Causes, symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

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

For home treatment, with the permission of a specialist, you can resort to the use of drugs aimed at stopping inflammation and pain. Therapeutic exercises and massages are effective, but they also have their limitations. As a complement 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 identical for both men and women:

• wrong posture;
• scoliosis;
• over weight;
• passive lifestyle;
• spinal injury;
• excessive physical activity;
• metabolic disease;
• hereditary predisposition;
• nervous shocks, frequent tensions;
• constant tension of the back muscles in the cervical region.

The mechanics of the occurrence of osteochondrosis is associated with increased loads on this part of the spine, compensation for its 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 processes. In total, there are 4 degrees of development of cervical osteochondrosis:

Scenery	Characteristic symptoms
First	It appears slightly. Usually there is a slight tension of the muscular ligaments and a mild pain syndrome in the region 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 gradually begin to collapse. Pain syndromes can be intensified due to pinched nerve endings
Third	The symptoms are greatly aggravated: the pain becomes permanent, begins to radiate to the shoulder and upper extremities. On palpation of the affected area, the discomfort increases dramatically, there may be a feeling of numbness and tingling in the fingers, as hernias form. Neck mobility is affected, joints become stiff
Four	It is characterized by the complete destruction of the intervertebral disc, which causes pinching of the connective tissue. As a result of such changes, a person develops symptoms such as: dizziness; lack of coordination; noise in the ears

The symptomatology of cervical osteochondrosis differs from the disease that affects 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 occurs with compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord.

Symptoms in this case may vary depending on the vertebrae subject to degenerative-dystrophic changes. Usually the main symptom is pain in the neck, which is transmitted to various areas of the body: sternum, arms, chin, etc. Turning the head can produce a characteristic crackling sound. Pinched nerves and blood vessels can cause numbness of the tongue and fingertips. Pain syndrome can vary:

Syndrome	Description
Root	Caused by a pinched nerve. The pain is descending, sharp. It extends to the shoulder, the forearm and to the tips of the fingers. With radicular syndrome, a sensation of goosebumps, tingling is possible. Another characteristic feature is the decrease in elasticity, firmness of the skin, the appearance of slight swelling and pallor.
vertebral artery	It occurs when squeezing the vertebral artery. The pain is throbbing or burning, affects the superciliary region, the temple, the nape of the neck and the crown. It is usually constant, but can be paroxysmal. The discomfort increases after prolonged movement or being in an uncomfortable position. When the body is weakened, the symptoms can spread 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 caused by irritation of the sympathetic ganglia, which causes disorders that occur in the brain. These include pathologies of vascular reactivity and blood circulation. This leads to the following symptoms: tinnitus; tachycardia; ear congestion; mild pain in the head, similar to a noise
hypertensive	It is characterized by an increase in intracranial pressure. In hypertensive syndrome, the headache has an explosive character, may 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 permanently eliminate its manifestations, but the symptoms can be eliminated. With osteochondrosis of the cervical region, you can use conservative methods aimed at reducing pain syndromes, dysfunctions of the spinal roots, and preventing complications of the degenerative process in the intervertebral discs.

For this use:

• medicines;
• massage;
• exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises);
• home remedies.

It is impossible to self-medicate with a pathology of the spine. All therapeutic measures and methods used should be discussed with a specialist, applied at home with her approval. In the absence of effectiveness of conservative methods (if you cannot get rid of the pain), you should consult a doctor, since surgery may be required.

Medicines

With cervical osteochondrosis, analgesics are used to relieve pain. They can be taken in the form of tablets and capsules. However, long-term treatment with painkillers leads to irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, so they should not be taken frequently.

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

To restore the intervertebral discs, chondroprotectors are recommended. They contain substances that are substitutes for cartilage tissue components: 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 reduce pain even more. They are used in the form of injections. For the treatment of osteochondrosis, drugs containing glycerin and benzimidazole are the most effective.

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

The most convenient form of medication for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home are ointments and gels. There are several types of external agents: warming, anti-inflammatory, analgesic.

Massage

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

It is recommended to perform the procedure in the supine position. If the patient cannot take it, the therapy is carried out while sitting. The wizard can use the following techniques and techniques:

1. Stroking - superficial effects on the skin. It is done with the hands or with the 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 the fingers (thumb and index finger) through the neck. This technique is used for tissues located far from the vertebrae.
3. Rubbing: the development of the neck area to warm the skin and increase blood flow. It should be used with extreme caution, without affecting the spinous processes of the vertebrae. Rubbing can be replaced by movements that resemble handsaws or circular movements.
4. Kneading: impact on deep tissues. They have a limited use mainly in the area away from the cervical region: the upper part of the back.

The patient can perform the massage and more - in a sitting position. To do this, he can use techniques such as caresses, circular rubbing on the neck and shoulders. It is recommended to combine self-massage with friction 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 tips that act on acupuncture points in the cervical region. Acupressure is useful because it allows you to stimulate the receptors in the skin that are responsible for physiological processes in the body. In certain cases, the applicator can permanently and effectively help reduce pain, normalize blood circulation and restore the patient's performance.

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 consult your doctor first about the possibility of using it. If during 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 break will contribute to the development of the disease.

The advantage of an orthopedic product is that it is a tool not only for prevention, but also for treatment - this is the so-called position therapy. With the correct selection of a pillow for sleeping, the pain in the neck will be significantly reduced, and there will be no need to resort to dangerous self-massage with intense movements.

exercise therapy

Therapeutic exercise is one of the most effective methods of conservative therapy. However, it must be carried out according to certain rules. It is desirable that the set of exercises was established by a specialist, and the first classes were conducted under the supervision of her.

