There was a time when the disease was considered "age", but lately "osteochondrosis" up to the age of 35 has been diagnosed more and more often. This is due to a change in the rhythm of life - more people are involved in inactive and inactive work. And most importantly, physical activity, flexibility is reduced and, accordingly, there is a disturbance of blood circulation, which is the main thing in nutrition and renewal of spinal discs.
Interesting fact: according to statistics, more than 80% of the population, after 30 years, has changes in the spine, to a greater or lesser extent.
Reasons
Osteochondrosis is the general name for spinal aging. The process is directly related to changes in the structure of the vertebrae and discs. Under the influence of internal and external factors, the discs become thinner. Appear - bulges, hernias, instability of the spine, changes in bone tissue, the appearance of osteophytes (spines, growths). And all these phenomena are complications of osteochondrosis. The course is chronic and without the absence of complex therapy, it complicates further normal life.
You are probably familiar with the factors that cause dystrophic changes, but once again we note:
- Hypodynamia - contributes to the disturbance of blood circulation in the neck, weakening of the muscular corset.
- Curvature of the spine (sagging, lordosis, kyphosis, scoliosis).
- Long stay in static positions and vice versa - increased loads and lifting weights.
- Injuries.
- Overweight, pregnancy.
- Heredity, metabolic disorders.
Man is the only creature on the planet that suffers from spinal problems in the cervical spine. This is due to our ability to walk completely upright, as well as muscle weakness and great mobility of the neck.
Hereditary predisposition plays an important role in the development of cervical osteochondrosis. Moreover, it is not necessary for relatives to have osteochondrosis. The risk zone includes people with a family history of degenerative and dystrophic diseases of the osteoarticular system (arthrosis, spondylitis, hernia, etc. ).
The neck is an important link. Many veins and nerves pass through it to the brain. Problems in this part of the body will certainly affect the blood circulation in the brain and the work of the upper part - shoulders, arms. Degeneration develops gradually, with increase.
Stages of development of cervical osteochondrosis
In the first phase, there is a local pain syndrome, accompanied by a sharp tension in the muscles, which increases the already unpleasant sensations, restrains the movements.
Pain is expressed in two forms:
- Cervicago - "lumbago of the neck", a sharp sharp pain that occurs when moving.
- Cervical pain - withdrawal, painful, with constant muscle tension. It can take more than two weeks, even with proper treatment.
In the second phase, a "radicular" syndrome is added - nerve compression due to thinning of ligaments and discs. Pain occurs when sneezing, coughing. If the patient lies on his back and moves his head passively, then painful feelings will appear.
Numbness of the hand from the neck to the fingertips is characteristic, especially after sleep. The symptom quickly disappears after active movements or placing a hand behind the head. If numbness or pain persists, complications (bulge, hernia) may occur.
Also, a feeling of “freezing” of the shoulder may occur with the onset of “shoulder-arm” syndrome - when arthritis of the shoulders and hands begins due to circulatory disorders in osteochondrosis.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine include:
- Headache and dizziness.
- Localized soreness, as well as possible irradiation of the shoulder, nape or shoulder blade (especially cervicothoracic regions).
- Numbness and weakness in the hands.
- Dumplings in the throat.
- Arterial hypertension (persistently elevated blood pressure).
- Decreased hearing and vision acuity, tinnitus (development of vertebral artery syndrome).
Interesting: changes in the disease affect important vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain. Patients with chondrosis may experience Sistine Chapel Syndrome - fainting after a sharp throwing back.
Pain and its localization are often disguised as a serious disease - angina pectoris.
Diagnosis and treatment
It is very important to treat the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at the very beginning of degenerative processes. To do this, you must seek help from a neurologist or vertebrologist immediately. But practice shows that they seek help already with complications - bulge, hernia, instability of the vertebral body.
The patient should be thoroughly examined - ultrasound of the heart, blood vessels of the brain and neck, ECG, taking urine and blood tests. It is necessary to do an X-ray, in several projections and in the folding of the open mouth (in order to see the vertebrae covering the teeth).
Unfortunately, doctors diagnosed with osteochondrosis adjust many diseases, because there is no time, experience, desire to determine the cause of this or that symptom. Treatment is prescribed that brings temporary relief, but the real cause remains undiscovered, over time everything comes back or does not bring relief at all. It is this situation that forces people to self-medicate.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Therapy should be as complete as possible.
- Physiotherapy.
- Drug therapy.
- Massage.
- Physiotherapy.
- Stretch.
- Stretching the cervical spine according to Shishonin's method.
- Stop the habit.
Physiotherapy
The effectiveness of treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with the help of physiotherapy and therapeutic baths has been scientifically proven.
- Relieve pain syndrome.
- Remove inflammation.
- Increase the effectiveness of drug therapy and other methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis.
The therapeutic effect of physiotherapy is enhanced in the form of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic therapy in combination with radon baths, sometimes with iodine-bromine baths.
Drug Therapy
In case of complications of osteochondrosis on the cervical spine, hernia or large protrusions, inflammation of the compressed nerve roots occurs. Therefore, to alleviate the inflammatory symptom and stop the pain, you need to break through the course of intramuscular injections of vitamins - B1, B6, B12. Also, with impaired blood circulation, the viscosity of the blood increases, which disrupts the supply of oxygen to the brain. It is necessary to take antiplatelet agents.
Drug therapy.
- Removes pain and inflammation.
- Accelerates metabolism in tissues damaged due to impaired blood supply.
- Dilutes blood, improving blood circulation.
Massage
A course of neck massage is included in the osteochondrosis treatment program.
- Muscle tension is relieved, releasing the constricted narrow arteries.
- Improves blood circulation and tissue nutrition, which has a positive effect on the heart and brain.
- Muscle pain is reduced.
Unfortunately, a good massage is not done for free and many refuse this procedure due to the high prices. But in the medical complex, cervical spine massage must be included for the benefit of the case. Even if they advise that it is not as necessary as physiotherapy exercises.
Physiotherapy exercises
Treatment of osteochondrosis with physical therapy of the cervical spine is the main method without which recovery is impossible. No pill can cure osteochondrosis without exercise therapy. Adjust to the fact that you have to do gymnastics daily throughout the year to forget about the symptoms of the disease forever.
Important: Exercise therapy is a 70% victory over osteochondrosis. Even if the pain was gone, the disease was nowhere to be found. You can't relax.
Goals and objectives of exercise therapy.
- Strengthen the deep muscles of the neck and the muscular corset of the shoulder so that the muscles keep the head in the correct position, without straining the intervertebral discs, and no bulges are created that compress the nerve endings. To increase the intervertebral space, thus eliminating nerve root compression.
- Restore painless movements as you develop flexibility and mobility.
- Exercise speeds up and increases blood circulation, thus improving the nutrition of the intervertebral discs and surrounding muscles.
Important: train to do a set of exercises 3 times a day for the first 4 weeks and then 1 time a day throughout the year.
Neck Exercises
You need to warm up your muscles before any exercise.
Warming up
We warm up the muscles of the chest and cervical spine. Slow circular movements of the shoulders - back and forth. Every muscle needs to work as much as possible.
Circular movements of the shoulders - lift as high as possible, turn it back, down, and then forward. When pulling, the blades unite. And the same circles with each shoulder row.
Add your arms - and repeat the movements of the bent arms at the elbows. One by one, we will gather the blades again as we put our hands back. And then we’ll move our shoulders forward as much as possible.
This completes the warm-up. Let’s start doing some basic neck exercises.
Exercise technique
All movements should be done slowly, so as not to harm yourself and prevent nerve entrapment.
Take proper posture. The shoulders are lowered, slightly laid down, the chin is parallel to the floor. Static exercises are aimed at training the deep muscles of the neck. Each movement holds resistance for 5-8 seconds. Release for two seconds and repeat again. So 5 times.
- We press the palm of the hand on the temple and press it trying to bend the head, we resist the head, thus preventing the head from tilting to the side. Do the same on the other side.
