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Cervical osteochondrosis. Symptoms and treatment at home. Exercises, massage, pills

Osteochondrosis of the neck is a pathology, the symptoms of which negatively affect a person’s quality of life. Timely treatment of the disease will not lead to destruction of the vertebrae and spinal stenosis.

What is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Cervical osteochondrosis is a metabolic disorder in the human axial skeleton. The painful process involves the vertebral discs (responsible for mobility), as well as the nervous and vascular systems.

Why is osteochondrosis of the neck dangerous?

The cervical vertebrae are the smallest of all 34 vertebrae of the human axial skeleton.They perform the most mobile function in the body - turning the neck with the head. There is a minimal change in the structure of the joint body, arch or processes of the vertebrae, and displacement occurs, which leads to disruption of the neurovascular system and spinal stenosis.

Causes of development of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology of the spinal column, which has the following causes:

  • physical inactivity;
  • unbalanced diet;
  • increased formation of uric acid salts;
  • metabolic disorder;
  • psycho-emotional stress;
  • sedentary work (driver, computer typing operator);
  • consequences of acute respiratory infections, ARVI;
  • excess weight;
  • damage to the axial skeleton;
  • hypothermia of the spinal column;
  • endocrine disorders;
  • load on the neck;
  • distorted body position during night rest;
  • autoimmune diseases.

Stages of development of osteochondrosis

The course of the pathological process in the cervical spine is accompanied by changes that should be divided into 4 stages:

  • Stage No. 1.At the beginning of the development of osteochondrosis of the neck, the manifestations are mild. A person may not attach much importance to small painful changes that are passing in nature. At this stage, the elasticity of the cartilage is not lost, but changes are just beginning.
  • Stage No. 2.This stage of the disease is characterized by damage to the cartilage tissue of the vertebrae. The process gradually moves to the body of the joints, muscles and vascular system. Pain appears due to pinched nerves, to which the arms, shoulders and subscapular region (on the affected side) react. Which very often, at this stage of the disease, can be confused with other pathologies of the body.
  • Stage No. 3.This stage of the pathological process is characterized by destruction of the disc without rupture of the ring, which should be called protrusion.
  • Stage No. 4.At this stage, it is inevitable to undergo surgery - the process goes very far: a disc is displaced, which compresses the spinal canal - a herniated disc. Manifestations in the form of a 2 mm displacement are threatening to human life.

Symptoms

Cervical osteochondrosis (symptoms and treatment do not depend on gender) affects both men and women equally. Manifestations of the disease will correspond to the stage of the pathological process.

Stage No. 1 – this stage does not manifest itself with severe symptoms:

  • neck pain;
  • paresthesia on the side of the injury (numbness of the hand);
  • fatigue;
  • prostration.

Stage No. 2 – the nature of the pathology becomes more noticeable for the patient:

  • soreness in the affected area of an aching nature;
  • numbness (passing) in the cervical-collar area;
  • migraine (due to vasospasm);
  • hypertension;
  • decreased physical activity;
  • prostration;
  • pain in the back, shoulder blade and arm (from the pathological process);
  • chest pain.

Stage No. 3 is characterized by the manifestation of symptoms that must be treated very seriously:

  • the appearance of protrusions (protrusion of the fibrous ring into the spinal canal);
  • severe painful sensations radiating to the shoulder, arm;
  • numbness of the neck.

Stage No. 4 differs from the third by a rupture of the ring with its inherent symptoms:

  • the neck is bent;
  • neck muscles lose the ability to hold their head;
  • paresthesia of the muscles of the neck and head;
  • severe pain in the arms and neck-collar region;
  • numbness of the tongue;
  • insomnia.

At the fourth stage, a neurologist recommends surgical intervention.

Syndromes caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

The pathological course of osteochondrosis in the neck of the human axial skeleton should be divided into syndromes - based on a set of symptoms with characteristic signs.

Cervicovestibular complex:

  • hearing is impaired;
  • the vertebral artery undergoes pathological changes.

