Symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The osteochondrosis of the cervical column is the result of a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition.The first signs of the disease may appear at 25, if treatment does not begin, serious complications will occur.In disease therapy, an integrated approach is used: pharmacological treatment, diet therapy, physiotherapy and physiotherapy.

The causes of the osteochondrosis of the cervical column

Cervical Osteochondrosis-Distrophic-Distrophic Changes in intervertebral discs, joints, which leads to a decrease in neck mobility, the appearance of severe pain syndrome.The main reason for the development of the disease is a violation of mineral metabolism, because bones and joints become less strong. 

Why is there cervical osteochondrosis:

• overweight sedentary lifestyle;
• Posture violation, scoliosis;
• rheumatism;
• flat feet;
• Vsd;
• Inadequate nutrition.

Investments in the deformation of cervical vertebrae can cause injuries, column bruises, excessive physical activity, stress.In women, osteochondrosis often occurs during pregnancy, menopause, in the context of hormonal changes, the amount of calcium decreases, the bone tissue becomes fragile.

Symptoms and general signs

With a constant increase in the load in the cervical vertebrae, muscle spasm is produced, the cervical column vessels are compressed, the circulatory process is altered, malfunction occurs in metabolic processes: the structure of intervertebral disks changes, they deform, begin to extend beyond the spinal spinal spinal.

How does the osteochondrosis of the cervical region manifest?

• Rook Syndrome: In the compression fund of the nerve endings, the pain occurs, which extends from the neck to the shoulder blades, the forearms covers the front wall of the chest;
• Muscle weakness in the hands, notable neck edema;
• When the head moves, a characteristic crunch is heard;
• weakness, chronic fatigue, blood pressure changes;
• Coordination violation, often dizzy, the attacks are accompanied by nausea, vomiting;
• Vision of vision and hearing, noise, playing in the ears;
• Numbness of the extremities, language;
• frequent migraines;
• In women from 45 to 65, pain appears during sleep, numbness, tingling in the upper limbs, attacks can be repeated several times per night.

With cervical osteochondrosis, nutrition and blood supply are altered to the brain, neurotic disorders occur: anxiety, irritability, humor changes, sleep disorders.

Cervical osteochondrosis classification

As Osteochondrosis develops, several stages of development pass, each of which has characteristics characteristics.How the affected spine is seen in different stages, you can see in the photo.

The degree of development of the disease:

1.  First grade osteochondrosis: the initial stage continues without particularly pronounced symptoms, a person is worried about rare and minor pain when turning and bowing the head, the muscles of the back get tired quickly.
2.  Osteochondrosis of the second grade: the vertebrae become unstable, they pinch the nerve and the unpleasant sensations in the neck acquire a pronounced character, it gives it to the shoulder and the hand.Additional symptoms are the increase in fatigue, frequent headaches in the occipital region, distraction.
3.  The third grade osteochondrosis: pain acquires a chronic character, covers the upper back, the pronounced muscle weakness is observed, the limbs are numb, intervertebral hernia develops and dizziness often occurs.
4.  4th grade osteochondrosis: There is a complete destruction of intervertebral discs, they are replaced by connective tissue, the pathological process covers several segments of the spine.There is a violation of coordination, dizziness episodes are fast to increase and noise appears in the ears.

Acute osteochondrosis: a consequence of the chronic form of the disease, is characterized by a strong attack of acute pain, which occurs suddenly after awakening.

What doctor do you contact with?

When signs of cervical osteochondrosis appear, it is necessary to visit a neuropathologist, in some hospitals there is one more vertebrologist: the specialist is treating precisely the diseases of the spine.

Diagnostic methods

The attenuated forms of osteochondrosis have a pronounced clinical image, which allows you to make an initial diagnosis already during the initial exam.Instrumental diagnostic methods will help identify the degree of degenerative changes in vertebrae.

