Symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Osteocartilage degeneration in the cervical spine is the result of a sedentary lifestyle and malnutrition.The first sign of the disease may appear at the age of 25, and if you don't start treatment, serious complications can occur.In the treatment of diseases, comprehensive approaches are used - medication, dietary therapy, physical therapy and physiotherapy.

Causes of cervical osteocartilage degeneration

The vertebrae disc, the cervical bone cartilage changes in the joints - disconnective changes, resulting in a decrease in the mobility of the neck and a severe pain syndrome.The main reason for the development of the disease is that it invades mineral metabolism, so bones and joints become less strong. 

Why cervical osteochondrosis:

• Overweight, sedentary lifestyle;
• Violation of posture, scoliosis;
• rheumatism;
• Flat feet
• VSD;
• Improper nutrition.

Investment in cervical spine deformation can cause injuries, spinal bruises, excessive physical exercise, and stress.In women, osteochondrosis often occurs during pregnancy, menopause - in the context of hormonal changes, the amount of calcium decreases and bone tissue becomes fragile.

General Symptoms and Signs

As the load continues to increase on the cervical spine, muscle spasms occur, blood vessels in the cervical spine are compressed, the circulation process is disturbed, and failure occurs during the metabolism - the structure of the intervertebral disc changes, and their deformation begins to deform, protruding beyond the spinal column.

How osteochondrosis in the cervical area manifests:

• Rook syndrome - In the context of compression of nerve endings, pain occurs, from the neck to shoulder blade bone, and the forearm covers the anterior wall of the chest wall;
• The muscles in the hands are weak and there is obvious edema on the neck;
• As the head moves, a characteristic tightening is heard.
• weakness, chronic fatigue, blood pressure changes;
• Violation of coordination, frequent dizziness in the head, attack accompanied by nausea, vomiting;
• vision and hearing, noise, ears ring;
• Numbness of limbs, language;
• Frequent migraine;
• In women aged 45-65, sleep, numbness, and tingling pain in the upper limbs appear, and the attack can be repeated several times a night.

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

Classification of cervical osteochondrosis

With the development of osteocartilage changes, several stages of the development channel, each of which has characteristics.In the photos, you can see what the affected spine looks like at different stages.

The degree of development of the disease:

1. Level 1 osteochondrosis - There are no particularly obvious symptoms in the initial stage, and a person is worried about rare and mild pain when turning and tilting his head, and the back muscles will quickly get tired.
2. Secondary degree of osteocartilage - The vertebrae becomes unstable, the nerves in the neck, the unpleasant feeling gains obvious characteristics, imparting it to the shoulders and hands.Other symptoms are increased fatigue, frequent headaches, distractions in the occipital area.
3. The third degree of osteochondrosis - Pain gains chronic features, covering the upper back, arms, obvious muscle weakness, numbness of the limbs, development of disc hernia, and frequent dizziness.
4. The fourth degree of osteocartilage degeneration - the intervertebral discs are completely destroyed, they are replaced by connective tissue, and the pathological process covers several segments of the spine.Violation of coordination, dizziness increases rapidly and noise appears in the ears.

Acute osteocartilage - The result of a chronic form of the disease, characterized by a strong and severe pain attack, which suddenly occurs after awakening.

Which doctor should I contact?

When signs of cervical osteochondrosis appear, it is necessary to see a neuropathologist, and in some hospitals, there is a spinal expert - an expert who is precisely treating the spinal disease.

Diagnostic method

Typical osteocartilage degeneration forms have obvious clinical conditions, which allow you to make an initial diagnosis during the initial examination.Tool diagnostic methods will help determine the extent of vertebrae changes.

The main types of examinations for osteochondrosis:

• X -Ray - This method is only effective in the early stages of pathological development;
• MRI - On the screen, the structure of the bone structure, the size and direction of the development of vertebral hernia, the status of the spinal cord;
• CT-This method is not as effective as MRI because it does not provide accurate information about the presence and size of hernia;
• Double-stranded scan - allows you to see blood flow disorders;
• Shock - shows the presence of clamping, inflammation, other damage to the nerves;
• Rheumatism chart - regulations violate the provisions on blood supply in the brain.

