Osteochondrosis of the neck is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the cervical spine, 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 become noticeable at any age.It is believed that in people prone to degenerative changes in cartilage, the first manifestations of the disease are observed during school years.In fact, this disease has become much younger today, so it is diagnosed much more often 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.Scientists also cite genetic predisposition, lack of exercise, poor posture, intense physical stress on the spine, obesity and abnormal development of the skeletal system as other common causes of the disease.
It is known that neck osteochondrosis 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 prevalence and localization, it cannot be ignored by specialists.It is important to understand that the disease only progresses over time and eventually causes irreparable consequences.Therefore, you should not hope for a coincidence or try to treat the problem yourself, but at the first signs of neck osteochondrosis, immediately seek qualified help from professionals.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Since the cervical vertebrae have a different structure and differ from the rest of the spine in their proximity to each other, it is understandable why cervical osteochondrosis differs in clinical presentation from variants of the disease in the thoracic and lumbar regions.Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by very severe pain, disruption of normal blood circulation in the neck vessels and pinched nerve bundles.
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include:
- severe pain in the neck and back of the head, widespread headaches, pain in the upper shoulder girdle and arms;
- muscle weakness or loss of feeling in the upper extremities;
- 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;
- Memory and coordination problems, hearing problems and the like.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine goes through several stages during its development, each of which has its own characteristics and is characterized by a number of specific clinical symptoms:
- Stage 1 – the beginning of degenerative-dystrophic degeneration of the osteochondral tissue of the cervical spine, which is accompanied by minor changes in the patient's health status (such patients may experience: periodic weakness, dizziness, short-term headaches);
- Stage 2 – Thinning and rupture of the intervertebral discs occurs, clinically manifested by the development of persistent pain, severe weakness, fatigue and numbness in various parts of the face, neck and upper extremities;
- Stage 3 – a herniated disc occurs, which is accompanied by pain in the back of the head, serious problems with the normal blood supply to the tissues and fainting;
- Stage 4 – The bone tissue of the vertebrae begins to grow and compresses the nerve roots, which leads to dysfunction, persistent pain syndrome and the appearance of severe stiffness of movements.
The diagnosis of spinal osteochondrosis can only be confirmed by a doctor as part of 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 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 has to face the consequences of illiterate care.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
Treatment of exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis should be comprehensive.With such therapy concepts, specialists can use both medicinal methods to alleviate the symptoms of the disease as well as physiotherapeutic techniques, massages, physiotherapy and the like.
Regardless of the method of influencing the diseased spine, all methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine pursue several goals:
- Elimination of pain syndrome;
- Restoration of lost sensitivity in various parts of the face and upper extremities;
- strengthening the muscles and ligaments that support the vertebrae;
- Relieving local inflammation and reducing tissue edema;
- Elimination of the consequences of pinched nerve roots;
- Prevention of progression of the pathological process.
As drug therapy for osteochondrosis, doctors often prescribe their patients drugs from the group of analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, glucocorticoids and chondroprotectors.Good results can be achieved in treating the disease with remedial gymnastics and physiotherapy.
Surgical correction of diseases of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the last resort used when conservative treatment does not have any effect.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis
Therapeutic gymnastics is an effective method of eliminating the manifestations of osteochondrosis, which also helps prevent the progression of the pathological process and achieve stable remission.A set of physical exercises is selected individually.Its extent and nature depend on the degree of complexity of the disease, its clinical manifestations and the presence of disease sequelae in humans.
Among the main clinical effects of therapeutic exercises, the following should be highlighted:
- Strengthening the muscular corset of the back and the ligaments that hold the cervical vertebrae in the correct anatomical position;
- posture alignment;
- improving blood circulation in soft tissues;
- Normalization of innervation.
It is important to remember that the person should not feel any pain or discomfort when performing the exercises.Therapeutic exercises can be used for therapeutic purposes, as well as 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 in the collar area, gradually moving to the collarbone and armpit area;
- Rubbing, which improves blood circulation and relieves tension;
- Squeezing as a method of affecting deeper areas of the skin occurs by grasping tissue on the neck.
- Kneading, which affects the deep layers of the neck tissue and, if performed incorrectly, can harm the patient.
Only an experienced specialist should carry out massage procedures.An uneducated approach to treatment can lead to an exacerbation of osteochondrosis in the patient and even the appearance of serious consequences.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic procedures for neck osteochondrosis can be used both as monotherapy and 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 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 proven itself effective, which is aimed at normalizing blood circulation in the affected areas, relieving muscle spasms and relaxing the paracervical muscles.This method can significantly improve the clinical picture of the disease and prevent its exacerbation.In addition, manual manipulation of the tissue prevents the progression of the pathological process and prevents its complications.
Prevention
In order to prevent the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical spine, doctors especially recommend compliance with simple rules:
- lead an active lifestyle, regularly perform gymnastic exercises, visit the pool;
- give up bad habits;
- When working while sitting, give yourself plenty of breaks to warm up.
- Ensure 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 treat it yourself.It should be understood that only the timely provision of qualified assistance at the initial stage of the development of the disease will help to completely eliminate the unpleasant manifestations and prevent the progression of the process.