Cervical osteochondrosis. Symptoms and treatment at home. Exercise, massage, pills

Osteochondrosis of the neck is a pathology whose symptoms negatively affect a person's quality of life. Timely treatment of the disease will not lead to the destruction of the vertebrae and spinal stenosis.

What is osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae

Cervical osteochondrosis is a metabolic disorder in the human axial skeleton. The disease process involves the spinal discs (responsible for mobility), as well as the nervous and vascular systems.

Why is osteochondrosis of the neck dangerous?

The cervical vertebrae are the smallest of all 34 vertebrae of the human axial skeleton.They perform the most mobile function in the body - turning the neck with the head. There is minimal change in the structure of the articular body, arch or processes of the vertebrae, and displacement occurs, which leads to disruption of the neurovascular system and spinal stenosis.

Causes of development of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a spine pathology that has the following causes:

• lack of physical activity;
• unbalanced diet;
• increased formation of uric acid salts;
• metabolic disorder;
• psycho-emotional stress;
• sedentary work (driver, computer operator);
• consequences of acute respiratory infections, ARVI;
• Overweight;
• damage to the axial skeleton;
• hypothermia of the spine;
• endocrine disorders;
• neck strain;
• distorted position of the body during night rest;
• autoimmune diseases.

Stages of development of osteochondrosis

The course of the pathological process in the cervical vertebrae is accompanied by changes that must be divided into 4 stages:

• Stage #1.At the beginning of the development of osteochondrosis of the neck, the manifestations are mild. A person may not attach much importance to small painful changes that pass in nature. At this stage, the elasticity of the cartilage is not lost, but the changes are just beginning.
• Stage #2.This stage of the disease is characterized by damage to the cartilage tissue of the vertebrae. The process gradually moves to the body of the joints, muscles and vascular system. The pain occurs due to pinching of the nerves to which the arms, shoulders and subscapula (on the affected side) react. Which very often at this stage of the disease can be confused with other pathologies of the body.
• Stage #3.This stage of the pathological process is characterized by destruction of the disc without rupture of the ring, which should be called a protrusion.
• Stage #4.At this stage, it is inevitable to undergo surgery - the process goes very far: a disc is displaced, which presses on the spinal canal - disc herniation. Manifestations in the form of a displacement of 2 mm are a threat to human life.

Symptoms

Cervical osteochondrosis (symptoms and treatment do not depend on gender) affects men and women equally. The manifestations of the disease will correspond to the stage of the pathological process.

Stage No. 1 – this stage is not manifested by severe symptoms:

• neck pain;
• paresthesia on the side of the injury (numbness of the arm);
• tiredness;
• prostration.

Stage No. 2 - the nature of the pathology becomes more noticeable to the patient:

• soreness in the affected area of a painful nature;
• numbness (passing) in the area of the cervix;
• migraine (due to vasospasm);
• hypertension;
• reduced physical activity;
• prostration;
• pain in the back, shoulder blade and arm (from the pathological process);
• chest pain.

Stage No. 3 is characterized by the appearance of symptoms that must be treated very seriously:

• the appearance of protrusions (protrusion of the fibrous ring in the spinal canal);
• strong painful sensations radiating to the shoulder, arm;
• tingling in the neck.

Stage No. 4 differs from the third by rupture of the ring with its inherent symptoms:

• the neck is bent;
• neck muscles lose the ability to hold their head;
• paresthesia of the muscles of the neck and head;
• severe pain in the hands and neck and collar area;
• numbness of the tongue;
• insomnia.

At the fourth stage, the neurologist recommends surgical intervention.

Syndromes caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae

The pathological course of osteochondrosis of the neck of the human axial skeleton should be divided into syndromes - based on a set of symptoms with characteristic signs.

Cervicovestibular complex:

• hearing is impaired;
• the vertebral artery undergoes pathological changes.

Radicular-vertebral syndrome:

• C2– pain in the back of the head, weakening of the mylohyoid muscles;
• C3- hyperemia of the tongue, slurred speech, incomplete paralysis of the jaw muscles, numbness of the neck;
• C4– pain and weakening of the clavicle muscles, breathing problems, pain of unknown etiology in the hepatobiliary system, numbness of the neck-collar area;
• C5– the syndrome is manifested by numbness of the shoulder, weakness and a decrease in the volume of the superficial muscle of the shoulder;
• C6 –the main manifestation of the pathology is pain from the neck to the shoulder, numbness of the thumb;
• C7– characterized by pain from the neck under the shoulder blade, numbness of the index and middle finger (on the side of the injury);
• C8– pain manifests itself from the neck to the elbow and little finger, paresthesia of the shoulder, scapula and the affected finger.

Reflex-irritation syndromes:

• painful:cervicalgia (morning); pain in the neck and occipital region; soreness in the neck, radiating unpleasant pain in the shoulder;
• muscle tonic:muscle strain; excruciating pain in the back of the head; soreness of the subscapular region; spasm of the cervical region; deformity of the shoulder joint; atrophy of the shoulder muscles.

SPA:

• the consequence of mechanical damage is narrowing of the arterial vessel;
• organic damage to brain activity;
• migraine;
• turning pain in the back of the head;
• neurological skin pain in the head;
• hearing loss;
• gait instability;
• sense of visibility of sea waves;
• seizure states.

Compressive myelopathy:

• pain and numbness in the limbs;
• sensitivity disorders;
• mild disorders of the pelvic organs;
• facial numbness.

Craniovertebral anomaly:

• staggering;
• intracranial hypertension;
• violation of psycho-emotional balance;
• pain in the head in the parietal and occipital region;
• vomiting reflex;
• pallor of the optic nerve;
• vertigo;
• violation of oculomotor reflexes;
• asthenia;
• depressed state.

Diagnosis

Cervical osteochondrosis - symptoms depend on the course and form of the disease. To start the therapy of the pathological process, you need to make a correct diagnosis.

A neuropathologist and a vertebrologist are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of spine pathologies. In order to make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to contact the above-mentioned doctors, and during an eye examination and an interview, the specialist will conclude what tests should be resorted to.

If necessary, you should do:

• computed tomography of the neck;
• nuclear magnetic resonance of the damaged area;
• SCT of vessels;
• X-ray of the spine in several projections;
• visit to an ophthalmologist to measure intraocular pressure;
• Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels;
• ENMG of the hands;
• clinical blood test;
• ESR-detailed analysis.

Based on all examinations, the neurologist makes a diagnosis and prescribes therapy.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae

Today, there are many methods and drugs that help fight the pathology of the cervical spine.

In non-advanced stages, drugs for systemic use are used:

• antispasmodics;
• pain relievers;
• NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• preparations that contain collagen - to restore cartilage tissue;
• vitamin therapy with group B drugs.

Local remedies:

• pain-relieving ointments;
• compresses that relieve inflammation;
• chondroprotectors;
• ointments with a warming effect.

Physiotherapy procedures:

• healing and restorative massage of neck and collar area;
• reflexology;
• exercise therapy;
• using a special orthopedic brace for the neck.

Surgery:

• for sensitivity disorders;
• with a large stenosis of the spinal canal.

First aid for severe pain

Treatment of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in the form of acute pain consists in observing certain rules for first aid:

• compliance with strict bed rest;
• use of antispasmodics and painkillers;
• fixing the neck with a special clamp or collar;
• You should also wrap your neck with a warm scarf;
• for swelling you need to take a diuretic;
• external use of anesthetic ointments;
• use of muscle relaxants;
• use of sedatives.

All listed drugs must be prescribed by a neurologist.

Medication treatment

Features of drug therapy include the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics that will help to relax muscles, the use of drugs to improve blood circulation, as well as prescribe drugs that improve and restore the structure of cartilage tissue - chondroprotectors.

NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the first aid in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae.The use of this group of drugs will help alleviate or completely relieve pain. NSAIDs are drugs that act on the source of inflammation; the use of the drug can reduce the manifestations of the inflammatory process.

Nonsteroidal drugs help improve blood circulation. NSAIDs should be used both for systemic treatment (tablets, injections) and for local therapy - ointments, gels.

Muscle relaxants

Medicines that reduce skeletal muscle tone are called muscle relaxants. Medicines from this group should be used in cervical osteochondrosis due to their effect on muscle stiffness, which occurs as a result of a pathological process in the spine.

The disease affects the nerve endings, which in turn manifest themselves in the form of pain and muscle spasms. This process is influenced by muscle relaxants, relaxing the affected muscles and relieving pain.

Hormonal drugs

The most powerful drugs with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and vasostimulating effects include hormonal drugs from the corticosteroid group. Medicines of this type have the ability to stop tissue destruction, reduce degenerative processes in the joints and improve microcirculation.

All drugs from the group of steroid hormones are prescribed only by a neurologist and under strict monitoring of the patient's condition (due to the large number of side effects).

Paravertebral block

Special local anesthesia using injections is called a paravertebral block. A neuropathologist or an anesthesiologist injects a special drug mixture into the affected area of the spine, more precisely in the painful places near the affected part of the spine - at the exit of the nerve endings.

Using this method, severe pain is quickly relieved, hyperemia disappears and local metabolism improves.

Ointments

In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, not only systemic drugs in the form of tablets and injections, but also local agents should be used. Ointments are widely used in pathological processes in the spine.

