Causes, symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can cause more intense clinical signs than degenerative changes of this kind in other parts of the spinal column. This is due to the fact that a violation of blood circulation in this area leads to oxygen starvation of the brain. Symptoms may vary depending on the degree of the pathological process.

For treatment at home, with the permission of a specialist, you can resort to the use of medications aimed at stopping inflammation and pain. Therapeutic exercises and massage are effective, but they also have their limitations. As an addition to these conservative measures, folk remedies can be used.

The reasons

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region can occur as a result of various factors. The reasons are identical for both men and women:

• incorrect posture;
• scoliosis;
• overweight;
• passive lifestyle;
• spinal injury;
• excessive physical activity;
• metabolic disease;
• hereditary predisposition;
• nervous shocks, frequent stresses;
• constant tension of the back muscles in the cervical region.

The mechanics of the occurrence of osteochondrosis is associated with increased loads on this part of the spine, compensation for their spasm of the neck muscles. As a result, blood circulation in this zone is disturbed, degenerative-dystrophic changes occur in the cervical region.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the disease depend on the stage of pathological processes. In total, there are 4 degrees of development of cervical osteochondrosis:

Stage	Characteristic symptoms
First	Appears slightly. Usually there is a slight tension of the muscle ligaments and a mild pain syndrome in the region of the nerve bundles.
Second	There is a protrusion of the discs, as a result of which the intervertebral gaps decrease and the fibrous rings begin to gradually collapse. Pain syndromes may intensify due to pinched nerve endings
Third	The symptoms become much aggravated: the pain becomes permanent, begins to radiate to the shoulder and upper limbs. On palpation of the affected area, the discomfort increases dramatically, there may be feelings of numbness and tingling of the fingers, as hernias form. The mobility of the neck is impaired, the joints become stiff
Fourth	It is characterized by complete destruction of the intervertebral disc, which leads to pinching of the connective tissue. As a result of such changes, a person develops symptoms such as: dizziness; lack of coordination; noise in ears

The symptomatology of cervical osteochondrosis differs from the disease affecting other parts of the spine. This is due to the location in this department of the vertebrae much closer to each other. The relatively small height of the intervertebral discs leads to the fact that clinical signs appear acutely even with minor pathological changes in their structure. Osteochondrosis of the cervical region very often occurs with compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord.

Symptoms in this case may vary depending on which vertebrae are subject to degenerative-dystrophic changes. Usually the main symptom is pain in the neck, which is transmitted to various areas of the body: the sternum, arms, chin, etc. When turning the head, a characteristic crunch may occur. Pinched nerves and blood vessels can cause numbness of the tongue and fingertips. Pain syndrome may vary:

Syndrome	Description
Root	Caused by a pinched nerve. The pain has a descending, acute character. It extends to the shoulder, forearm and to the fingertips. With radicular syndrome, a feeling of goosebumps, tingling is possible. Another characteristic feature is a decrease in elasticity, firmness of the skin, the appearance of slight swelling and blanching.
Vertebral artery	Occurs when squeezing the vertebral artery. The pain has a pulsating or burning character, affects the superciliary region, temple, nape and crown of the head. Usually it is constant, but it can be paroxysmal. Discomfort increases after prolonged movement or being in an uncomfortable position. When the body is weakened, the symptoms may expand with manifestations of nausea and loss of consciousness. If there is a violation of blood flow to the brain, symptoms such as: hearing loss; noise in ears; lack of coordination; loss of visual acuity; Pain in the eyes
cervical migraine	It is provoked by irritation of the sympathetic nodes, which causes disorders that occur in the brain. These include pathologies of vascular reactivity and blood circulation. This leads to the following symptoms: tinnitus; tachycardia; stuffiness in the ears; mild pain in the head, resembling noise
hypertensive	It is characterized by increased intracranial pressure. In hypertensive syndrome, the headache has a bursting character, can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Exacerbation of the disease leads to an increase in body temperature

Treatment

It will not be possible to completely cure osteochondrosis and permanently get rid of its manifestations, but the symptoms can be eliminated. With osteochondrosis of the cervical region, you can use conservative methods aimed at reducing pain syndromes, dysfunctions of the spinal roots and preventing complications of the degenerative process in the intervertebral discs.

For this use:

• medicines;
• massage;
• exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises);
• folk remedies.

It is impossible to self-medicate with a pathology of the spine. All therapeutic measures and methods used should be discussed with a specialist, applied at home with his approval. If conservative methods are not effective (if you cannot get rid of pain), you should consult a doctor, as surgery may be required.

Medicines

With cervical osteochondrosis, analgesics are used to relieve pain. They can be taken in the form of tablets and capsules. However, long-term treatment with analgesics leads to irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, so they should not be taken frequently.

To relieve inflammation, steroid, hormonal drugs are used. If analgesics do not affect the pathological process itself, these drugs relieve pain. Usually, topical agents are used in the form of ointments or tablets based on hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and prednisolone.

To restore the intervertebral discs, chondroprotectors are recommended. They contain substances that are substitutes for cartilage tissue components - hyaluronic acid and chondroitin. However, the effectiveness of these groups of drugs is possible only with long-term use.

