Osteochondrosis - degenerative changes in the articular cartilage, followed by partial destruction of the discs between the vertebrae. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by slow, developing age, destruction of the tissue between the vertebrae that support the head. If in the last century the disease was diagnosed mainly in people over the age of thirty, today orthopedists make such a diagnosis even for school children. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is long. Even during the period of remission, it is necessary to take courses of maintenance therapy.
Symptoms of the disease in the early stages
The size of the cervical vertebrae is smaller than in the thoracic and lumbar. But the load on them is significant: every day a person's neck performs many complex movements. Office workers who are forced to sit in the same position at the computer for many hours in a row often develop osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae. Treatment in this case includes not only the removal of pain, but also the obligatory change of lifestyle. Inactive sitting for many hours behind a monitor is a big test for the spine.
The following causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be distinguished:
- heredity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- extreme physical activity;
- neck injuries;
- cervical spine anomalies;
- constantly irregular body position during sleep.
Orthopedics and neurology distinguish four stages of the disease. In the first two, the disease does not cause severe pain, but it cannot be ignored.
In the first phase, the disease is manifested by frequent headaches, a mild feeling of withdrawal in the neck. Almost all patients do not attach importance to such mild symptoms. Headaches are attributed to fatigue or lack of sleep. Most patients prefer to simply take an analgesic tablet.
Over time (sometimes this process can take several years), the disease inevitably progresses to another stage. The danger of osteochondrosis is that the so-called radicular syndrome often develops. It usually manifests in the second phase and worsens as osteochondrosis progresses. Radicular syndrome is a tightening of the nerve endings in the cervical vertebrae. After that, headaches are joined by many other pathologies. These are worsening of sight and hearing, impaired functioning of the vestibular apparatus, unbearable migraine with and without aura, numbness of the hands.
As a rule, patients go to the doctor only after the manifestations of radicular syndrome. Most of all, only his symptoms worry him. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and the necessary rehabilitation will not be able to neutralize all the consequences that radicular syndrome brings. You can only temporarily stop the development of the disease and prevent even greater complications.
Manifestations of the disease in later stages
There are both third and fourth stages of the disease that are simply impossible not to notice. Even patients who are surprisingly unaware of their own health ring the alarm and go to the doctor.
The third stage of cervical osteochondrosis, if not accompanied by radicular syndrome, brings the patient frequent painful headaches. It is characterized by the appearance of pain directly in the neck and shoulders. The patient is forced to constantly use ointments with warming and analgesic effect. Massage helps very well in the third phase. It is important to understand that it will not completely cure the disease. Only long-term remission can be achieved - that is the goal of treatment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the fourth stage: visible obliqueness of the spine with the naked eye and severe pain in this area. If there is also radicular syndrome, then the patient often experiences very severe dizziness, he may faint after making one or another sharp physical movement. Depending on where and how much the nerve ending was pinched, serious deterioration of sight or hearing is possible.
In the later stages, the occurrence of irritative-reflex syndrome is possible, in which severe pain in the back of the head is pulsating in nature, as well as pain that descends to the thoracic spine. They can reach such strength that the patient cannot fall asleep or perform normal body movements. Such symptoms are also possible with a strong vertebral displacement. Cervical osteochondrosis in later stages in 90% of cases is accompanied by either an irritative reflex or radicular syndrome.
There are cases when the disease is complicated by two of these pathologies at once. In this case, treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine folk remedies will fail. An integrated approach is important, which includes the use of specialized methods (injections, massages, physiotherapy, taking analgesics) and general ones (swimming, exercising, lifestyle).
Symptoms depend on damaged nerve roots
Osteochondrosis of the 1st cervical vertebra is accompanied by stiffness in the occipital region in the early stages of disease development. In the later stages - the appearance of severe pain in this area. The best treatment is the use of ointments with the effect of warming and anesthesia, as well as massage. B vitamins should be injected once every six months.
Osteochondrosis of the 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae is accompanied by a violation of the sensitivity of the limbs and the appearance of pain in the forearms, thoracic part. Treatment - massage of the cervical-cervical zone and those parts of the body that numb. Regular use of vitamin B on a continuous basis (at least once every six months, optimally once a quarter) is shown. Physiotherapy is also effective.
Osteochondrosis of the 6th cervical vertebra is accompanied by pain in the shoulders and neck. Frequent headaches. Vision may begin to deteriorate - myopia and astigmatism develop. The principles of treatment are the same as in the case of involvement of other vertebrae. Only with the accompanying symptoms - worsening of sight and hearing - do you have to pay attention to that as well. Regularly engage in visual hygiene, do eye exercises, instill special drops that relax the optic nerve.
Osteochondrosis of the 7th cervical vertebra is accompanied by damage to the nerve ending in the area of the fifth, sixth and seventh vertebrae. It occurs in both men and women of any age. This is the most common osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae. Symptoms of pinched nerve endings C6 and C7 are periodic numbness of the fingers and hands, pain in the neck, forearm and lower part - shoulder blades, back, to the lumbar region.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis: which doctor to consult
To diagnose and prescribe a course of treatment for cervical spine osteochondrosis, you should apply for consultation with a neuropathologist and orthopedist. A neurologist can prescribe medication for the manifestations of the disease, which affect the condition of the nerve endings. This makes sense if the disease is accompanied by radicular syndrome. The orthopedist will assess the condition of the spine and diagnose the presence of additional diseases: scoliosis, lordosis, etc.
The following research methods are used to diagnose and accurately assess the condition of intervertebral discs:
- Radiography.
- CT scanner.
- Magnetic tomography.
- Ultrasound scan of the blood vessels of the neck.
