Symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the result of a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition. The first signs of the disease can appear as early as the age of 25, if treatment is not started, serious complications will occur. In the treatment of the disease, an integrated approach is used - drug therapy, diet therapy, physiotherapy and physiotherapy.

Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Cervical osteochondrosis is degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs and joints, which lead to reduced neck mobility and the appearance of severe pain. The main reason for the development of the disease is a violation of mineral metabolism, which causes bones and joints to become less strong. ICD-10 code – M42, M50–54.

Why does cervical osteochondrosis occur?

• overweight, sedentary lifestyle;
• poor posture, scoliosis;
• arthritis;
• flat feet;
• VSD;
• poor nutrition.

Injuries, bruises of the spine, excessive physical activity and stress can provoke the development of deformation of the cervical vertebrae. In women, osteochondrosis often occurs during pregnancy, menopause - against the background of hormonal changes, the amount of calcium decreases, bone tissue becomes fragile.

Important! Predisposition to osteochondrosis is hereditary.

General symptoms and signs

With constant increased load on the cervical vertebrae, muscle spasms occur, vessels in the cervical spine are compressed, blood circulation is disturbed, disturbances in metabolic processes occur - the structure of the intervertebral discs changes, they become deformed and begin to protrude. beyond the spine.

How does osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifest:

• radicular syndrome - against the background of compression of nerve endings, pain occurs that spreads from the neck to the shoulder blades, forearms and covers the front wall of the chest;
• muscle weakness in the arms, noticeable swelling of the neck;
• when you move your head, you hear a characteristic crunch;
• weakness, chronic fatigue, changes in blood pressure;
• lack of coordination, often dizziness, seizures accompanied by nausea, vomiting;
• deterioration of vision and hearing, noise, ringing in the ears;
• numbness in limbs, tongue;
• frequent migraine;
• in women aged 45-65, pain, numbness and tingling in the upper extremities occur during sleep, attacks can be repeated several times during the night.

With cervical osteochondrosis, nutrition and blood supply to the brain are disturbed, neurotic disorders appear - anxiety, irritability, mood swings, sleep disorders.

Classification of cervical osteochondrosis

As osteochondrosis develops, it goes through several stages of development, each of which has characteristic signs. You can see in the picture how the affected part of the spine looks at different stages.

Degree of disease development:

1. Osteochondrosis of the 1st degree - the initial phase occurs without particularly pronounced symptoms, the person is bothered by rare and minor pains when turning and tilting the head, the back muscles quickly tire.
2. Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree - the vertebrae become unstable, a nerve is pinched, unpleasant sensations in the neck are pronounced, radiating to the shoulder and arm. Additional symptoms are increased fatigue, frequent headaches in the occipital region, absence.
3. Osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree - the pain becomes chronic, covers the upper back, arms, severe muscle weakness is observed, the limbs become numb, an intervertebral hernia develops, and attacks of vertigo often occur.
4. Osteochondrosis of the 4th degree - complete destruction of the intervertebral discs occurs, they are replaced by connective tissue, the pathological process covers several segments of the spine. There is a lack of coordination, bouts of vertigo become more frequent and tinnitus occurs.

Acute osteochondrosis is a consequence of the chronic form of the disease, characterized by a severe attack of sharp pain that occurs suddenly after waking up.

Which doctor should I contact?

If signs of cervical osteochondrosis appear, visit a neurologist; some hospitals have a vertebrologist - a specialist who treats diseases of the spine.

Diagnostic methods

Advanced forms of osteochondrosis have a pronounced clinical picture, which makes it possible to make an initial diagnosis already during the initial examination. Instrumental diagnostic methods will help identify the degree of degenerative changes in the vertebrae.

Main types of examinations for osteochondrosis:

• X-ray– the method is effective only in the early stages of pathological development;
• MR- the structure of bone structures, the size and direction of development of intervertebral hernias and the condition of the spinal cord are clearly visible on the screen;
• CT– the method is less effective than MRI, as it does not provide accurate information about the presence and size of the hernia;
• duplex scanning– allows you to see blood flow disorders;
• electroneurography- shows the presence of pinching, inflammation and other nerve damage;
• rheoencephalogram– prescribed for problems with the blood supply to the brain.

For a targeted and thorough examination of the condition of certain vertebrae, discography is performed - a contrast agent is injected into the intervertebral disc, which allows you to see the smallest changes in the tissues and distinguish scar changes from a hernia.

Methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

In the initial stage of development, osteochondrosis can be cured without medication; it is enough to review the diet, daily routines and regularly perform a set of special exercises. In advanced forms of the disease, effective treatment is only possible with the use of various medications that help stop degenerative changes in the vertebrae.

