Symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the result of a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition. The first signs of the disease can appear already at the age of 25, if treatment is not started, serious complications arise. In the treatment of the disease, an integrated approach is used - drug treatment, diet therapy, physiotherapy and physiotherapy.

Causes of cervical spine osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic change in the intervertebral discs and joints, which leads to decreased neck mobility and severe pain. The main reason for the development of the disease is a violation of mineral metabolism, which leads to less strength of bones and joints. ICD-10 code – M42, M50–54.

Why does cervical osteochondrosis occur?

• overweight, unhealthy lifestyle;
• bad posture, scoliosis;
• rheumatism;
• flat feet
• VSD;
• bad nutrition

Injuries, bruises of the spine, excessive physical exertion and stress can provoke the development of cervical spine deformity. In women, osteochondrosis often appears during pregnancy, menopause - due to hormonal changes, the amount of calcium decreases, bone tissue becomes fragile.

Important! The tendency to osteochondrosis is hereditary.

General symptoms and signs

With constant increased load on the cervical vertebrae, muscle spasms occur, blood vessels of the cervical vertebrae are compressed, blood circulation is disturbed, metabolic processes are disturbed - the structure of the intervertebral discs changes, they are deformed and begin to bulge. behind the spinal column.

How is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifested:

• radicular syndrome - against the background of compression of nerve endings, pain appears, which spreads from the neck to the shoulder blades, forearms and covers the front wall of the chest;
• muscle weakness in the hands, noticeable swelling of the neck;
• When you move your head, you hear a characteristic crackle;
• Weakness, chronic fatigue, changes in blood pressure;
• lack of coordination, often dizziness, attacks accompanied by nausea, vomiting;
• Deterioration of vision and hearing, noise, tinnitus;
• Numbness of limbs, tongue;
• frequent migraine;
• 45-65-year-old women experience pain, numbness and tingling in the upper limbs during sleep; Attacks may recur several times a night.

During cervical osteochondrosis, nutrition and blood supply to the brain are disturbed, neurotic disorders appear - anxiety, irritability, mood swings, sleep disorders.

Classification of cervical osteochondrosis

During the development of osteochondrosis, it goes through several stages of development, each of which has characteristic signs. In the photo, you can see how the damaged part of the spine looks at different stages.

Degree of disease development:

1. Osteochondrosis of the 1st degree - the initial stage occurs without particularly pronounced symptoms, a person suffers from rare and insignificant pain when turning and bending the head, back muscles tire quickly.
2. Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree - the vertebrae become unstable, the nerve is compressed, unpleasant sensations appear in the neck, radiating to the shoulder and arm. Additional symptoms include increased fatigue, frequent headaches in the occipital region, restlessness.
3. Osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree - the pain becomes chronic, covers the back, hands, severe muscle weakness is observed, the limbs shrink, intervertebral hernia develops, dizziness attacks often occur.
4. Osteochondrosis of the 4th degree - the intervertebral discs are completely destroyed, they are replaced by connective tissue, the pathological process involves several segments of the spine. There is a lack of coordination, dizziness attacks become more frequent and tinnitus appears.

Acute osteochondrosis is the result of a chronic form of the disease, which is characterized by a severe attack of sharp pain that occurs suddenly after waking up.

Which doctor should I contact?

If signs of cervical osteochondrosis appear, it is necessary to visit a neurologist, some hospitals have a vertebrologist - a specialist who treats diseases of the spine.

Diagnostic methods

Advanced forms of osteochondrosis have a pronounced clinical picture, which allows the initial diagnosis to be made already during the initial examination. Instrumental diagnostic methods will help to identify the degree of degenerative changes in vertebrae.

The main types of osteochondrosis examinations:

• X-ray- the method is effective only in the early stages of pathology development;
• MRI- The screen clearly shows the structure of bone structures, the size and direction of development of intervertebral hernia, the condition of the spinal cord;
• CT- the method is less effective than MRI because it does not provide accurate information about the presence and size of hernias;
• Duplex scanning- allows you to see blood flow disorders;
• Electroneurography- shows the presence of tension, inflammation and other nerve damage;
• Rheoencephalogram- It is prescribed for problems with blood supply to the brain.

For a purposeful and thorough study of some vertebral conditions, discography is performed - a contrast agent is injected into the intervertebral disc, which allows you to see the slightest changes in the tissues and distinguish scar changes from a hernia.

Methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

At the initial stage of development, osteochondrosis can be cured without medication, it is enough to review the diet, daily routine and regularly perform a set of special exercises. In advanced forms of the disease, effective treatment is possible only with the use of various drugs that help stop degenerative changes in the vertebrae.