Radicular-vertebral syndrome:

  • C2– pain in the back of the head, weakening of the mylohyoid muscles;
  • C3– hyperemia of the tongue, slurred speech, incomplete paralysis of the jaw muscles, numbness of the neck;
  • C4– pain and weakening of the clavicle muscles, breathing problems, pain of unknown etiology in the hepatobiliary system, numbness of the cervical-collar area;
  • C5– the syndrome is manifested by numbness in the shoulder, weakness and a decrease in the volume of the superficial muscle of the shoulder;
  • C6 –the main manifestation of the pathology is pain from the neck to the shoulder, numbness of the thumb;
  • C7– characterized by pain from the neck under the shoulder blade, numbness of the index and middle fingers (on the side of the injury);
  • C8– pain manifests itself from the neck to the elbow and to the little finger, paresthesia of the shoulder, shoulder blade and affected finger.

Reflex-irritative syndromes:

  • painful:cervicalgia (morning); pain in the neck and occipital region; soreness in the neck, giving off a nagging ache in the shoulder;
  • muscular-tonic:muscle tension; nagging pain in the back of the head; soreness of the subscapular region; spasm of the cervical-collar area; shoulder joint deformity; atrophy of the shoulder muscles.

SPA:

  • the consequence of mechanical damage is a narrowing of the arterial vessel;
  • organic damage to brain activity;
  • migraine;
  • turning pain in the back of the head;
  • neurological skin pain on the head;
  • hearing loss;
  • unsteadiness of gait;
  • feeling of visibility of sea waves;
  • fainting states.

Compressive myelopathy:

  • pain and numbness of the limbs;
  • sensitivity disorders;
  • minor disorders of the pelvic organs;
  • numbness of the face.

Craniovertebral anomaly:

  • staggering;
  • intracranial hypertension;
  • disturbance of psycho-emotional balance;
  • pain in the head in the parietal and occipital areas;
  • vomiting reflex;
  • pallor of the optic nerve;
  • dizziness;
  • disturbance of oculomotor reflexes;
  • asthenia;
  • depressive state.

Diagnostics

Cervical osteochondrosis - symptoms depend on the course and form of the disease. To begin therapy for a pathological process, a correct diagnosis must be made.

A neuropathologist and vertebrologist is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies of the spinal column. To make a correct diagnosis, you need to contact the above-mentioned doctors, and during a face-to-face examination and interview, the specialist will conclude what examinations should be resorted to.

If necessary, you need to do:

  • computed tomography of the neck;
  • magnetic resonance imaging of the damaged area;
  • SCT of vessels;
  • X-ray of the spinal column in several projections;
  • visiting an ophthalmologist to measure intraocular pressure;
  • Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels;
  • ENMG of hands;
  • clinical blood test;
  • ESR-detailed analysis.

Based on all examinations, the neuropathologist makes a diagnosis and prescribes therapy.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Today, there are a lot of methods and medications that help fight the pathology of the cervical spine.

Pain and muscle spasms with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

In unadvanced stages, medications are used for systemic use:

  • antispasmodics;
  • painkillers;
  • NSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • preparations that contain collagen - for the restoration of cartilage tissue;
  • vitamin therapy with group B drugs.

Local medicines:

  • pain-relieving ointments;
  • compresses that relieve inflammation;
  • chondroprotectors;
  • ointments with a warming effect.

Physiotherapeutic procedures:

  • therapeutic and recreational massage of the cervical-collar area;
  • reflexology;
  • exercise therapy;
  • use of a special orthopedic neck brace.

Surgery:

  • for sensitivity disorders;
  • with large stenosis of the spinal canal.

First aid for severe pain

Treatment of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in the form of acute pain consists of following certain first aid rules:

  • compliance with strict bed rest;
  • use of antispasmodic and painkillers;
  • fixing the neck with a special brace or collar;
  • You should also wrap your neck with a warm scarf;
  • for swelling, you should take a diuretic;
  • external use of anesthetic ointments;
  • use of muscle relaxants;
  • use of sedatives.

