Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease caused by the proliferation of bone tissue on both sides of the vertebrae, resulting in trauma to the adjacent muscles, ligaments, nerves, and membranes of the spinal cord. These disorders most often cause pain in the neck or other parts of the body and can also cause spinal disc herniations to bulge.
The appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be caused by prolonged stay in static positions, as well as by constantly repetitive movements of the same type of head.
The most pronounced manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are frequent headaches and dizziness, blurred vision, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, weakening of the voice, hoarseness, snoring, impaired coordination of movements, impairedteeth, numbness or coldness of the fingers, pain in the scalp, pain in the neck, throat.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine occurs due to destructive changes in the cartilage tissue. This process can be due to several reasons:
- genetic predisposition to this disease;
- overweight;
- spinal injuries (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 spinal segments;
- hypothermia;
- work associated with frequent changes in body position, lifting heavy objects, excessive physical exertion;
- stress, nervous tension.
Symptoms
The symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis depend directly on the objective. In this sense, a group of syndromes that accompany this disease is distinguished.
Radicular
Root syndrome occurs when nerve roots are compressed in the cervical spine (pinched nerve). Also called cervical radiculitis. Pain that occurs in the neck is transmitted downward and can go down to the scapula 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, pastiness, the effect of running goose bumps.
Irritation-reflex
In case of reflex-reflex syndrome, symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include sharp burning pain in the neck or occiput, which occurs when moving after a static state (with sudden head turning, sneezing, After sleeping). 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 stabbing or burning headache, most often capturing the superciliary region, occiput, temple, and darkening. The pain, as a rule, practically does not stop, and only in some cases it has a paroxysmal character. Pain increases with movement or after prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position.
There is the possibility of hearing and visual impairments (decreased hearing and visual acuity, tinnitus, vestibular disorders, eye pain). Against the background of the general weakness of the body, nausea or loss of consciousness may occur.
Summarizing the above, we can distinguish a series of more characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- constant pain in the neck, spreading to the shoulder girdle, the area of the ears and eyes, the back of the head and does not stop even at night;
- pain in the hands, forearm, shoulder, which worsens even with light load;
- weakening of muscle strength and decreased sensitivity of hands, hands, fingers, as well as difficulty in their movements;
- pain in neck when turning and tilting head;
- neck muscle tension, feeling of lying down in the morning;
- burning, numbness, tingling in the legs or arms;
- extensive headache with primary location in the occiput;
- 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 region of the heart.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home
The efficacy of cervical osteochondrosis treatment depends on the timeliness of the therapeutic procedures initiated aimed at relieving pain and neutralizing inflammatory processes. Treatment activities are carried out in three stages:
- pain neutralization;
- activation of the blood supply and metabolic processes in the 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, to stop the pain syndrome and relieve muscle tension in the area of the spinal movement segment, the patient is prescribed:
- paravertebral block by local drug administration;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antispasmodic drugs;
- 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 alleviate symptoms, but they do not fight breakdown of the intervertebral discs. Regular activity and correctly selected exercise therapy complexes are the only right decision at any stage of the disease.
Recovery gymnastics
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is carried out only during periods of remission, avoiding significant exertion 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. In a sitting or standing position with the arms lowered along the body and the back flat, alternate gentle turns of the head are performed to the extreme left and right sides, keeping the chin strictlyover the shoulder.
- Exercise 2. The starting position is the same. The head is tilted downward until the chin touches the notch in the chest. The back muscles of the neck should be as relaxed as possible. The head can be lowered further with elastic movements.
- Exercise 3. The starting position is the same. The neck is pulled back, while the chin is pulled in and the head is kept straight.
When the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine fades 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 the start of the massage procedure, it is necessary to prepare the patient's back using intensive superficial strokes for 2-3 minutes. The direction of the stroke is from the lower edge of the shoulder blades to the neck, and then from the neck to the shoulder girdle. The final moment of heating is to knead and shake alternately on the right and left side.
Begin the massage, as a rule, from the back, alternating stroking, squeezing and kneading. First, the shoulder blade area is massaged, gradually moving towards the shoulder girdle. The neck massage starts from the scalp, working down towards the back. In the absence of pain in the spine, pressure with the fingertips is carried out very carefully along several lines.
The pectoralis major muscles are massaged in the supine position. In this case, stroking, squeezing, kneading are used.
The seated massage is performed in 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 towards the back.