The complex of therapeutic measures necessarily includes physical procedures - electrophoresis with drugs, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy. These methods help to deal with pain, inflammation, tissue swelling, improve metabolic processes and blood circulation.

First aid

Pain relievers can help relieve pain due to osteochondrosis. You can warm the damaged area with mustard plaster or pepper plaster.

To reduce swelling of inflamed tissues, drink rose water and other diuretics. Massaging the inflamed area with an ice cube will help relieve severe pain in the neck; Continue the procedure until the skin is slightly reddened.

Physiotherapy

Exercise therapy is prescribed during the recovery period; physical exercise is contraindicated during exacerbation of osteochondrosis; Exercise is easy, you can do it at home and you should do it regularly.

Bubnovsky's gymnastics for the treatment and prevention of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. In a standing position, lower your arms freely along the body. Bend your head forward, try to reach your chest with your chin, fix the position on the count of 3. Tilt your head back, chin up, count to 3. Return to the starting position.
2. In a standing position, turn your head to the right, to the left, and fix the position at each extreme point for a few seconds. Repeat 3 times on each side.
3. In a standing position, tilt your head to the right, to the left, try to reach your ear to your shoulder and hold the position for 30 seconds. Perform 6 repetitions in each direction.
4. Standing, hands on the belt, chin parallel to the floor, stretched forward. Turn your head, put your chin on your shoulder, turn your body slightly, hold for half a minute. Do 6 repetitions in each direction; Slight back pain may occur.
5. In a sitting position, back straight, hands on knees. Extend straight arms to the sides, pull back a little, at the same time tilt your head back, return to the starting position, repeat 5 times.
6. In a sitting position, turn your head to the right, put your left hand on your right shoulder, elbow parallel to the floor, rest your right hand on your knee, return to the starting position. Perform 6 repetitions in each direction.
7. In a sitting position, raise your hands above your head, join them well, slightly bend your elbows, turn your head to the side until you feel the slightest pain, fix the position at the extreme point for a few seconds. Repeat 6 turns in each direction.

Rest for 30 seconds between exercises. Before starting gymnastics, you need to take a warm shower and do a few smooth head tilts in different directions to warm up your muscles. Light stretching after your workout will help prevent discomfort the next day.

drug treatment

Drug therapy for osteochondrosis aims to eliminate unpleasant sensations, restore mobility of the spine and slow down degenerative changes in tissues. Acute attacks of pain are solved by injections of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids, while the chronic form of the disease is treated with ointments and tablets.

How to treat osteochondrosis:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs- made in the form of tablets and products for external use, relieves swelling and pain;
• Corticosteroids- removal of acute pain syndrome;
• B vitamins- restores metabolic processes in tissues;
• Chondroprotectors- contributes to the restoration of cartilage tissue;
• Medicines to improve blood circulation and brain nutrition;
• Nootropics- improve brain function and memory;
• Muscle relaxants- elimination of muscle spasms;
• Anti-inflammatory, warming ointments and gels are used for local treatment.

In order for drug therapy to be effective, it is necessary to combine it with exercise therapy and follow a diet, otherwise no medication will help to get rid of osteochondrosis.

Important! If there is no result of conservative treatment, surgery is prescribed.

Folk remedies

Traditional treatment should be used as a supplement to drug therapy and physical exercise; Non-traditional methods will not help to get rid of the disease completely.

What to do with cervical osteochondrosis at home:

1. Pour boiling water on a fresh lamb leaf, cool it a little, apply it on the neck from the inside, fix it with a thin natural cloth. Do the procedure before going to bed, leave the compress all night.
2. Grate raw potatoes on a fine grater and mix in equal proportions with warm liquid honey. Use the mixture for compresses, perform the procedure 1-2 times a week.
3. Mix raw eggs with 100 ml of sunflower oil, 20 ml of vinegar and 20 g of flour, put the mixture in a dark place for 48 hours, remove the film from the surface. Apply the product to the inflamed area before going to bed and store it in the refrigerator.
4. In May, collect pine buds up to 2 cm long, cut into thin slices and place in a dark glass container. Take 2 parts of sugar for 1 part of raw materials, place the medicine in a dark place for 2 weeks. Drink the mixture 5 ml three times a day, do not swallow immediately, keep it in your mouth for 2-3 minutes. The duration of the course is 15-20 days, it is repeated 2-3 times a year.
5. Grind 150 g of cleaned garlic and 400 g of blueberries, place the resulting mass in a glass vessel, after 24 hours add 800 ml of honey, stir. Take 5 ml medicine three times a day before meals.