All of the listed drugs should be prescribed by a neurologist.

Drug treatment

Features of drug therapy include the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics, which will help relax muscles, the use of drugs to improve blood circulation, and also prescribe drugs that improve and restore the structure of cartilage tissue - chondroprotectors.

NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the first aid in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.The use of this group of medications will help relieve or completely relieve pain. NSAIDs are drugs that act on the source of inflammation; using the medicine can reduce the manifestations of the inflammatory process.

Non-steroidal drugs help improve blood circulation. NSAIDs should be used both for systemic treatment (tablets, injections) and for local therapy - ointments, gels.

Muscle relaxants

Medicines that reduce skeletal muscle tone are called muscle relaxants. Drugs in this group must be used for cervical osteochondrosis due to their effect on muscle stiffness, which occurs as a result of a pathological process in the spinal column.

The disease affects the nerve endings, which in turn manifest themselves in the form of pain and muscle spasms. This process is influenced by muscle relaxant drugs, relaxing the affected muscles and removing pain.

Hormonal drugs

The most powerful drugs with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and vasostimulating effects include hormonal drugs of the corticosteroid group. Medicines of this type have the ability to stop tissue destruction, reduce degenerative joint processes, and improve microcirculation.

All medications that belong to the group of steroid hormones are prescribed only by a neurologist and under strict monitoring of the patient’s condition (due to the large number of adverse reactions).

Paravertebral blockade

Special local anesthesia using injections is called paravertebral blockade. A neuropathologist or anesthesiologist injects a special medicinal mixture into the affected area of the spinal column, more precisely into painful places near the affected part of the spine - into the exit of the nerve endings.

Using this method, severe pain is quickly relieved, hyperemia disappears and local metabolism improves.

Ointments

In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, not only systemic drugs in the form of tablets and injections, but also local agents should be used. Ointments are widely used for pathological processes in the spinal column.

For treatment, chondroprotectors, NSAIDs, herbal painkillers, and ointments with a warming effect should be used.

Chondroprotectors

Systemic drugs that restore cartilage tissue are called chondroprotectors. Taking the drugs stimulates the regeneration of the cartilage apparatus in the joints.

Homeopathic remedies

One type of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is alternative medicine or homeopathy. The use of this type of medicine has given good results.

Medicines for the treatment of dizziness in osteochondrosis

When treating dizziness that occurs against the background of degenerative changes in the spinal column, it is necessary to use several types of drugs. Each has its own action.

  • Nootropics– improve microcirculation, calm the nervous system, improve the relationship between the hemispheres of the brain.
  • Drugs for the treatment of vestibular disorders.They show their activity in dilating the blood vessels of the brain, thereby improving blood circulation.
  • Venotonics– these are products that improve the tone of the vascular system and blood circulation.

Vitamins and minerals

Preparations based on vitamins and minerals help faster restoration of cartilage tissue, improve muscle nutrition and blood circulation.

Shantz's neck collar

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis during a pathological process in the spinal column can be acute. In this case, the Shants cervical collar should be used.

Types of cervical collars to relieve symptoms of osteochondrosis

The bracket or retainer has the shape of a circle.Made of dense foam rubber, which is fixed on the neck with Velcro. No special skills are required to use a medical fixative. You should place your beard on the collar and fasten it at the back.

The fixator relaxes the muscles in the cervical spine, relieves pain and tension. It is an integral part of first aid for exacerbation of neck osteochondrosis.

Needle applicator

One of the methods for treating degenerative pathologies of the neck is the use of a needle applicator - a massager on which spikes are located. The plate has a flexible structure and can take different shapes.For use in neck pathologies, the applicator has clasps.

