Osteochondrosis is one of the most insidious diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Its symptoms are often disguised as other diseases and bring many uncomfortable and painful sensations. The appearance of pathological changes in the cervical spine is associated with the influence of various factors.
Symptoms
Cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by a wide variety of symptoms. Headaches, tingling in the center of the chest or chronic fatigue - all these signs accompany dystrophic disorders of the cervical vertebrae.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- Dizziness, sometimes leading to loss of consciousness or fainting.
- Cracking when trying to rotate or turn the head.
- Drawing pain and tingling in shoulders, elbows or neck.
- Tingling in arms and legs, from the tips of the fingers and down the entire member.
- Unreasonable appearance of apathy and drowsiness. The feeling of accumulated fatigue continues even after a long sleep or passive rest.
- Tinnitus (tinnitus with no apparent cause).
- Hearing loss or blurred vision.
- Pain in the sternum, with numbness in the hands or feet.
| Syndrome | Cause | Manifestation |
|---|---|---|
| Root | Compression of spinal nerves. | Sharp pain on movement. |
| Reflection | pinched nerve | Acute pain radiating to the arm, headache. |
| compression-spinal | Pinching of blood vessels, intervertebral hernia. | Loss of sensitivity in the hands, pain in the shoulder girdle and neck. |
| Cerebral | Circulatory disorders of the spinal cord. | Fatigue, irritability and nervousness, disorientation and fainting, headache and hearing problems. |
| vertebral artery | Artery squeeze. | Cerebrovascular accident, cerebral ischemia. |
Important: the neck is one of the most important sections of the spine due to the accumulation of a large number of nerve trunks. Even a slight displacement of the vertebrae by 1-3 mm leads to a violation of the blood circulation of the brain and can cause hypertension, migraine. Less often to cerebral hypoxia, stroke.
In the last 2 decades, doctors have noted the appearance of osteochondrosis in young people. If earlier in the risk group there were representatives of middle and older age, at this time the disease is more and more common in people just 20-30 years old.
The danger of any symptoms of osteochondrosis lies in the fact that they are attributed to other diseases, and the appeal to specialized specialists is late. This makes it possible for the disease to become chronic and cause irreversible damage to the anatomical structures of the cervical spine.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Each segment of the spinal column is built according to a single principle: the soft pulp inside the vertebra absorbs all the structures in the segment, loses its elasticity and ossifies. The pathological process affects the nerves and blood vessels.
To understand the causes of osteochondrosis, consider the problem from a medical point of view.
| factors | Description |
|---|---|
| physiological process | Aging of cartilage tissue as a result of irreversible age-related changes. It is regulated by nervous and endocrine processes. |
| pathological process | Destruction of vertebral structures, nerve endings and blood vessels. |
| physiological changes | The transformation of the pulp into fibrous tissue, which are caused by the aging of the organism. It does not manifest clinically if the nerve ganglia are not irritated. |
| pathological changes | Located in the cartilage and beyond, they irritate the nerves, compress the blood vessels. It is manifested by local pain and discalgia, a reflection of pain. |
Pathological changes in the vertebrae are accompanied by:
- Salt deposition in the nucleus pulposus.
- Penetration of vertebral structures in neighboring segments (hernia formation).
- Erasure and wear of segments of the cervical spine.
- Ossification of the soft tissues of the joints.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- Autoimmune - diseases lead to degenerative processes in cartilage tissue.
- Infectious: the presence of pathogenic microorganisms causes metabolic disorders in the tissues and can trigger pathological processes in the joints.
- Involutional - natural aging processes of the body.
- Traumatic - the development of pathologies as a result of injuries.
- Endocrine - hormonal disorders.
- Metabolic disorders: degenerative processes as a result of metabolic failures.
- Heredity - congenital pathologies of the development of joints, cartilage. anatomical disorders.
- Staying in one position for a long time.
- Excess weight - increases the load on the cervical region and can cause metabolic disorders.
- Nervous tension and prolonged exposure to a stressful situation.
- Rheumatism.
Folk methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Along with conservative medical methods, folk methods are highly effective in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
herbal treatment
Phytotherapy is widely used in osteochondrosis of the neck for many reasons: a small number of contraindications, availability, high efficiency, the cumulative effect of the use of tinctures and decoctions.