Cabbage leaves soaked in honey will help you cope with severe pain and remove excess salts; Wrap the compress around your neck with a warm scarf and leave it overnight.

Massage during cervical osteochondrosis

Massage helps to strengthen muscle tone, improve blood circulation in tissues, sessions are conducted by a specialist in severe forms of osteochondrosis. In mild forms of the disease, self-massage will help prevent - treatment is carried out at home.

Massage technique:

1. warm up the muscles- With both hands, run intensively along the back, side surface of the neck from top to bottom. Warm-up time: 2 minutes.
2. press the edge of your hand to the bottom of your neck,Move it with sliding movements to the area of hair growth, then to the shoulder joints.
3. Make circular movements with the fingertips of both handsIn the nape area from the hairline to the forearms - from the spine to the ears and back.
4. Squeeze the muscles of the neck from the bottom to the top, then in the opposite direction.
5. From the back of the head to the shoulders- Perform after each type of exercise.

Important! Do not massage bulging vertebrae, lymph nodes, or carotid arteries.

diet

The goal of the osteochondrosis diet is to supply the body with collagen and proteins; These substances participate in the synthesis of cartilage tissue; Most of them are found in aspic, jelly fish and jelly.

Prohibited products	Authorized products
any alcoholic drink; fatty meat, refractory fats, smoked meat; soups with rich broths; hot, spicy dishes, canned food, marinades; mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup; radish, radish, onion, garlic; fast food, semi-finished products; Fast carbohydrates - sweets, baked goods, pasta made from premium flour; potato Limit salt intake to 5 g per day.	dietary meat; fish, seafood; fermented milk products; grain light soups; whole wheat bread; honey, jam, marmalade, pastilla, nuts, dried fruit, oat cookies; fresh and baked vegetables and fruits; eggs; vegetable oils; Natural juices, green tea, fruit drinks.

Important! To prevent intervertebral disc tissue dehydration, you should drink at least 2. 5 liters of clean water per day.

Possible consequences and complications

In the cervical region, the vertebrae are located close to each other, the height of the intervertebral discs is small, so various complications of osteochondrosis occur even with minor degenerative changes in the bone tissue.

Why is cervical spine osteochondrosis dangerous?

• frequent migraine attacks;
• Heart rhythm disorder, atherosclerosis;
• Protrusion, intervertebral hernia, bony formations of the spine;
• serious brain pathologies;
• Narrowing of the lumen of the vertebral artery, which leads to VSD, cerebral hypertension and the development of disability;
• Spinal stroke.

Important! In advanced osteochondrosis, compression of the spinal cord occurs, which can be fatal.

Contraindications of cervical osteochondrosis

To live a full life with osteochondrosis, it is necessary to avoid activities that can cause pain and exacerbation of the disease.

What not to do with cervical osteochondrosis:

• sleep on a very hard or soft mattress, on a high pillow;
• Lift weights If you need to lift something heavy, you should do it with a straight back and bent knees;
• Carry a bag on one shoulder;
• When the pathology worsens, make active movements of the head and neck;
• smoking, drinking alcohol;
• Walk without a scarf in cold weather, sit in the trash, near the air conditioner;
• Staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time, sitting;
• wear high heels;
• break your neck

Thermal procedures - warming compresses, visiting the bath, heating with a blue lamp - can be done only in the remission stage of the disease. During an exacerbation, the heat will relieve the pain only for a short time, but soon the unpleasant sensations will return and the degree of their manifestation will increase.

Disease prevention

To maintain the health of the spine, it is enough to follow simple rules of prevention.

How to prevent cervical osteochondrosis:

• getting rid of excess weight;
• Do gymnastics every morning, go swimming, yoga, dance;
• Spend more time outside, morning walks are especially useful;
• Eat right, control salt intake, follow the drinking regime;
• When working while sitting, do a neck warm-up every hour and watch your posture;
• Keep your neck warm;
• Get enough sleep, avoid physical, mental and emotional fatigue.

sleep properly. Only the head, neck and shoulders should be supported on the pillow on the mattress, and a small pillow should be placed under the feet. It is better to sleep on your back or in the fetal position, in case of exacerbation of the disease, only on your side. The mattress is orthopedic, medium hardness, the pillow is rectangular, orthopedic, 15-20 cm high. With the correct position of the body during sleep, the spine is straight, there are no deviations in different parts, the muscles are relaxed.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic, slowly progressing disease, the signs of the disease do not appear immediately. A competent combination of traditional and folk treatment methods, exercise and diet will help you cope with unpleasant symptoms, and simple preventive measures will help you avoid relapses of the pathology.