In the human neck there are a large number of nerve bundles and blood vessels that ensure the normal functioning of the brain and sense organs.The most common cause of pinching is cervical osteochondrosis - a dangerous degenerative disease of cartilage and bone tissue, which is accompanied by severe pain, deterioration of hearing, vision and cognitive functions, a feeling of facial numbness and a gradual loss of working capacity.
If you experience pain and stiffness when turning your head, frequent dizziness or weakness in your arms, it's time to think about treatment for cervical osteochondrosis.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis has its own characteristics due to its anatomical structure.The vertebrae of the cervical spine are smaller than the lumbar and even thoracic vertebrae, and also experience a constant static load (the weight of the head).During the day, loads can be expressed while maintaining the same posture - for example, when reading documents, working at a computer.At night, the neck is also often deprived of rest due to an unphysiological sleeping position and an uncomfortable pillow (the head either “hangs” on the pillow or acts as a fulcrum and experiences pressure).As a result of this prepathological state, the so-called muscular overtraining.Some muscle groups experience excessive stress and therefore need a longer rest and recovery period, but do not receive it - after all, no one canceled the program.
All this causes constant tension in some muscle groups and dystrophic changes in others, and often leads to the appearance of a "turtle neck" (a person sags, while the head protrudes forward and the neck forms a characteristic deviation).In such a situation, the weight of the head falls on the atlas, the first cervical vertebra.It is obliged to take on that part of the load that the neck muscles bear during normal physical development.But the fact is that it is not at all suitable for such a task!
Additional factors that can accelerate wear of the intervertebral cartilage in the cervical spine often include:
- age-related and hormonal changes - most often after 45 years (inorganic substances predominate over organic substances, which reduces the flexibility of bones and causes their mineralization, and the destruction of bone tissue occurs faster than its growth);
- injuries to the neck and other parts of the spine;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- congenital anomalies of the musculoskeletal system and acquired postural disorders;
- physical inactivity (after all, the intervertebral joints of the neck are the most mobile and various loads are necessary for their health);
- smoking and other bad habits.
Stages of cervical osteochondrosis
The stage of cervical osteochondrosis is established based on diagnostic criteria.These include the patient's own sensations, palpation, assessment of neck mobility, as well as clearance of the joint space between the vertebrae and other indicators on an x-ray.Depending on the stage of the disease, the orthopedic doctor selects treatment for cervical osteochondrosis, preventive measures and, if necessary, supporting orthoses.
1st degree of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis grade 1 is also called preclinical stage.As a rule, patients ignore the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and no treatment is carried out due to their mild severity.They are attributed to fatigue after a day's work, uncomfortable sleeping position, stress, migraines and various illnesses.Patients feel:
- stiffness in the neck, especially in the morning or after a long stay in the same position;
- pain when suddenly turning the head;
- frequent headaches (including when the weather changes).
At this stage of the disease, treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is most likely, since their symptoms are more pronounced.This is due to both the specifics of work and physical activity (for example, working in the office during the day and bending over the sink or the child's homework in the evening), as well as hormonal and anatomical characteristics (lower muscle mass and bone mineral density).In the preclinical stage, women are especially characterized by water hammer, numbness and pallor of the skin (especially on the face), a tendency to fainting and dizziness, nausea and some other symptoms of brain hypoxia.
Most often, symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis occur in patients aged 45 to 65 years, but with chronic fatigue, excessive physical activity and other risk factors, they can appear quite early - from 25 years old.
At this stage, the disease can be completely defeated with the help of therapeutic exercises, ointments for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, orthopedic diet training and normalization of nutrition.
2nd degree of cervical osteochondrosis
In the 2nd stage of the disease, the height of the intervertebral cartilage, which acts as a cushioning lining between the vertebrae, begins to decrease.For this reason, neck microtraumas often occur during sharp turns, jumps or excessive loads.A protrusion (bulge) of the intervertebral discs and radicular syndrome (compression of the nerve endings) also appear.
These changes cause intense pain, both in the head and neck.The ability to concentrate, the speed of thinking and the sensitivity of the face and hands decrease.Patients complain of increased fatigue and irritability.At this stage, effective drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is already necessary.
3rd degree of cervical osteochondrosis
Severe, sharp pain is constant and may radiate to the arms, upper back, or back of the head.One or both of the patient's arms tire quickly.The process begins to spread to neighboring joints due to disruption of the natural compensatory functions of the spine.The patient has difficulty or cannot turn his head at all due to the formation of bone growths - osteophytes, as well as the fact that the cartilage is replaced by connective tissue.Each movement, if possible, is accompanied by a sharp crunch.The neck loses its mobility, its muscles atrophy.Hernias often form and cracks appear in the vertebrae.There is a noise in the ears.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out comprehensively, taking into account the patient's age, build, profession, fitness level, lifestyle and the presence of concomitant diseases.Therefore, the advisability of specific therapeutic measures in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women and men should be determined by the attending physician.
Physiotherapy for cervical osteochondrosis
To relieve pain, relieve inflammation, improve nerve conduction and nourish the brain, the following physiotherapeutic methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are used:
- ultrasound therapy and phonophoresis - have a warming effect, enhance the effect of external drugs;
- electrophoresis – enhances the effect of administered drugs, has a stimulating and warming effect;
- shock wave therapy (SWT) – activates blood supply, relieves inflammation and improves bone and cartilage tissue regeneration processes;
- electromyostimulation – improves mobility and endurance of the neck and arms, relieves pain;
- cold and ozone therapy - reduces pain and inflammation, helps reduce the dose of corticosteroids;
- physiotherapy and physiotherapy – strengthens neck muscles, improves blood circulation and metabolism, maintains neck mobility;
- manual therapy and mechanical traction (traction) – helps get rid of tension and pain;
- acupuncture – helps maintain mobility and nerve sensitivity;
- paraffin applications - stimulate metabolic processes, reduce pain.
Sanatorium methods for treating cervical osteochondrosis are effective and beneficial - for example, balneotherapy (baths with hydrogen sulfide, radon and turpentine), hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches).
Massage in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck
Therapeutic massage, lymphatic drainage and physiotherapy have a positive effect on the intervertebral discs, bone tissue, muscles and ligaments of the cervical spine.Some movements can be performed independently - for example, rubbing the cervical collar, parotid region and shoulders, kneading the neck with the fingers and the edge of the palm, tapping, stroking and making upward movements along the nape of the neck.In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, it would be useful to perform a circular massage of the back of the head, as well as a heating massage of the clavicular area, shoulders and upper back.Massage before exercise therapy exercises is particularly effective.You can combine it with the application of ointment to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
For osteochondrosis of the neck, hydromassage is also recommended - a physiotherapeutic technique that improves metabolism, inhibits fibrous growth, helps eliminate headaches and improves nerve conduction.
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis
Lack of adequate physical activity on the neck and back muscles is the main reason for the development and progression of cervical osteochondrosis.Therefore, daily exercises are used both for the prevention and treatment of this disease (but not for the treatment of exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis!).Remember that exercises should be performed at least 3-5 times a day (1 time in the morning, after waking up).All movements should be smooth, without jerks.If you feel pain during the exercise, stop it, and if performing the entire complex is painful for you, contact an orthopedist for drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, and also consult a physiotherapy instructor.
You can perform the following exercises daily (5-7 repetitions):
- Press your palm to your forehead and tense your neck, trying to move your palm with your forehead.Repeat this exercise for the back of your head, then alternately for your right and left temples.
- Tilt your head back, then slowly lower it, resting your chin against your chest.
- Stand up straight and turn your head as far to the left as possible.Repeat the exercise on the right side.
- Tilt your head back and try to touch your ear with your shoulder.Repeat on both sides.
- Lower your chin to the jugular notch and turn your head first in one direction (5 times or more) and then, in the same way, in the other.
Shoulder warm-ups, such as the “mill”, will also be helpful.Daily exercises in the early stages of the disease help to do without pills for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Please note: if you have already been diagnosed with osteochondrosis, you should not describe your head in a full circle, as this can be traumatic.
Medicines and preparations for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
From the 2nd stage of the disease, medications are used to treat exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis.But it will not be possible to control the disease using drug therapy alone.It is therefore important to combine the drugs and medications listed below for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with therapeutic exercises, physiotherapy and wearing orthotics (for example, the Shants collar).
Chondroprotectors for cervical osteochondrosis
Chondroprotectors activate the regeneration processes of cartilage and bone tissue and therefore are an excellent supportive treatment for osteochondrosis of the neck.They are taken for 3 to 6 months.They are produced both in the form of tablets for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and in the form of sachets, injections and capsules.
To consolidate remission and treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, doctors recommend chondroprotective drugs.
Anti-inflammatory drugs for cervical osteochondrosis
Anti-inflammatory drugs intended for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are divided into non-steroidal (NSAID) and steroidal (hormonal) drugs.Both groups are followed in short courses as prescribed by a doctor - in the form of tablets for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis or intramuscular injections.Steroids are used in later stages of the disease, when the pain cannot be overcome otherwise.
Antispasmodics and angioprotectants
When treating cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to protect the central nervous system, which is at risk with this disease.Therefore, for effective drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, doctors recommend taking:
- Antispasmodics.
- Angioprotectors.
- Nootropics, amino acid and vitamin complexes for the brain.
External heating agents
Warming gels, creams and ointments for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis improve blood circulation, relieve inflammation and distract the patient from pain.
Diet in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be classified into the so-called category.“diseases of the whole body.”Therefore, in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, diet has two goals: to saturate the body with nutrients and to limit substances that contribute to dehydration, mineralization of the joints and their destruction.
Therefore, when treating cervical osteochondrosis, a special place in the diet should be given to:
- Poultry, lean beef, game, liver and offal.
- Seafood – fish, shellfish, crustaceans, edible algae.
- Eggs and dairy products.
- Whole grains and legumes – oats, wheat (including sprouted wheat), brown rice, beans, peas.
- Vegetables – carrots, spinach, peppers, broccoli, lettuce and others.
- Fruits - apricots, bananas, citrus fruits, plums, apples, avocados, peaches, pomegranates.
- Nuts.
- All berries (fresh, dried, frozen) and dried fruits.
But it is better to completely exclude marinades, salty dishes, fast food, semi-finished products and sausages.It is also important to reduce white bread, potatoes, sweets (except dark chocolate and dried fruits), carbonated drinks and “bag” coffee in the menu - this will reduce the need for drug treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.