Osteochondrosis is understood as a degenerative disease of the intervertebral cartilage layers. Today, this problem has taken on global proportions.
In Europe alone, about 60% of adults suffer from cervical osteochondrosis. Doctors associate this fact with the static nature of people, their low mobility and inactive work.
If not so long ago this disease developed around the age of fifty, now it is impossible not to notice that the disease has significantly rejuvenated - the average age threshold here has dropped to 24 years.
But more and more often 18-year-olds come to hospitals with this problem. Speaking of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the symptoms and treatment cannot be ignored, as these issues are of interest to many.
How did osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develop - causes and first signs?
It is well known that the spinal column consists of bony vertebrae, between which there are cartilaginous "cushions" - intervertebral discs. Due to the weakened blood flow and poor nutrition, the cartilage tissue does not receive the complex of nutrients here. This leads to changes in the structure of cartilage, their deformation and shrinkage. They gradually lose their former elasticity, they become less durable.
As the shock-absorbing intervertebral layers dry out, the vertebrae press against each other. As a result, nerve endings and bloodlines are squeezed out, which causes muscle pain and numbness, migraines and numerous other symptoms. Over time, the cartilaginous tissue is destroyed, turning into fibrous tissue. Gradually, adjacent vessels, nerve fibers and bone structures become involved in this pathological process.
The main factors in the development of cervical osteochondrosis
The main reason for the development of osteochondrotic pathologies is considered to be degenerative-dystrophic changes. There are a number of factors that contribute to this. Consider the main reasons for the occurrence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Congenital predisposition.
- Body aging.
- Disorders in metabolic processes.
- Overweight, obesity.
- Dietary errors - lack of mineral compounds and systemic lack of fluid.
- Traumatic injury.
- Weakened skeletal muscles, poor posture, flat feet.
- Physical inactivity, sedentary work.
- Physical overload, the specifics of the profession, when you have to work in an uncomfortable position, put jerky efforts into the muscles.
- End of sports career and related interruption / reduction of energy loads.
- Psychoemotional stress.
- Nicotine addiction.
- Occurrence of tumor structures.
It should be noted that the causes of pathological chondrotic changes in the cervical spine have not been sufficiently studied to date. But it is reliably known that a longer stay in a standing or sitting position without much movement, an overly soft bed, untrained muscles of the back and girdle of the upper extremities, and inadequate nutrition create an ideal combination for the development of cervical osteochondrosis.
Disease development
Osteochondrosis does not appear suddenly. They developed gradually over a fairly long period of time - from a few years to a decade. Initial dystrophic changes in the vertebral layers are not shown in any way. They can be accidentally detected on X-ray or during a CT scan.
In the next stage of disease development, a decrease in the thickness of the cartilage layer is observed. Microscopic cracks appear on the intervertebral cartilage. Numbness of certain areas of the muscle may occur. Over time, a bulge develops, hernias are possible. The patient suffers from headache and muscle aches.
In the last phase of the disease progression, the bone tissue grows pathologically, the nerve endings are damaged and the chronic pain syndrome develops. Due to cervical osteochondrosis, curvature of the upper part of the spine, sciatica, stenosis (narrowing of the lumen of the spinal canal) can occur.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - symptoms and treatment
We examined the first signs of osteochondrosis, and now let’s talk directly about the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
Symptoms
Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Numbness and muscle spasm in the neck, shoulders and upper back.
- Feelings of withdrawal, pain in the back and cervical region.
- Painful sensations can be given with the hands.
- Headaches, especially in the occipital region, migraines.
- Dizziness, tinnitus, visual abnormalities (defocusing, appearance of "flies" and colored spots).
- Regular numbness of the fingers on the upper extremities.
- Stiffness in head movements, restriction of turning and tilting, all accompanied by feelings of pain and pulling.
- Pain on palpation of the spinal zone.
- Tendency to increase blood pressure.
Impaired coordination of movements can occur due to muscle weakness. In the presence of heart problems, they can get worse due to a spinal artery spasm. The pain may extend to the sternum and retrosternal space.
As you can see, the symptoms are different. This leads to the fact that people, recognizing certain deviations in themselves, seek help from the wrong specialist (cardiologist, orthopedist, traumatologist). This complicates the diagnosis and timely detection of cervical osteochondrosis.
Which doctor to see for osteochondrosis?
If a complex of the described symptoms of osteochondrosis appears, seek medical help immediately. You need to make an appointment with a therapist or neurologist. After the initial clarification of the clinical picture as a result of the survey, examination of the patient and palpation of the affected area, the doctor will give a referral for examinations and prescribe additional examination.
You may need to go through:
- X-ray.
- Computed tomography.
- MRI.
- Electromyography.
Radiography will help determine the location of the lesion and the degree of neglect of the disease. Tomographic examination will help to assess the condition of adjacent tissues, and myography - the conductivity of muscle fibers and their innervation. All this will enable the correct diagnosis and delineation of an effective treatment regimen. The process will be long, it will require patience and work on yourself.
It will not be possible to completely restore cartilage structures, but significantly improving the quality of life and resolving chronic pain is a completely feasible task. You will need to return to the examinations multiple times.
