Osteochondrosis of the cervical region

Osteochondrosis is a defeat of degenerative dystrophic intervertebral discs, and the cervical region is the most vulnerable part of the spinal spine, which has an anatomically different structure from another vertebra and weak muscle spester.Therefore, even with additional neck loads, the vertebrae of the vertebrae can occur, leading to squeezing blood vessels and nerves.

And since the vertebral arteries involved in the blood supply to the brain pass through the holes in the cross -sectional processes of vertebrae in this department, the impressions of vertebrae in this department or by squeezing the holes with vegetation covered osteofit are very serious.

What is it?

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is a progressive polyetiological disease that manifests itself through the degeneration of intervertebral discs and the dystrophy of the ligament apparatus of the spine.

Causes

The main causes and prerequisites for the occurrence of cervical vertebra osteochondrosis are:

1. Spine, scoliosis.
2. Stress, nerve tensions negatively affect the general condition of the body, can cause cervical osteochondrosis.
3. Transferred infectious diseases usually become the root cause.
4. The wrong and uncomfortable position of the body during sleep (for example, an uncomfortable pillow).
5. Congenital problems or the presence of hereditary diseases of the cervical spine.
6. Violation of posture in young and adolescence.
7. Overweight, obesity of different degrees.Extra pounds increase the load on vertebrae and discs, which leads to degenerative processes.
8. Back injuries, which may have happened in childhood or adolescence.
9. Violation of metabolic processes.
10. Work related to physical work, which can cause spinal disease in different departments.
11. Cheap lifestyle, work sitting, inappropriate performance of any exercise.

For the successful treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to first establish the cause of the occurrence, the prerequisites that caused their development and eliminate them.Until recently, the disease was found only in people aged 45.Now young people are subject to it, the age group is 18 to 25 years.

Characteristics of the cervical region

Considering how the cervical region differs from the rest of the spine and that, in the process of development of osteochondrosis, it serves as a prerequisite for the development of these syndromes.

• In the cervical region, important ganglia (nodes) of the autonomic nervous system are located.
• In the transverse processes of the vertebrae, there are holes that form a channel through which the vertebral artery passes that provides oxygen and nutrients the brain, cerebellum, auditory organs, as well as the vertebral nerve.These are the prerequisites for frequent artery and nerve clips.
• The cervical spine is the most mobile.It is characterized by all types of movements in full.These are prerequisites for frequent violations and subluxations.
• The intervertebral holes of the three lower vertebrae are not round but a triangular shape.These are prerequisites for the violation of nerve roots with bone growth formed with osteochondrosis.
• Intervertebral discs are located between the vertebral bodies not everywhere.In front of them, there are protruding edges of the vertebrae, interconnected by the joints.These are the prerequisites for the emergence of joint subluxation.

Development stages

The degree of osteochondrosis is determined by the patient's clinical condition and complaints.The concept of degree should not be confused with the stages of osteochondrosis.The stages will be discussed below.

1. The first degree.Clinical manifestations are minimal, the patient may complain of low intensity cervical spine pain, can intensify when the head is rotated.During a physical examination, a slight tension of the neck muscles can be detected.
2. The second degree.The patient is concerned with pain in the cervical spine, its intensity is much greater, there may be radiation in the shoulder in hand.This arises due to a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc and violated in the roots of the nerves.The pain intensifies when sloping and turning the head.The patient can observe a decrease in performance, weakness, headache.
3. The third degree.The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are increased, the pain becomes constant with arm or shoulder radiation.Numbness or weakness in the muscles of the hand appears, since intervertebral disc hernias are formed.Concerned about weakness, dizziness.In the examination, the limitation of mobility in the cervical spine, pain in palpation of the cervical spine is revealed.
4. The fourth degree.There is a complete destruction of the intervertebral disc and its replacement with connective tissue.The dizziness intensifies, the noise in the ears appears, a violation of coordination, since the vertebral artery is involved in the process that feeds the cerebellum and the occipital fraction of the brain.

Symptoms

The severity of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the degree of destruction of vertebrae structures.Symptoms are aggravated by bone tissue growth with osteophyte formation, root syndrome (root pain when squeezed the nerve), intervertebral hernia (disc protrusion in the spinal canal).

The first signs of the disease are periodic headache in the neck, neck pain, crushing and click the vertebrae when turning the head, sometimes a slight tingling.Over time, symptoms grow and the intensity of pain intensifies.

Pain syndrome is the main manifestation of osteochondrosis.The pain in the neck is stupid permanent or sharp, with bastards below the back of the back of the head around the head.The entire cervical compartment or projection zone can impair a modified vertebra, as well as a collar, shoulder, spatula, heart.Irradiation of lower jaw pain, teeth, arm, ear and eye area is not excluded.The neck and shoulder muscles are tense, painful in palpation.It's hard to lift your hand on the side of defeat - immediately there is a shot in the shoulder or neck.The restriction of head movements due to pain usually occurs in the morning after sleep in an uncomfortable position.