Each of them is completely safe for health and does not carry any danger of overexposure. The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, whose treatment will be carried out for the rest of his life, can be made after a simple visual examination. Any orthopedist can do this easily. The exception is the first stage of the disease, when no visible pathologies of the cervical region are observed.
Methods of treatment of traditional medicine
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine? Whatever method you choose, keep in mind that you will need to monitor your neck condition regularly to achieve remission. Osteochondrosis cannot be completely cured. After a while, the symptoms will definitely be felt again, and their intensity will directly depend on the patient's attitude towards his own health.
Here is a list of the most effective measures to eliminate the symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- physiotherapy;
- cervical-neck massage;
- taking analgesics;
- course of B vitamins;
- physiotherapy;
- swimming.
The patient must remember that he must not engage in athletics (running, jumping, plyometric exercises), fitness. This will inevitably cause the condition to worsen. You can't sit in one position for long. Even if the office work involves long hours spent behind the monitor, once an hour you have to get up and give yourself a ten-minute warm-up of the neck and neck area, a slight stretch.
Complex of physiotherapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home can be done with the help of special exercises. They must be performed daily, otherwise no noticeable result can be expected.
- Stand up straight, on the line. Raise your arms up, inhale, stand on your toes and stretch as much as possible. Perform a few repetitions.
- Starting position - stand on your feet, back straight, arms freely lowered along the body. Touch the left ear to the left shoulder, the right ear to the right shoulder. Perform ten times in each direction at a slow pace, without sudden movements.
- The starting position is the same as in the previous exercise. Touch the sternum with your chin, then gently and gently tilt your head back. If the movement is accompanied by pain or discomfort, it should be abandoned.
- Sit on a chair or on a hard floor with your back straight. You can cross your legs in the lotus position. Make circular rotations of the head - first clockwise and then counterclockwise.
- Lie on a hard floor on your stomach. The arms and legs are outstretched. Exercise "boat": tear off the surface of the head, arms and legs and try to raise them as much as possible. Stay in this position as long as possible. This exercise is useful not only for the cervical spine, but also for the thoracic and lumbar.
Physical therapy exercises should be performed carefully, at a slow pace. Sudden movements can lead to increased pain.
If it is possible to perform exercises after a therapeutic heated massage of the cervical-neck zone - wonderful. This way of combining two methods of treatment at once is very good.
Blockage of the pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The main group of drugs used to treat cervical osteochondrosis with vertebral displacement are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Moreover, in relation to cervical osteochondrosis, topical application of NSAIDs in gels and ointments is preferred.
In that sense, ointments and creams with snake and bee venom are effective. Local irritants and chondroprotectors are among the topical agents.
If the pain is too severe, disposable strong analgesics can be used. Osteochondrosis sometimes gets worse with a cold. In this case, medications based on the active ingredient paracetamol will help to eliminate all the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections and chondrosis.
Use of vitamin B in traditional disease therapy
Why do neuropathologists always prescribe B vitamins as part of a complex treatment for cervical osteochondrosis? The explanation is very simple. With radicular syndrome, nerve endings suffer, and vitamins are the easiest way to support their functioning. The most effective form of application is intramuscular injection. When taken orally, B vitamins are only partially absorbed. When given intramuscularly, they enter the bloodstream almost immediately.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home
For complex treatment it is not necessary to go to the hospital at all. It is quite possible to achieve remission at home. It is very good if the patient can inject on his own. Then you can't be in the clinic every day.
Methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with folk remedies:
- Baths with salt and soda bring pain reduction, relaxation of the whole body. This is especially good before bed. You should bathe in full water of moderate temperature and dissolve a kilogram of salt and about 500 grams of soda in it.
- Paraffin applications are great. Melt paraffin or wax, cool to a comfortable temperature and apply to the damaged area. You can do such dressings 2 times a week.
- To reduce the inflammatory process, you can take a decoction of herbs. It is necessary to mix 1 tbsp. l. flowers of St. John's wort, chamomile, calendula and yarrow. Add 1 tbsp. l. thyme and dandelion leaves. Now you should take 2 tbsp. l. the resulting mixture and pour one liter of boiling water, insist. During 3 weeks, it is enough to take a decoction of 1/4 cup 3 times a day.
- If you do not trust pharmaceuticals, you can prepare an ointment for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. You will need to take coriander fruits, birch buds, dandelion roots, peppermint grass in equal parts. Grind three tablespoons of the mixture into a powder, pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over it and simmer for 5 minutes. Add 75 g of vegetable oil and lard to the resulting mass. Cool and rub into the affected 4 times a day. Store the fat in the refrigerator.
- Good help with osteochondrosis and compresses. For example, from honey and potatoes. Grate one large tuber on a fine grater and mix with honey in a ratio of 1: 1. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected area for 45 minutes.
In osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, massage is the number one medicine for reducing tension and pain. You need good flexibility to do the massage therapy yourself. Older people are often unable to raise their arms to the desired height. But they find a way out of the situation: they ask one of the younger relatives for a massage.
Patient feedback on the outcome of therapy
According to numerous examinations of patients by orthopedists and neurologists, the optimal method of treatment is the use of all procedures in combination. It is useless to use only methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with folk remedies.
Some patients notice that the course of treatment with a good massage therapist has literally brought them back to life, increasing their work capacity.
Some patients respond positively exclusively to physiotherapy exercises. They started exercising regularly at home, they bought a subscription to the pool for therapeutic swimming courses. Yoga and regular spine stretching exercises have helped some. Feelings after such asanas: lightness in the body, absence of pain, relief from stress.
If you regularly burden your body with this type of activity, you can enter a long-term remission and forget about the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.