Muscle relaxants are used to relax the muscle structure. They help further reduce pain. They are used in the form of injections. For the treatment of osteochondrosis, drugs containing glycerin and benzimidazole are most effective.

Vitamins are necessary to improve the conductivity of nerve fibers and the state of the peripheral nervous system. Use water-soluble vitamins B1, B6, B12 and fat-soluble vitamins A, C, D.

The most convenient form of medication for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home is ointments and gels. There are various types of external agents: warming, anti-inflammatory, painkillers.

Massage

With cervical osteochondrosis, massage should be performed carefully, without excessive force loads. Improper manual therapy can lead to complications. When massaging, attention should be paid to the cervical region, upper back and collar area.

The procedure is recommended to be performed in the supine position. If the patient is not able to take it, then the therapy is carried out while sitting. The assistant can use the following techniques and techniques:

1. Stroking - superficial effects on the skin. Performed with hands or fingertips, from the head to the upper third of the middle of the back. From the base of the neck, you can resort to zigzag strokes.
2. Push-ups - impact on the deep layers of the skin with the fingers (thumb and forefinger) across the neck. This technique is used for tissues located away from the vertebrae.
3. Rubbing - the development of the collar zone in order to warm up the skin and increase blood flow. Should be used with extreme caution, without affecting the spinous processes of the vertebrae. Rubbing can be replaced by movements resembling sawing or circular strokes.
4. Kneading - impact on deep tissues. They have limited use mainly in the area remote from the cervical region - the upper back.

The patient can carry out massage and most - in a sitting position. To do this, he can use techniques such as stroking, circular rubbing in the neck and shoulders. It is recommended to combine self-massage with rubbing ointments designed to increase blood flow and relieve pain.

Manual therapy can be carried out passively using the Kuznetsov applicator, which is a special device with plastic spikes that act on acupuncture points in the cervical region. Acupressure is useful in that it allows you to stimulate skin receptors that are responsible for physiological processes in the body. In certain cases, the applicator can help to permanently and effectively reduce pain, normalize blood circulation and restore the patient's performance.

However, there are certain contraindications to the use of a medical device. It can not be used for infectious, skin, tumor and vascular diseases. Despite the simplicity of the device, it is recommended that you first consult with your doctor about the possibility of using it. If during the treatment with the applicator there are unpleasant sensations, the state of health worsens, then it should be abandoned.

For effective prevention, you can use special orthopedic pillows for sleeping. With pathology of the intervertebral discs in the cervical region, finding the head in an uncomfortable position for an 8-hour rest will contribute to the development of the disease.

The advantage of an orthopedic product is that it is a tool not only for prevention, but also for treatment - this is the so-called position therapy. With the right choice of a pillow for sleeping, pain in the neck will be significantly reduced, and there will be no need to resort to dangerous self-massage using intense movements.

exercise therapy

Therapeutic exercise is one of the most effective methods of conservative therapy. However, it must be carried out in compliance with certain rules. It is desirable that the set of exercises be established by a specialist, and the first classes were held under his supervision.

Recommendations for therapeutic exercises:

• clothing should not restrict movement;
• exercises should be performed in a well-ventilated area;
• classes are recommended to be carried out no earlier than half an hour after eating;
• during the week it is necessary to repeat up to 4 workouts;
• all movements should be performed smoothly, since a quick action can provoke a complication;
• it is necessary to control the pulse;
• if pain occurs during exercise, you need to replace them with stretching and relaxing actions;
• the intensity of classes and loads must be increased gradually;
• It is advisable to alternate physical therapy exercises with gymnastics for proper breathing.

Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is not performed in the following cases:

1. The period of exacerbation of the disease, when pain is pronounced both during movement and at rest.
2. Dizziness occurs due to impaired blood circulation, provoked by instability of the vertebrae.
3. There are acute diseases that occur with signs of inflammation.
4. Diagnosed with cancer at any stage.
5. Blood clotting is impaired, that is, there is a risk of thrombosis or there is a tendency to bleed.
6. Poisoning.
7. There are cardiovascular diseases in the stage of decompensation and arterial hypertension.
8. Diagnosed with high myopia with concomitant pathology of the fundus.

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the following exercises are recommended:

Starting position	A set of exercises
Standing on my feet	Neck girth. Hands should be used as a collar fixer. When girthing the neck, the thumbs should be located in the lower part of the jaw, the rest - behind the back of the head. In this position, you need to tilt your head left and right, lingering in an inclined state for 2 seconds. After 8-10 repetitions, the girth is stopped and the exercise is performed again. Squats with support on the hands. You need to lean your palms on the countertop, standing with your back to the table. It is necessary to slightly throw back your head and stretch your body up, lingering at the maximum mark for 2 seconds, then sit down, without releasing your hands and tilting your head forward. The squat level should be comfortable. The book is on the head. It is necessary to put the hardcover edition on top of the head so that it does not move out. In this state, you need to hold out for 3-4 minutes. If there is a feeling of discomfort, then the time is reduced. This exercise is designed to return the vertebrae to a physiologically correct position. Flexion of the neck with resistance. You should put your palm on your forehead and apply pressure on it from the side of your hand. At this time, the head should maintain its position for 20 seconds, after which it is thrown back, and a second palm is placed under the back of the head. Then you need to simultaneously press with both hands, creating tension for 5 seconds. This exercise is used to relieve spasm and stretch muscles. Neck extension with head resistance. The exercise is similar to the previous one. In this case, the palm is first placed on the back of the head and presses on it for 20 seconds without changing the position of the head, after which it bends, the second palm is applied to the forehead and bilateral compression is performed for 5 seconds. This exercise is used to stretch the vertebrae. Neck bends with resistance. Similar to the previous two exercises, use the palms to create tension. First, the head is tilted to the left, the left palm is placed on the right temple and slightly pressed, thereby stretching the muscles. Then the exercise is repeated on the right side.
Sitting on a chair	It is necessary to place the lower parts of the palms on the temples, close the jaws while inhaling and tighten the muscles. The skin in the temporal region must be pulled up with your hands. On exhalation, the tension stops, and the temples relax. The exercise is repeated up to 5 times. Hands with palms should be pressed to the cheekbones so that the tips of the spread fingers lightly press on the temples. With a slow movement of the head back and forth, it is necessary to smoothly point the fingers up and down, they should reach the top of the head when the head is tilted forward, and fall to the cheeks when it is thrown back. This exercise will allow you to simultaneously strain and relax the muscles and improve blood circulation. Both hands should be placed behind the neck, fingers crossed, while the neck and back should be straight. In this position, you need to perform sliding movements with your fingers, while tilting your head.

Proper and regular exercise for cervical osteochondrosis can relieve tension, increase blood flow, strengthen neck muscles and improve vertebral mobility.

Prohibited activities such as running, jumping, swinging and pushing, lifting weights. You should also avoid exercises with an emphasis on the hands and hanging. With the permission of the doctor, the patient can go in for sports if he has previously practiced training, but only with a complete exercise program.

ethnoscience

It is recommended to treat cervical osteochondrosis with the following traditional medicine for external use:

1. Horseradish leaves compress. The plant has anti-inflammatory properties. Horseradish leaves should be young and fresh. They are dipped in boiling water for a few seconds, after which they are immediately applied to the cervical spine. From above, the application is covered with cellophane and a warm scarf. The compress is kept as long as possible. It is advisable to make a bandage at night and clean it in the morning.
2. Alcohol compress. You will need 300 ml of medical alcohol, 10 tablets of analgin (powder), 10 ml of iodine and 10 ml of camphor alcohol. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed together. In the resulting solution, gauze is moistened, applied to the sore neck, covered with polyethylene and a warm scarf on top. The compress is kept for no more than 2-3 hours, since alcohol can provoke irritation of the skin. This method is contraindicated even with minor injuries.
3. A compress of potatoes and honey. 1 large raw potato, grated and diluted with 2 tbsp. l. honey. The resulting mixture is spread on the fabric, which is attached to the painful area. The compress is removed after 2 hours.
4. Ointment with hops. 1 st. l. powder obtained from hop cones, triturated with 1 tbsp. l. fresh butter. The resulting ointment is applied to the sore spot and insulated.
5. Decoction of elecampane. The root of the plant of the second year of life in the amount of 2 tbsp. l. pour a glass of boiling water. The solution is boiled for 10 minutes over low heat, then filtered. The elecampane remedy is used for compresses applied to the spine. The application is removed after 20 minutes. This remedy is also used for baths, while the amount of raw materials is increased to 10 tbsp. l.

To relieve pain, the following recipes are recommended for oral administration:

1. Tincture on pine buds. They are harvested in the spring, choosing specimens with a size of at least 15 mm and no more than 20 mm. The collected raw materials are thoroughly washed, ground in a coffee grinder and diluted with sugar in a ratio of 2: 1. The ingredients are mixed together and removed and stored for 2 weeks in the refrigerator. The resulting remedy is taken in 1 tsp. 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 3 weeks. The tincture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 year.
2. Celery juice. The root of the plant is ground on a grater and the juice is squeezed out. They drink it in 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day before meals. Sometimes mixed 1 tbsp. l. juice with a glass of boiling water, insist for 2 hours. Such a composition is taken in 1 tbsp. l. an hour before meals 4 times a day.
3. Infusion of celery root. 3 g of raw materials are filled with 500 ml of boiling water, wait until it cools completely and consume 20 ml before meals.
4. Decoction of bay leaf. 12 g of raw materials are placed in enameled dishes, 300 ml of cold water is poured, boiled for 5 minutes, then infused for 3 hours and filtered. The tool is consumed throughout the day between meals in small sips. The rest is drunk before going to bed. The course of treatment is 4 days, then take a week break and repeat it. As a preventive measure, therapy is carried out every spring.

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you can use herbal teas with a general strengthening effect. Useful drinks with the use of:

• lingonberry and birch leaves;
• chamomile;
• linden flowers;
• wild rose;
• calendula;
• hypericum;
• horsetail;
• motherwort.