Osteochondrosis - degenerative changes in the articular cartilage, accompanied by partial destruction of the discs between the vertebrae. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the destruction of slow-growing tissue between the vertebrae that support the head. In the last century, the disease was diagnosed mainly in people aged thirty and older, but today orthopedists make such a diagnosis even for schoolchildren. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra is long. Even during remission, maintenance therapy courses should be conducted.
Symptoms of the disease in the early stages
The size of the cervical vertebrae is smaller than the thoracic and lumbar regions. However, the burden falls on them: every day a person's neck performs many complex movements. Office workers who are forced to sit at the same computer for hours at a time often develop osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. In this case, treatment involves not only pain relief, but also a forced lifestyle change. Sitting motionless on the monitor for hours is a big test for the spine.
The following causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra can be distinguished:
- heredity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- excessive physical activity;
- neck injuries;
- anomalies of the cervical spine;
- constant wrong 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 should not be ignored.
In the first stage, the disease often manifests itself as headaches, a slight tingling sensation in the neck. Almost all patients do not pay attention to such mild symptoms. Headaches are associated with fatigue or lack of sleep. Most patients prefer to take only analgesic tablets.
Over time (sometimes this process can take several years), the disease inevitably progresses to the second stage. The danger of osteochondrosis is that a syndrome called radicular syndrome often develops. It often manifests itself in the second stage, and osteochondrosis worsens as it progresses. Radicular syndrome is a compression of nerve endings in the cervical vertebrae. After that, many other pathologies join the headache. These include impaired vision and hearing, dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus, intolerable migraine with and without aura, numbness of the hands.
As a rule, patients consult a doctor only after the manifestations of radical syndrome. Most are only interested in its symptoms. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra and the necessary rehabilitation will not be able to neutralize all the consequences of radicular syndrome. You can only temporarily stop the development of the disease and prevent even greater complications.
Manifestations of the disease in later stages
There are third and fourth stages of the disease, which is simply impossible not to notice. Even patients who are astonished at their own health often sound the alarm and seek medical attention.
The third stage of cervical osteochondrosis, if not accompanied by radicular syndrome, often causes the patient unbearable headaches. It is characterized by the appearance of pain directly in the neck and shoulders. The patient is constantly forced to use ointments that have a warming and analgesic effect. In the third stage, massage helps very well. It is important to understand that getting rid of the disease will not work. Only long-term remission can be achieved - this is the goal of treatment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the fourth stage: significant curvature of the spine with the naked eye and severe pain in this area. If there is also a radicular syndrome, then the patient often experiences severe dizziness, which can lead to fainting after one or another strenuous physical activity. Depending on where and how much the nerve ending is compressed, severe vision or hearing loss is possible.
In the later stages, the appearance of irritable-reflex syndrome is also possible, in which case there is often severe pain in the back of the pulsating head, as well as pain in the thoracic spine. They are so strong that the patient is unable to fall asleep or perform normal physical activities. Such symptoms are also possible with a strong displacement of the vertebrae. Cervical osteochondrosis, in the later stages, in 90% of cases is accompanied by either an irritating reflex or radicular syndrome.
There are cases when the disease is complicated by two of these pathologies at once. In this case, treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra with folk remedies will not work. An integrated approach that includes the use of both specialized methods (injections, massage, physiotherapy, analgesics) and general (swimming, exercise therapy, lifestyle) is important.
Symptoms depending on the damaged nerve roots
Osteochondrosis of the 1st cervical vertebra is accompanied by numbness in the occipital region in the early stages of the disease. In the later stages - the appearance of severe pain in this area. The best treatment is the use of ointments that have a warming and anesthetic effect, as well as massage. It is necessary to inject B vitamins once every six months.
Osteochondrosis of the 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae is accompanied by impaired sensitivity of the limbs and the appearance of pain in the forearms, thoracic region. Treatment - massage of the neck and neck area and joints of the body. Regular use of B vitamins is indicated (at least once every six months, optimally 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 when other vertebrae are affected. It is also important to pay attention to only the accompanying symptoms - deterioration of vision and hearing. Regularly practice visual hygiene, do eye exercises, apply special drops that relax the optic nerve.
Osteochondrosis of the 7th cervical vertebra is accompanied by damage to the nerve endings 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 spine. Symptoms of compressed nerve endings C6 and C7 include periodic numbness of the fingers and hands, pain in the neck, forearms and lower back - shoulder blade, back, lumbar region.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis: which doctor to consult
To diagnose osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra and determine the course of treatment, you must register with a neurologist and orthopedist. A neurologist can prescribe tools for the manifestations of the disease, which affects the condition of the nerve endings. If the disease is accompanied by radicular syndrome, it makes sense. The orthopedist will assess the condition of the spine and determine the presence of additional diseases: scoliosis, lordosis, etc.
The following research methods are used to diagnose and accurately assess the condition of the intervertebral discs:
- Radiography.
- CT scan.
- Magnetic tomography.
- Ultrasound examination of cervical veins.
Each of them is completely safe for health and does not pose a risk of overdose. Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which will be treated for life, can be made after a simple visual examination. Any orthopedist can do this easily. The exception is the first stage of the disease in which no visible pathology of the cervical region is observed.
