Osteochondrosis is understood as a degenerative disease of the intervertebral cartilage layers. Today this problem has taken on a global scale.
In Europe alone, about 60% of adults suffer from cervical osteochondrosis. Doctors associate this with the static nature of people, their poor mobility and a sedentary type of 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 18-year-olds come to hospitals with this problem. Speaking of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the symptoms and treatment cannot be ignored, because these questions interest many.
How does osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develop: causes and first signs?
Everyone knows that the spine is made up of bony vertebrae, between which are cartilaginous "pillows" - intervertebral discs. Due to impaired blood flow and poor-quality nutrition, the cartilage tissue does not receive a complex of nutrients here. This leads to a change in the structure of the cartilage, their deformation and shrinkage. They gradually lose their former elasticity, become less resistant.
As the shock-absorbing intervertebral layers dry out, the vertebrae press on each other. As a result, nerve endings and blood lines are squeezed, which causes pain and numbness in the muscles, migraines, and a host of other symptoms. Over time, the cartilage tissue is destroyed, it turns into fibrous tissue. Gradually, adjacent vessels, nerve fibers and bone structures are 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 a degenerative-dystrophic change. There are a number of factors that contribute to this. Consider the main reasons for the appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Congenital predisposition.
- Aging of the body.
- Disruptions in metabolic processes.
- Overweight, obesity.
- Mistakes in the diet: lack of mineral compounds and systematic lack of fluids.
- 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, make jerky muscle efforts.
- End of a sports career and related termination / reduction of power loads.
- Psycho-emotional stress.
- Nicotine addiction.
- The appearance 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 long stay in a standing or sitting position without much movement, an excessively soft bed, untrained muscles of the back and upper limb girdle, and inadequate nutrition create an ideal combination for the development of osteochondrosiscervical.
Development of the disease
Osteochondrosis does not appear suddenly. It develops gradually over a fairly long time, from several years to decades. Initial dystrophic changes in the vertebral layers do not manifest themselves in any way. They can only be detected by chance on an x-ray or during a CT scan.
At the next stage of the development of the disease, a decrease in the thickness of the cartilage layer is observed. Microscopic cracks appear on the intervertebral cartilage. Numbness of some areas of the muscles may appear. Over time, a protrusion develops, hernias are possible. The patient suffers from headache and muscle aches.
In the last stage of the progression of the disease, bone tissue grows pathologically, nerve endings are damaged, and chronic pain syndrome develops. Due to cervical osteochondrosis, there may be a curvature of the upper spine, sciatica, stenosis (narrowing of the lumen of the spinal canal).
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - symptoms and treatment
We looked at the first signs of osteochondrosis, now let's talk directly about the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
Symptoms
For cervical osteochondrosis, the following symptoms are characteristic:
- Numbness and spasm of the muscles of the neck, shoulders and upper back.
- Sensations of traction, pain in the dorsal and cervical region.
- Painful sensations can be given to the hands.
- Headache, especially in the occipital region, migraines.
- Vertigo, tinnitus, visual abnormalities (blurring, the appearance of "flies" and colored spots).
- Regular numbness of the fingers of the upper limbs.
- Stiffness in the movements of the head, limitation of rotation and inclination, all accompanied by sensations of pain and traction.
- Pain on palpation of the vertebral area.
- Tendency to increase blood pressure.
Due to muscle weakness, there may be impaired coordination of movements. If you have heart problems, they can worsen due to spasm of the vertebral artery. Pain can spread to the breastbone and the retrosternal space.
As you can see, the symptoms are varied. This leads to the fact that people, identifying 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 should I contact for osteochondrosis?
If a complex of the described symptoms of osteochondrosis appears, you should immediately consult a doctor. 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 tests and prescribe an additional examination.
You may need to go through:
- X-ray.
- Computed tomography.
- Magnetic resonance.
- Electromyography.
X-ray will help determine the location of the lesions and the degree of neglect of the disease. Tomographic examination will help assess the state of adjacent tissues and myography - the conductivity of muscle fibers and their innervation. All this will allow to correctly diagnose and outline an effective treatment regimen. The process will be long, it will require patience and work on yourself.
It will not be possible to fully restore cartilage structures, but significantly improving the quality of life and getting rid of chronic pain is a completely feasible task. You will have to go back to exams more than once.
After all, it will be necessary to monitor the course of the disease, adapt the treatment program, predict possible complications or improvements. Therefore, even if the pain has decreased, this is not a reason to refuse to carry out repeated diagnostic measures.
How to deal with osteochondrosis of the neck?
In order for the disease to release, a whole range of different methods must be used. In most cases, active treatment takes several months. But here a lot depends on the patient's enthusiasm, conscientiousness and willpower. In some cases, surgery is required. When starting treatment, the following principles should be adhered to.
- Medical advice should be strictly followed. All changes in condition and adverse reactions should be reported to the attending physician.
- It is necessary to learn how to dose the load, avoid excessive muscle activity and muscle overload of the cervical spine.
- It is necessary to give up sports overload and, if necessary, to change jobs.
- Physiotherapy exercises are a prerequisite. They should be performed systematically and preferably daily. Special gymnastics for the neck should be selected individually, taking into account the patient's abilities and the degree of neglect of the disease. A series 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 drugs, especially hormonal ones, are prescribed by a doctor.
- It is important to maintain the anatomically correct position of the body. Even in a dream. Therefore, the mattress must be firm enough. With an orthopedic pillow, they are determined by the direct fit method.
- If necessary, you should sit for a long time regularly, with an interval of a couple of hours, do a short warm-up for the neck. It is recommended to stand up at the same time, although sitting is also allowed.
Why do you need to warm up?
This simple method will allow you to:
- restore normal blood flow;
- stretch stiff muscles;
- get rid of numbness, tingling, pulling sensations;
- relieve muscle tension;
- prevent muscle spasms and muscle groups;
- avoid overloading the cervical spine.
All exercises are as simple as possible. They are familiar to everyone from childhood and do not take much time. It only takes a few minutes. They can be performed both at home and in the workplace. Are you ashamed of the opinions of tactless employees?
Retire on the stairs or in a toilet. You may also be able to discreetly do carrying exercises, avoiding unnecessary attention. All exercises should be performed with a straight back. It is recommended to expand the shoulders and slightly protrude the chest. Make the maximum curves allowed with your head to the side.
Act carefully and without fanaticism so as not to damage the weakened spine. After that, several times alternately lower your head to one or the other shoulder. Now you can perform several rotational movements: 10-15 in each direction.
Another good exercise. Stretch your spine as much as possible, as if you are suspended from the top of your head. Now slowly tilt your head forward, trying to press the edge of your chin against your chest. So you need to slowly and very carefully perform the opposite action. In the presence of some damage, you cannot tilt your head back! Please consult your doctor.
The order in which the exercises are performed does not matter. The set of actions and the number of repetitions are selected individually. As you stretch your neck, don't forget your chest. They are closely related. It is advisable to try to bring the shoulder blades together from time to time. You may hear a creaking sound.
Don't be afraid - these are the vertebrae in their place. After that, relief is usually felt. To relieve tension in the trapezius muscle, you should raise your shoulders as high as possible, then forcefully lower them as low as possible. Actions are performed several times. Then move your shoulders and squeeze your hands.
Drug
For cervical osteochondrosis, several types of drugs are used. These medicines are used during periods of exacerbation of the disease. They are designed to solve a number of tasks:
- elimination of pain;
- fight inflammation;
- strengthening of metabolic processes in the affected tissues.
In addition, drugs are used, including hormonal and vitamin preparations, which stimulate the restoration of cartilage tissue.
Other methods of dealing with pain
In addition to physical therapy and drugs, the following methods of action are included in the complex of measures to get rid of the manifestations of osteochondrosis of the cervical area.
- Increase in intervertebral spaces due to stretching of the spine. For this, a metered load is applicable. The impact is made in several ways, including using special tables. This measure allows you to return the spine to its previous length, give it the correct shape and release the pinched nerves. Some patients, desperate for an effective way to get rid of chronic pain, turn to bone setters. Here the spine is attacked. This method can help, as long as a professional with medical training is involved.
- Massage also gives good results. This procedure helps to disperse blood, improve nutrition and gas exchange of cartilage tissue, relieve muscle tension and clamps, and relieve pain. If possible, you should also resort to self-massage. But you need to act competently, having passed the appropriate instructions. You can massage the neck, shoulders, scalp, arms and collar area yourself. It uses rubbing, kneading, light pressure. Acupressure massage is effective when the impact is made on the active points of the body. But this requires special knowledge and considerable experience. Therefore, only a professional chiropractor should be consulted.
- Physiotherapy involves the use of various means: magnetic field, laser, ultrasound, low-frequency current. Medicines are often used here. This method of introduction has a local effect, improves their effectiveness and avoids a number of side effects. Physical procedures help to combat pain, inflammation, accelerate post-traumatic and postoperative rehabilitation.
- Acupuncture, like manual therapy, enhances or inhibits various processes in the body by acting on the so-called biologically active points of the body. Reflexology allows you to correct metabolism, increase blood flow, relieve pain. But despite its effectiveness, this method is not suitable for everyone, because it involves the use of needles, which some patients categorically do not accept.
The maximum efficiency of these measures is achieved when they are used in a single complex under medical supervision. To a large extent, the success of therapy depends on the patient's commitment and desire to cope with osteochondrosis.