There was a time when the disease was considered “age-related”, but more recently, “osteochondrosis” is being diagnosed more and more often up to the age of 35. This is due to a change in the pace of life - more people are involved in sedentary and sedentary work. And most importantly, physical activity, flexibility decreases, and as a result, blood circulation is impaired, which is the main thing in the nutrition and restoration of spinal discs.
An interesting fact: according to statistics, more than 80% of the population, after 30 years, have changes in the spine, to a greater or lesser degree.
Reasons
Osteochondrosis is the general name for aging of the spine. The process is directly related to changes in the structure of the vertebrae and discs. Under the influence of internal and external factors, thinning of the discs occurs. Appear - protrusions, hernias, instability of the vertebrae, changes in bone tissue, the appearance of osteophytes (thorns, growths). And all of these phenomena are complications of osteochondrosis. The course is chronic and without the absence of complex therapy it is very difficult to continue normal life.
You are probably familiar with the factors causing dystrophic changes, but again we note:
- Hypodynamia - it contributes to the disturbance of blood circulation in the neck, weakening of the muscle corset.
- Curvature of the spine (curvature, lordosis, kyphosis, scoliosis).
- Long stay in static positions and vice versa - increased loads and lifting weights.
- Injuries.
- Overweight, pregnancy.
- Heredity, metabolic disorders.
Man is the only creature on the planet that suffers from spinal problems in the cervical column. This is due to our ability to walk fully upright, as well as muscle weakness and high mobility in the neck.
A hereditary predisposition has an important role in the formation of cervical osteochondrosis. In addition, relatives do not have to suffer from osteochondrosis. The risk zone includes people with a family history of degenerative and dystrophic diseases of the osteoarticular system (osteoarthritis, spondylitis, hernias, etc. ).
The neck is an important link. Many vessels and nerves pass through it to the brain. Problems in this part of the body will certainly affect the blood circulation in the brain and the work of the upper part - shoulders, arms. Degeneration develops gradually, with an increase.
Stages of development of cervical osteochondrosis
At the first stage there is a local pain syndrome, accompanied by strong tension in the muscles, which increases the already unpleasant sensations, constrains movements.
Pain is expressed in 2 forms:
- Cervicago - "neck lumbago", a sharp, sharp pain that appears when moving.
- Neck pain - drawing, painful, with constant muscle tension. It can take more than two weeks, even with the right treatment.
In the second stage, "radicular" syndrome is added - compression of the nerves due to thinning of ligaments and discs. Pain appears during sneezing, coughing. If the patient lies on his back and passively moves his head, painful sensations will appear.
Numbness of the hand from neck to fingertips is characteristic, especially after sleep. The symptom disappears quickly after active movements or after placing the hand behind the head. If the numbness or pain persists, complications (protrusion, hernia) may form.
In addition, there may be a feeling of "freezing" of the shoulder with the onset of "shoulder-hand" syndrome - when arthritis of the shoulders and hands begins due to circulatory disturbances in theosteochondrosis.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are:
- Headache and dizziness.
- Localized pain, as well as possible irradiation of the shoulder, occiput or scapula (especially the accession of the cervicothoracic region)
- Numbness and weakness in the arms.
- A lump in my throat.
- High blood pressure (constantly high blood pressure).
- Decreased hearing and visual acuity, tinnitus (development of vertebral artery syndrome).
Interesting: Changes in the disease affect important vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain. In patients with chondrosis, there may be a "Sistine Chapel" syndrome - fainting after a sudden rejection of the head.
The pain and its location are often disguised as a serious illness - angina.
Diagnosis and treatment
It is very important to treat the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at the very beginning of degenerative processes. To do this, you need to quickly seek help from a neurologist or vertebrologist. But practice shows that they seek help, already with complications - protrusion, hernia, instability of the vertebral bodies.
The patient should be carefully examined - ultrasound of the heart, blood vessels of the brain and neck, ECG, urine collection and blood tests. It is imperative that an x-ray be taken, and in several projections and in a stack with an open mouth (to visualize the vertebrae that cover the teeth).