Methods of treatment in traditional medicine
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra? Whichever method you choose, keep in mind that you will need to monitor your neck condition regularly to achieve remission. Osteochondrosis cannot be completely cured. After a while, the symptoms will definitely reappear, and their intensity will directly depend on the patient's attitude to his health.
List of the most effective measures to get rid of the symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- physiotherapy;
- neck and neck massage;
- taking analgesics;
- Course of B group vitamins;
- physiotherapy;
- swimming.
The patient should remember that he should not engage in athletics (running, jumping, pliometric exercises), strength fitness. This will inevitably aggravate the situation. You can not sit in one position for a long time. Although office work takes long hours on the monitor, you need to get up once an hour and give yourself a ten-minute warm-up and light stretch of the neck area.
A set of physiotherapy exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra at home can be carried out with the help of special exercises. They must be carried out daily, otherwise you can not expect a noticeable result.
- Straight, stand on the line. Raise your hands, inhale, stand on your toes, and lie down as much as possible. Do a few repetitions.
- Starting position - standing on your feet, back straight, arms lowered freely across the body. Touch the left ear to the left shoulder, from the right ear to the right shoulder. Perform ten times in each direction at a slow pace, without sudden movements.
- The starting position is the same as in the previous exercise. Touch your chin to your sternum, then gently and gently bend your head back. If the movement is accompanied by pain or discomfort, it should be abandoned.
- Sit in a chair or hard seat and keep your back straight. You can cross your legs in the lotus position. Perform circular rotations of the head - first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
- Lie on a hard surface on your stomach. The arms and legs are extended. "Ship" exercise: tear off the surface of the head, arms and legs and try to lift as high as possible. Stay in this position as long as possible. This exercise is useful not only for the cervical spine, but also for the thoracic and lumbar spine.
Physiotherapy exercises should be performed carefully and at a slow pace. Sudden movements can increase the pain.
If it is possible to exercise after a therapeutic warm-up massage of the cervical-collar area - it's great. This method, which combines two treatments at once, is very good.
Blockade of pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The main group of drugs used in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with vertebral displacement are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In addition, due to cervical osteochondrosis, topical use of NSAIDs in gels and ointments is preferred.
In this regard, ointments and creams containing snake and bee venom are effective. Topical agents for topical use include local irritants and chondroprotectants.
If the pain is very severe, one-time strong analgesics can be used. Sometimes osteochondrosis is exacerbated by a cold. In this case, medications based on the active ingredient paracetamol will help to eliminate all the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections and chondrosis.
The use of B vitamins in the traditional treatment of the disease
Why do neurologists routinely prescribe B vitamins as part of a comprehensive treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine? The explanation is very simple. Nerve endings suffer from radicular syndrome, and vitamins are the easiest way to support their activity. The most effective form of administration is intramuscular injection. When taken orally, B vitamins are only partially absorbed. When administered intramuscularly, they enter the bloodstream almost immediately.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home
You do not need to go to the hospital for complex treatment. It is quite possible to achieve remission at home. If the patient can inject independently, it is very good. Then you can't be in the clinic everyday.
Methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra with folk remedies:
- Baths with salt and soda reduce pain, relax the whole body. This is especially good before bed. You should take a full bath with medium temperature water and dissolve one kilogram of salt and about 500 grams of soda in it.
- Paraffin applications are excellent. Melt paraffin or wax, cool to a comfortable temperature and apply to the affected area. Such compresses can be done twice a week.
- You can take a decoction of herbs to reduce the inflammatory process. Need to mix 1 tbsp. l. St. John's wort, chamomile, marigold and yarrow flowers. Add 1 tablespoon to them. l. thyme and dandelion leaves. Now you need to take 2 tbsp. l. Insist the resulting mixture and pour a liter of boiling water. It is enough to take 1/4 of a glass of decoction 3 times a day for 3 weeks.
- If you do not trust pharmaceutical drugs, you can prepare an ointment for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. You will need to take coriander fruits, maple buds, dandelion roots, mint in equal parts. Powder three tablespoons of the mixture, pour 1/2 cup boiling water and boil for 5 minutes. Add 75 g of vegetable oil and lard to the resulting mass. Cool and rub on the affected area 4 times a day. Store the ointment in the refrigerator.
- Helps well with osteochondrosis & compressesFor example, honey and potatoes. Pass a large tuber through a fine grater and mix with honey in a ratio of 1: 1. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected area for 45 minutes.
Massage with osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra is the number one tool to reduce tension and pain. You need good flexibility to do massage therapy for yourself. Older people often can't even raise their arms to the desired height. But they find a way out of the situation: they ask one of the younger relatives to massage.
Patient's opinion on the outcome of treatment
According to numerous reviews of orthopedic and neurological patients, the optimal treatment is a combination of all procedures. It is useless to use only methods to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae with folk remedies.
Some patients report that a course of procedures with a good masseur has brought them back to life and increased their ability to work.
Some patients only respond positively to physiotherapy exercises. They started training regularly at home, subscribing to the pool for therapeutic swimming courses. Yoga and regular exercises to lengthen the spine helped some. Feelings after such asanas: lightness in the body, no pain, relief from stress.
If you regularly load your body with such activities, you can go into long-term remission and forget about the symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis.