Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: symptoms and treatment

what is cervical osteochondrosis

The main causes, symptoms and prevention of cervical osteochondrosis. Bonus: preventive gymnastics.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine. With age and in the absence of treatment and prevention, the disease tends to progress. Osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the spine.

If pain occurs in this department, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible, as progressive osteochondrosis leads to serious health problems, vision problems, persistent migraines and can even provoke death.

Osteochondrosis is not necessarily age-related, it often affects people at a young age.

Eight main causes of osteochondrosis

  • heredity,
  • injuries,
  • excessive physical activity,
  • age-related changes
  • metabolic disorders,
  • sedentary work (hypodynamia),
  • incorrect body position during sleep,
  • stress (psychosomatics).

If one or more symptoms occur, you should consult your doctor for treatment or prevention.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

The causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be different. Not only age-related changes can provoke disease. The disease also affects young people who prefer sedentary work.

Inaction is the most common cause of osteochondrosis. Lack of moderate exercise leads to muscle weakness and poor circulation. Further pinching of the nerves and the appearance of an intervertebral hernia are possible.

Factors contributing to the development of cervical osteochondrosis

  1. Disorder of the structure and location of the brainstem relative to the spine and deformity of the first cervical vertebra.
  2. Acquired forms of deformities - kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis and their combinations.
  3. Elderly patients over 60 years. At this age, natural age-related changes in the spinal discs occur. Overgrowth of bone growths.
  4. Poor posture due to bent or prolonged awkward posture.
  5. Injuries to the cervical spine.
  6. Improper muscle load.
  7. Obesity.

If the muscle load is not symmetrical, this can lead to deformation. These changes are caused by the habit of lifting weights with one hand, carrying a bag on one shoulder and using a pillow that is too soft while you sleep.

Degrees of osteochondrosis

Modern science knows three main stages of development of the disease cervical osteochondrosis. They differ in the degree of damage to the vertebrae and in the methods of treatment.

First degree osteochondrosis

It begins with the rupture of the intervertebral disc capsule and the appearance of microcracks in the annular fibrosis. This type is characterized by degenerative transformations in the cervical joints and changes in tissue structures.

Signs of first degree osteochondrosis:

  • worried about pain in the joints in the neck and shoulder girdle, vasoconstriction and impaired blood circulation;

  • the appearance of neck pain with a sharp rotation of the head, which indicates compression of the nerve endings;
  • discomfort in the area of ​​the cervix, temples, nape and headache with a permanent character;
  • blurred vision, appearance of flies and veils in the eyes.

Second degree osteochondrosis

It is characterized by a reduction in the distance between the spinal discs. This leads to point pain with each load, it becomes difficult to turn or tilt the head.

Third degree osteochondrosis

Marked as a chronic disorder of musculoskeletal function of the spine. Significant changes in the structure of the spine are observed.

Lack of treatment at this stage can lead to stroke. Death is possible.

Signs of third degree osteochondrosis:

  • partial or complete paralysis of the joints of the neck and shoulders;
  • decreased sensitivity of the upper limbs;
  • disc herniation becomes visually noticeable;
  • death of certain parts of the cerebral cortex due to circulatory disorders and lack of adequate oxygen supply.

In the third stage of osteochondrosis, surgery is required.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis in different parts of the spine

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
  • Acute neck pain in the upper extremities,
  • headache,
  • fingers may numb,
  • high blood pressure,
  • impaired coordination of movements,
  • sense of comprehension,
  • bouts of nausea are not excluded,
  • when you press a nerve you feel pain when swallowing,
  • Painful sensations in the teeth are possible.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:

  • chest pain that can radiate to the heart, lungs, pass into the shoulder blades
  • painful sensations throughout the spine,
  • rib pain,
  • shoulder pain,
  • spots in front of the eyes,
  • tinnitus.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region:

  • menstrual disorder
  • lower back limb pain syndromes
  • lumbago
  • herniated vertebrae
  • increased fatigue.

Women with suspected osteochondrosis are prescribed X-rays, CT and MRI, ultrasound and neuromyography. They may recommend a visit to a mammologist and gynecologist to rule out diseases similar in their symptoms to osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis in women

In women, as in men, there are three main types of osteochondrosis, these are:

  • cervical,
  • lumbar,
  • breasts.

Women are more likely than men to develop osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic regions. This phenomenon is due to the fact that in men the muscles of the chest and neck are more developed by nature. In this way, these departments have the best support. That is why it is necessary to strengthen the muscles of the back and neck with appropriate exercises when possible.

