Osteochondrosis of the neck is a degenerative dystrophic disease of the cervical spine, characterized by damage to the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs and adjacent bone structures with the occurrence of reactive inflammation and spinal dysfunction.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be felt at any age.It is believed that in people prone to degenerative changes in cartilage, the first manifestations of the disease are observed during the school years.Indeed, today this disease has become significantly younger, therefore it is diagnosed much more often in patients under 45-55 years of age.
In most clinical cases, cervical osteochondrosis is the result of age-related changes in the human body.Among other common causes of the disease, scientists also cite genetic predisposition, sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, intense physical activity on the spine, excess weight and abnormal development of the skeletal system.
It is known that cervical osteochondrosis differs from other types of diseases (thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis) in its clinical manifestations.This can be easily explained by the structural characteristics of the cervical spine and the functions attributed to it.
Regardless of the degree of neglect of the pathological process, its prevalence and location, it cannot be ignored by specialists.It is important to understand that over time the disease will only progress and at a certain point will result in irreparable consequences.Therefore, you should not wait for chance or try to treat the problem yourself, but when the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis appear, immediately seek qualified help from professionals.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Since the cervical vertebrae have a different structure and also differ from the rest of the spine by their proximity to each other, it is understandable that cervical osteochondrosis differs in clinical appearance from variants of the disease in the chest and lumbar region.Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by very severe pain, disturbances in normal blood circulation in the cervical vessels and compression of nerve bundles.
Among the main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- intense pain in the neck and back of the head, generalized headaches, pain in the shoulder girdle and arms;
- muscle weakness or loss of sensation in the upper extremities;
- the appearance of a crunch when turning the head;
- complicated head movements from side to side;
- frequent dizziness, vertigo, general weakness that occurs when the vessels in the neck that supply the brain are compressed;
- impaired memory and coordination, hearing problems and so on.
During its development, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine goes through several stages, each of which has its own characteristics and is characterized by a set of specific clinical signs:
- Stage 1 – beginning of degenerative-dystrophic degeneration of the osteochondral tissue of the cervical spine, which is accompanied by subtle changes in the patient's health (these patients may experience: periodic weakness, dizziness, short-term headaches);
- Stage 2 – thinning and cracking of the intervertebral discs occurs, which is clinically manifested by the development of persistent pain, severe weakness, fatigue and numbness in different parts of the face, neck and upper extremities;
- Stage 3 – intervertebral disc herniation occurs, accompanied by pain in the back of the head, serious problems with normal blood supply to tissues and pre-fainting conditions;
- Stage 4 – the bone tissue of the vertebrae begins to grow and compresses the nerve roots, which leads to the interruption of their functioning, persistence of the pain syndrome and the appearance of severe stiffness in movements.
The diagnosis of spinal osteochondrosis can only be confirmed by a doctor during examination of the patient and a detailed diagnosis of his condition.The choice of effective treatment tactics depends on the stage of development of the pathological process, its prevalence and the presence of complications.It is important to understand that the treatment of a disease such as cervical osteochondrosis should be carried out by a qualified and experienced specialist.Otherwise, the patient not only risks receiving ineffective therapy, but also faces the consequences of illiterate care.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Treatment of exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis should be comprehensive.In these therapeutic schemes, specialists can use both medicinal methods to alleviate the symptoms of the disease, as well as physiotherapy, massage, physiotherapy and similar techniques.
Regardless of the method of influence on the diseased spine, all methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine have several goals:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- restoration of lost sensitivity in different parts of the face and upper extremities;
- strengthening the muscles and ligaments that support the vertebrae;
- relief of local inflammation and reduction of tissue edema;
- elimination of the consequences of compression of nerve roots;
- prevention of the progression of the pathological process.
As drug therapy for osteochondrosis, doctors often prescribe patients medications from the group of analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, glucocorticoids and chondroprotectors.Therapeutic gymnastics and physiotherapy can achieve good results in treating the disease.
Surgical correction of osteochondrosis disorders of the cervical spine is the last resort, used in the absence of effect from conservative treatment.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis
Therapeutic gymnastics is an effective method for eliminating the manifestations of osteochondrosis, which also helps to prevent the progression of the pathological process and achieve a stable remission.A set of physical exercises is selected individually.Its volume and nature depend on the degree of complexity of the disease, its clinical manifestations and the presence of consequences of the disease in the person.
Among the main clinical effects of therapeutic exercises, the following stand out:
- strengthening the muscular corset of the back and ligaments that hold the cervical vertebrae in the correct anatomical position;
- postural alignment;
- improving blood flow to soft tissues;
- normalization of innervation.
It is important to remember that the person should not feel any pain or discomfort when performing the exercises.Therapeutic exercises can be used for therapeutic purposes, as well as to prevent the development of osteochondrosis.
Benefits of massage
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, massage helps to increase the tone of the muscle layer and eliminate pain.Today, experienced massage therapists use different massage techniques in their practice, but the most effective for osteochondrosis are:
- caresses to stimulate the upper muscle layers, which begin in the collar region, gradually moving to the clavicle and armpit region;
- rubbing, which helps improve blood flow and relieve tension;
- compression, as a method of influencing deeper areas of the skin, is carried out by grasping the tissue along the neck;
- kneading, which affects the deep layers of cervical tissue and, if performed incorrectly, can harm the patient.
Only an experienced specialist should perform massage procedures.An illiterate approach to treatment can provoke an exacerbation of osteochondrosis in the patient and even the appearance of serious consequences.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic procedures for cervical osteochondrosis can be used as monotherapy, as well as in combination with other effective techniques.They can improve the condition of muscle tissue, eliminate local swelling and soothe irritated nerve fibers.The most common and popular methods of physiotherapy for osteochondrosis today include balneotherapy, electrophoresis, UHF therapy, magnetic therapy, phonophoresis and acupuncture.
Manual therapy
For osteochondrosis of the neck, manual therapy has proven itself well, designed to normalize blood flow in the affected areas, relieve muscle spasms and relax the paracervical muscles.This method can significantly improve the clinical picture of the disease and prevent its exacerbations.Furthermore, manual manipulation of the tissue prevents the progression of the pathological process and prevents its complications.
Prevention
To prevent the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical spine, doctors recommend following simple rules, in particular:
- lead an active lifestyle, regularly perform gymnastics exercises, visit the pool;
- give up bad habits;
- when working while sitting, take enough breaks to warm up;
- take care of a healthy and sound sleep on an orthopedic mattress with a good pillow.
When the first signs of the development of cervical osteochondrosis appear, you should not postpone a consultation with a specialist or self-medicate.It should be understood that only the timely provision of qualified assistance in the initial stages of the development of the disease helps to completely eliminate its unpleasant manifestations and prevent the progression of the process.