The tendency to develop dystrophic degenerative lesions of the spine increases regularly each year, and all because the problem of hypodynamia and hypokinesia is acute due to urbanization.Damage to the cervical column causes frequent and various intensities of headaches and a feeling of stiffness in the neck and forearms.Today, our subject is the causes, symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis in the cervical region.
The reasons for the development of cervical osteochondosis
Speaking of the causes of degenerative damage to the cervical, genetic, toxic, metabolic, endocrine, infectious and other can be listed.However, first of all, you can put a sedentary lifestyle and sit on the computer, office and driving.
Frequent stresses that involuntarily make the posture of the point, which leads to a violation of the blood vessels of the nerves, helps to help this pathology.
Symptoms of pain in the neck should not be ignored, as this leads to the progression of the disease and to the development of complications such as shoulder -bearing periarthrosis, vertebral artery syndrome, previous staircase syndrome and roaring syndrome.
On the anatomical structure
Let us now see what anatomical and physiological characteristics of the structure of the cervical column contribute to the development and progression of osteochondrosis:
- The cervical service is the most mobile section of the spine.Since all types of movements are possible, this increases the risk of frequent subluxation and offense;
- The vertebral artery takes place in the channel formed in the holes of the transverse processes of the vertebrae.These are blood of blood, hearing organs, vertebral nerve and cerebellum.With the development of dystrophic degenerative changes, artery and nerve can tighten this department.
- In the cervical region, intervertebral discs are not everywhere between the vertebrae.At the front, the vertebrae are connected by joints, which can cause the subluxation of the joints.
- The holes on the three lower cervical vertebrae have a triangular shape, and with the growth of the bone tissue with osteochondrosis, the nerve roots can be implemented.
- Throughout the cervical service, vegetative nodes are located.
These characteristics will help us present the mechanism for the development of complications of osteochondrosis of the cervical column.
Mechanisms for the development of changes in the cervical column
The pathological process begins in the intervertebral disc with the loss of humidity with a pulpoose disc nucleus.The fibrous ring of the disc is gradually becoming thinner, its elasticity decreases and microwaves appear.
Consequently, the disc loses its ability to correct, damping and management.The load on the lower vertebrae gradually increases, after which the vertebra itself is involved in the process.
Small defects appear there and osteophytes (excessive bone growth) increase to resist an increased load.
With the growth of the bone tissue, the nerve roots are pressed along the rear wall of the vertebra, and if on the lateral surface, the vertebral artery is raped.
Subluis in the joints appear due to a violation of stability between the vertebrae.This leads to compensatory tension of the neck muscles, which helps keep the cervical vertebrae in normal position.
When the muscles get tired, the load on the vertebrae increases again, which leads to the progression of the disease.Thus, a vicious circle is formed in which the spasmodic muscles and the damaged vertebrae do not affer negatively and lead to a deterioration of the patient's condition.
Based on pathological mechanisms, symptoms of the disease are formed.Thus, the compression of the nerve roots manifests itself by intense paroxysmal pain along the nerve breaking.
And when compressing the vertebral artery, the symptoms associated with a decrease in blood flow in the brain, namely: noise in ears, dizziness and headache, appear in the first place.
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondosis.
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondosis are conditionally divided into 3 groups:
The first group of symptoms - Pain
It manifests in the form:
- local pain in the back of the head / neck;
- An radiating pain, which extends to the right hand or left, and can also go to the fingers, to the very brush, in the forearm and even locate on the shoulder joints.
This pain can be painful and constant, irritating and propagated in the neck or hand.Or it is a more acute local shooting that appears as a result of the pinch of the nerve root.
The second group of symptoms is motor disorders
First of all, it is the rigidity of the muscles of the neck and the nape, as a result of which it is impossible to turn or tilt your head normally, or to make a movement in the cervical column.
In addition, it is a limitation of mobility in the shoulder joint, which is called shoulder perishrosis syndrome.It is also possible to spread to the whole hand, including the numbness of the fingers, the numbness of the hands and the numbness along the side of the lateral surface of the shoulder or the forearm.
