Causes, symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can cause more intense clinical signs than such degenerative changes in other parts of the spine. This is due to the fact that a violation of blood circulation in this area leads to oxygen starvation of the brain. Symptoms may vary depending on the degree of the pathological process.

For home treatment, with the permission of a specialist, you can resort to the use of drugs aimed at stopping inflammation and pain. Therapeutic exercises and massages are effective, but they also have their limits. In addition to these conservative measures, folk remedies can be used.

The reasons

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region can occur as a result of various factors. The reasons are the same for men and women:

• incorrect posture;
• scoliosis;
• Overweight;
• passive lifestyle;
• Spinal injury;
• excessive physical activity;
• metabolic disease;
• hereditary predisposition;
• nervous shocks, frequent stresses;
• constant tension of the back muscles in the cervical region.

The mechanics of the appearance of osteochondrosis is associated with increased loads on this part of the spine, compensating for their spasm of the neck muscles. As a result, blood circulation in this area is disturbed, degenerative-dystrophic changes occur in the cervical region.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the disease depend on the stage of the pathological processes. In total, there are 4 degrees of development of cervical osteochondrosis:

Arrange	Characteristic symptoms
First	Appears slightly. Usually there is a slight tension of the muscle ligaments and a slight pain syndrome in the region of the nerve bundles.
Second	There is a protrusion of the discs, as a result of which the intervertebral spaces decrease, and the fibrous rings begin to gradually collapse. Pain syndromes can intensify due to pinched nerve endings
Third	The symptoms get much worse: the pain becomes permanent, begins to radiate to the shoulder and upper limbs. On palpation of the affected area, the discomfort increases significantly, there may be feelings of numbness and tingling of the fingers, as hernias form. Neck mobility is impaired, joints become stiff
Fourth	It is characterized by complete destruction of the intervertebral disc, which leads to pinching of the connective tissue. As a result of such changes, a person develops symptoms such as: dizziness; lack of coordination; noise in the ears

The symptomatology of cervical osteochondrosis differs from the disease affecting other parts of the spine. This is due to the location in this department of the vertebrae much closer to each other. The relatively low height of the intervertebral discs leads to the fact that clinical signs appear acutely even with minor pathological changes in their structure. Osteochondrosis of the cervical region very often occurs with compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord.

Symptoms in this case may vary depending on which vertebrae are subject to degenerative-dystrophic changes. Usually the main symptom is pain in the neck, which spreads to various areas of the body: the sternum, arms, chin, etc. When turning the head, a characteristic creak may occur. Pinched nerves and blood vessels can cause numbness in the tongue and fingertips. The pain syndrome can vary:

Syndrome	The description
Root	Caused by a pinched nerve. The pain is descending, sharp. It extends to the shoulder, the forearm and to the fingertips. With radicular syndrome, a feeling of goosebumps, tingling is possible. Another feature is a decrease in elasticity, firmness of the skin, the appearance of slight swelling and whitening.
vertebral artery	Occurs when compressing the vertebral artery. The pain has a pulsating or burning character, affects the eyebrow region, temple, nape and top of the head. It is usually constant, but it can be paroxysmal. Discomfort increases after prolonged movement or an awkward position. When the body is weakened, the symptoms may extend with manifestations of nausea and loss of consciousness. If there is a violation of blood flow to the brain, symptoms such as: hearing loss; noise in the ears; lack of coordination; loss of visual acuity; pain in the eyes
cervical migraine	It is caused by irritation of the sympathetic nodes, which causes disorders that occur in the brain. These include pathologies of vascular reactivity and blood circulation. This leads to the following symptoms: tinnitus; tachycardia; congestion in the ears; slight pain in the head, sounding like a noise
hypertensive	It is characterized by an increase in intracranial pressure. In hypertensive syndrome, the headache has a bright character, may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Exacerbation of the disease leads to an increase in body temperature

Treatment

It will not be possible to completely cure osteochondrosis and permanently get rid of its manifestations, but the symptoms can be eliminated. With osteochondrosis of the cervical region, you can use conservative methods aimed at reducing pain syndromes, dysfunctions of the vertebral roots and preventing complications of the degenerative process in the intervertebral discs.

For this use:

• medications;
• massage;
• exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises);
• folk remedies.

It is impossible to self-medicate with pathology of the spine. All used therapeutic measures and methods should be discussed with a specialist, carried out at home with his consent. In the absence of the effectiveness of conservative methods (if you cannot get rid of pain), you need to consult a doctor, since surgery may be required.

Medications

With cervical osteochondrosis, painkillers are used to relieve pain. They can be taken in the form of tablets and capsules. However, long-term treatment with painkillers leads to irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, so they should not be taken frequently.

To relieve inflammation, steroids, hormonal drugs are used. If painkillers do not affect the pathological process itself, then these drugs relieve pain. Usually, topical agents are used in the form of ointments or tablets based on hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and prednisolone.

To restore intervertebral discs, chondroprotectors are recommended. They contain substances that replace the components of cartilage tissue - hyaluronic acid and chondroitin. However, the effectiveness of these groups of drugs is possible only with long-term use.

