Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease caused by swelling of bone tissue on both sides of the spine, which involves traumatization of 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 protrusion of herniated spinal discs.
Occurrence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be caused by prolonged stay in static positions, as well as constant repetition of movements of the same type.
The most pronounced manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are frequent headaches and dizziness, blurred vision, hearing loss, tinnitus, weakening of the voice, hoarseness, snoring, impaired coordination of movements, tooth deterioration, numbness or coldness of the fingers, headache, neck pain.
Causes
Osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine occurs due to destructive changes in cartilage tissue. This procedure can be for several reasons:
- genetic predisposition to this disease;
- overweight;
- spinal injuries (fractures, bruises);
- intoxication, 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 segments;
- hypothermia;
- work associated with frequent changes in body position, heavy lifting, excessive physical exertion;
- stress, nervous tension.
Symptoms
The symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis are directly dependent on the target. In this regard, the group of syndromes that accompany this disease differs.
Radicular
Radicular syndrome occurs when 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 descend to the shoulder blade and even to the outer part of the forearm to the fingers. Among the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, in some cases there are tingling in the forearm, hands or fingers, pastiness, the effect of running a goose.
Iris reflex
In the case of reflex-reflex syndrome, 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 (with a sharp turn of the head, when sneezing, after sleeping). The pain can radiate to the shoulder and chest.
Cardiac
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in this syndrome generally 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 long-lasting (up to several hours). Increased pain occurs with sudden movements caused by coughing, sneezing and sudden turning of the head. The appearance of tachycardia and extrasystole is often observed in 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 pulsating or burning headache that most often affects the adrenal region, nape of the neck, temple, darkening. The pain, as a rule, practically does not cease, and is only in some cases paroxysmal. Increased pain occurs when moving or after a long stay in an uncomfortable position.
There is a possibility of hearing and vision impairment (decreased hearing and vision acuity, tinnitus, vestibular disorders, eye pain). Nausea or loss of consciousness is possible in the background of general weakness of the body.
Summarizing the above, we can distinguish a number of symptoms that are most characteristic of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- constant pain in the neck, extending to the shoulder girdle, ears and eyes, nape of the neck and not ceasing even at night;
- pain in the arms, forearm, shoulder, worsens even with a small load;
- weakening of muscle strength and decreased sensitivity of hands, arms, fingers, as well as difficulties in their movements;
- neck pain when turning and tilting the head;
- neck muscle tension, feeling of lying down in the morning;
- tingling, 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 a sharp turn of the head - fainting,
- decreased visual and hearing acuity;
- proliferation of connective tissue in the cervical spine;
- pain in the heart area.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home
The effectiveness of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the timeliness of initiated therapeutic procedures aimed at relieving pain and neutralizing inflammatory processes. Treatment activities are carried out in three phases:
- pain neutralization;
- activation of 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, accompanied by severe pain, in order to stop the pain syndrome and relieve muscle tension in the area of the spinal movement segment, the patient is prescribed:
- paravertebral blockade by topical drug administration;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antispasmodics;
- ointments and gels.
In order 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 medications can only relieve symptoms, but they do not fight the degradation of intervertebral discs. Regular activities and properly selected exercise therapy complexes are the only correct decision at any stage of the disease.
Rehabilitation gymnastics
Cervical osteochondrosis exercise therapy is performed only during the period 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 the arms lowered along the body and a straight back, alternate smooth turns of the head are made to the extreme left and right, keeping the chin strictly over the shoulders.
- Exercise 2. The starting position is the same. The head is tilted down until the chin touches the notch 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. The neck is pulled back, while the chin is pulled back and the head is kept straight.
When the worsening of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine fades, and on the recommendation of the doctor who is being treated, a course of manual therapy is carried out, including a 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 intensive surface smoothing for 2-3 minutes. The direction of caressing 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 warming up is alternating kneading and shaking on the right and left sides.
The massage is started, as a rule, from the back, successively stroking, kneading and kneading. The shoulder area is massaged first, gradually moving to the shoulder girdle. The neck massage starts from the scalp, descending towards the back. In the absence of pain in the spine, squeezing with the fingertips is performed very carefully in several lines.
Massage of the main chest muscles is performed in a supine position. In this case, caressing, squeezing, kneading are used.
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 towards the back.