To aim for a thorough study of the condition of certain vertebrae, the record was performed - the contrast disc introduced a contrast medium, which allows you to see the slightest change in the tissue to distinguish between tail changes and hernia.

Methods for treating cervical osteocartilage degeneration

In the initial stages of development, osteochondrosis can be cured without medication, which is sufficient to modify the diet, daily regimen, and perform special exercises regularly.Effective treatment is possible only when various drugs that help pause degenerative changes in the vertebrae are used.

The complex of treatment measures must include physical therapy - electrophoresis treated with medication, ultrasound, magnetic therapy, laser treatment.These methods help deal with pain, inflammation, tissue swelling, and improve metabolic processes and blood circulation.

Medical Sports

LFK is prescribed during recovery, during the aggravation of osteochondrosis, physical exercise is prohibited, gymnastics is simple and can be done at home, you need to do it regularly.

Bubnovsky's gymnastics is used to treat and prevent cervical osteochondrosis:

1. In the standing position, descend freely along the body.Lean your head forward and try to tilt your chin towards your chest, fixing the position to account 3.Lean your head back, raise your chin and count to 3.Return to the starting position.
2. In the standing position, turn the head right, left, each extreme point in a fixed position for a few seconds.Repeat 3 times in each string.
3. In the standing position, tilt your head to the right, left, try to reach your shoulder with your ears and hold the position for 30 seconds.Perform 6 repetitions in each direction.
4. Stand with your hands tied to the belt, your chin parallel to the floor, stretching forward.Turn your head, live your chin on your shoulders, and turn your body slightly for half a minute.Perform 6 reps in each direction and the spine may be slightly painful.
5. In the sitting position, the back is straight and the hands are placed on the knees.Dilute the straight arm to the side, slightly backward, while tilting the head backward, returning to its original position, repeating 5 times.
6. In the position where you sit on your head and turn to the right, the palm of your left hand is on your right shoulder, the elbow is parallel to the floor, the right hand is on your knee, and then return to its original position.Perform 6 repetitions in each direction.
7. In a sitting position, hold your hands up above your head, you can connect, bend your elbows, turn your head to the side until it appears lightly painful, fixing the position in the extreme position for a few seconds.Repeat 6 turns in each direction.

Between practices, take a 30-second break.Before the gymnastics begin, it is necessary to perform a warm shower, warming up several smooth heads of the head in different directions to warm up the muscles.After charging is complete, a mild stretch will help avoid unpleasant sensations the next day.

Drug treatment

Drug treatment for osteochondrosis is designed to eliminate unpleasant sensations, restore vertebrae mobility, and slow down degenerative changes in tissues.Injection of NSAIDS or corticosteroids eliminates the sharp attack of pain, chronic forms of the disease are treated with ointments and pills.

How to treat osteochondrosis:

• They are produced in the form of tablets for external use to eliminate edema, pain;
• Corticosteroids - Stop acute pain syndrome;
• B vitamins, restore metabolic processes in tissues;
• Cartilage Protectant - Helps repair cartilage fabrics;
• Drugs that improve blood flow and brain nutrition;
• Seeking exercise - improve brain function and memory;
• musorelaxant-eliminates muscle cramps;
• For topical treatments, use ointments and gels that have anti-inflammatory, warming effects.

To make the drug therapy effective, it is necessary to use it in combination with exercise therapy and follow the diet, otherwise no medication will help get rid of osteocartilage.

Folk therapy

Public treatment must be used as a supplement to drug therapy and physical education, and non-traditional methods will not completely get rid of the disease.