The third group of symptoms is vegetable vascular manifestations, ship manifestations
In the process of this, a spasm of blood vessels or a pinch in the spine occurs.Consequently, such symptoms of cervical osteochondosis can appear as headache, dizzy, a flicker of "flies" before the eyes.
There may also be a hearing impairment - noise in the ears and the feeling of a "sulfur cap", in which a person does not hear well.These symptoms belong to the vertebral artery syndrome.
Methods of traditional treatment of cervical osteochondosis
Modern medicine offers many methods of treatment of dystrophic degenerative lesions of the spine.Among them, they distinguish: drug treatment, manual therapy, popular remedies, therapeutic physical culture (exercise therapy) and, in large -scale cases, resort to surgical treatment.The effectiveness of therapy depends on the treatment stage and a complex of selected methods.
Treatment must first aim to normalize the muscular tone of the cervical muscles.The action of other means aims to eliminate inflammation and pain in the field of the development of pathological changes.
An important point in the treatment of osteochondrosis is a good comfortable dream, for which experts recommend using an orthopedic pillow.
In the early stages of the development of the disease, the use of massage in an experienced specialist and self-massage will be effective.This method will help relax spasmodic muscles and stop the progress of the pathological process.
Medical physical education
Treatment of osteochondrosis should include physiotherapy exercises in the form of gymnastics of therapeutic or morning hygiene.When you do a processing exercise complex, adhere to the following recommendations:
- Put comfortable clothes and shoes;
- so that there is no shortage of breath, alternative ordinary breathing exercises;
- The charge should increase gradually and, if during the lesson, you started to mark the complaints of the cardiovascular system, then stop the exercise and ask for advice from the doctor;
- If the pain appeared in the cervical column during the lesson, replace them with relaxation and stretching exercises;
- During the lesson, control your overall well, breathing and pulse;
- If exercises with your hand and the burden make you pronounce pain, then for a while, abandon them;
- The physical exercise complex for therapeutic exercises should be agreed with the doctor.
The following effects are expected from physiotherapy exercises:
- Strengthen the muscles of the neck,
- Restoration of blood flow;
- Increased mobility of the vertebrae;
- Increase the volume of movements in the cervical region;
- Get rid of pain and restoration of innervation;
- Prevention of exacerbations.
Drugs
Most neuropathologists and other experts do not represent the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical column without medication.The most popular are the drugs of a group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are used in the form of injections, tablets, gels and ointments.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieve pain, inflammation and relieve swelling, therefore, the tone of the neck muscles is restored, metabolism in the affected area is improving and nerve roots and blood vessels are released from compression.
It is advisable to use drugs from a group of muscle relaxants, which also effectively relieve muscle spasms and at the same time restore their tone.However, drugs should be used with caution, especially in allergies.
The preparations for the group of corticosteroids have obtained good journals in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical column.
The injection drug is very popular due to its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.
If the treatment described is not effective, they use the use of paravertebral blocking with pain relievers or steroids.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis with non -traditional methods
Supporters of non -traditional treatment methods can use the following treatment methods.
- AcupunctureIt helps save the patient from pain, relieve swelling and relax spasmodic muscles, as well as eliminate the functional compression of nerves and arteries.If the fingers are numb on the hands, it is advisable to put the needles in points biologically active on the arm and the ear well;
- Manual therapyIt helps restore normal blood flow in the neck, relieves muscle spasms and releases pinched nerves.The stretching of the spine must be carried out by a qualified specialist with great caution;
- Hirudotherapy (leech treatment)This is a cheap and fairly effective treatment method.The procedure is to place leeches for biologically active points, which should be repeated by a course of 10 sessions.This method helps restore blood circulation in the cervical region, relieve swelling and inflammation;
- Supreme massageIt consists in the effects of the finger on the biologically active points and helps to relieve muscle spasms, improve blood circulation, relieve swelling, pain and inflammation;
- Folk treatment methodsYou can use it successfully at home.Various decoctions and infusions can be prepared by yourself (perfusion of screw wood, lilac infusion, garlic infusion).The therapeutic baths in mint, chamomile, sage, calamus rhizomes have a good effect.
After the above treatment methods and familiarization with the disease development mechanisms, make a decision to which you yourself contact your problem yourself: a neuropathologist or a private clinic.