The disease leads to squeeze the roots of the peripheral nerves (roying syndrome) and causes pain along these nerves.It is possible to numb your hands or fingers, a violation of the sensitivity of certain areas of skin innervated by a compressed nerve.

For some characteristic symptoms, we can assume which vertebrae are affected:

• C1 - impaired sensitivity in the occipital region;
• C2 - pain in occipital and parietal areas;
• C3-A decreased sensitivity and pain in half the neck, where the spinal nerve is violated, a violation of language sensitivity, speech impairment due to loss of control over language;
• C4 - Sensitivity and pain impaired in the shoulder floor region, a decrease in the tone of the head and neck muscles, breathing disorders, liver and heart pain is possible;
• C5 - Pain and sensitivity impaired on the external surface of the shoulder;
• C6 - Pain that spreads from the neck to the shoulder blade, the forearm, the external surface of the shoulder, the radial surface of the forearm in the thumb of the hand;
• C7 - Pain that spreads from the neck to the shoulder blade, the rear surface of the shoulder, the forearm to fingers II - IV of the hand, impaired sensitivity in this area.
• C8 - Harmed pain and sensitivity spread from the neck to the shoulder, the forearm on the little finger.

Cervical osteochondrosis is always accompanied by a headache.Strong and persistent pain intensifies by rotating the neck or sudden movements.Some patients complain about the severity in their heads.Compression of the vertebral artery leads to dizzy, nausea crises.There is a noise, touching the ears, black dots flashing in front of the eyes.The deterioration of brain circulation causes a progressive decrease in hearing and vision, numbness of language, a change in taste sensations.

Clicks or grinding with a neck almost always accompany cervical osteochondrosis, observed in each patient.A crisis appears during a sharp spin from the head or back. 

Syndromes caused by cervical osteochondrosis

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are formed in certain groups called syndromes.Its presence and severity may indicate a pathology in the cervical spine with an updated location.

A group of often found syndromes:

1. Vegetative-diabolic syndrome.Subluxa The first vertebra of cervical starting with a displacement can lead to the development of vegetation-vascular dystonia.It is not a certain diagnosis of VVD, as it has no pronounced symptoms.There may be neurological signs, symptoms of impaired cerebral blood flow, intracranial pressure, muscle cramps.As a result, the patient's complaints boil down to dizziness, a decrease in visual acuity, loss of consciousness, headaches, nausea.
2. Reflex irritably.The burning and acute pain on the back of the head and neck, sometimes with the return in the chest and shoulder, which occurs when changing the position of the head and neck, when it splashed and a sharp curve of the head.
3. KORESHKA.Otherwise, called cervical radiculitis, it combines the symptoms associated with the violation of nerve roots of cervical vertebrae.The "goose bumps" in the affected area, tingling the fingers, forearms, skin pasture, scattered to certain fingers are characteristic.
4. Cardiac.Almost the same image with angina pectoris usually leads to inadequate diagnosis and treatment.The syndrome appears due to irritation of diaphragmatic nerve receptors, partially captivating the pericardium and a large thoracic muscle.Thus, cramps in the heart region are more reflected, such as a revision of cervical nerve irritation.
5. Vail Artery Syndrome.It develops directly with the compression of the artery itself and the irritation of the sympathetic nervous plexus, located around it.Pain in this pathology is burning or pulsating in the occipital region, scattered for whiskey, tutorial arches, crows.It appears on one and both sides.Patients usually associate the aggravation with a condition after sleep in non -vibeological pose, transportation travel, walk.With pronounced symptoms, hearing loss, dizziness, ears, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness and increased blood pressure are possible.

Diagnosis

As any diagnosis in medicine, osteochondrosis diagnosis is established based on patient complaints, disease anamnesis, clinical examination and auxiliary research methods.X -ray of the cervical spine in direct and side projections is performed if necessary in special positions (with open mouth).At the same time, experts are interested in the height of intervertebral discs, the presence of osteofites.

Of modern research methods, IAMR and CT research is used, which enables the diagnosis to be verified more accurately.In addition to the listed methods of additional research, consultations from related specialists (cardiologist, ophthalmologist, neurosurgeon) may be required, and the neurologist's examination is simply vital.The neurologist is involved in the treatment of osteochondrosis;Therefore, after examining the patient, he will prescribe the minimum examination necessary at his discretion.

How to treat cervical spine osteochondrosis?

Complex treatment of cervical osteochondrosis may include the following traditional and non -traditional methods: drug treatment, massage, acupressure, manual therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, folkloric medicines, etc.