How to deal with cervical osteochondrosis at home:

1. Pour fresh horseradish slices into boiling water, cool slightly, secure on the inner neck, and secure with a thin natural cloth.Execute the program before bedtime and leave the compression all night.
2. Grind raw fries on fine crumbs and mix in equal proportions with warm liquid honey.Compression is performed using the mixture, and the process is performed 1-2 times a week.
3. Mix the raw eggs with 100 ml of sunflower oil, 20 ml of vinegar and 20 grams of flour, remove the mixture in a dark place for 48 hours, and remove the membrane from the surface.A way to apply the inflamed area before bedtime and store it in the refrigerator.
4. In May, collect pine buds up to 2 cm long, cut into thin circles, and fold into dark glass containers.For part of the raw material, take 2 parts of sugar and remove the medication in a dark place for 2 weeks.Drink 5 ml of the mixture 3 times a day, do not swallow immediately, hold in your mouth for 2-3 minutes.The duration of the course is 15-20 days and is repeated 2-3 times a year.
5. Grind 150 grams of peeled garlic and 400 grams of cranberries, fold the mixture in a glass container, add 800 ml of honey after 24 hours and mix.Take 5 ml of medication every day before meals.

To cope with severe pain, stretching excess salt will help with honey applied cabbage and secure it around the neck with a warm scarf, all night long.

Massage of cervical bone and cartilage disease

Massage helps to strengthen muscle tone and improve blood circulation in tissues, and experts conduct courses in severe osteocartilage form.With the light form of the disease, self-massive scale will help prevent - treatment at home.

Massage technology:

1. Warm up muscles - hands spend a lot from top to bottom along the back surface of the neck.Heating time - 2 minutes.
2. Press the edge of your palm to the bottom of your neck, move it to the area of hair growth, and then move it to the shoulder joint.
3. The fingertips of both hands make the friction circular motion from the hair growth line to the occipital area of the forearm – from the spine to the ears and back.
4. Pinch the cervical muscles from the bottom and pinch them in the opposite direction.
5. Feeling from the back of the head to the shoulder blade bone - performed after each exercise.

Possible consequences and complications

In the cervical vertebra, the vertebrae bones are close to each other and the height of the intervertebral disc is small, so various complications of osteochondrosis occur even with insignificant degenerative changes in the bone tissue.

What are dangerous osteochondrosis in the cervical vertebrae area:

• Migraines often occur;
• Heart rhythm, atherosclerosis;
• Protrusion, vertebrae hernia, bone travel;
• Severe pathology of the brain;
• The shrinkage of the vertebral cavity leads to the development of VSD, brain hypertension, and disability;
• Spine stroke.

Contraindications for cervical osteochondrosis

In order to maintain a complete lifestyle of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to avoid action to promote the emergence of pain and aggravate the disease.

Things that can’t be done with cervical bone and chondropathy:

• Sleep on a very hard or soft mattress on a high pillow;
• Lift weight, if you need to lift something heavy, you need to operate directly backwards with your bent knees;
• Wear a bag on one shoulder;
• As the pathology intensifies, the head and neck are actively exercising;
• Smoke, drink;
• Walking without a scarf in cold weather, sitting in a draft near the air conditioner;
• For a long time, you must be in an uncomfortable position and sit;
• Wear high heels;
• Crying neck.

Thermal procedure - Heating compression, visiting the bathtub, heating with a blue light, can only be performed during the disease remission phase.With the aggravation, calories will only relieve pain in a short period of time, but soon, unpleasant sensations will recover and their performance will increase.

Prevent disease

To maintain spinal health, it is enough to observe simple prevention rules.

How to avoid cervical osteochondrosis:

• Get rid of too much weight;
• Every morning, do gymnastics, swim, yoga, and dance;
• Spending more time on fresh air, morning walks are especially useful;
• Eat correctly, control salt intake, and observe how to drink;
• When sitting to work every hour, make a warm posture for your neck;
• Keep your neck warm;
• Farm, avoid physical, psychological and emotional overwork.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic, slow-moving disease that does not show up immediately.A reasonable combination of traditional and folk treatments, gymnastics and dietary methods will help deal with unpleasant symptoms, while simple preventive measures can prevent pathological recurrence.