The complex of therapeutic measures necessarily includes physical procedures - electrophoresis with drugs, ultrasound, magnetic therapy, laser therapy. These methods help to cope with pain, inflammation, tissue swelling, improve metabolic processes and blood circulation.

First aid

Painkillers will help relieve pain due to osteochondrosis. You can heat the affected area with a mustard plaster or pepper plaster.

To reduce swelling of inflamed tissue, drink rose hip decoction and other diuretics. Massaging the inflamed area with an ice cube will help relieve severe neck pain; continue the procedure until the skin turns slightly red.

Physiotherapy

Exercise therapy is prescribed during the recovery period; during an exacerbation of osteochondrosis, physical exercise is contraindicated; gymnastics is simple, you can do it at home and you have to do it regularly.

Bubnovsky's gymnastics for the treatment and prevention of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. In a standing position, lower your arms freely along your body. Tilt your head forward, try to reach your chest with your chin, fix the position for 3. Tilt your head back, chin looks up, count to 3. Return to the starting position.
2. In a standing position, turn your head to the right, left and fix the position at each extreme point for several seconds. Repeat 3 times on each side.
3. In a standing position, tilt your head to the right, left, try to reach your shoulder with your ear, and hold the position for 30 seconds. Perform 6 repetitions in each direction.
4. Standing, hands on the belt, chin parallel to the floor, stretched forward. Turn your head, rest your chin on your shoulder, turn your torso slightly, hold for half a minute. Do 6 repetitions in each direction; slight pain in the spine may occur.
5. In a sitting position, back straight, hands on knees. Stretch your straight arms out to the sides, move them back a little, at the same time tilt your head back, return to the starting position, repeat 5 times.
6. In a sitting position, turn your head to the right, place your left palm on your right shoulder, elbow parallel to the floor, right hand resting on your knee, return to the starting position. Perform 6 repetitions in each direction.
7. In a sitting position, raise your arms above your head, connect them well, bend your elbows slightly, turn your head to the side until a slight pain occurs, fix the position at the extreme point for a few seconds. Repeat 6 rounds in each direction.

Rest for 30 seconds between exercises. Before starting the gym, take a hot shower and do several smooth head tilts in different directions to warm up your muscles. After completing the exercise, light stretching will help avoid discomfort the next day.

Medical treatment

Drug treatment for osteochondrosis is aimed at eliminating unpleasant sensations, restoring vertebral mobility and slowing down degenerative changes in tissues. Acute pain attacks are relieved with injections of NSAIDs or corticosteroids, while the chronic form of the disease is treated with ointments and tablets.

How to treat osteochondrosis:

• NSAIDs– produced in the form of tablets and products for external use, eliminates swelling and pain;
• corticosteroids– relieve acute pain syndrome;
• B vitamins- restore metabolic processes in tissues;
• chondroprotectors– promote the restoration of cartilage tissue;
• medication to improve blood flow and brain nutrition;
• nootropics– improve brain function and memory;
• muscle relaxants- eliminate muscle spasms;
• For local treatment, ointments and gels with anti-inflammatory, warming effects are used.

For drug treatment to be effective, it is necessary to combine it with exercise therapy and adhere to a diet, otherwise no medication will help get rid of osteochondrosis.

Important! If there is no effect of conservative treatment, surgery is prescribed.

Folk remedies

Traditional treatment should be used as an adjunct to drug therapy and physical exercise; unconventional methods do not help to get rid of the disease completely.

What to do for cervical osteochondrosis at home:

1. Pour boiling water over a fresh leaf of horseradish, cool slightly, apply the inside to the neck, secure with a thin natural fabric. Carry out the procedure before going to bed, leave the compress all night.
2. Grate raw potatoes on a fine grater and mix in equal amounts with warm liquid honey. Use the mixture for compresses, perform the procedure 1-2 times a week.
3. Mix a raw egg with 100 ml of sunflower oil, 20 ml of vinegar and 20 g of flour, put the mixture in a dark place for 48 hours, remove the film from the surface. Apply the product to the inflamed area before going to bed and store it in the refrigerator.
4. In May, pine buds up to 2 cm long are collected, cut into thin slices and placed in a dark glass container. For 1 part of raw materials, take 2 parts of sugar, put the medicine in a dark place for 2 weeks. Drink 5 ml of the mixture three times a day, do not swallow immediately, keep it in the mouth for 2-3 minutes. The duration of the course is 15-20 days, repeated 2-3 times a year.
5. Grind 150 g of peeled garlic and 400 g of cranberries, put the mixture in a glass container, add 800 ml of honey after 24 hours, stir. Take 5 ml of medicine three times a day before meals.