Muscle relaxants are used to relax the muscle structure. They help reduce pain further. They are used in the form of injections. For the treatment of osteochondrosis, drugs containing glycerin and benzimidazole are most effective.

Vitamins are needed to improve the conductivity of nerve fibers and the state of the peripheral nervous system. Use water-soluble vitamins B1, B6, B12 and fat-soluble vitamins A, C, D.

The most convenient form of medication for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home is ointments and gels. There are different types of external agents: heating, anti-inflammatory, analgesic.

Massage

With cervical osteochondrosis, massage should be carried out carefully, without excessive force loads. Improper manual therapy can lead to complications. When massaging, special attention should be paid to the cervical region, upper back and neck.

It is recommended to perform the procedure in a supine position. If the patient is unable to take it, the therapy is carried out in a sitting position. The assistant can use the following techniques and techniques:

1. Stroking - superficial effects on the skin. Performed with the hands or fingertips, from the head to the upper third of the middle of the back. Starting from the base of the neck, you can resort to zigzag strokes.
2. Push-ups - impact on the deep layers of the skin with the fingers (thumb and index finger) on the neck. This technique is used for tissue away from the vertebrae.
3. Rubbing - the development of the collar area in order to warm the skin and increase blood flow. Should be used with extreme caution, without affecting the spinous processes of the vertebrae. Rubbing can be replaced by movements resembling sawing or circular strokes.
4. Kneading - impact on deep tissues. They have a limited use mainly in the area far from the cervical region - the upper back.

The patient can perform massage, and most - in a sitting position. To do this, he can use techniques such as caresses, circular rubbing in the neck and shoulders. It is recommended to combine self-massage with rubbing ointments designed to increase blood flow and relieve pain.

Manual therapy can be performed passively using the Kuznetsov applicator, which is a special device with plastic tips that act on acupuncture points in the cervical region. Acupressure is useful because it allows you to stimulate skin receptors responsible for physiological processes in the body. In some cases, the applicator can help to permanently and effectively reduce pain, normalize blood circulation and restore the patient's performance.

However, there are certain contraindications to the use of a medical device. It cannot be used for infectious, skin, tumor and vascular diseases. Despite the simplicity of the device, it is recommended to first consult with your doctor about the possibility of using it. If during treatment with the applicator there are unpleasant sensations, the state of health worsens, then it should be abandoned.

For effective prevention, you can use special orthopedic pillows for sleeping. With the pathology of the intervertebral discs in the cervical region, finding the head in an uncomfortable position during an 8-hour rest will contribute to the development of the disease.

The advantage of an orthopedic product is that it is a tool not only for prevention, but also for treatment - this is called position therapy. With the correct selection of a pillow for sleeping, pain in the neck will be significantly reduced, and there will be no need to resort to dangerous self-massage using strong movements.

exercise therapy

Therapeutic exercise is one of the most effective methods of conservative therapy. However, it must be carried out in compliance with certain rules. It is desirable that the set of exercises was drawn up by a specialist, and the first classes took place under his supervision.

Recommendations for Therapeutic Exercises:

• clothing should not restrict movement;
• exercises should be performed in a well-ventilated area;
• it is recommended to attend classes no earlier than half an hour after eating;
• during the week it is necessary to repeat up to 4 workouts;
• all movements should be carried out smoothly, since quick action can cause a complication;
• it is necessary to control the pulse;
• if pains occur during exercise, you need to replace them with stretching and relaxation actions;
• the intensity of classes and loads should be increased gradually;
• it is desirable to alternate physiotherapy exercises with gymnastics for proper breathing.

Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is not carried out in the following cases:

1. The period of exacerbation of the disease, when the pain is pronounced both during movement and at rest.
2. Dizziness occurs due to impaired blood circulation, which is caused by the instability of the vertebrae.
3. There are acute diseases that occur with signs of inflammation.
4. Diagnosed with cancer at any stage.
5. Blood clotting is impaired, that is, there is a risk of thrombosis or a tendency to bleed.
6. Poisoning.
7. There are cardiovascular diseases in the stage of decompensation and arterial hypertension.
8. Diagnosed with high myopia with concomitant fundus pathology.

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the following exercises are recommended:

starting position	A series of exercises
Stand on my feet	Collar size. Hands should be used as a collar fixer. When belting the neck, the thumbs should be located in the lower part of the jaw, the rest - behind the back of the head. In this position, you need to tilt your head left and right, lingering in a tilted state for 2 seconds. After 8-10 repetitions, the circumference is stopped and the exercise is performed again. Squats with hand support. You need to press your palms on the counter with your back to the table. It is necessary to slightly throw the head back and stretch the body, lingering as much as possible for 2 seconds, then sit down, without releasing the hands and tilting the head forward. The squat level should be comfortable. The book is on the head. It is necessary to put the hardback edition on top of the head so that it does not move. In this state, you need to hold for 3-4 minutes. If there is a feeling of discomfort, the time is reduced. This exercise is designed to return the vertebrae to a physiologically correct position. Neck flexion with resistance. You need to put your palm on your forehead and apply pressure to the side of your hand. At this time, the head should hold its position for 20 seconds, after which it is thrown back and a second palm is placed under the back of the head. Then you need to simultaneously press with both hands, creating tension for 5 seconds. This exercise is used to relieve spasms and stretch the muscles. Neck extension with head resistance. The exercise is similar to the previous one. In this case, the palm is first placed on the back of the head and pressed on it for 20 seconds without changing the position of the head, after which it bends, the second palm is applied to the forehead and bilateral compressionis performed for 5 seconds. This exercise is used to stretch the vertebrae. The neck bends with resistance. Similar to the previous two exercises, use the palms to create tension. First, the head is tilted to the left, the left palm is placed on the right temple and slightly pressed, thereby stretching the muscles. Then the exercise is repeated on the right side.
Sitting on a chair	It is necessary to place the lower parts of the palms on the temples, close the jaws while inhaling and tighten the muscles. The skin of the temporal region should be pulled with the hands. On exhalation, the tension stops and the temples relax. The exercise is repeated up to 5 times. Hands with palms should be pressed to the cheekbones so that the spread fingertips slightly press the temples. With a slow movement of the head back and forth, it is necessary to gently point the fingers up and down, they should reach the top of the head when the head is tilted forward and fall on the cheeks whenit is thrown back. This exercise will allow you to simultaneously tense and relax the muscles and improve blood circulation. Both hands should be placed behind the neck, fingers crossed, while the neck and back should be straight. In this position, you need to perform sliding movements with your fingers, while tilting your head.

Proper and regular exercise for cervical osteochondrosis can relieve tension, increase blood flow, strengthen neck muscles, and improve spinal mobility.

Prohibited activities such as running, jumping, swinging and pushing, lifting weights. You should also avoid exercises that emphasize the hands and suspension. With the permission of the doctor, the patient can engage in sports if he has previously practiced training, but only with a comprehensive exercise program.

ethnosciences

It is recommended to treat cervical osteochondrosis with the following traditional drugs for external use:

1. Horseradish leaves compress. The plant has anti-inflammatory properties. Horseradish leaves should be young and fresh. They are dipped in boiling water for a few seconds, after which they are immediately applied to the cervical spine. From above, the application is covered with cellophane and a warm scarf. The compress is kept as long as possible. It is advisable to make a bandage at night and clean it in the morning.
2. Alcohol compress. You will need 300 ml of medical alcohol, 10 tablets of analgin (powder), 10 ml of iodine and 10 ml of camphor alcohol. All ingredients are carefully mixed. In the resulting solution, gauze is moistened, applied to the sore neck, covered with polyethylene and a warm scarf on top. The compress is kept for no more than 2-3 hours, as alcohol can cause skin irritation. This method is contraindicated even with minor injuries.
3. A compress of potatoes and honey. 1 large raw potato, grated and diluted with 2 tbsp. I. Honey. The resulting mixture is smeared on the fabric, which is attached to the painful area. The compress is removed after 2 hours.
4. Hop ointment. 1st. I. powder obtained from hop cones, triturated with 1 tbsp. I. fresh butter. The resulting ointment is applied to the sore spot and isolated.
5. Elecampane decoction. The root of the plant in the second year of life in the amount of 2 tbsp. I. pour a glass of boiling water. The solution is boiled for 10 minutes over low heat, then filtered. The elecampane remedy is used for compresses applied to the spine. The application is deleted after 20 minutes. This remedy is also used for baths, while the amount of raw materials is increased to 10 tbsp. I.

For pain relief, the following recipes are recommended for oral administration:

1. Tincture on pine buds. They are harvested in the spring, choosing specimens with a size of at least 15 mm and no more than 20 mm. The collected raw materials are thoroughly washed, ground in a coffee grinder and diluted with sugar in a 2: 1 ratio. The ingredients are mixed and removed and stored for 2 weeks in the refrigerator. The resulting remedy is taken in 1 tbsp. 3 times a day. The duration of treatment is 3 weeks. The tincture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 year.
2. Celery juice. The root of the plant is ground on a grater and the juice is squeezed out. They drink it in 1 tbsp. I. 3 times a day before meals. Sometimes mixed 1 tbsp. I. juice with a glass of boiling water, insist for 2 hours. Such a composition is taken in 1 tbsp. I. one hour before meals 4 times a day.
3. Infusion of celeriac. 3 g of raw materials are filled with 500 ml of boiling water, wait until it cools completely and consume 20 ml before meals.
4. Bay leaf decoction. 12 g of raw materials are placed in enameled dishes, 300 ml of cold water are poured, boiled for 5 minutes, then infused for 3 hours and filtered. The tool is consumed throughout the day between meals in small sips. The rest is drunk before going to bed. The course of treatment is 4 days, then take a break for a week and repeat it. As a preventive measure, therapy is carried out every spring.

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you can use herbal teas with a general strengthening effect. Useful drinks with the use of:

• lingonberry and birch leaves;
• chamomile;
• linden flowers;
• wild rose;
• marigold;
• hypericon;
• ponytail;
• motherwort.