Cervical osteochondrosis is a progressive dystrophic-degenerative lesion of the intervertebral discs in the region of 1 to 7 vertebrae belonging to the cervical spine.
As a result of cervical osteochondrosis, deformation occurs, exhaustion, and then damage to the vertebral bodies. This disrupts normal blood supply and nerve conduction in the neck and in areas innervated by nerve roots in the cervical spine.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be isolated or associated with osteochondrosis of other parts - thoracic, lumbar and sacral.
Causes
There are a number of factors that predispose to the development of osteochondrosis. These include:
- sedentary and sedentary lifestyle;
- sedentary types of work with a static load on the neck;
- overweight, insufficient physical development;
- connective tissue dysplastic processes;
- circulatory disorders in the neck;
- neck injuries;
- scoliosis, poor posture, uncomfortable pillows and mattresses;
- hereditary predisposition, metabolic defects.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. Complications
The cervical spine is the most vulnerable to the development of osteochondrosis. The vertebrae there are the smallest compared to other parts of the spine, the muscular frame is not very pronounced, the weight of the head and the upright posture act on the vertebrae. In the cervical spine, the vertebrae fit together tightly. Even a small change in these can cause compression and even displacement of nerves and blood vessels.
The most characteristic symptom that patients complain about is pain in the cervical spine. Depending on the area affected, the pain may be localized: in the collarbone and shoulder; throughout the cervical spine; on the anterior side of the chest.
The first signs of cervical osteochondrosis may be insignificant: a feeling of heaviness in the head, headache in the occipital region, pain in the neck at night, a feeling of numbness or tingling in the shoulders and arms.
Main symptoms
Vegetative-dystonic.
Severe "pulling" pain in the neck, in the area just below the occiput. Pain occurs after a long stay in one position, after sleep, constant tension of the muscles of the neck.
Difficulty moving the hand to the side, stiffness, numbness in the fingers. Due to the compression of the vertebral arteries, neurological manifestations are observed: headache, nausea, dizziness, unreasonable jumps in blood pressure.
Symptom of the spine.
The pains are localized behind the sternum on the left.
This type of pain should be distinguished from angina pain (with angina, nitroglycerin provides relief, with osteochondrosis not).
With a gradual disruption of the structure of the intervertebral discs, they are compressed, and there is damage to the nerve roots, as well as narrowing or damage to the arteries and veins that pass through the region of the vertebral bodies.
This leads to the formation of special syndromes - radicular and ischemic:
- defeat of the roots of the first cervical vertebra (C1): anomalies of the occiput;
- The C2 lesion causes pain in the region of the crown and occiput;
- C3 lesion gives neck pain on the affected side, decreased sensitivity of the tongue and hypoglossal muscles, speech disturbances are possible;
- damage to C4 and C5 causes pain in the shoulder and collarbone, decreased tone of the muscles of the head and neck, hiccups, breathing problems and heart pain;
- The C6 lesion occurs most often, gives pain from the neck to the scapula, forearm, up to the thumbs, skin sensitivity may suffer;
- C7 lesion - similar symptoms with pain in the neck, back of the shoulder, to the back of the hand, impaired strength of the arms and decreased reflexes.
Circulatory disturbances due to the compression of the blood vessels in the cervical vertebrae can lead to headaches, up to migraine, dizziness, visual disturbances and tinnitus, flies flashing in front of the eyes, cloudinessautonomous functions.
There may be manifestations of cardiac syndrome with pressing pain in the heart, lack of air and palpitations, arrhythmias.
Complications.
Protrusion of the intervertebral discs with the formation of a hernia (protrusion).
Rupture of the intervertebral disc with pinching of nerves and blood vessels, possible compression of the spinal cord, which can be fatal.
Root lesions (radiculopathy), the formation of thorns on the vertebral bodies (osteophytes) with manifestation of paresis and paralysis.
In the presence of the above complaints, it is necessary to contact an orthopedist or neurologist and conduct the necessary research.
Nutrition
Good nutrition will significantly alleviate the disease of osteochondrosis. Nutrition must be complete. If a person has a normal body weight, then you can take therapeutic diet number 15 according to Pevzner as a basis. It contains all the necessary minerals and an increased amount of fat soluble and water soluble vitamins. It is necessary to eat foods rich in natural chondroprotectors. Chondroitin is found in goldfish, animal tendons and cartilage, and chicken meat.
Be sure to take clean water in a volume of 1. 5-2 liters. Fluid is needed to keep the intervertebral discs from drying out.
Traditional and non-traditional treatments
Processing
Today, there are both traditional and non-traditional methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Drug treatment methods: symptomatic therapy with analgesics for pain relief; taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve inflammation and tissue edema; antispasmodics; drugs to improve blood circulation; chondroprotectors to restore the structure of the intervertebral discs.
Shown is a course of group therapy with vitamin B, external agents for therapy - gels and ointments, creams with anti-inflammatory, warming and analgesic components.
During the period of exacerbation, it is recommended to wear a special collar (Shants collar).
Complications of cervical osteochondrosis with intervertebral hernias that affect sensitivity and blood flow can be treated quickly.
The duration of treatment depends on the neglect of the disease, since osteochondrosis is a chronic progressive disease. The treatment can be long and preventive cures can be carried out for life.
Physiotherapy treatments.
These include exercise therapy, magnetotherapy, balneotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture, Lyapko application therapy, and massage.
Physiotherapy
It is imperative to do exercises for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis several times a day every day. They include self-stretching, self-massage, a set of special exercises. Avoid neck injuries and heavy lifting.
It is necessary to combine prolonged sitting with periods of rest and warm-up.
The basis of cervical spine health is a strong and healthy back, physical activity, a comfortable bed with anatomical pillows and a mattress, correct posture and good nutrition.
Lyapko application therapy
Application area:
- basic 2, 3;
- 1, 4, 12, 13 more;
- auxiliary 20, 22, 28, 31.
General recommendations
When using the applicator, the main, additional and maximum pain areas are used, but in case of very severe pain, the applicators should be applied above and below the painful area, or points andareas on the opposite side should be used. Exposure time 10-30 minutes.
If cervical osteochondrosis is combined with osteochondrosis of other parts - thoracic, lumbar and sacral, the application treatment can be applied simultaneously or in turn to all parts of the spine. The larger the exposure area, the better the effect.