Types of needle applicator for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

There are a lot of nerve endings on the skin that are affected by the applicator when used. This treatment helps restore metabolic processes in the intervertebral discs, removes hyperemia and inflammation, and improves microcirculation. The use of a needle applicator has a positive effect in the treatment of neck osteochondrosis.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic treatment should be used to treat inflammatory and degenerative changes in the neck.The use of the method helps improve metabolic processes and reduce pain.

The physiotherapeutic method of treatment has an anti-inflammatory effect and also promotes tissue regeneration. For osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is necessary to use treatment with ultrasonic waves, magnetic therapy, and treatment with small amounts of current (electrophoresis).

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is a massage in which the hands of a manual therapist work not with soft tissues, but with joints and ligaments. During manual massage sessions, a specialist helps restore the mobility of the spinal column, and pain goes away.

Manual therapy can relieve symptoms of neck osteochondrosis

Normal blood circulation is restored, swelling disappears.

Therapy should be carried out by a specialist who regularly practices this method of treatment. To achieve positive results in the form of pain reduction, sometimes several sessions are enough.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture refers to non-traditional methods of treatment.But the use of special needles, which are screwed into the body by a reflexologist, influencing certain nerve endings and areas, leads to positive results. Acupuncture improves metabolic processes, relieves local swelling, and improves blood circulation.

Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis

The type of physical therapy for neck osteochondrosis differs from other types of exercise. The cervical vertebrae are the smallest, and even their minimal displacement into the spinal canal is fraught with pinching of the arteries supplying the brain, as well as compression of the spinal cord. Therefore, you should know that there should be no sudden movements during physical therapy exercises.

Exercises for the cervical spine (those who suffer from dizziness should use a sitting position):

  1. Basic position– standing with a straight back, face looking forward. It is necessary to carefully turn your head to the right (without tilting it either back or forward) to shoulder level and fix the body. After a few seconds, return to your previous position. The same should be done with the other side. There should be no pain.
  2. Initial position– back straight, face looking forward. You should gently stretch, tilting your head, with your right ear to your shoulder. You need to imagine that your left ear is stretching upward and try to do this. Hold yourself in this position for a few seconds. Return to starting position. Do the exercise on the second side.
  3. Standing straight, you need to look face down at your legs and lower your torso down– vertebra by vertebra – towards the floor. For those who are untrained, you need to grab your knees, straighten your back parallel to the floor, with your face looking forward. This exercise works the entire spinal column, especially the neck. Stay longer. Relax with your head and torso down. Slowly, without rushing, so as not to provoke dizziness, return to the original position, vertebra by vertebra.
  4. Stand up straight, or you can sit on a chair with a straight back.Without bending your back, you should lower your chin to your chest, and stretch the back of your head upward - as if stretching the vertebrae. Hold the position for a few seconds and slowly, relaxing, straighten your neck.
  5. Rotational movement of the neck and head.A straight back, you can sit on a chair. Lower your head with your right ear to your shoulder and smoothly, slowly, from this position, make a semicircle through the chest, to the opposite (left) shoulder and back. Straighten up.
A set of therapeutic exercises prescribed for cervical osteochondrosis

Gymnastics should be done every day. You cannot do physical therapy on an empty stomach - this can cause dizziness. You need to exercise an hour after eating.

Treatment with folk remedies

The use of traditional methods for cervical osteochondrosis does not always lead to the desired result - you cannot warm the neck (only dry heat). Therefore, there are not many effective methods, but they exist.

Folk remedies:

  1. Tea made from a healthy herb (yarrow).You should take a little dry medicine, pour it into a mug and pour boiling water over it. Infuse as tea and drink after meals. It relieves inflammation well and calms the nervous system.
  2. Medicinal drink made from burdock.Take a small amount of dry herb, pour it into a 500 ml thermos and pour boiling water over it. Insist. The resulting volume of the medicinal drink should be drunk one day without leaving it for the next day. You need to drink between meals. Has an analgesic effect.
  3. Compress made from plants.You should take the same amount of chamomile, salvia, tussilago - the herbs should be dried and ground. Pour boiling water over it. Insist. Wet a cotton cloth with the resulting solution and apply it to the sore spot on the neck. Cover with film and wrap with a scarf. Leave overnight. Helps relieve inflammation.
  4. Apple vinegar.This is a very healthy, natural liquid that is obtained by a microbiological process from apples. It contains a huge amount of useful substances. You should dilute the same amount of vinegar with water. Wet gauze with the resulting liquid and apply it to the cervical spine, covering with polyethylene and a scarf overnight. It helps restore cartilage tissue and relieve inflammation.
    For general strengthening and filling the body with useful substances, you should drink apple remedy. It is necessary to add 10 g to water and drink before meals.

Therapeutic massage and self-massage

Massage for diseases of the cervical spine should be done only when there is no active inflammatory process - this is an additional effective method for the treatment of osteochondrosis. Massage can be therapeutic, which should be done by a specialist massage therapist, or self-massage, when the patient knows which exercises will not harm him, but will help him.

During therapeutic massage, the hands of a massage therapist are used, who works with the cervical-collar area with gentle, massaging, stroking movements.Neurologists call neck massage "erotic" massage, due to the very gentle specificity of the movements.

Strong, assertive techniques should not be allowed - this can harm the vertebrae and blood vessels. If necessary, if the upper limbs are involved in the pathological process, then you should rub your hands. Movements should be directed from the fingertips upward - to the shoulder and neck. Each side takes turns.

Self-massage includes light, stroking and lightly rubbing movements of the neck area.

You cannot twist your neck or try to crack it - such techniques can lead to displacement of the vertebrae and pinching of arteries and veins. The purpose of self-massage and therapeutic massage is to maximize the relaxation of spasmodic tissues and improve blood circulation.

Surgery

Surgical intervention is prescribed only if conservative therapy has not led to positive results and the process of vertebral destruction continues to progress.

The most commonly used method of surgical therapy is the anterior approach method (the operation is performed on the front of the neck). Neurosurgeons rarely use the posterior method of surgical intervention - only when it is necessary to increase the lumen of the narrowed spinal canal.

Nutritional Features

The basic principles of nutrition for osteochondrosis include a balanced diet with a limitation of foods harmful to this disease.You need to eat five times a day, in small portions.

The diet should include low-fat protein foods, unrefined cereals, vegetables (non-acidic), fruits, lactic acid products, preferably not made from cow's milk. The intervals between meals should be no more than 3 hours.

All types of canned food, alcohol, spices, refined fats and pork should be excluded. Store-bought semi-finished products, as well as all sausages - such food disrupts metabolic processes and contributes to inflammatory and degenerative changes in the muscular-articular system.

What is not recommended to do

Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that, with the wrong lifestyle, can progress greatly. There are certain rules, the implementation of which will reduce the likelihood of further destructive process in the neck.

It is forbidden:

  • consume large amounts of salt and salty foods;
  • do weightlifting and aerobics;
  • for the fair half, you should avoid narrow shoes with high heels;
  • get carried away with excess food, which will certainly lead to weight gain and disruption of metabolic processes;
  • sleeping on a soft bed is unacceptable;
  • provoke a crunch with sudden movements of the neck, even if it seems that this brings relief.

Prevention

To prevent cervical osteochondrosis from developing, you should adhere to preventive measures:

  • visit the steam room (with the permission of a neurologist or if there is no hypertension);
  • periodically do therapeutic massage;
  • if the disease already exists and has been treated, undergo treatment courses on the recommendation of a neurologist;
  • go swimming;
  • yoga gymnastics is the primary type of therapeutic and preventive physical activity;
  • balanced diet;
  • giving up bad habits - alcohol and nicotine, which disrupt metabolic processes in the body.

The appearance of cervical osteochondrosis is easier to prevent than to treat. At the first symptoms of the disease, you should consult a neurologist to prescribe adequate treatment. This will prevent pathology from destroying the cervical vertebrae.