Osteochondrosis of the neck is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the cervical spine, which is characterized by damage to the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs and adjacent bone structures with the appearance of reactive inflammation and dysfunction of the spine.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be felt at any age.It is believed that in people prone to degenerative changes in the cartilage, the first manifestations of the disease are observed during the school years.Indeed, today this disease has become significantly younger, so it is much more often diagnosed in patients under 45-55 years of age.
In most clinical cases, cervical osteochondrosis is the result of age-related changes in the human body.Among other common causes of the disease, scientists mention genetic predisposition, sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, intense physical activity on the spine, excess weight and abnormal development of the skeletal system.
It is known that osteochondrosis of the neck differs from other types of diseases (thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis) in its clinical manifestations.This can be easily explained by the structural features of the cervical spine and the functions assigned to it.
Regardless of the degree of neglect of the pathological process, its spread and localization cannot be ignored by specialists.It is important to understand that over time the disease will only progress and at some point it will bring irreparable consequences.Therefore, you should not hope for coincidence or try to treat the problem yourself, but when the first signs of neck osteochondrosis appear, immediately seek qualified help from professionals.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Since the cervical vertebrae have a different structure, and also differ from the rest of the spine in their proximity to each other, it is understandable why cervical osteochondrosis differs in clinical appearance from disease variants in the thoracic and lumbar regions.Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by severe pain, disorders of normal blood circulation in the cervical vessels and tight nerve bundles.
Among the main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- severe pain in the neck and back of the head, widespread headache, pain in the upper girdle of the shoulders and arms;
- muscle weakness or loss of sensation in the upper extremities;
- the appearance of a crack when turning the head;
- complex movements of the head to the sides;
- frequent dizziness, vertigo, general weakness that occurs when the vessels in the neck that supply the brain are compressed;
- impaired memory and coordination, hearing problems and the like.
During its development, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine passes through several stages, each of which has its own characteristics and is characterized by a number of specific clinical signs:
- Stage 1 - the beginning of degenerative-dystrophic degeneration of the osteochondral tissue of the cervical spine, which is accompanied by subtle changes in the health of the sick person (such patients may experience: periodic weakness, dizziness, short-term headaches);
- Phase 2 – thinning and rupture of the intervertebral discs occurs, which is clinically manifested by the development of constant pain, severe weakness, fatigue and numbness in various parts of the face, neck and upper extremities;
- Stage 3 – herniation of the intervertebral discs occurs, which is accompanied by pain in the back of the head, serious problems with the normal blood supply of tissues and a state before fainting;
- Stage 4 - the bone tissue of the vertebrae begins to grow and compress the nerve roots, which leads to the cessation of their functioning, the continuation of the pain syndrome and the appearance of severe stiffness in movement.
The diagnosis of spinal osteochondrosis can only be confirmed by a doctor during an examination of the patient and a detailed diagnosis of his condition.The choice of effective treatment tactics depends on the stage of development of the pathological process, its prevalence and the presence of complications.It is important to understand that the treatment of a disease such as cervical osteochondrosis must be carried out by a qualified and experienced specialist.Otherwise, the patient not only risks receiving ineffective therapy, but also faces the consequences of illiterate care.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Treatment of exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis should be comprehensive.In such therapy schemes, specialists can use both medicinal methods to relieve the symptoms of the disease, as well as physiotherapeutic techniques, massage, physical therapy and the like.
Regardless of the method of impact on the diseased spine, all methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine have several goals:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- restoration of lost sensitivity in different parts of the face and upper extremities;
- strengthening the muscles and ligaments that support the vertebrae;
- relief of local inflammation and reduction of tissue edema;
- eliminating the consequences of pinched nerve roots;
- preventing the progression of the pathological process.
As drug therapy for osteochondrosis, doctors often prescribe to patients drugs from the group of analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, glucocorticoids and chondroprotectors.Therapeutic gymnastics and physiotherapy can achieve good results in the treatment of the disease.
Surgical correction of disorders in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the last resort, which is used in the absence of effect from conservative treatment.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis
Therapeutic gymnastics is an effective method for eliminating the manifestations of osteochondrosis, which also helps to avoid the progression of the pathological process and achieve stable remission.A group of physical exercises is selected individually.Its volume and nature depend on the degree of complexity of the disease, its clinical manifestations and the presence of the consequences of the disease in the person.
Among the main clinical effects of therapeutic exercises, the following should be noted:
- strengthening the muscular corset of the back and the ligaments that hold the cervical vertebrae in the correct anatomical position;
- posture extension;
- improvement of blood circulation in soft tissues;
- normalization of innervation.
It is important to remember that a person should not feel pain or discomfort while performing the exercises.Therapeutic exercises can be used for therapeutic purposes, as well as to prevent the development of osteochondrosis.
The benefits of massage
For osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, massage helps to increase the tone of the muscle layer and eliminate pain.Today, experienced massage therapists use various massage techniques in their practice, but the most effective for osteochondrosis are:
- stroke to stimulate the upper layers of muscles, which starts from the collar area, gradually moving to the clavicle and armpit area;
- friction, which helps improve blood flow and relieve tension;
- squeezing, as a method to affect the deeper areas of the skin, is performed by grasping the tissue on the entire neck;
- kneading, which is an impact on the deep layers of the neck tissue and, if performed incorrectly, can harm the patient.
Only an experienced specialist should perform massage procedures.An illiterate approach to treatment can provoke a worsening of osteochondrosis in the patient and even the appearance of serious consequences.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures for osteochondrosis of the neck can be used as monotherapy, as well as in combination with other effective techniques.They can improve the condition of muscle tissue, eliminate local swelling and calm irritated nerve fibers.The most common and popular physiotherapy methods for osteochondrosis today include balneotherapy, electrophoresis, UHF therapy, magnetic therapy, phonophoresis and acupuncture.
Manual therapy
For osteochondrosis of the neck, manual therapy is well proven, which is designed to normalize blood flow in the affected areas, relieve muscle spasms and relax the paracervical muscles.This method can significantly improve the clinical appearance of the disease and prevent its exacerbations.In addition, manual tissue manipulation prevents the progression of the pathological process and prevents its complications.
Preventing
To prevent the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical spine, doctors recommend following simple rules, in particular:
- lead an active lifestyle, regularly perform aerobic exercises, visit the pool;
- give up bad habits;
- when working seated, provide yourself with a sufficient number of breaks during which to warm up;
- take care of a healthy and sound sleep on an orthopedic mattress with a good pillow.
When the first signs of the development of cervical osteochondrosis appear, you should not postpone a visit to a specialist or self-medicate them.It should be understood that only the timely provision of qualified help in the initial stages of the development of the disease helps to completely eliminate its unpleasant manifestations and prevent the progression of the process.