A cabbage leaf smeared with honey will help you cope with severe pain and draw out excess salts; fix the compress on your neck with a warm scarf and leave it overnight.

Massage for cervical osteochondrosis

Massage helps strengthen muscle tone, improve blood circulation in tissues; in severe forms of osteochondrosis, sessions are carried out by a specialist. In mild forms of the disease, self-massage will help in prevention - the treatment is carried out at home.

Massage technique:

1. Warm up your muscles– with both hands, run intensively along the back, the side of the neck from top to bottom. Warm-up time: 2 minutes.
2. Press the edge of your palm to the base of your neck,move with gliding movements to the area of hair growth and then to the shoulder joints.
3. Make rubbing circular movements with the fingertips of both handsin the occipital region from the hairline to the forearms - from the spine to the ears and back.
4. Squeeze the neck muscles from bottom to top, then in the opposite direction.
5. Stroke from the back of the head to the shoulder blades– perform after each type of training.

Important! Do not massage protruding vertebrae, lymph nodes or carotid arteries.

Broom

The purpose of the diet for osteochondrosis is to supply the body with collagen and proteins; these substances participate in the synthesis of cartilage tissue; most of them are found in aspic, jelly fish and jelly.

Prohibited products	Authorized products
all alcoholic beverages; fatty meat, refractory fat, smoked meat; soups with rich broths; hot, spicy dishes, canned food, marinades; mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup; radish, radish, horseradish, onion, garlic; Fast food; semi-finished products; fast carbohydrates - sweets, baked goods, pasta made from premium flour; potato; limit salt intake to 5 g per day.	diet meat; fish, shellfish; fermented milk products; cereal; light soups; whole grain bread; honey, jam, marmalade, lozenges, nuts, dried fruit, oatmeal cookies; fresh and baked vegetables and fruits; egg; vegetable oils; natural juices, green tea, fruit drinks.

Important! To avoid dehydration of intervertebral disc tissue, drink at least 2. 5 liters of clean still water per day.

Possible consequences and complications

In the cervical region, the vertebrae are located close to each other, the height of the intervertebral discs is small, so various complications of osteochondrosis occur even with minor degenerative changes in bone tissue.

Why is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine dangerous?

• frequent migraine attacks;
• heart rhythm disorders, atherosclerosis;
• protrusion, intervertebral hernia, bone growth of the vertebrae;
• severe brain pathologies;
• narrowing of the lumen of the vertebral artery, leading to the development of VSD, cerebral hypertension and disability;
• spinal stroke.

Important! In advanced osteochondrosis, compression of the spinal cord occurs, which can be fatal.

Contraindications for cervical osteochondrosis

To live a full life with osteochondrosis, it is necessary to avoid actions that can provoke pain and aggravation of the disease.

What not to do with cervical osteochondrosis:

• sleep on a very hard or soft mattress, on a high pillow;
• lifting weights, if you have to lift something heavy, do this with a straight back and bent knees;
• carry a bag on one shoulder;
• when the pathology worsens, make active movements of the head and neck;
• smoking, drinking alcohol;
• go without a scarf in cold weather, sit in a draft, near an air conditioner;
• staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time, sitting;
• wear high heels;
• break your neck.

Thermal procedures - heating compresses, visits to a bathhouse, heating with a blue lamp - can be carried out only at the stage of remission of the disease. During an exacerbation, heat will relieve pain only for a short time, but soon the unpleasant sensations will return, and the degree of their manifestation will increase.

Disease prevention

To maintain the health of the spine, it is enough to follow simple prevention rules.

How to avoid cervical osteochondrosis:

• get rid of excess weight;
• do gymnastics every morning, swim, yoga, dance;
• spend more time outdoors, morning walks are especially helpful;
• eat right, control salt intake, follow a drinking regimen;
• when working sedentary, do a neck warm-up every hour and watch your posture;
• keep your neck warm;
• get enough sleep, avoid physical, mental and emotional fatigue.

Sleep properly. Only your head, neck and shoulders should rest on the pillow of the mattress, and a small pillow should be placed under your feet. It is better to sleep on your back or in the fetal position; in case of aggravation of the disease, only on your side. The mattress is orthopedic, medium firm, the pillow is rectangular, orthopedic, 15–20 cm high. With the correct body position during sleep, the spine is straight, there are no deflections in different parts, the muscles are relaxed.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic, slowly progressive disease; signs of the disease do not appear immediately. A competent combination of traditional and folk treatment methods, gymnastics and diet helps to cope with unpleasant symptoms, and simple preventive measures help to avoid recurrence of the pathology.