Unfortunately, doctors diagnosed with osteochondrosis adjust many diseases, because there is no time, experience, desire to identify the cause of this or that symptom. Treatment is prescribed which provides temporary relief, but the real cause remains undetected, over time everything returns or gives no relief at all. It is this situation that causes people to self-medicate.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Therapy should be as comprehensive as possible.
- Physiotherapy.
- Drug treatment. Massage
- .
- Physiotherapy.
- Stretch.
- Stretching the cervical spine using the Shishonin method.
- Quitting habits.
Physiotherapy
The effectiveness of treating osteochondrosis of the neck of the spine with the help of physiotherapy and therapeutic baths has been scientifically proven.
- They relieve pain syndrome.
- Eliminates inflammation.
- To increase the effectiveness of drug therapy and other methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis.
The therapeutic effect of physiotherapy in the form of low frequency pulsed electromagnetic therapy in combination with radon baths, sometimes with iodine-bromine baths, is enhanced.
Drug treatment
With complications from osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, hernias or large protrusions, inflammation of the compressed nerve roots occurs. Therefore, in order to relieve the inflammatory symptom and stop the pain, you need to pierce the course of intramuscular injections of vitamins - B1, B6, B12. Also, with impaired blood circulation, the viscosity of the blood increases, which disrupts the blood supply to the brain with oxygen. It is necessary to take antiplatelet drugs.
Drug therapy.
- Eliminates pain and inflammation.
- Speeds up metabolism in tissues that have been impaired due to impaired blood supply.
- Thins blood, improving blood circulation.
Massage
The course of massage of the neck area is necessarily included in the program for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck.
- Muscle tension is relieved, thus freeing tightly located tight arteries.
- Improves blood circulation and tissue nutrition, which has a positive effect on the heart and brain.
- Muscle pain is reduced.
Unfortunately, a good massage is not done for free and many refuse this procedure due to the high prices. But in the medical complex, massage of the cervical spine should be included for the sake of the case. Although they advise that it is not as necessary as physical therapy exercises.
Physiotherapy exercises
Treatment of osteochondrosis with physical therapy of the cervical spine is the main method, without which recovery is impossible. No pill can cure osteochondrosis without exercise therapy. Be aware that you will have to do gymnastics every day for a whole year in order to forget the symptoms of the disease forever.
Important: Exercise therapy is a 70% win over osteochondrosis. Even though the pains disappeared, the disease did not disappear anywhere. You can't relax.
Goals and objectives of exercise therapy.
- Strengthen the deep muscles of the neck and the muscle corset of the shoulder section so that the muscles keep the head in the correct position, without stress on the intervertebral discs, and no protuberances form that compress the endingsnervous. Increase the intervertebral space, thus eliminating the compression of the nerve roots.
- Bring back painless movements while developing flexibility and mobility.
- Exercise speeds up and increases blood circulation, thereby improving the nutrition of the intervertebral discs and surrounding muscles.
Important: Practice a series of exercises 3 times a day for the first 4 weeks, then once a day for a year.
Neck exercises
Before exercising, you should warm up your muscles.
Warm-up
Warm up the muscles of the chest and cervical spine. Slow circular movements with the shoulders - back and forth. Each muscle should work as much as possible.
Circular movements with the shoulders - lift as much as possible, back up, down then move forward. Pulling back, bring the shoulder blades together. And the same circles with each shoulder in turn.
Add arms - and repeat the movements with the arms bent at the elbows. One by one, we will bring the shoulder blades together again by taking our hands. And then we will also put our shoulders forward as much as possible.
This concludes the warm-up. Let's start by doing some basic neck exercises.
Exercise technique
All movements should be done slowly, so as not to injure yourself and to avoid a pinched nerve.
Adopt a correct posture. The shoulders are lowered, slightly elongated, the chin is parallel to the ground. Static exercises aim to train the deep muscles of the neck. Each movement maintains resistance for 5 to 8 seconds. Release for two seconds and repeat again. So 5 times.
- We rest the palm against the temple and press on it, trying to bend the head, we resist with our head, thus preventing the hand from tilting the head to the side. Do the same on the other side.
