Causes, symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can cause more intense clinical signs than degenerative changes of this kind in other parts of the spine. This is due to the fact that the violation of blood circulation in this area leads to oxygen starvation of the brain. Symptoms may vary depending on the degree of the pathological process.

For treatment at home, with the permission of a specialist, you can resort to the use of drugs aimed at stopping inflammation and pain. Therapeutic gymnastics and massage are effective, but they also have their limitations. As a supplement to these conservative measures, folk remedies can be used.

The reasons

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region can occur as a result of various factors. The reasons are the same for both men and women:

• incorrect posture;
• scoliosis;
• Overweight;
• passive lifestyle;
• spinal cord injury;
• excessive physical activity;
• metabolic disease;
• hereditary predisposition;
• nervous breakdowns, frequent stresses;
• constant tension of the back muscles in the cervical region.

The mechanism of occurrence of osteochondrosis is associated with an increased load on this part of the spine, compensating for the spasm of the neck muscles. As a result, blood circulation in this area is disturbed, degenerative-dystrophic changes occur in the cervical region.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the disease depend on the stage of the pathological process. In total, there are 4 degrees of development of cervical osteochondrosis:

scene	Characteristic symptoms
First	It appears slightly. There is usually a mild tension of the muscle ligaments and a mild pain syndrome in the area of the nerve bundles.
Second	There is a protrusion of the discs, as a result of which the intervertebral spaces decrease and the fibrous rings begin to gradually disintegrate. Pain syndromes can increase due to pinching of nerve endings
third	The symptoms worsened a lot: the pain became constant, began to radiate to the shoulder and upper limbs. When palpating the affected area, the discomfort increases dramatically, there may be a feeling of numbness and tingling in the fingers, as a hernia is formed. The mobility of the neck is impaired, the joints become stiff
Fourth	It is characterized by complete destruction of the intervertebral disc, which leads to pinching of the connective tissue. As a result of such changes, a person develops symptoms such as: vertigo; lack of coordination; noise in the ears

The symptomatology of cervical osteochondrosis differs from the disease affecting other parts of the spine. This is due to the location in this department of the vertebrae much closer to each other. The relatively small height of the intervertebral discs leads to the fact that clinical signs appear acutely even with minor pathological changes in their structure. Osteochondrosis of the cervical region very often manifests itself with compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord.

Symptoms in this case may vary depending on which vertebrae are subject to degenerative-dystrophic changes. Usually the main symptom is pain in the neck, which is transmitted to different areas of the body: sternum, arms, chin, etc. A characteristic crisis may occur when turning the head. Pinched nerves and blood vessels can cause numbness in the tongue and fingertips. The pain syndrome can vary:

Syndrome	Description
root	It is caused by a pinched nerve. The pain is descending, sharp. It extends to the shoulder, forearm and fingertips. With radicular syndrome, a feeling of goosebumps, tingling is possible. Another characteristic feature is the decrease in elasticity, tightness of the skin, the appearance of slight swelling and whitening.
Vertebral artery	It occurs when the vertebral artery is compressed. The pain has a pulsating or burning character, affects the upper region, the temple, the back of the head and the crown. It is usually constant but may be paroxysmal. Discomfort increases after prolonged movement or staying in an uncomfortable position. When the body is weakened, the symptoms can be extended with manifestations of nausea and loss of consciousness. If there is a violation of blood flow to the brain, symptoms such as: hearing loss; noise in the ears; lack of coordination; loss of visual acuity; Eye pain
cervical migraine	It is provoked by irritation of the sympathetic nodes, which causes disorders that occur in the brain. These include pathologies of vascular reactivity and blood circulation. This leads to the following symptoms: noise in the ears; tachycardia; ear plugging; slight pain in the head, resembling a noise
hypertensive	It is characterized by increased intracranial pressure. In hypertensive syndrome, the headache has an explosive character, it can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Exacerbation of the disease leads to an increase in body temperature

Treatment

It will not be possible to completely cure osteochondrosis and get rid of its manifestations forever, but the symptoms can be eliminated. With osteochondrosis of the cervical region, you can use conservative methods aimed at reducing pain syndromes, spinal root dysfunctions and preventing complications of the degenerative process in the intervertebral discs.

For this use:

• medicines;
• massage;
• exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises);
• public funds.

It is impossible to self-medicate with pathology of the spine. All applied therapeutic measures and methods must be agreed with a specialist, applied at home with his approval. In the absence of effectiveness from conservative methods (if you cannot get rid of the pain), you should consult a doctor, as surgery may be necessary.

Medicines

In cervical osteochondrosis, analgesics are used to relieve pain. They can be taken in the form of tablets and capsules. However, prolonged treatment with analgesics leads to irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, so they should not be taken often.

To relieve inflammation, steroid, hormonal drugs are used. If analgesics do not affect the pathological process itself, these drugs relieve pain. Usually, topical agents are used in the form of ointments or tablets based on hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and prednisolone.