Cervical osteochondrosis most often occurs in women leading a sedentary lifestyle or engaged in sedentary work (office work, salespeople, drivers), and osteochondrosis of the chest most often occurs in women suffering from scoliosis fromchildhood.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

diagnosis and treatment of osteochondrosis

To make the correct diagnosis, you need to make an appointment with a doctor. Other symptoms may also be hidden under the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.

Cervical osteochondrosis does not have the ability to go away on its own and going into the last, third stage can be fatal.

Timely treatment will help to avoid serious, irreversible consequences.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

Here is a sample list of specialist doctors who will help you understand the problem.

  • general practitioner (general practitioner). Therapists perform general diagnostics without treatment, prescribe general tests (urine, blood biochemistry). They take into account your individual complaints and give additional referral to the appropriate specialist.
  • Neurologist. A neurologist deals with the treatment of the initial and middle stage of cervical osteochondrosis. At the stage of a visit to a neurologist, as a rule, an X-ray of the spine is taken. In case of confirmed osteochondrosis, appropriate treatment is chosen.
  • Traumatic surgeon. Consultation with this specialist is prescribed if there are changes in the tissues. Perhaps the appointment of MRI, spondylography, CT. Further treatment is chosen.
  • Neurosurgeon. Consultation with a neurosurgeon is prescribed in case of suspected intervertebral hernia, referring to the results of CT and MRI.
  • Physiotherapist. It deals with the elimination of the clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis.
  • Rehabilitation specialist. Treatment by a rehabilitation therapist involves a recovery period after surgery. During this period, special therapeutic exercises (TP) are selected.
  • Chiropractor. Prescribed to relieve pain.
  • Rheumatologist. Gives advice and prescribes diagnosis of people with various forms of arthritis.
  • Oncologist. The visit to an oncologist is indicated for persons with suspicious CT and MRI findings. Consultation with a specialist helps to confirm or rule out the presence of tumor diseases of the bone tissue. A biopsy may be prescribed.

Modern methods of treatment of osteochondrosis:

  • surgery (in the presence of irreversible changes,
  • osteopathy,
  • manual therapy,
  • physiotherapy,
  • massage,
  • work with psychosomatics,
  • reflexology,
  • drug therapy.

Drug therapy

The goal of drug therapy is to relieve inflammation and pain. Properly selected drugs restore blood circulation and healthy tissue nutrition.

In the acute stage, drug therapy stabilizes the patient's condition and prepares him for the next stage of treatment. Ointments, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids and vitamin complexes are used.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy involves a combination of natural and hardware effects on the body. Effectively relieves pain and restores physical activity.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is effective when observed by a good specialist.

Massage stimulates blood circulation and improves tissue nutrition. Manual therapy is convenient for home use (massagers and various applicators).

Before using home chiropractic products, you should consult a specialist.

Reflexology

Reflexology has an effect due to the effect on the biologically active points of the body. It can be performed in the form of acupuncture, acupressure, sometimes moxibustion. If you choose this particular method of treatment, make sure you have a qualified professional in front of you, as exposure to inappropriate biological points can have negative consequences.

exercise therapy

Physiotherapy exercises (LFK) for osteochondrosis must be prescribed at the stage of recovery. The purpose of exercise therapy is to strengthen ligaments and muscles, exercise helps to restore blood flow.

Properly selected exercises can help prevent relapses and aggravate the damage.

Exercises for cervical osteochondrosis

In conclusion, we present to your attention several exercises from the complex of physiotherapeutic exercises.

Consult a doctor before training.

Exercises from the exercise complex can be uncomfortable, so before you do it, try to relax as much as possible and make sure that breathing is calm and measured.

Muscle overload is not recommended during exercise. Do as much as you can, then return to exercise after a break.

To achieve the effect of the final recovery, it is necessary to perform up to 300 movements on the diseased spine and 100 repetitions for adjacent areas.

When cervical osteochondrosis is recommended to avoid sudden movements of the head. The exercises are performed in an upright position, back straight, legs shoulder-width apart (repeat 15 times):

  1. Tilt your head to the left, hold for 10 seconds. Applying pressure to the shoulders, tighten the neck muscles and resist the pressure. Repeat the same movements to the right. Repeat the first exercise, leaning back and forth.
  2. Turn your head to the right, trying to reach the shoulder with your chin, hold the movement for a few seconds. Repeat the exercise with a left turn.
  3. Use your chin to draw numbers from 0 to 9 in the air.

Back exercises:

  1. Lift your head up and hold for 10 seconds. Bend your head and rest for five seconds.
  2. Pull your chin to the ceiling and hold for 10 seconds, then gently lower your head.

Side lying exercises:

  1. Lift your head and hold it parallel to the floor for 10 seconds. Then, lowering your head slightly, pause for a few seconds.
  2. Repeat this exercise while lying on the other side.