- Put your hands on the lock, support your chin and press the resistance head.
- We resist with our foreheads.
- From the back of the head
- The head alternates against the cheekbones
In addition to strengthening your neck muscles, you also need to strengthen your shoulder girdle. Several exercises with an expander must be included in the treatment complex 2-3 times a week.
Extra load
Exercise in the form of running, brisk walking, swimming, aerobics will improve the overall blood circulation in the body. Especially due to poor blood supply, the brain suffers, which needs oxygen for cervical spine problems. Trainings last at least 20-30 minutes, up to 2 times a week.
Dry traction of the cervical spine
The dry stretching method is horizontal and vertical. This method is called traction - a highly effective treatment for osteochondrosis of the spine. Young people are easily subject to complete recovery, using only one tug during treatment. Because disc recovery in youth is much faster. Age, of course, prevents recovery and the ability to regenerate cartilage, but traction still remains an important point in the complex treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck.
Stretching problems
- Enlarge the lumen between the vertebrae.
- Eliminate pain due to nerve root compression.
This procedure has contraindications, so do not do it without consulting a doctor. Previously, this method was practiced only in hospitals, sanatoriums and rehabilitation centers.
The stretching technique is now available at home using a healing necklace. The training session lasts 15 minutes a day.
We have analyzed the whole treatment program of the cervical spine, it remains to discuss the usual way of life, which should also change in perfect order.
Important: All of the above methods should be discussed with your doctor.
Stop the habit
We understand that laziness and excuses lead to early osteochondrosis. If you don’t overcome them, you won’t need this article. Take painkillers and continue to live as before. Although you can try to fix some bad habits.
- Sleep on an orthopedic pillow and mattress.
- Don't lie on a high pillow for hours when your head is raised high while reading, playing with your phone. At this point, the cervical vertebrae press on the blood vessels, disrupting blood circulation.
- Stationary holding of the computer when there is no control over time. Set an alarm clock every hour to warm up the stiff neck muscles.
- Move more - sports games, outdoor activities, walk 10, 000 steps a day.
Compress
Course procedures - injections, massage and physiotherapy are done for 1 month every six months. During this period, physiotherapy exercises are increased up to 3 times a day.
In other months every day:
- Exercise therapy - 1 time a day.
- Stretch.
Repeat the procedure after 5 months. And this rate is at least a year. Positive results are noticeable within a month.
The above technique is not an algorithm for all cases of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. All points should be discussed with your doctor. But if the doctor prescribes only one method, for example, physiotherapy, massage, then the effect will be temporary. The treatment is long, so it is better to immediately adjust to the success of the recovery. Trust me, you won’t go back to your old way of life by starting to exercise and feel relieved.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis
Several groups of drugs are prescribed for basic drug treatment.
- Painkillers are prescribed in tablets, or for particularly severe pain, novocaine blockade.
- Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs - Nurofen, Diclofenac.
- Irritating fats - finalgon, capsicam.
- Preparations for neck muscle relaxation - muscle relaxants.
- Course of intramuscular injections of vitamin B
In the period of relieving the headache syndrome, support is prescribed by using electricity, massage, warming up (cans, mustard plasters). During the period of exacerbation, pains always appear, in order to alleviate them, as well as muscle tension, the exercise complex presented above is performed, apply budget pepper plaster.
Important: any head-turning exercises are prohibited in the case of vertebral artery syndrome, when the blood vessels are constricted due to osteochondrosis.
At home, it is effective to take relaxing baths with herbal decoctions, compresses and rubbing (for example, using propolis, aloe). The Russian bath copes well with muscle tension. The traditional steam room with a broom relaxes, reduces pain and cheers up.
In extreme cases, it is necessary to resort to surgery, when there is a danger that complications due to compression will lead to disability. Namely - complete compression of blood vessels or nerves, significant growth of osteophytes or the appearance of a hernial protrusion. The operation is performed according to all the rules of neurosurgery - under a microscope and with minimal incisions.