What is cervical osteochondrosis, how is it dangerous and how to treat it?

causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Have you ever had cervical pain, dizziness, nausea or shortness of breath? All of these are signs of neck osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis, a common problem, is increasingly worrying people every year. Can cervical osteochondrosis be cured? First, let’s look at the factors of occurrence and signs of occurrence.

Stages of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is a disease, the effect of which weakens the disc between the vertebrae, causing changes in the texture of the disc itself, the vertebrae, and the neck joints.

In the first stage, the symptoms are almost invisible, as changes in the cartilage of the cartilage have just begun. The following symptoms are noted:

  • Headache.
  • Unpleasant sensations in the neck, arms, shoulders.
  • Limited neck motor activity limitations.
  • Short-term vision problems.
  • Reduces sensitive collar zone.

During the second stage, a small hernia of the spine may occur, the intervertebral disc becoming narrow. Due to the compression of the nerve trunk, point pain syndrome is felt during the execution of movement.

Manifestations of the disease:

  • Neck pain, and cramps are heard during turns.
  • Loss of skin sensation in arms and shoulders.
  • Vision is declining.
  • I hear a ringing in my ears.
  • Face and neck numb;
  • The upper limbs are getting weaker.
  • Shooting pain radiates to the shoulder blades.
  • Insomnia, sleep problems.

Level three is difficult to treat. Hernia formed, spinal deformity, deformity, vertebral dislocation observed:

  • Severe pain in the neck, heart muscle, collar area.
  • The skin on the head, shoulders, arms is no longer felt.
  • Upper limbs paralyzed.
  • The tendon reflex is no longer visible.
  • Cervical vertebral hernia begins.

The fourth and final stage in which symptoms worsen.

Reason

Factors influencing the onset and development of cervical osteochondrosis:

  • Weight.
  • Seating, lack of mobility.
  • Previous spinal cord injuries.
  • Mental disorders, nervous tension, stress.
  • Poor physical fitness.
  • Spinal curvature, scoliosis, incorrect posture.
  • Improper body position has become commonplace.
  • Tension of the neck, back, by the way.
  • Hereditary tendencies.
  • Physical stress is not uncommon for the body, increased activity.
  • Violation of healthy diet rules.

The cervical ridge experiences an increase in pressure, which the neck muscles try to balance, due to the influence of the factors mentioned above. Muscle cramps in, body blood circulation is disrupted. Anatomical lesions appear.

Symptoms of Disease

The symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis differ from the symptoms of this disease observed in other parts of the spine. The location near the neck vertebra leads to compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord.

I am experiencing the following symptoms:

  • Localization of pain: in neck, back of head, shoulders, arms and legs. During the connection of the nerve roots with the process, discomfort is felt in the shoulders, back of the head, restructuring of the upper limbs begins. Cramps in the neck muscles in the back of the head cause blood flow to be disrupted.
  • Weakness of the arm, caused by root dysfunction, which includes the motor nerves that rebuild the arm muscles.
  • There is a restructuring of the hand, due to a decrease in sensitivity in the hand, damage to the roots, which includes the sensory nerves.
  • During head movements, pain is felt, and a crackling sound is heard. It is caused by the defeat of the small joints of the neck, a decrease in the level of the intervertebral disc.
  • Lack of strength, fatigue, dizziness, lack of coordination. Due to the shift of the vertebrae, the spinal arteries are compressed. This causes a decrease in blood flow, weakening the blood supply to the occipital lobe, cerebellum.
  • Complications of vision, tongue loses sensitivity.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are similar to men. At the age of 46-60, the fairer sex turns to stone, tingling of the hands during sleep.

Why osteochondrosis is dangerous

manifestations of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Diseases damage the whole organism. The cervical area includes a large number of arteries, nerve endings, blood vessels that feed the brain.

Pressing tightly, due to a bit of pathology, they are compressed, causing a deterioration of blood circulation in the brain, causing migraines, disrupting heart rhythm, difficulty breathing, vision, coordination and attention begins.

Pathology that causes osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

  • Brain disease;
  • Vertebral artery syndrome;
  • Spinal stroke.

Death is the worst result that occurs when the spinal cord is compressed.

Once all the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis have been considered, the developmental factors have been identified, we will consider the treatment used in this case.

Treatment

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is not different from treatment in men. Level of treatment:

  1. Relieves pain.
  2. Eliminates edema.
  3. Normalizes blood circulation.
  4. Strengthens the muscles of the back, abdomen, chest.
  5. Improved nutrition and tissue repair.

All stages or symptoms must seek medical attention. Specialists who choose complex treatments: surgeons, neurologists, physiotherapists, massage therapists. Drug therapy, physiotherapy, collar area massage are used, therapeutic exercises are recommended, as they are effective in osteochondrosis.