Finally, it will be necessary to monitor the course of the disease, adjust the treatment program, anticipate possible complications or improvements. Therefore, even if the pain has receded, this is not a reason to refuse repeated diagnostic measures.
How to deal with osteochondrosis of the neck?
In order to get rid of the disease, you need to use a variety of different methods. In most cases, active treatment lasts several months. But here a lot depends on the patient’s enthusiasm, conscientiousness and willpower. In some cases, surgery is needed. You must adhere to the following principles at the beginning of treatment.
- Medical advice should undoubtedly be followed. All changes in the condition and side effects should be reported to the attending physician.
- You need to learn how to dose the load, avoid excessive muscle activity and muscle strain of the cervical spine.
- It is necessary to give up sports overload and, if necessary, change jobs.
- Physiotherapy exercises are a prerequisite. They should be carried out systematically, preferably on a daily basis. Special gymnastics for the neck should be chosen individually, taking into account the patient's capabilities and the degree of neglect of the disease. The set of exercises is performed under the guidance of an instructor.
- The use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs should be justified and strictly dosed. All medications, especially hormonal ones, are prescribed by a doctor.
- Maintaining an anatomically correct body position is important. Even in a dream. Therefore, the mattress must be strong enough. In the case of orthopedic pillows, they are determined by the method of direct installation.
- If necessary, you should sit for a long time regularly, with an interval of several hours, spend a short warm-up of the door. It is desirable to get up at the same time, although a sitting position is also allowed.
Why do you need to warm up?
This simple method will allow you to:
- restore normal blood flow;
- stretching of stiff muscles;
- get rid of feelings of numbness, tingling, pulling;
- relieve muscle tension;
- prevent muscle spasms and muscle groups;
- avoid overloading the cervical spine.
All exercises are as simple as possible. They have been known to everyone since childhood and do not take up much time. A few minutes will suffice. They can be performed at home and at work. Are you ashamed of the attitudes of tactless employees?
Go to the stairs or to the toilet. You may even be able to exercise discreetly in transport, avoiding unnecessary attention. All exercises should be performed with the back straight. It is recommended to spread the shoulders and slightly protrude the chest. Make the maximum allowable head turns to the hips.
Act carefully and without fanaticism so as not to harm the weakened spine. Then alternately lower your head to one or the other shoulder several times. You can now perform several rotational movements - 10-15 in each direction.
Another good exercise. Stretch your spine as much as possible, as if you were hanging by the top of your head. Now slowly tilt your head forward, trying to press the edge of your chin to your chest. Then you need to slowly and very carefully perform the opposite action. In case of some damage, you cannot tilt your head back! Please consult your doctor.
The order in which the exercises are performed is not important. The set of actions and the number of repetitions are selected individually. Stretching your neck, don’t forget your chest. They are closely connected. It is recommended to try to connect the blades from time to time. You may hear a crunchy sound.
Fear not - these are the vertebrae in place. After that, relief is usually felt. To relieve tension in the trapezius muscle, you should raise your shoulders as high as possible and then force them down as low as possible. Actions are performed several times. Then move your shoulders and shake hands.
Medications
Several types of medication are used for cervical osteochondrosis. These drugs are used in periods of disease exacerbation. They are intended for solving numerous tasks:
- pain relief;
- fight against inflammation;
- strengthening metabolic processes in affected tissues.
Also, medications are used, including hormonal and vitamin preparations, which stimulate the renewal of cartilage tissue.
Other methods of coping with pain
In addition to exercise therapy and medication, the following methods of action are included in the complex of measures to eliminate the manifestations of osteochondrosis of the cervical zone.
- Enlargement of the intervertebral spaces due to stretching of the spine. A dosed load is applicable for this. The impact is done in a variety of ways, including the use of special tables. This measure allows you to return the spine to its previous length, giving it a proper shape and releasing pinched nerves. Some patients, desperately looking for an effective way to get rid of chronic pain, turn to bone fitters. The spine is attacked here. This method can help, provided a medical professional is involved.
- Massage also gives good results. This procedure helps to dilate the blood, improves nutrition and gas exchange of cartilage tissue, relieves tension and muscle contractions, and relieves pain. If possible, you should also resort to self-massage. But you must behave competently, after you have passed the appropriate instructions. You can massage your neck, shoulders, scalp, arms and collar yourself. Rubbing, kneading, light pressure are used. Acupressure massage is effective when the active points of the body are affected. But this requires special knowledge and considerable experience. Therefore, only a professional chiropractor should be consulted.
- Physiotherapy includes the use of various means: magnetic field, laser, ultrasound, low frequency current. Medications are often used here. This method of their introduction has a local effect, increases their efficiency and avoids numerous side effects. Physical procedures help fight pain, inflammation, accelerate post-traumatic and postoperative rehabilitation.
- Acupuncture, like manual therapy, intensifies or inhibits various processes in the body by acting on so-called biologically active points on the body. Reflexology allows you to correct your metabolism, increase blood flow, and relieve pain. But despite its effectiveness, this method is not suitable for everyone, as it involves the use of needles, which some patients categorically do not accept.
The greatest efficiency of these measures is achieved when they are used in one complex under medical supervision. The success of therapy largely depends on the patient’s commitment and desire to cope with osteochondrosis.