The main treatment regime for osteochondrosis is the same for all locations of this disease:

• First, you need to remove pain syndrome.
• Then the edema will be removed.
• At this stage, it is necessary to normalize blood circulation.
• Strengthening muscle corset.
• Improving nutrition and tissue regeneration.

The list of drugs and drugs for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is very extensive:

1. Anti -inflammatory (steroid).These are hormonal drugs that relieve inflammatory phenomena and thus eliminate pain;
2. Analgesics (non -esteroids that relieve pain).Usually they are prescribed in the form of tablets or capsules.It should be remembered that most of these medications cause irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract;
3. Muselaxantes are drugs that relax muscle tone.They are used in surgery and orthopedics as auxiliary remedies to interrupt pain.Such medications are administered parentally and therefore always under the supervision of a doctor.There is an extensive list of contrasts;

4. Condroprotectors are medicines containing substances that replace cartilage components.To achieve a persistent positive effect, these medications must be taken for a long time;
5. Ointments and gels for external use.This is the most affordable drug group in the domestic atmosphere.They are divided into relieving inflammation, heating and painkillers.Such funds are often announced.With cervical osteochondrosis, not all ointments are effective, and due to accessibility, sometimes they are used irrationally and without considering the characteristics of pathogenesis.
6. Vitamins.With osteochondrosis, vitamins are prescribed that have a beneficial effect on the peripheral nervous system and improve conductivity.Water -soluble vitamins: B1, B6, B12, Fat -soluble vitamins: A, C, D, E. In recent years, combined drugs containing painkillers and more frequently vitamin components.

Only the team of good experts, which includes a neurologist, physiotherapist, masseuse, surgeon, vertebroneurologist, can choose the most appropriate therapy.

Medical Physical Education

LFK for cervical osteochondrosis should be performed outside the acute exacerbation.The greater effectiveness of this technique during the recovery period.During the implementation of the complex, there should be no discomfort and pain!

• Exercise number 1. Lying according to the stomach, rest your hands on the floor, lift your head and a trunk, the back should be straight.Stay in this position for 1-2 minutes.Sink slowly on the floor.Repeat 2-3 times.
• Exercise number 2. Lying lying down, stretch your arms along the body, turn your head to the left, try to touch the floor with the ear and then turn your head to the right.Repeat 6-7 times in each direction.
• Exercise number 3. In a sitting position, lean forward and try to touch your chest with your head, then exhale, lean back and throw your head.Repeat 10-15 times.
• Exercise number 4. When sitting, put the palms on the forehead, press the palms on the forehead and the forehead is in the palm of the hand.Continue this exercise for 30 seconds.Repeat 2-3 times.
• Exercise number 5. Slowly rotate your head first in one direction and then in the other direction.10 rotations in each direction.Make sure there is no dizziness.When it appears, the exercise for.

Therapeutic massage

Massage can be performed at home, but carefully not to cause exacerbation and not harm the patient.The patient should take the position to lie down, put his forehead in his hands and stretch his chin on his chest.In this case, the neck muscles should be completely relaxed.

1. Caressing.It is necessary to initiate the massage with these movements: stroking the collar zone towards the lymph to the supracrinating nodes and axillary.Then flat and crest brush.
2. Squeezing.To perform tightness, the masseuse puts his hand on his neck (the index and thumb must be together) and moves in the spine.Squeezing can also be performed by the edge of the shoulder joint palm.

3. Crushing.Fights are performed to heat the muscles, relax them and improve blood flow in this area.The massage should start from the base of the skull, performing circular and direct movements.You can also perform saw movements by setting your palms in parallel in the ribs.
4. Knead.The neck should be kneaded in circular motions.
5. Vibration.The massage is concluded by caressing and vibration, which is performed using concussions and blows.

Massage is necessary to strengthen muscle tone and relieve pain.Depending on what internship is osteochondrosis, the massage technique is selected.However, when doing neck massage, experts use all classic massage techniques: rubbing, caressing, kneading etc.In cases where the patient hurts only one side, the massage begins in the healthy part of the neck, moving gradually to the part of the collar zone where pain occurs.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy helps deal with acute and chronic pain, also increases the volume of movements and improves posture well.The main techniques of manual therapy for cervical spine osteochondrosis:

1. Relaxing and segmental massage.It is used to heat the muscles and relieve tension.
2. Mobilization.Impacts intended to restore joint traction functions.
3. Manipulation.An accentuated impulse for the patient's pathological zones.The procedure is accompanied by a characteristic crisis (the return of the joint to a normal position).

A manual therapy specialist who practices must have these techniques perfectly.Otherwise, any error can lead to injuries.