Chondroprotectors, NSAIDs, herbal pain relievers and ointments with a warming effect should be used for treatment.

Chondroprotectors

Systemic drugs that restore cartilage tissue are called chondroprotectors. Taking drugs stimulates the regeneration of the cartilage apparatus in the joints.

Homeopathic medicines

One type of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is alternative medicine or homeopathy. The use of this type of medicine gives good results.

Medicines for the treatment of vertigo in osteochondrosis

In the treatment of dizziness occurring against the background of degenerative changes in the spine, it is necessary to use several types of drugs. Each has its own action.

• Nootropics- improve microcirculation, calm the nervous system, improve the connection between the hemispheres of the brain.
• Drugs for the treatment of vestibular disorders.They show their activity in expanding the blood vessels of the brain, thus improving blood circulation.
• Venotonics– these are products that improve the tone of the vascular system and blood circulation.

Vitamins and minerals

Preparations based on vitamins and minerals help to restore cartilage tissue faster, improve muscle nutrition and blood circulation.

Shantz collar

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis during a pathological process in the spine can be acute. In this case, the Shants cervical collar should be used.

The clamp or retainer has the shape of a circle.Made of dense, porous rubber, which is fixed on the neck with velcro. No special skills are required to use a medical fixator. You should place your beard over the collar and fasten it at the back.

The fixator relaxes the muscles in the cervical vertebrae, relieves pain and tension. It is an integral part of first aid for exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis.

Needle applicator

One of the methods of treating degenerative pathologies of the neck is the use of a needle applicator - a massager on which spikes are located. The plate has a flexible structure and can take different shapes.For use in neck pathologies, the applicator has fasteners.

There are many nerve endings on the skin that are affected by the applicator during use. This treatment helps restore metabolic processes in the intervertebral discs, removes hyperemia and inflammation, improves microcirculation. The use of a needle applicator has a positive effect in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy treatment should be used to treat inflammatory and degenerative changes in the neck area.Using the method helps improve metabolic processes and reduce pain.

The physiotherapeutic method of treatment has an anti-inflammatory effect and also promotes tissue regeneration. With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is necessary to use treatment with ultrasound waves, magnetic therapy and treatment with small amounts of current (electrophoresis).

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is a massage in which the hands of the manual therapist work not with the soft tissues, but with the joints and ligaments. During a manual massage, the specialist helps to restore the mobility of the spine and the pain disappears.

Normal blood circulation is restored, swelling disappears.

The therapy should be carried out by a specialist who regularly practices this method of treatment. In order to achieve positive results in the form of pain reduction, sometimes several sessions are enough.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture refers to non-traditional methods of treatment.But the use of special needles that are screwed into the body by a reflexologist, affecting certain nerve endings and areas, leads to positive results. Acupuncture improves metabolic processes, relieves local edema and improves blood circulation.

Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis

The type of physical therapy for osteochondrosis of the neck differs from other types of exercise. The cervical vertebrae are the smallest, and even their minimal displacement in the spinal canal is fraught with pinching of the arteries supplying the brain, as well as compression of the spinal cord. Therefore, you should know that there should be no sudden movements during exercise.

Exercises for the cervical vertebrae (those who suffer from vertigo should use a sitting position):

1. Basic position– standing with straight back, face looking forward. It is necessary to carefully turn your head to the right (without tilting it either back or forward) to shoulder level and fix the body. After a few seconds, return to your previous position. The same should be done with the other side. There should be no pain.
2. Initial position– back straight, face looking forward. You need to stretch slightly, tilting your head, with the right ear towards the shoulder. You should imagine that your left ear is extending upwards and try to do this. Hold this position for a few seconds. Return to starting position. Do the exercise on the other side.
3. Standing straight, you should look at your feet face down and lower your torso down– vertebra by vertebra – to the floor. For those untrained, you should grab your knees, straighten your back parallel to the floor with your face facing forward. This exercise stresses the entire spine, especially the neck. Stay longer. Relax with your head and torso down. Slowly, without rushing, so as not to cause dizziness, return to the original position, vertebra by vertebra.
4. Stand up straight or you can sit in a chair with a straight back.Without bending your back, you should lower your chin to your chest and stretch the back of your head up - as if stretching the vertebrae. Hold the position for a few seconds and slowly, relaxing, straighten your neck.
5. Rotational movement of the neck and head.Straight back, you can sit in a chair. Lower your head with the right ear to the shoulder and smoothly, slowly, from this position, make a semicircle across the chest, to the opposite (left) shoulder and back. I stand up.

Gymnastics should be done every day. You can not do physiotherapy on an empty stomach - it can cause dizziness. You should exercise one hour after eating.

