morning;
- burning, numbness, tingling in the legs or arms;
- extensive headache with primary localization in the occiput;
- darkening of the eyes, tinnitus, numbness of the tongue, dizziness, with sudden head turning - fainting,
- decreased visual acuity and hearing;
- proliferation of connective tissue in the cervical spine;
- pain in the region of the heart.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home
The effectiveness of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the timeliness of the started therapeutic procedures aimed at relieving pain and neutralizing inflammatory processes. The processing activities take place in three stages:
- neutralization of pain;
- activation of blood supply and metabolic processes in affected areas of the spine;
- physiotherapy and manual techniques.
In the period of 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 movement segment of thespine, the patient is prescribed:
- paravertebral blockage by local administration of drugs;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antispasmodics;
- ointments and gels.
To improve blood circulation in the spine, a patient with cervical osteochondrosis is prescribed drugs to improve blood microcirculation, vitamin complexes and nicotinic acid.
Pain relievers can only relieve symptoms, but do not fight the breakdown of intervertebral discs. Regular activity and properly selected exercise therapy complexes are the only correct decision at any stage of the disease.
Catch-up gymnastics
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is performed only during periods of remission, avoiding significant straining and pain.
A set of exercises to improve the mobility of the cervical vertebrae, as well as the flexibility of the neck muscles.
Repeat each exercise 5 to 10 times.
- Exercise 1. While sitting or standing with the arms lowered to the sides and the back flat, smooth head turns are made alternately to the extreme left and right sides, keeping the chin strictly at the top. above the shoulder.
- Exercise 2. The starting position is the same. The head is tilted down until the chin touches the notch in the chest. The back neck muscles should be relaxed as much as possible. The head can be lowered even lower with elastic movements.
- Exercise 3. The starting position is the same. The neck is pulled back, while the chin is pulled and the head is held straight.
When the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine subsides and on the recommendation of the attending physician, manual treatment is carried out, including massage of the areas damaged by the disease.
Massage for cervico-thoracic osteochondrosis
Before starting the massage procedure, it is necessary to prepare the patient's back by intensive caressing on the surface for 2-3 minutes. The direction of the caress goes from the lower edge of the shoulder blades to the neck, then from the neck to the shoulder girdle. The last moment of the warm-up is to knead and shake alternately on the right and left sides.
Begin the massage, as a rule, from the back, alternating stroking, 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 to the back. In the absence of pain in the spine, compression with the fingertips is carried out very carefully along several lines.
The massage of the major pectoral muscles is performed in the supine position. In this case, we use caresses, pressures, kneading.
The seated massage is performed on a special massage chair. At the same time, the head is tilted forward and the neck muscles are relaxed as much as possible. The massage begins from the occipital bone, directing all movements to the back.