Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease caused by the growth of bone tissue on both sides of the vertebrae, which involves trauma to adjacent muscles, ligaments, nerves and membranes of the spinal cord. These disorders most often lead to pain in the neck or other parts of the body and can also cause herniated spinal discs to protrude.
The appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be caused by a prolonged stay in static positions, as well as 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, weakened voice, hoarseness, snoring, impaired coordination of movements, deterioration of the teeth, numbness orcoldness of the fingers, soreness of the scalp, pain in the neck, throat.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the cervico-thoracic 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 the spinal segments;
- hypothermia;
- work associated with frequent changes in body position, heavy lifting, excessive physical exertion;
- stress, nervous tension.
Symptoms
The symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis depend directly on the target. In this regard, a group of syndromes accompanying this disease is distinguished.
Root
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 downwards and can go down to the shoulder blade and also to the outer part of the forearm to the fingers. Among the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, in some cases, there is tingling of the forearm, hand or fingers, pastiness, the effect of goosebumps.
Sore reflection
In case of reflex-reflex syndrome, symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis can include acute burning in the neck or occiput, which occurs when moving after a static state (with sudden turning of the head, sneezing, aftersleep). The 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. With 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 sharp rotation of the head. Often, the appearance of tachycardia and extrasystole is 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 eyebrow region, occiput, temple, darkening. Pain, as a rule, practically does not stop, and only in some cases has a paroxysmal character. Increased pain occurs with movement or after a prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position.
There is a possibility of hearing and vision disturbances (decreased hearing and visual acuity, tinnitus, vestibular disturbances, pain in the eyes). Against the background of the general weakness of the body, nausea or loss of consciousness is possible.
Summarizing the above, we can distinguish a number of symptoms more characteristic of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- constant pain in the neck, which extends to the shoulder girdle, ears and eyes, to the back of the head and does not stop even at night;
- pain in the hands, forearm, shoulder, aggravated even with a light load;
- weakening of muscle strength and decreased sensitivity of the hands, hands, fingers, as well as difficulty in movement;
- pain in the neck when turning and tilting the head;
- tension of the neck muscles, feeling of lying down 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 heart region.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home
The effectiveness of the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the timeliness of the therapeutic procedures initiated aimed at relieving pain and neutralizing inflammatory processes. The processing activities take place in three phases:
- neutralization of pain;
- activation of blood supply and metabolic processes in the affected areas of the spine;
- physiotherapy and manual techniques.
During an 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 movement segment, the patient is prescribed:
- paravertebral block by local administration of drugs;
- anti-inflammatory, analgesic and non-steroidal antispasmodic drugs;
- 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 they do not fight the degradation of the intervertebral discs. Regular activity and correctly selected physical therapy complexes are the only correct decision at any stage of the disease.
Corrective gymnastics
Physical therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is performed only during periods of remission, avoiding significant strain and pain.
A series of exercises to improve the mobility of the cervical vertebrae and the flexibility of the neck muscles.
Repeat each exercise 5 to 10 times.
- Exercise 1. In a sitting or standing position with the arms lowered along the body and the back flat, smooth turns of the head are performed alternating to the left and right extremities, 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 notch of the chest. 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 and the head is held 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 performed, including massage of the areas damaged by the disease.
Massage for cervico-thoracic osteochondrosis
Before starting the massage procedure, it is necessary to prepare the patient's back by intensely stroking the surface for 2-3 minutes. The direction of the caress goes from the lower edge of the shoulder blades to the neck, then from the neck to the shoulder girdle. The final moment of warming is kneading and shaking alternately on the right and left sides.
Begin the massage, as a rule, from the back, alternating stroking, squeezing and kneading. First, the shoulder blade area is massaged, gradually moving towards the shoulder girdle. The neck massage starts from the scalp, working down to the back. In the absence of pain in the spine, squeezing with the fingertips is done very carefully on several lines.
The massage of the major pectoral muscles is performed in the supine position. In this case, stroking, squeezing, kneading are used.
The seated massage is performed on a special massage chair. At the same time, the head is tilted forward and the neck muscles are relaxed as much as possible. The massage starts from the occipital bone, directing all movements up to the back.