Treatment with folk remedies

Using traditional methods for cervical osteochondrosis does not always lead to the desired result - you cannot warm the neck (only dry heat). Therefore, there are not very effective methods, but they exist.

Folk remedies:

1. Tea from a healthy herb (yarrow).You need to take some dry medicine, pour it into a glass and pour boiling water over it. It is brewed as a tea and drunk after meals. It relieves inflammation well and calms the nervous system.
2. Medicinal burdock drink.Take a small amount of dry herb, pour it into a 500 ml thermos and pour boiling water over it. Insist. The resulting volume of the medicinal drink should be drunk one day without leaving it for the next day. You should drink between meals. It has an analgesic effect.
3. Compresses from plants.You need to take an equal amount of chamomile, sage, tussilago - the herbs must be dried and ground. Pour boiling water over. Insist. Wet a cotton cloth with the resulting solution and apply it to the sore spot on the neck. Cover with film and wrap with a scarf. Leave overnight. Helps relieve inflammation.
4. Apple vinegar.It is a very healthy, natural liquid that is obtained through a microbiological process from apples. It contains a huge amount of useful substances. You need to dilute the same amount of vinegar with water. Moisten the gauze with the resulting liquid and apply it to the cervical vertebrae, covering with polyethylene and a scarf overnight. It helps to restore cartilage tissue and relieve inflammation.
   For general strengthening and filling of the body with useful substances, you should drink apple medicine. It is necessary to add 10 g to water and drink before meals.

Therapeutic massage and self-massage

Massage for diseases of the cervical spine should be performed only when there is no active inflammatory process - this is an additional effective method of treating osteochondrosis. Massage can be therapeutic, which must be performed by a specialist massage therapist, or self-massage, when the patient knows which exercises will not harm him, but will help him.

During the therapeutic massage, the hands of a masseur are used, who work with the cervical area with gentle, massaging, stroking movements.Neurologists call neck massage an "erotic" massage, due to the very gentle specificity of the movements.

Strong, forceful techniques should not be allowed - this can harm the vertebrae and blood vessels. If necessary, if the upper limbs are involved in the pathological process, then you should rub your hands. The movements should be directed from the tip of the fingers upwards - to the shoulder and neck. Each side takes turns.

Self-massage includes light, stroking and slightly rubbing movements of the neck area.

You can not twist your neck or try to break it - such techniques can lead to displacement of the vertebrae and pinching of arteries and veins. The goal of self-massage and therapeutic massage is maximum relaxation of spasmodic tissues and improvement of blood circulation.

surgery

Surgical intervention is prescribed only if conservative therapy has not led to positive results and the process of destruction of the vertebrae continues to progress.

The most commonly used method of surgical therapy is the anterior access method (surgery is performed on the front of the neck). Neurosurgeons rarely use the posterior method of surgical intervention - only when it is necessary to increase the lumen of the narrowed spinal canal.

Nutritional characteristics

The main principles of nutrition in osteochondrosis include a balanced diet with the restriction of foods harmful to this disease.You should eat five times a day, in small portions.

The diet should include low-fat protein foods, unrefined cereals, vegetables (not sour), fruits, lactic acid products, preferably not from cow's milk. The intervals between meals should not exceed 3 hours.

All types of canned goods, alcohol, spices, refined fats and pork should be excluded. Purchased semi-finished products, as well as all sausages - such food disrupts metabolic processes and contributes to inflammatory and degenerative changes in the musculoskeletal system.

What is not recommended to do

Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that, with an incorrect lifestyle, can progress significantly. There are certain rules, the implementation of which will reduce the likelihood of a further destructive process in the neck area.

Forbidden:

• consume large amounts of salt and salty foods;
• do weight lifting and aerobics;
• for the fair half, you should avoid narrow shoes with high heels;
• get carried away with excess food, which will certainly lead to weight gain and disruption of metabolic processes;
• sleeping on a soft bed is unacceptable;
• provoke crunching with sudden movements of the neck, even if it seems to bring relief.

Prevention

To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, you must observe preventive measures:

• visit the steam bath (with the permission of a neurologist or if there is no hypertension);
• periodically do a therapeutic massage;
• if the disease already exists and has been treated, take courses of treatment on the recommendation of a neurologist;
• I'm going swimming;
• yoga gymnastics is the main type of curative and preventive physical activity;
• balanced diet;
• refusal of bad habits - alcohol and nicotine, which disrupt metabolic processes in the body.

The occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis is easier to prevent than to treat. At the first symptoms of the disease, you should consult a neurologist to prescribe adequate treatment. This will prevent the pathology from destroying the cervical vertebrae.