Setup

Drugs used for treatment:

  • A drug that relieves muscle spasms.
  • Vitamins that increase metabolism in the nervous system.
  • NSAIDs that reduce pain, relieve inflammation and swelling.
  • Preparations for joints, restoring cartilage tissue, injuries to the intervertebral disc.
  • A drug that enhances the nutrition of damaged nerve cells, regulating blood flow to the brain.

First aid for exacerbations

Sometimes the pain is unbearable, and a visit to the doctor should be postponed. It is recommended to take painkillers. To relieve pain, you can use "pepper paste", but keep in mind that you can not expect long-term effects. The plaster warms the inflamed area and temporarily relieves pain. To relieve swelling, it is recommended to use herbal infusion for 3-4 days. Is it possible to cure cervical osteochondrosis with this method? No, the above method is short-lived, for full recovery, you need to see a doctor.

Physiotherapy

  • Electrophoresis- anesthetic ions permeate to the sore spot due to the action of electric current. Often done with painkillers.
  • Laser therapy- has anti-inflammatory properties, ensures better blood circulation, through light exposure.
  • Magnetic therapy- relieves tissue swelling, has analgesic effects.
  • Ultrasound- there is an increase in metabolic processes, relief of pain, relief of inflammation in the damaged area.

Recovery gymnastics

In the case of physiotherapy, you need to know some simple exercises. Periodic training will bring the expected results quickly.

Attention!While doing complex, you should not feel sick, uncomfortable.

  • Lie on your stomach, while placing your hands. Keep your back straight, while lifting your head and body. Hold the position for about 2 minutes, then take the starting position. Continue exercising 2-3 times.
  • Place a lying position on the floor, stretch your arms across the body, try to touch your ears to the floor, turn your head to the left. Do repetitions 6-7.
  • Inhale while sitting on the floor, leaning forward, trying to touch your chest with your head. After exhaling, lean back, throw your head back. Do 10-15 repetitions.
  • Press your forehead, lower it to the palm of your hand, while sitting on the floor. Do this for about 30 seconds, 2-3 repetitions.
  • Round head rotation. Do it smoothly, slowly, until your head starts to spin. If dizziness appears, complete gymnastics. Perform 10 turns in each direction.

Home Treatment

This method of treatment can only be used in conjunction with a complex prescribed by a doctor. In such variants, the following are used: traditional medicine, therapeutic exercises, massage.

Recipes for relieving discomfort at home:

  • A carrot sheet attached to the neck and tied with a bandage or cloth will help. It is recommended to water with boiling water and then cool to room temperature. It is better to leave the bandage overnight.
  • Cut potatoes, mix with honey (one to one). Use once a week as a compress.
  • Warming up will relieve pain. You can use mustard plaster, sandbags, pepper plaster, and so on.

We advise you not to ask for help from the forum, you should rely on a diagnosis made by a doctor.

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massage for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Therapeutic massage can be done at home, including classic massage elements. It starts with a healthy part of the body, moving smoothly to the sore spot. The complex is selected for the individual characteristics of the patient, the stage of the disease. To perform the massage, the patient needs to take a horizontal position on the floor, lowering his eyebrows to his hands, pulling his chin towards his chest. Relax your neck muscles.

Treatment massage technique:

  1. Start massaging with a shot, starting from the collar zone.
  2. Push-ups, for execution, the masseur puts his hands on the neck and moves along the spine. Alternatively, this technique can be performed towards the shoulder.
  3. Rubbing is done to warm the neck muscles, while the body relaxes, bleeding improves. Continuing from the skull, the movement is directed the movement is directed towards the spine.
  4. The neck should be kneaded in a circular motion.
  5. Needs to be done with vibration, done by tapping and shaking.

Prevention

The following rules must be followed to prevent this disease:

  • Follow sports (swimming is the most effective).
  • Increase your intake of foods that contain calcium, magnesium.
  • Do warm-ups several times a day, especially if you have an inactive job.
  • Choose the right pillow (should be low) and mattress (should not be soft). Monitor neck position during sleep: neck angle at least 15 degrees.
  • Take a hot bath for at least 10 minutes a day.
  • For people who do not like sports, experts advise to always practice yoga.
  • It is better to leave the gym. Bodybuilding can make your health worse.

Osteochondrosis and pregnancy

How to treat osteochondrosis during childbirth? Naturally, you need to limit drug use. Ointments with natural composition and traditional methods will help.Remember!During pregnancy, all possible effects on the neck area (e. g. warming) are prohibited.

Does osteochondrosis occur in young people? No matter how adults convince themselves that it is still too early for teens to get such a disease, they are often observed. It can develop as a result of congenital or acquired cartilage failure.

As the disease progresses, it is forbidden to warm the neck, as it can cause increased swelling.

This article explores not only the basic concepts, but also effective methods for treating cervical osteochondrosis. They will help you overcome the painful sensations, feel comfortable and confident, wherever you are.