Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative dystrophic disease caused by the proliferation of bone tissue on both sides of the vertebrae, which causes trauma to the adjacent muscles, ligaments, nerves and membranes of the spinal cord. These disorders often cause pain in the neck or other parts of the body and can also cause protrusion of spinal discs with a hernia.
The appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be caused by prolonged stay in static positions, as well as by repeated repetitive movements of the head 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, impaired movement coordination, tooth decay, numbness or coldness of the teeth. fingers, pain in the scalp, neck pain, throat.
Causes of the occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine occurs due to destructive changes in cartilage tissue. This process can be due to several reasons:
- genetic predisposition for 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, weight lifting, excessive physical effort;
- stress, nervous tension.
Symptoms
The symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis directly depend on the target. In this regard, a group of syndromes that accompany this disease is distinguished.
Root
Root syndrome occurs when nerve roots are compressed in the cervical spine (compressed nerve). It is also called cervical radiculitis. The pain that occurs in the neck is transmitted downwards and can go down to the scapula and 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, pastyness, chilling effect.
Irriate-reflex
In the case of reflex-reflex syndrome, symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis can include sharp burning pain in the neck or occipital region, which occurs when moving after a static state (with sudden head turns, when sneezing, after sleeping). 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. In cardinal syndrome, the nature of the pain is paroxysmal and prolonged (up to several hours). The increase in pain occurs with sudden movements caused by coughing, sneezing and a sudden turn of the head. Tachycardia and extrasystoles frequently appear in the context 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 superciliary, occipital, temple, and darkening region. Pain, as a rule, practically does not stop, and only in some cases has a paroxysmal character. The increase in pain occurs with movement or after an extended stay in an uncomfortable position.
There is a possibility of hearing and visual impairment (decreased hearing and visual acuity, tinnitus, vestibular disorders, eye pain). In a context of general weakness of the body, nausea or loss of consciousness is possible.
Summarizing what was said above, we can distinguish a series of symptoms more characteristic of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- constant pain in the neck, extending to the shoulder girdle, ears and eyes, back of the head and does not stop even at night;
- pain in hands, forearm, shoulder, worsening even with a light load;
- weakening of muscle strength and decreased sensitivity of the hands, hands, fingers, as well as difficulty in their movements;
- pain in the neck when turning and tilting the head;
- tension in the neck muscles, feeling of lying on your back in the morning;
- burning, numbness, tingling in the legs or arms;
- extensive headache with primary location in the occiput;
- blackening of the eyes, tinnitus, numbness of the tongue, dizziness, fainting with a sudden turn of the head,
- decreased visual and auditory acuity;
- proliferation of connective tissue in the cervical spine;
- pain in the heart region.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home
The effectiveness of the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the opportunity of therapeutic procedures initiated with the aim of relieving pain and neutralizing inflammatory processes. Treatment activities are carried out in three stages:
- neutralization of pain
- ;
- 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, in order to stop the painful syndrome and relieve muscle tension in the area of the spine's movement segment, the patient is prescribed:
- paravertebral block by local administration of drugs;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antispasmodics;
- ointments and gels.
To improve blood circulation in the spine, a patient with cervical osteochondrosis is prescribed medications to improve blood microcirculation, vitamin complexes and nicotinic acid.
Pain medications can only relieve symptoms, but they do not combat the degradation of intervertebral discs. Regular activity and correctly selected exercise therapy complexes are the only correct decision at any stage of the disease.
Corrective Gymnastics
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is performed only during periods of remission, avoiding significant strain 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 your arms lowered by your sides and your back straight, smooth alternating turns of the head to the right and left sides are done, 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 slit in the chest. The muscles in the back of the neck should be relaxed as much 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 inward and the head is kept straight.
When the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine ceases and at the recommendation of the attending physician, a course in manual therapy is carried out, including massage in the areas injured by the disease.
Massage for cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
Before starting the massage procedure, it is necessary to prepare the patient's back with intensive movements on the surface for 2-3 minutes. The direction of touch 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 from the right and left side.
Start the massage, as a rule, from the back, alternating caresses, squeezes and kneading. First, the shoulder blade area is massaged, gradually moving to the shoulder girdle. The neck massage starts on the scalp and goes down to the back. In the absence of back pain, finger-tightening is performed very carefully along several lines.
The massage of the pectoralis major muscles is performed in the supine position. In this case, they are used to caress, squeeze, knead.
The seated massage is performed in a special massage chair. At the same time, the head is tilted forward and the neck muscles relaxed as much as possible. The massage begins on the occipital bone, directing all movements to the back.