Osteochondrosis of the neck is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the cervical spine, characterized by damage to the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs and adjacent bone structures with the appearance of reactive inflammation and dysfunction of the spine.
Cervical osteochondrosis can make itself felt at any age.It is believed that in people prone to degenerative changes of cartilage, the first manifestations of the disease are observed during the school years.Indeed, today this disease has become significantly younger, so it is diagnosed much more often in patients under the age of 45-55 years.
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 also cite genetic predisposition, sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, intense physical activity of the spine, excess weight and abnormal development of the skeletal system.
It is known that osteochondrosis of the neck differs from other types of the disease (thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis) in its clinical manifestations.This can be easily explained by the structural characteristics of the cervical spine and the functions assigned to it.
Regardless of the degree of neglect of the pathological process, its prevalence and localization, it cannot be ignored by specialists.It is important to understand that over time the disease will only progress and at some point will lead to irreparable consequences.Therefore, you should not hope for chance or try to treat the problem on your own, but when the first signs of osteochondrosis of the neck 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 by their proximity to each other, it is understandable why cervical osteochondrosis differs in clinical appearance from variants of the disease in the thoracic and lumbar region.Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by very intense pain, disturbances of normal blood circulation in the cervical vessels and crushing of 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 shoulder girdle and arms;
- muscle weakness or loss of sensation in the upper limbs;
- the appearance of a crunch when turning the head;
- complicated movements of the head to the sides;
- frequent dizziness, lightheadedness, 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 goes 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 patient's health (such patients may experience: periodic weakness, dizziness, short-term headaches);
- Stage 2 – thinning and rupture of the intervertebral discs occurs, which is clinically manifested by the development of persistent pain, severe weakness, fatigue and numbness in different parts of the face, neck and upper extremities;
- Stage 3 – herniations of the intervertebral disc occur, accompanied by pain in the back of the head, serious problems with the normal blood supply to the tissues and pre-fainting conditions;
- Stage 4 – the bone tissue of the vertebrae begins to grow and compresses the nerve roots, which leads to disruption of their functioning, persistence of pain syndrome and the appearance of severe stiffness in movements.
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 therapeutic 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 should 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 treatment schemes, specialists can use both medicinal methods to relieve the symptoms of the disease, and physiotherapeutic techniques, massage, physical therapy and the like.
Regardless of the method of influencing 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 limbs;
- strengthen the muscles and ligaments that support the vertebrae;
- relief of local inflammation and reduction of tissue edema;
- elimination of the consequences of crushed nerve roots;
- prevention of progression of the pathological process.
As drug therapy for osteochondrosis, doctors often prescribe to patients drugs from the group of analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, glucocorticoids and chondroprotectors.Therapeutic gymnastics and physiotherapy can achieve good results in treating the disease.
Surgical correction of disorders in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the last resort, which is used in the absence of effects of conservative treatment.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis
Therapeutic gymnastics is an effective method of eliminating the manifestations of osteochondrosis, which also helps to avoid the progression of the pathological process and achieve stable remission.A set 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 consequences of the disease in the person.
Among the main clinical effects of therapeutic exercises, the following should be highlighted:
- strengthen the muscular corset of the back and the ligaments that keep the cervical vertebrae in the correct anatomical position;
- posture alignment;
- improve blood flow to soft tissues;
- normalization of innervation.
It is important to remember that a person should not feel any pain or discomfort while performing the exercises.Therapeutic exercises can be used for therapeutic purposes and to prevent the development of osteochondrosis.
Benefits of massage
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, massage helps to increase the tone of the muscle layer and eliminate pain.Today, experienced masseurs use different massage techniques in their practice, but the most effective for osteochondrosis are:
- stroking to stimulate the upper muscle layers, starting from the collar area, gradually moving to the collarbone and armpit area;
- rubbing, which helps improve blood flow and relieve tension;
- squeezing, as a method of affecting deeper areas of the skin, is done by grasping the tissue through the neck;
- kneading, which affects the deep layers of neck tissue and, if done incorrectly, can harm the patient.
Only an experienced specialist should perform massage procedures.An illiterate approach to treatment can provoke an exacerbation of osteochondrosis in the patient and even the appearance of serious consequences.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic 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 soothe irritated nerve fibers.The most common and popular methods of physiotherapy for osteochondrosis today include balneotherapy, electrophoresis, UHF therapy, magnetic therapy, phonophoresis and acupuncture.
Manual therapy
For osteochondrosis of the neck, manual therapy has been proven effective, designed to normalize blood flow in the affected areas, relieve muscle spasms and relax the paracervical muscles.This method can significantly improve the clinical picture of the disease and prevent its exacerbations.Furthermore, manual manipulation of the tissue prevents the progression of the pathological process and prevents its complications.
Prevention
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 gymnastic exercises, visit the swimming pool;
- abandon bad habits;
- when working seated, allow yourself a sufficient number of breaks during which to warm up;
- take care of a healthy and deep sleep on an orthopedic mattress with a good pillow.
When the first signs of development of cervical osteochondrosis appear, you should not postpone a visit to a specialist or self-medicate.It should be understood that only the timely provision of qualified assistance in the initial stages of the development of the disease helps to completely eliminate its unpleasant manifestations and prevent the progression of the process.