Recommendations for therapeutic exercises:

• clothing should not restrict movement;
• exercises should be performed in a well-ventilated area;
• classes are recommended to be held no earlier than half an hour after eating;
• during the week it is necessary to repeat up to 4 trainings;
• all movements must be performed smoothly, since a quick action can lead to a complication;
• it is necessary to control the pulse;
• if pain occurs during exercise, you need to replace them with stretching and relaxation actions;
• the intensity of classes and loads should be gradually increased;
• it is desirable to alternate physiotherapy exercises with gymnastic exercises 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 manifests itself both during movement and at rest.
2. Dizziness occurs due to impaired blood circulation, caused by instability of the vertebrae.
3. There are acute diseases that present signs of inflammation.
4. Diagnosed with cancer at any stage.
5. Blood coagulation is altered, that is, there is a risk of thrombosis or there is a tendency to bleed.
6. Poisoning.
7. There are cardiovascular diseases in the stage of decompensation and arterial hypertension.
8. Diagnosed with high myopia with concomitant pathology of the eye fundus.

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

Initial position	a set of exercises
standing on my feet	Neck circumference. The hands should be used as a neck fixer. Going around the neck, the thumbs should be located at the bottom of the jaw, the rest - behind the back of the head. In this position, you need to tilt your head to the left and right, staying in a tilted state for 2 seconds. After 8-10 repetitions, the girth is stopped, and the exercise is performed again. Squats with support in the hands. You should rest your palms on the countertop, standing with your back to the table. It is necessary to slightly throw the head back and stretch the body up, stopping at the maximum mark for 2 seconds, then sit down, without letting go of the hands and tilt the head forward. The squat level should be comfortable. The book is in the head. You need to put the hardcover edition on top of your head so it doesn't fall off. In this state, you need to hold for 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 put the palm of your hand on the forehead and apply pressure on it from the side of the hand. At this time, the head must hold 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 press simultaneously 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 of the hand is first placed on the back of the head and pressed for 20 seconds without changing the position of the head, after which it is bent, the second palm is applied to the forehead and Perform bilateral compression for 5 seconds. This exercise is used to stretch the vertebrae. The neck bends with resistance. Similar to the previous two exercises, use the palms of your hands to create tension. First, the head is tilted to the left, the palm of the left hand is placed on the right temple and slightly pressed, thereby stretching the muscles. The exercise is then repeated on the right side.
sitting in a chair	It is necessary to place the lower parts of the palms of the hands on the temples, close the jaws when inhaling and tense the muscles. The skin of the temporal region should be lifted with the hands. As you exhale, the tension stops and the temples relax. The exercise is repeated up to 5 times. Hands with palms should be pressed against the cheekbones so that the tips of the separated fingers slightly press on the temples. With a slow movement of the head back and forth, it is necessary to gently point 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 lying down. backward. This exercise will allow you to simultaneously tense and relax your 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.

Proper and regular exercise for cervical osteochondrosis can relieve tension, increase blood flow, strengthen neck muscles, and improve spinal mobility.

Prohibited activities such as running, jumping, swinging and pushing, lifting weights. You should also avoid exercises with emphasis on the hands and hanging. With the permission of the doctor, the patient can play sports if he has previously engaged in training, but only with a full exercise program.

ethnoscience

It is recommended to treat cervical osteochondrosis with the following traditional medicine for external use:

1. Horseradish leaf compress. The plant has anti-inflammatory properties. Horseradish leaves must be young and fresh. They are immersed in boiling water for a few seconds, after which they are immediately applied to the cervical spine. From above, the application is covered with cellophane and a warm scarf. The compress is kept as long as possible. It is advisable 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 the ingredients mix well together. In the resulting solution, gauze is moistened, applied to the sore neck, covered with polyethylene, and a warm scarf is placed on top. The compress is kept for no more than 2-3 hours, since alcohol can lead to skin irritation. This method is contraindicated even with minor injuries.
3. A compress of potatoes and honey. 1 large raw potato, grated and thinned with 2 tbsp. yomiel. The resulting mixture is spread on the tissue, which adheres to the sore spot. The compress is removed after 2 hours.
4. Ointment with hops. 1stipowder obtained from hop cones, crushed with 1 tbsp. Ifresh butterThe resulting ointment is applied to the sore spot and isolated.
5. Elecampane decoction. The root of the plant of the second year of life in the amount of 2 tablespoons. pour a glass of boiling water. The solution is boiled for 10 minutes over low heat and then filtered. Elecampane remedy is used for compresses applied to the spine. The app is removed after 20 minutes. This remedy is also used for baths, while the amount of raw materials is increased to 10 tablespoons. me

To relieve pain, the following prescriptions for oral administration are recommended:

1. Tincture on pine shoots. They are collected in spring, choosing specimens with a minimum size of 15 mm and a maximum of 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, removed and stored for 2 weeks in the refrigerator. The resulting remedy is taken in 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 juiceThe root of the plant is ground on a grater and the juice is squeezed out. They drink it in 1 tbsp. I3 times a day before meals. Sometimes mixed 1 tbsp. I juice with a glass of boiling water, insist for 2 hours. Such a composition is taken in 1 tbsp. youna hour before meals 4 times a day.
3. Celery root infusion. 3 g of raw materials are filled with 500 ml of boiling water, wait until it cools completely, and consume 20 ml before meals.
4. Bay leaf decoction. 12 g of raw materials are placed in enameled dishes, poured 300 ml of cold water, boiled for 5 minutes, then infused for 3 hours and filtered. The tool is consumed throughout the day between meals in small sips. The rest is drunk before bedtime. The course of treatment is 4 days, then take a break for a week and repeat it. As a preventive measure, therapy is carried out every spring.

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

• lingonberry and birch leaves;
• chamomile;
• linden flowers;
• Wild Rose;
• calendula;
• Hypericum;
• horse tail;
• motherwort