The main types of exams for osteochondrosis:

• X -Ray: The method is effective only in the early stages of the development of pathology;
• MRI - On the screen, the structure of bone structures, the size and direction of the development of intervertebral hernias, the condition of the spinal cord;
• CT: The method is less effective than magnetic resonance, since it does not provide precise information about the presence and size of hernias;
• Duplex scan: allows you to see blood flow disorders;
• Electroneurography: shows the presence of pinches, inflammations, another damage to the nerve;
• Rheoencephalogram - prescribed to violate the blood supply to the brain.

For the directed and exhaustive study of the condition of certain vertebrae, the discography is carried out: a contrast medium is introduced into the intervertebral disc, which allows it to see the slightest changes in the tissues, to distinguish the scar changes of the hernia.

Forms for the treatment of the osteochondrosis of the cervical column

In the initial development stage, osteochondrosis can be cured without medications, it is sufficient to review the diet, the daily regime and regularly perform a complex of special exercises.With advanced diseases of the disease, effective treatment is only possible if the use of several medications that help suspend degenerative changes in vertebrae.

The therapeutic measures complex necessarily includes physiotherapy: electrophoresis with medications, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy.These methods help face pain, inflammation, tissue swelling, improve metabolic processes and blood circulation.

Medical Physical Education

LFK is prescribed during recovery, during an exacerbation of osteochondrosis, physical exercises are contraindicated, gymnastics are simple, it can be done at home, it must do it regularly.

Bubnovsky Gymnastics for the treatment and prevention of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. In standing position, lower your hands freely along the body.Tilt your head forward, try to the chest with a chin, fix the position on account 3. Tilt your head back, the chin looks up, tell to 3. Return to the initial position.
2. In the standing position, turn the head to the right, to the left, at each extreme point to fix the position for a few seconds.Repeat 3 times in each chain.
3. In standing position, incline your head to the right, to the left, try to reach the shoulder with your ear, keep the position for 30 seconds.Make 6 repetitions in each address.
4. Standing, with your hands on your belt, the chin is parallel to the floor, extends forward.Turn your head, chin to live on your shoulder, turn your body a bit, stay half a minute.Make 6 repetitions in each direction, a slight pain can occur in the spine.
5. In a sitting position, the back is straight, the hands on the knees.Diluted straight arms to the sides, slightly backwards, simultaneously tilt your head back, return to your original position, repeat 5 times.
6. In a position sitting on the head to turn right, the palm of the left hand to live on the right shoulder, the elbow parallel to the floor, the right hand is in the knee and returns to its original position.Make 6 repetitions in each address.
7. In a sitting position, lift your hands on the head, it's fine to connect, bend the elbows a little, turn your head to the side until it looks light pain, fix the position at the end point for a few seconds.Repeat 6 turns in each address.

Between exercises, take a 30 second break.Before the beginning of gymnastics, it is necessary to take a warm shower, make several soft headlines of the head in different directions to heat the muscles.After completing the load, a light stretch will help avoid the appearance of unpleasant sensations the next day.

Drug treatment

Pharmacological therapy for osteochondrosis aims to eliminate unpleasant sensations, restoring the mobility of vertebrae, reducing degenerative changes in tissues.Acute pain attacks are eliminated with NSAID injections or corticosteroids, the chronic form of the disease is treated with pylites, pills.

How to treat osteochondrosis:

• NSAine, are produced in the form of tablets and means for external use, eliminated edema, pain;
• Corticosteroids: Stop acute pain syndrome;
• B vitamins, restore metabolic processes in tissues;
• Condroprotectors: they contribute to the restoration of the cartilage fabric;
• drugs to improve blood flow, brain nutrition;
• Nootropics: improve brain function, memory;
• Musorelaxantes - Eliminate muscle spasm;
• For local treatment, ointments and gels are used with anti -inflammatory effects and heating.

In order for pharmacological therapy to be effective, it is necessary to combine it with exercise therapy, adhere to a diet;Otherwise, no medicine will help get rid of osteochondrosis.

Popular remedies

Popular treatment should be used as an addition to pharmacological therapy and physical education, non -traditional methods will not completely eliminate the disease.