- Put your hands on the lock, support your chin and press down on the resistant head.
- We resist with the front.
- From the back of the head
- Alternatively, the head resists on the side of the cheekbones
In addition to strengthening the muscles of the neck, you need to simultaneously strengthen the shoulder girdle. Several exercises with an expander should be included in the treatment complex 2-3 times a week.
Additional charge
Exercise in the form of running, brisk walking, swimming, aerobics will improve the general circulation of the body. Especially from a poor supply of blood, the brain suffers, which needs oxygen for problems of the cervical spine. Workouts last at least 20 to 30 minutes, up to twice a week.
Dry traction of the cervical spine
The dry stretch method is horizontal and vertical. This method is called traction - a very effective treatment for spinal osteochondrosis. Young people easily lend themselves to full recovery, using just one pull during treatment. Since the recovery of the disc in young people is much faster. Of course, age inhibits recovery and the ability to restore cartilage tissue, but traction is still an important point in the complex treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Stretching issues
- Increase the light between the vertebrae.
- Eliminates pain due to compression of nerve roots.
This procedure has contraindications, so do not do it without consulting your doctor. Previously, this method was practiced only in hospitals, sanatoriums and rehabilitation centers.
The stretch technique is now available at home using a treatment collar. The traction session lasts 15 minutes per day.
We have analyzed the whole program of treatment of the cervical spine, it remains to talk about the usual way of life, which should also evolve in perfect order.
Important: All of the above methods should be discussed with your doctor.
Abandonment of habits
We understand that laziness and apologies lead to early osteochondrosis. If you can't get over them, you don't need this article. Drink pain relievers and go on living as before. Although you can try to correct some bad habits.
- Sleep on an orthopedic pillow and mattress.
- Don't lie on a high pillow for hours, with your head elevated while reading, playing on the phone. At this point, the cervical vertebrae press against the blood vessels, disrupting blood flow.
- A stationary position on the computer when there is no control over time. Set your alarm clock every hour to warm up the muscles in your stiff neck.
- Move more - play sports, exercise outdoors, walk 10, 000 steps a day.
Summary
Course procedures - injections, massages and physiotherapy are performed 1 month every six months. During this period, physiotherapy exercises increase up to 3 times a day.
The other months every day:
- Exercise therapy - once a day.
- Stretch.
Repeat the procedures after 5 months. And this rate is at least one year. Positive results are noticeable within a month.
The above technique is not an algorithm for all cases of cervical osteochondrosis treatment. All points should be discussed with a doctor. But if the doctor prescribes only one method, for example, physiotherapy, massage, the effect will be temporary. The treatment is long, so it is better to immediately agree on the success of the recovery. Believe me, you won't go back to your old way of life when you start to practice and feel relief.
How cervical osteochondrosis is treated
Several groups of drugs are prescribed for basic drug therapy.
- Pain relievers are prescribed as tablets, or for particularly severe pain, blockage of novocaine.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Nurofen, Diclofenac.
- Irritating ointments - finalgon, capsicam.
- Preparations for relaxing the muscles of the neck - muscle relaxants.
- A course of intramuscular injections of B vitamins
Support using currents, massages, warm-ups (putting on cans, mustard plasters) is prescribed during the period of relief of the main pain syndrome. During the period of exacerbation, pain still appears, to relieve them, as well as muscle tension, the exercise therapy complex presented above is carried out, apply a budget pepper bandage.
Important: any exercise with head turns is prohibited in cases of vertebral artery syndrome, when the vessels of the neck are pinched due to osteochondrosis.
At home, it is effective to take relaxing baths with herbal decoctions, compresses and rubs (for example, with the help of propolis, aloe). The Russian bath is resistant to muscular tension. A traditional hammam with a broom relaxes, reduces pain and brightens up.
In extreme cases, it is necessary to resort to surgery, when there is a risk that complications from compression could lead to disability. Namely - complete compression of blood vessels or nerves, significant growth of osteophytes or the appearance of hernial protrusion. The operation is performed according to all the rules of neurosurgery - under a microscope and with minimal incisions.