Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease caused by the proliferation of bone tissue on both sides of the vertebrae, which entails trauma to the adjacent muscles, ligaments, nerves, and spinal cord membranes. 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.
The appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be caused by prolonged stay in static positions, as well as by 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, weakening of the voice, hoarseness, snoring, impaired coordination of movements, deterioration of the teeth, numbness or coldness of the fingers, scalp soreness, painin 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 a number of 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 segments of the spinal column;
- hypothermia;
- work associated with frequent changes in body position, heavy lifting, excessive physical exertion;
- stress, nervous strain.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis directly depend on the target. In this regard, a group of syndromes accompanying this disease is distinguished.
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 downward and can go down to the scapula and even to the outer part of the forearm to the fingers of the hand. Among the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, in some cases, there is tingling of the forearm, hand or fingers, pastiness, the effect of running goosebumps.
Irriate-reflex
In case of reflex-reflex syndrome, symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include acute burning pain in the neck or occiput, which occurs when moving after a static state (with sudden turns of the head, when sneezing, after sleeping). The pain may 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 such a symptom as a throbbing or burning headache, which most often captures the superciliary region, occiput, temple, darkening. The pain, as a rule, practically does not stop, and only in some cases is it paroxysmal. Increased pain occurs with movement or after prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position.
There is a possibility of hearing and visual impairments (decreased hearing and visual acuity, tinnitus, vestibular disorders, eye pain). Against the background of general weakness of the body, nausea or loss of consciousness is possible.
Summing up the above, we can distinguish a number of symptoms most characteristic of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- constant pain in the neck, extending to the shoulder girdle, ears and eyes, the back of the head and does not stop even at night;
- pain in the hands, forearm, shoulder, worsening even with a slight load;
- weakening of 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;
- tension of the muscles of the neck, feeling of lying back 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 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 effectiveness of cervical osteochondrosis treatment depends on the timeliness of the started therapeutic procedures aimed at relieving pain and neutralizing inflammatory processes. Treatment activities are carried out in three stages:
- pain neutralization;
- activation of 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 pain syndrome and relieve muscle tension in the area of the spinal motion segment, the patient is prescribed:
- paravertebral blockade 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 drugs to improve blood microcirculation, vitamin complexes and nicotinic acid.
Pain medications can only relieve symptoms, but do not fight intervertebral disc degradation. Regular activity and correctly selected exercise therapy complexes are the only correct decision at any stage of the disease.
Remedial gymnastics
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is carried out only during periods of remission, avoiding significant efforts 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 arms lowered along the body and a flat back, alternate smooth head turns to the extreme left and right sides are made, 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 chest notch. The back muscles of the neck should be relaxed as much as possible. The head can be lowered even lower with springy 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 subsides 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 by intensive superficial stroking for 2-3 minutes. The direction of stroking is from the lower border of the shoulder blades up to the neck, and then from the neck to the shoulder girdle. The final moment of the warm-up is kneading and shaking alternately on the right and left sides.
Start the massage, as a rule, from the back, successively alternating stroking, squeezing and kneading. First, the area of the shoulder blades is massaged, gradually moving to the shoulder girdle. Neck massage starts from the scalp, going down to the back. In the absence of pain in the spine, squeezing with the fingertips is performed very carefully along several lines.
Massage of the pectoralis major muscles is performed in the supine position. In this case, stroking, 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 to the back.