Osteochondrosis - degenerative changes in articular cartilage, accompanied by partial destruction of the discs between the vertebrae. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by slow, age-related destruction of the tissues between the vertebrae that support the head. If in the last century the disease was diagnosed mainly in people aged thirty and over, today orthopedists make such a diagnosis even for students. The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is long. Even during the period of remission, courses of maintenance therapy should be conducted.
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 very complex movements. Office workers who are forced to sit in the same position in front of a computer for many hours in a row often develop osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Treatment in this case includes not only the removal of pain, but also a mandatory change in lifestyle. Sitting inactive for many hours in front of a monitor is a big challenge for the spine.
The following causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be distinguished:
- heredity;
- sedentary way of life;
- extreme physical activity;
- neck injuries;
- abnormalities of the cervical spine;
- permanent incorrect 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 stage, the disease manifests itself as frequent headaches, a slight pulling sensation in the neck. Almost all patients do not pay attention to such mild symptoms. The headache is due 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 the second stage. The danger of osteochondrosis is that the so-called radicular syndrome often develops. It most often occurs in the second stage and is further exacerbated by the progression of osteochondrosis. Radicular syndrome is a pinching of nerve endings in the cervical spine. Many other pathologies then join the headache. This is a deterioration of vision 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 manifestations of radicular syndrome. Most of all, they are only concerned with its symptoms. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and the necessary rehabilitation will not be able to neutralize all the consequences of radicular syndrome. You can only temporarily stop the development of the disease and prevent even greater complications.
Manifestations of the disease in the later stages
There are third and fourth stages of the disease, which is simply impossible not to notice. Even patients who have a surprising disregard for their own health are alerted and see a doctor.
The third stage of cervical osteochondrosis, if not accompanied by radicular syndrome, often gives the patient a painful headache. It is characterized by the appearance of pain directly in the neck and shoulders. The patient is forced to constantly use ointments with a warming and analgesic effect. The massage helps very well in the third stage. It is important to understand that it will not work to completely get rid of the disease. Only long-term remission can be achieved - this is the goal of treatment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the fourth stage: noticeable curvature of the spine with the naked eye and severe pain in this area. If there is a radicular syndrome, then the patient often experiences very severe dizziness, may faint after making one or another sharp physical movement. Depending on where and how hard the nerve ending was pressed, severe vision or hearing loss is possible.
In the later stages, the appearance of irritative-reflex syndrome is possible, in which there is frequent severe pain in the back of the head with a pulsating nature, as well as pain that descends to the thoracic spine. They can reach such a strength that the patient cannot fall asleep or perform normal body movements. Such symptoms are also possible with a strong displacement of the vertebrae. Cervical osteochondrosis in the later stages in 90% of cases is accompanied by either an irritating reflex or a radicular syndrome.
There are cases when the disease is complicated by two of these pathologies at once. In this case, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with folk remedies will not work. An integrated approach is important, which includes the use of both specialized methods (injections, massage, physiotherapy, analgesics) and general (swimming, exercise, lifestyle).
Symptoms depending on the damaged nerve roots
Osteochondrosis of the 1st cervical vertebra is accompanied by tingling in the occipital region in the early stages of the disease. In the later stages - the appearance of severe pain in this area. The best treatment is the use of ointments with warming and anesthetic effect, as well as massage. It is necessary to inject B vitamins once every six months.
Osteochondrosis of the 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae is accompanied by impaired sensitivity of the limbs and the appearance of pain in the forearms, chest. Treatment - massage of the neck and ovarian area and those parts of the body that tingle. Regular use of B vitamins on a current 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 when other vertebrae are affected. Only with concomitant symptoms - impaired vision and hearing - you should pay attention to this. Regularly engage in visual hygiene, do eye exercises, drip special drops that relax the optic nerve.
Osteochondrosis of the 7th cervical vertebra is accompanied by damage to the nerve endings in the fifth, sixth and seventh vertebrae. It occurs in both men and women of all ages. This is the most common osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Symptoms of pinched nerve endings C6 and C7 are periodic tingling in the fingers and hands, pain in the neck, forearm and lower back - shoulder blade, back, lumbar region.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis: which doctor to contact
To diagnose and prescribe treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you should make an appointment with a neurologist and orthopedist. A neurologist may prescribe medication for the symptoms of the disease that 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 and others.
The following test methods are used to diagnose and accurately assess the condition of the intervertebral discs:
- Radiography.
- CT scan.
- Magnetic tomography.
- Ultrasound scan of the vessels of the neck.
Each of them is completely safe for health and does not pose a threat of overexposure. The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which will be treated for the rest of life, can be made after a simple visual examination. Any orthopedist can easily do this. An 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 is chosen, it should be remembered that in order to achieve remission, you will need to regularly monitor the condition of the neck. Osteochondrosis cannot be completely cured. After some time, the symptoms will definitely be felt again, and their intensity will depend directly on the patient's attitude to his own health.
Here is a list of the most effective measures to eliminate the symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- physiotherapy;
- neck and neck massage;
- taking analgesics;
- course of B vitamins;
- physiotherapy;
- swimming.
The patient should remember that he should not engage in athletics (running, jumping, plyometric exercises), strength fitness. This will inevitably provoke a worsening of the condition. You can't sit in one position for a long time. Even if the work in the office involves long hours spent in front of the monitor, once an hour you should get up and provide a ten-minute warm-up of the neck and collar 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, take a breath, lift yourself on your toes and stretch as much as possible. Perform several repetitions.
- Starting position - standing 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 making sudden movements.
- The starting position is the same as in the previous exercise. Touch your chin to the sternum, 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 a lotus position. Make circular rotations of the head - first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
- Lie on the 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 high 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.
Physiotherapy exercises should be performed carefully, at a slow pace. Sudden movements can increase the pain.
If it is possible to perform exercises after a therapeutic warming massage of the neck and ovary - wonderful. This way of combining two treatments at once is very good.
Blockade of the pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The main group of drugs used to treat cervical osteochondrosis with displaced vertebrae are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In addition, with respect to cervical osteochondrosis, topical application of NSAIDs to gels and ointments is preferred.
In this regard, ointments and creams with snake and bee venom in the composition are effective. Topical topical agents include local stimuli and chondroprotectors.
If the pain is too severe, disposable strong analgesics may be used. Osteochondrosis is sometimes exacerbated by colds. In this case, to eliminate all the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections and chondrosis, drugs based on the active ingredient paracetamol will help.
The use of B vitamins in traditional therapy of the disease
Why do neurologists invariably prescribe B vitamins as part of a comprehensive treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine? The explanation is very simple. In radicular syndrome, nerve endings suffer, and vitamins are the easiest way to maintain their functioning. The most effective route of administration is intramuscular injection. When taken orally, B vitamins are only partially absorbed. When administered intramuscularly, they enter the bloodstream almost instantly.
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 their own. Then you can't be in the clinic every day.
Methods of treatment of 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 at bedtime. You need to take a full bath with moderate temperature water and dissolve in it a kilogram of salt and about 500 grams of soda.
- Paraffin applications are excellent. Melt the paraffin or wax, cool to a comfortable temperature and apply to the affected area. Such compresses can be done 2 times a week.
- To reduce the inflammatory process, you can take a decoction of herbs. You need to mix 1 tbsp. l. flowers of St. John's wort, chamomile, calendula and yarrow. Add 1 tbsp thyme and dandelion leaves to them. Now you need to take 2 tbsp. l. the resulting mixture and pour a liter of boiling water, insist. For 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, mint grass in equal parts. Grind three tablespoons of the powder mixture, pour 1/2 cup boiling water and simmer for 5 minutes. To the resulting mass add 75 g of vegetable oil and lard. Cool and rub into the affected 4 times a day. Store the ointment in the refrigerator.
- Good help with osteochondrosis and compresses. For example, from honey and potatoes. Grate a 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 spine, massage is a means to reduce tension and pain. To do massage therapy yourself, you need good flexibility. Older people often cannot even raise their arms to the desired height. But they find a way out of the situation: they ask one of the younger relatives to have a massage.
Patient feedback on the outcome of therapy
According to numerous examinations of orthopedic patients and neurologists, the optimal method of treatment is the use of all procedures in combination. It is useless to use only methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with folk remedies.
Some patients note that the course of procedures with a good masseur literally brought them back to life, their efficiency increased.
Some patients respond positively exclusively to physiotherapy exercises. They started training regularly at home, bought a pool subscription for therapeutic swimming courses. Yoga and regular spine stretching exercises have helped some. Feelings after such asanas: lightness in the body, no pain, stress relief.
If you regularly load your body with this type of activity, you can go into long-term remission and forget about the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.