Osteochondrosis - degenerative changes in the articular cartilage, accompanied by partial destruction of the discs between the vertebrae. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by a slow, developing over the years, destruction of the tissues between the vertebrae that support the head. If in the last century the disease was mainly diagnosed in people aged 30 and over, today orthopedists make this diagnosis also to schoolchildren. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is long. Even during the period of remission, courses of maintenance therapy should be taken.
Symptoms of the disease in the early stages
The size of the cervical vertebrae is smaller than the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. But the load on them is significant: every day a person's neck performs many complex movements. Office workers who are forced to sit in the same position in front of the computer for several hours at a time often develop osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae. Treatment in this case involves not only the removal of pain, but also a mandatory change in lifestyle. Sitting inactive for many hours at the monitor is a great test for the spine.
The following causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae can be distinguished:
- inheritance;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- extreme physical activity;
- neck injuries;
- anomalies of the cervical spine;
- constant incorrect position of the body 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 is manifested by frequent headaches, a slight tearing sensation in the neck. Almost all patients do not attach importance to such mild symptoms. Headaches are attributed to fatigue or lack of sleep. Most patients simply prefer to take an analgesic tablet.
Over time (sometimes this process can last for several years), the disease inevitably flows into the second stage. The danger of osteochondrosis is that the so-called radicular syndrome often develops. Most often, it manifests itself in the second stage and further aggravates as osteochondrosis progresses. Radicular syndrome is a pinched nerve ending in the cervical vertebrae. After that, many other pathologies 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 the manifestations of radicular syndrome. Most of all they only care about its symptoms. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae and the necessary rehabilitation will not be able to neutralize all the consequences that the root syndrome brings with it. You can only temporarily stop the development of the disease and prevent even greater complications.
Manifestations of the disease in the later stages
There is also a third and fourth stage of the disease, which is simply impossible not to notice. Patients who have a surprising disregard for their health also sound the alarm and go to a doctor.
The third stage of cervical osteochondrosis, if it is not accompanied by radicular syndrome, leads to the patient a frequent throbbing headache. Characterized by the appearance of pain directly in the neck and shoulders. The patient is forced to continuously use ointments with a warming and analgesic effect. The massage helps very well in the third phase. It is important to understand that it will not work to get rid of the disease completely. Only long-term remission can be achieved - this is the goal of treatment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae in the fourth stage: a noticeable inclination of the spine with the naked eye and severe pain in this area. If there is also a radicular syndrome, the patient often experiences very severe dizziness, he may faint after performing one or another acute physical movement. Depending on where and how severely the nerve ending was pinched, severe impairment of vision or hearing is possible.
In the later stages it is also possible the appearance of an irritative reflex syndrome, in which there are frequent and severe pains in the back of the head of a throbbing nature, as well as pains descending to the thoracic spine. They can reach such strength that the patient cannot fall asleep or perform the usual movements of the body. Such symptoms are possible even with a sharp displacement of the vertebrae. Cervical osteochondrosis in the later stages in 90% of cases is accompanied by irritative reflex or radicular syndrome.
There are cases when the disease is complicated by two of these pathologies at the same time. In this case, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae with folk remedies will not work. An integrated approach is important, which involves the use of both specialized methods (injections, massages, physiotherapy, taking analgesics) and general ones (swimming, physical therapy, lifestyle).
Symptoms depending on the damaged nerve roots
Osteochondrosis of the first cervical vertebra is accompanied by numbness in the occipital region in the early stages of the development of the disease. In the later stages - the appearance of severe pain in this area. The best treatment is the use of ointments with a warming and anesthetic effect, as well as massage. Once every six months, it is necessary to inject preparations of vitamins of group B.
Osteochondrosis of the 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae is accompanied by a violation of the sensitivity of the limbs and the appearance of pain in the forearms, in the thoracic region. Treatment - massage of the cervical neck area and those parts of the body that become numb. The regular use of B vitamins on an ongoing basis is shown (at least once every six months, optimally once a quarter). 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 where other vertebrae are affected. Only with concomitant symptoms - deterioration of vision and hearing - you need to pay attention to it too. Regularly engage in visual hygiene, do eye exercises, instill special drops that relax the optic nerve.
Osteochondrosis of the 7th cervical vertebra is accompanied by damage to the nerve end in the region of the fifth, sixth and seventh vertebrae. It occurs in both men and women at any age. This is the most common osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae. Symptoms of pinched nerve endings C6 and C7 are periodic numbness of the fingers and hands, pain in the neck, forearm and lower shoulder blade, back, up to the lower back.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis: which doctor to contact
To diagnose and prescribe a course of treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, it is necessary to sign up for a consultation with a neuropathologist and an orthopedist. A neurologist can prescribe remedies for the manifestations of the disease, which affect the state 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, etc.
For the diagnosis and accurate assessment of the condition of the intervertebral discs, the following research methods are used:
- X-ray.
- CT scan.