Chondroprotectors are recommended for the restoration of the intervertebral discs. They contain substances that are substitutes for the components of cartilage tissue - hyaluronic acid and chondroitin. However, the effectiveness of these groups of drugs is possible only with long-term use.

Muscle relaxants are used to relax the muscle structure. They help to further reduce pain. They are used in the form of injections. Medicines containing glycerin and benzimidazole are the most effective for the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Vitamins are necessary to improve the conductivity of nerve fibers and the condition of the peripheral nervous system. Use water-soluble vitamins B1, B6, B12 and fat-soluble vitamins A, C, D.

The most convenient form of medicine for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home are ointments and gels. There are different types of external remedies: warming, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving.

Massage

With cervical osteochondrosis, the massage should be performed carefully, without excessive loads. Improper manual therapy can lead to complications. When massaging, attention should be paid to the cervical area, the upper back and the collar area.

The procedure is recommended to be performed in a lying position. If the patient cannot take it, then the therapy is carried out in a sitting position. The assistant can use the following techniques and techniques:

1. Stroking - surface effects on the skin. Performed with the hands or fingertips, from the head to the upper third of the middle of the back. From the base of the neck, you can resort to zigzag strokes.
2. Push-ups - impact on the deep layers of the skin with fingers (thumb and forefinger) through the neck. This technique is used for tissues located far from the vertebrae.
3. Rubbing - developing the collar area to warm the skin and increase blood flow. It should be used with extreme care, without affecting the spinous processes of the vertebrae. Friction can be replaced with movements resembling cutting or circular strokes.
4. Kneading - impact on deep tissues. They have a limited application mainly in the area remote from the cervical area - the upper back.

The patient can perform a massage and most - in a sitting position. To do this, he can use techniques such as stroking, circular rubbing on the neck and shoulders. It is recommended to combine self-massage with the application of ointments designed to increase blood flow and relieve pain.

Manual therapy can be performed passively using the Kuznetsov applicator, which is a special device with plastic spikes that act on acupuncture points in the cervical region. Acupressure is useful in that it allows you to stimulate skin receptors that are responsible for physiological processes in the body. In certain cases, the applicator can help to permanently and effectively reduce pain, normalize blood circulation and restore the patient's ability to work.

However, there are certain contraindications to the use of a medical device. It cannot be used for infectious, skin, tumor and vascular diseases. Despite the simplicity of the device, it is recommended to first consult your doctor about the possibility of using it. If during the treatment with the applicator there are unpleasant sensations, the state of health worsens, then it should be abandoned.

For effective prevention, you can use special orthopedic pillows for sleep. With pathology of the intervertebral discs in the cervical region, finding the head in an uncomfortable position for an 8-hour rest will contribute to the development of the disease.

The advantage of the orthopedic product is that it is a tool not only for prevention, but also for treatment - this is the so-called positional therapy. With the right choice of sleeping pillow, neck pain will be significantly reduced and you will not need to resort to dangerous self-massage with intense movements.

exercise therapy

Therapeutic exercise is one of the most effective methods of conservative therapy. But it must be done in compliance with certain rules. It is desirable that the set of exercises be determined by a specialist and that the first classes be conducted under his guidance.

Recommendations for therapeutic exercises:

• clothing should not restrict movement;
• exercises should be performed in a well-ventilated room;
• classes are recommended to be held no earlier than half an hour after a meal;
• during the week it is necessary to repeat up to 4 training sessions;
• all movements must be performed smoothly, as rapid action can cause a complication;
• it is necessary to control the pulse;
• if pain occurs during training, you should replace them with stretching and relaxing actions;
• the intensity of classes and loads should be increased gradually;
• it is desirable to alternate physical therapy exercises with gymnastics for proper breathing.

Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is not performed in the following cases:

1. The period of exacerbation of the disease, when the pain is expressed both during movement and at rest.
2. Vertigo occurs due to impaired blood circulation provoked by instability of the vertebrae.
3. There are acute diseases that occur with signs of inflammation.
4. Diagnosed with cancer at any stage.
5. Blood clotting is impaired, that is, there is a risk of thrombosis or a tendency to bleed.
6. poisoning.
7. There are cardiovascular diseases in the stage of decompensation and arterial hypertension.
8. Diagnosed with a high degree of myopia with concomitant pathology of the fundus.

For osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the following exercises are recommended:

Starting position	Complex of exercises
Standing on your feet	Neck tour. Hands should be used as a collar retainer. When wrapping the neck, the thumbs should be located in the lower part of the jaw, and the rest - behind the back of the head. In this position, you need to tilt your head to the left and right, staying in an inclined state for 2 seconds. After 8-10 repetitions, the range is stopped and the exercise is performed again. Handstand squats. You should rest your palms on the counter, standing with your back to the table. It is necessary to slightly throw back your head and stretch your body up, holding on to the maximum mark for 2 seconds, then sit down without letting go of your hands and tilt your head forward. Squat level should be comfortable. The book is on the head. It is necessary to place the hardcover edition on top of the head so that it does not shift. In this state, you should last 3-4 minutes. If there is a feeling of discomfort, then the time is reduced. This exercise is designed to return the vertebrae to a physiologically correct position. Resisted neck flexion. You should place your palm on your forehead and apply pressure on it from the side of your hand. At this time, the head must maintain its position for 20 seconds, after which it is thrown back and a second palm is placed under the back of the head. Then you need to simultaneously press with both hands, creating tension for 5 seconds. This exercise is used to relieve spasms and stretch muscles. Neck extension with head resistance. The exercise is similar to the previous one. In this case, the palm is first placed on the back of the head and pressed on it for 20 seconds without changing the position of the head, after which it is bent, the second palm is applied to the forehead and bilateral compression is performed for 5 seconds. This exercise is used to stretch the vertebrae. The neck flexes with resistance. As with the previous two exercises, use your palms to create tension. First, the head is tilted to the left, the left palm is placed on the right temple and slightly pressed, thereby stretching the muscles. Then the exercise is repeated on the right side.
Sitting in a chair	It is necessary to place the lower parts of the palms on the temples, close the jaws when inhaling and tighten the muscles. The skin in the temporal area should be pulled with the hands. When exhaling, the tension stops and the temples relax. The exercise is repeated up to 5 times. Hands with palms should be pressed to the cheekbones so that the tips of the spread fingers slightly press the temples. With a slow movement of the head forward and backward, it is necessary to smoothly direct the fingers up and down, they should reach the top of the head when the head is tilted forward, and fall to the cheeks when it is thrown back. This exercise will allow you to simultaneously tense and relax the muscles and improve blood circulation. Both hands should be placed behind the neck, fingers crossed, while the neck and back should be straight. In this position, you need to make sliding movements with your fingers while tilting your head.

Correct and regular exercises for cervical osteochondrosis can relieve tension, increase blood flow, strengthen the neck muscles and improve the mobility of the vertebrae.

Prohibited activities such as running, jumping, swinging and pushing, lifting weights. You should also avoid exercises that emphasize arms and hanging. With the doctor's permission, the patient can play sports if he has previously exercised, but only with a full exercise program.

ethnic female

For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, the following traditional medicine for external use is recommended:

1. Horseradish leaf compress. The plant has anti-inflammatory properties. Horseradish leaves should be young and fresh. They are immersed in boiling water for a few seconds, after which they are immediately applied to the cervical vertebrae. On top, the application is covered with cellophane and a warm scarf. The compress is kept as long as possible. It is recommended to make a bandage at night and clean it in the morning.
2. Alcohol compress. You will need 300 ml of medical alcohol, 10 tablets of analgin (powder), 10 ml of iodine and 10 ml of camphor alcohol. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Gauze is moistened in the resulting solution, applied to the sore neck, covered with polyethylene and a warm scarf on top. The compress is kept for no more than 2-3 hours, as alcohol can cause skin irritation. This method is contraindicated even for minor injuries.
3. Compress of potatoes and honey. 1 large raw potato, grated and diluted with 2 tbsp honey. The resulting mixture is smeared on the fabric, which is attached to the painful area. The compress is removed after 2 hours.
4. Ointment with hops. 1 tablespoon of powder obtained from hop cones rubbed with 1 tablespoon of fresh oil. The resulting ointment is applied to the sore spot and isolated.
5. Wormwood decoction. The root of the plant from the second year of life in an amount of 2 tablespoons. l pour a glass of boiling water. The solution is boiled for 10 minutes on low heat, then filtered. The medicine from Oman is used for compresses on the spine. The application is removed after 20 minutes. This medicine is also used for baths, while the amount of raw materials is increased to 10 tablespoons. l.

The following recipes for oral administration are recommended for pain relief:

1. Tincture of pine buds. They are harvested in the spring, choosing specimens with a size of at least 15 mm and no more than 20 mm. The collected raw materials are thoroughly washed, ground in a coffee grinder and diluted with sugar in a ratio of 2: 1. The ingredients are mixed and taken out and stored for 2 weeks in the refrigerator. The resulting medicine is taken 1 tsp 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 3 weeks. The tincture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 year.
2. Celery juice. The root of the plant is ground on a grater and the juice is squeezed out of it. They drink it 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals. Sometimes mix 1 tbsp of juice with a glass of boiling water, insist for 2 hours. Such a composition is taken in 1 tablespoon. l. one hour before meals 4 times a day.
3. Infusion of celery root. Pour 3 g of raw materials with 500 ml of boiling water, wait until it cools completely and drink 20 ml each before meals.
4. Bay leaf decoction. 12 g of raw materials are placed in enameled dishes, pour 300 ml of cold water, boil for 5 minutes, then infuse for 3 hours and filter. The tool is consumed throughout the day between meals in small sips. The rest is drunk before going to bed. The course of treatment is 4 days, then take a week break and repeat. As a preventive measure, the therapy is carried out every spring.

With osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, you can use herbal teas with a general strengthening effect. Useful drinks with the use of:

• blueberry and birch leaves;
• chamomile;
• Linden blossom;
• wild rose;
• calendula;
• hypericum;
• horsetail;
• motherwort.