Orthopedic pillows

Orthopedic sleeping pillows are an effective means of prevention.In many cases, osteochondrosis is aggravated due to the additional transmission of the cervical artery and nerve roots during sleep on an uncomfortable pillow.The orthopedic product provides a uniform horizontal position of a person during sleep and thus ensures physiologically total blood supply to the brain.

When choosing a pillow, the individual anatomical characteristics of a person should be taken into consideration and they should be correlated with the volume and characteristics of the filling.A properly selected pillow brings tangible benefits to the patient with cervical spine osteochondrosis.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic procedures for osteochondrosis of the cervical region:

1. Electrophoresis.It should be used using analgesics (anesthetics), which are introduced under the skin through electronic pulses.
2. Ultrasound.Favorably affects metabolic processes in cervical tissues, due to which swelling is removed, the leaves of pain.
3. Magnetotherapy.A safe treatment technique, which consists of the effect of damaged cells of a low frequency magnetic field.This gives an analgesic effect, acts as an anti -inflammatory agent.
4. Laser therapy.Improves blood circulation in the damage zone, relieves tissue swelling, pain.

Physiotherapeutic procedures affects favorably discs and vertebrae with cervical osteochondrosis.In combination with medication, combined treatment helps to get rid of the symptoms of the disease.The procedures are performed at a hospital or offices specializing in clinics.Before starting the course, you need to consult a doctor, determine the duration of physical therapy, types.It is strictly forbidden to pass during exacerbation.

Shanza collar

The Shanta Collar is a soft and convenient device, holding behind a velcro and used for cervical osteochondrosis.But not for treatment, but for temporary relaxation and fatigue removal.It cannot be used without removing, otherwise the neck muscles will stop working and then atrophy.If a chantza necklace is selected correctly, the patient will feel comfortable and safe.

A necklace is strictly selected in size in a pharmacy or an orthopedic store.Better in the store, because people who work there, as a rule, know their business well and characterization of goods and therefore can help in each particular case.

Popular remedies

If the pain of spine osteochondrosis becomes unbearable and regular, you agree with everything, just to stop it, and here the traditional complex treatment will successfully complement folk methods.

• Insist the celery root (5 gr. Per 1 liter of boiling water) for 4 hours, drink one tablespoon before each meal;
• Honey compress, for which we have 2 teaspoons.Honey and 1 mummy tablet.We warm the components in a water bath, scattered on the fabric and apply to the cervical region, ie the neck at night;
• In acute pain, hell growing in the country helps me.Your sheet is simply mine, I say with boiling water, cooling a little, put it in the neck and hide it with a thin scarf at night -in the morning you can already live and work;
• We insist on chamomile flowers in vegetable oil for two days, after heating to boil (30 ml of oil are required for 30 grams of plant), rub in painful areas;
• Honey cartoon compaction also helps the root harvest should be rubbed and mixed with honey in the same amount, attached to the painful neck at night, use it regularly at least once a week.

Prevention

As usual, proper prevention will help to avoid osteochondrosis in the cervical region, but of course all exercise should be used regularly, otherwise there will be many benefits of "periodic" classes.

It remains to remember simple rules:

• Eat more products with a large amount of calcium and magnesium.They are fish, peas, vegetables, nuts, cheese, vegetables, but sugar, flour, smoked, acute, it is better to abstain.
• Practicing sports regularly, especially swimming, aquaerobics, also to prevent osteochondrosis, gymnastics for stretching and flexibility of vertebrae is adequate, which can be practiced at home.
• When sitting the work at least a few times a day, do a special set of exercises.
• Choose a good orthopedic mattress and a pillow, perfect for the neck, supporting your head in a dream in the right anatomical position (yes, your favorite huge pillows with the spine will not pass!).

If you already have this diagnosis, the patient should save your spine, namely:

1. To be very careful when lifting and carrying weights, it is better to go to the store twice than to pull unbearable bags in both hands, incredibly stretching the neck and shoulder flow;
2. Do not see overwhelming, avoid drafts and cold air of the air conditioner (some love to cool on a hot day, becoming back to the fan);
3. By tilting your body forward - remember osteochondrosis;
4. Avoid local muscle overheating, which can happen among lovers of an excessively hot bath;
5. Do not forget to periodically move away from the monitor, change the position of the body, do not feel for hours or even days;
6. Rest in the neck, for which it is necessary to buy a chantesis necklace;
7. If possible, if the status of the cardiovascular system allows, steam cooked in the bath.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the child who threatens osteochondrosis (father and mother already has it) and an adult who has acquired the disease in the life process should simply take preventive measures so as not to become disabled and not to be in the operations table because this operation is quite complicated and requires long rehab.Also, it is not always possible, because there are inoperable cases;Therefore, it is better to protect health with a younger one, while the discs are intact and unnecessary growth have not squeezed the blood vessels.