- Magnetic Tomography.
- Ultrasound scan of the vessels of the neck.
Each of them is completely safe for health and carries no threat of excessive exposure. Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, the treatment of which will be carried out for the rest of life, can be made after a simple visual examination. Any orthopedist can do this easily. An exception is the first stage of the disease, when no visible pathologies of the cervical region are noted.
Methods of treatment of traditional medicine
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae? Whichever method you choose, it should be remembered that 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 certainly make themselves felt again, and their intensity will directly depend 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;
- massage of the cervical neck area;
- take analgesics;
- a course of vitamins of group B;
- Physiotherapy;
- I swim.
The patient must remember that he should not engage in athletics (running, jumping, plyometric exercises), strength fitness. This will inevitably result in an aggravation of the condition. You can't sit in one position for a long time. Even if office work involves long hours spent on the monitor, once every hour you need to get up and indulge in a ten-minute warm-up of the neck-neck area, light stretching.
Physiotherapy exercise complex for cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae at home can be carried out with the help of special exercises. They must be carried out daily, otherwise a noticeable result can not be expected.
- Stand straight, in line. Raise your hands, take a breath, stand on your toes and stretch as far as possible. Do several repetitions.
- Starting position: standing, back straightened, arms freely lowered along the body. Touch the left ear with the left shoulder, the right ear with the right shoulder. Perform ten times in each direction at a slow pace, without making any sudden movements.
- The starting position is the same as in the previous exercise. Touch your chin against your breastbone, then gently and gently tilt your head back. If the movement is accompanied by pain or discomfort, it should be abandoned.
- Sit in a chair or on a hard floor with your back straight. You can cross your legs in the lotus position. Make circular rotations of your head, first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
- Lie on the hard floor on your stomach. The arms and legs are extended. Exercise "boat": tear off the surface of the head, arms and legs and try to lift them as high as possible. Stay in this position for as long as possible. This exercise is useful not only for the cervical spine, but also for the thoracic and lumbar area.
Physiotherapy exercises should be performed carefully, at a slow pace. Sudden movements can lead to increased pain.
If it is possible to perform exercises after a warming therapeutic massage of the cervical neck area - wonderful. This way of combining two treatment methods at the same time is very good.
Pain block syndrome in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The main group of drugs used in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with displacement of the vertebrae are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Also, in relation to cervical osteochondrosis, local use of gel NSAIDs and ointments is preferable.
In this regard, ointments and creams with snake and bee venom are effective in the composition. Among the means for local external use, local irritants and chondroprotectors are shown.
If the pain is too intense, one-time strong analgesics can be used. Sometimes osteochondrosis is exacerbated by a cold. In this case, to remove all the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections and chondrosis, drugs based on the active ingredient paracetamol will help.
The use of vitamins of group B in the traditional therapy of the disease
Why do neuropathologists invariably prescribe B vitamins as part of the complex treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae? The explanation is very simple. With radicular syndrome, nerve endings suffer and vitamins are the easiest way to support their functioning. The most effective form of application is intramuscular injection. When taken orally, the B vitamins are only partially absorbed. When administered intramuscularly, they almost instantly enter the bloodstream.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae at home
For complex treatment, it is not at all necessary to go to the hospital. It is quite possible to achieve remission at home. It is very good if the patient is able to inject independently. So you can't be in the clinic every day.
Methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae with folk remedies:
- Baths with salt and soda bring a reduction in pain, relaxation of the whole body. This is especially good before bed. You should take a full bath of water at a moderate temperature and dissolve one 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 damaged 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. hypericum flowers, chamomile, calendula and yarrow. To them add 1 tbsp. L. thyme and dandelion leaves. Now you should 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 of a glass 3 times a day.
- If you do not trust pharmaceutical preparations, you can prepare an ointment for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. You will need to take coriander fruits, birch sprouts, dandelion roots, peppermint grass in equal parts. Grind three tablespoons of the mixture into powder, pour 1/2 cup of boiling water and simmer for 5 minutes. To the resulting mass add 75 g of vegetable oil and pork fat. Cool and rub on the affected part 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 1: 1 ratio. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected area for 45 minutes.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, massage is the No. 1 to reduce tension and pain. To do massage therapy for yourself, you need good flexibility. Older people are often not even able to raise their arms to the desired height. But they find a way out of the situation: they ask one of the younger relatives for a massage.
Patient feedback on the outcome of the therapy
According to numerous reviews of orthopedic and neurological patients, the optimal method of treatment is the combined use of all procedures. It is useless to use only methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae with folk remedies.
Some patients note that a course of procedures with a good masseur literally brought them back to life, their working capacity increased.
Some patients respond positively exclusively to physiotherapy exercises. They began exercising regularly at home, bought a pool pass for therapeutic swimming classes. Yoga and regular exercises to stretch the spine have helped some. Sensations after such asanas: lightness in the body, no pain, relief from stress.
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.