What to do with cervical osteochondrosis at home:

1. Pour the fresh spicy radish sheet with boiling water, cool a little, join the neck inside, make it with a thin natural fabric.Do the procedure before bedtime, leave the compress all night.
2. Grate the raw potatoes in the fine grater, mix equal proportions with warm liquid honey.Use the compress mixture, the procedure is carried out 1-2 times a week.
3. Mix a raw egg with 100 ml of sunflower oil, 20 ml of vinegar and 20 g of flour, remove the mixture in a dark place for 48 hours, remove the surface film.A means to stain the inflamed area before bedtime, store in the refrigerator.
4. In May, pine outbreaks of up to 2 cm long, cut into thin circles, double in a dark glass container.For 1 part of the raw material, take 2 parts of sugar, remove the medication in a dark place for 2 weeks.Drink 5 ml of one mixture three times a day, do not swallow immediately, hold for 2-3 minutes in your mouth.The duration of the course is 15 to 20 days, repeat 2-3 times a year.
5. Muela 150 g of peeled garlic and 400 g of blueberries, double the mixture in a glass container, add 800 ml of honey after 24 hours, mix.Take 5 ml of medicine three times a day before meals.

To cope with severe pain, stretching excess salts will help an sheltered cabbage sheet with honey, a compress to fix the neck with a warm scarf, to leave overnight.

Cervical osteochondrosis massage

Massage helps strengthen muscle tone, improve blood circulation in tissues and a specialist performs sessions in severe forms of osteochondrosis.With light forms of the disease, the car -Massage will help prevention: treatment is carried out at home.

Massage technique:

1. Heating muscles: with both hands, intensely spent along the posterior lateral surface of the neck from top to bottom.Heating time - 2 minutes.
2. Press the edge of the palm to the bottom of the neck, moving the movements towards the area of hair growth, then towards the shoulder joints.
3. The fingertips of both hands make the circular movements of rubbing in the occipital region from the hair growth line to the forearm, from the column to the ears and back.
4. I pinch the cervical muscles from the bottom up, then in the opposite direction.
5. Stroking from the back of the head to the shoulder blades: carry out after each type of exercise.

Possible consequences and complications

In the cervical region, the vertebrae are close to each other, the height of the intervertebral discs is small, so several complications of osteochondrosis occur even with insignificant degenerative changes in the bone tissue.

What is the dangerous osteochondrosis of the cervical region?

• Frequent episodes of migraines;
• heart rate, atherosclerosis;
• Protrusion, intervertebral hernia, bone brain;
• serious brain pathologies;
• narrowing of the light of the vertebral artery, which leads to the development of VSD, hypertension of the brain, disability;
• Stroke line.

Contraindications for cervical osteochondrosis

To lead a full lifestyle with osteochondrosis, it is necessary to avoid actions that can cause the appearance of pain, exacerbation of the disease.

What cannot be done with cervical osteochondrosis:

• Sleep in a very hard or soft mattress, in a high pillow;
• Lift the weights if you need to lift something heavy, you must do it with a straight back with folded knees;
• Use a bag on one shoulder;
• With exacerbation of the pathology, make active movements of the head, neck;
• smoke, drink alcohol;
• Walk without a cold climate scarf, feel in a current of air, near the air conditioning;
• For a long time to be in an awkward position, a sitting position;
• Use high height shoes;
• Crying your neck.

Heat procedures: the heating of the compresses, visiting a bathroom, heating with a blue lamp, can only be done in the disease remission stage.With exacerbation, heat will only relieve pain for a short time, but soon the unpleasant sensations will return, the degree of its manifestation will increase.

Disease prevention

To maintain the health of the column, it is enough to observe simple prevention rules.

How to avoid cervical osteochondrosis:

• get rid of excess weight;
• Every morning gymnastics, swim, yoga, dance;
• More time to pass in fresh air, morning walks are especially useful;
• Eat properly, control salt intake, observe the drink regime;
• When the work feels every hour, make a warm for the neck, monitor the posture;
• Keep your neck hot;
• Farm, avoid excess physical, mental and emotional work.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic and slow disease, the signs of the disease do not manifest immediately.A competent combination of traditional and popular treatment methods, gymnastics and diet will help deal with unpleasant symptoms, and simple preventive measures can avoid relapse of pathology.