Preparation of decoctions
1 liter of water should be brought in an enamel container and add 5-6 tablespoons of the collection. Bring the broth to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes.
Alcohol tinctures of herbs such as wild rosemary, burdock, alpinist, elecampane, sage, and yarrow are used for both external use and oral consumption. The principle of preparation of tinctures is as follows:
- 2-3 tablespoons of crushed plants are placed in a 250 ml container and medical alcohol is added to it
- the infusion is aged in a cool, dark place for at least 14 days. All of the above herbs are suitable for cooking.
Preparation of the infusion: pour 4-6 tablespoons of crushed vegetable raw materials into a 1-liter jar and pour boiling water over it. Cover the jar and leave it for 24 hours in a dark place.
compresses
The simplest method of treatment is the use of compresses from bischofita, saline solution. the high efficiency of the method is time-tested, the main principle of treatment is regularity and long-term impact. Bandages made of soft fabric or a bandage are applied to the neck for a long time.
Salt compress: prepare a 10-11% salt solution (100 g per 1000 ml of water). Moisten a gauze folded in several layers in the resulting solution and apply to the neck. Put polyethylene on top and wrap it with a warm scarf. The compress should be done daily for about 10-14 days 1-2 times a day.
ointments
You can fight cervical osteochondrosis with homemade ointments. For its preparation are used: herbs, plant roots, vegetable oils and animal products: fat, poisons, bile, eggs.
Ointment Recipe:
- In equal proportions, mix the yarrow herb, lavender, horsetail, dandelion roots (previously crushed).
- Pour 2-3 tablespoons of the collection with boiling water and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- After cooling, mix the resulting mixture with 75 g of any vegetable oil and 75 g of animal fat until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Rub on the neck for 4-5 minutes 2-3 times a day.
Rubbing
Rubbing will help relieve pain in the neck with osteochondrosis. The effectiveness of this method lies in the fact that it has a complex effect. Rubbing the neck with the use of tinctures and ointments is effective in exacerbations and complex therapy. Biologically active substances easily penetrate the tissues due to the mechanical effect on the skin.
Rubbing of the ointment (the recipe is given above) - take a small amount of ointment and rub it into the palms. Then, with intense stroking movements, rub the ointment into the neck, after which it is necessary to isolate with a woolen scarf. Carry out the procedure for at least two weeks in a row 1-2 times a day.
warming up
This exposure method is used in cervical osteochondrosis to remove toxins accumulated in cartilage tissue, improve blood and lymphatic microcirculation. Herbal baths, sauna, special heating pads, baked or boiled potatoes (in the form of mashed potatoes and honey cakes), bags of salt or sand are suitable for heating. After heating, the application of tinctures, ointments and compresses is more effective.
For heating, you will need sea salt and a bag made of dense natural fabric, better than linen. Salt must be heated in a pan and pour the bag. Apply to the affected area 2-3 times a day. After the procedure, wrap a warm scarf around your neck and do not go outside, especially in the cold season.
Massage
This method is used only during the remission period, in the absence of acute pain and other acute symptoms of osteochondrosis.
The healing properties of massage have long been known and it is one of the best ways to get rid of osteochondrosis of the neck. Various massage techniques allow you to relieve the spasm of the muscles surrounding the spinal segments:
- acupressure;
- classic;
- they can;
- Aspire;
- Thai;
- self-massage
Such an effect implies an improvement in local blood circulation, relieve swelling, eliminate pain in the cervical region, improve tissue metabolism, restore mobility of the cervical region, and revive atrophied muscles.
Self-massage for osteochondrosis is performed sitting or standing, the back is level, the feet are shoulder-width apart. You can use one or two hands for the following techniques:
- Rub the neck and neck area with the palms of your hands to warm.
- Support the neck with your hands so that your thumbs are in front and the rest are behind. In this position, hold four fingers from the spine to the periphery along the entire neck and neck area for 2-3 minutes.
- Circular movements with the fingers with pressure, while covering as much of the neck surface as possible. Continue for 1 to 3 minutes.
- Rub vertically along the spine with the fingertips: 1-2 minutes.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
It is almost impossible to quickly cure osteochondrosis, but special exercises will help speed up the recovery process.
A set of exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes:
- Head rotations to the left and right - perform 5-6 repetitions in both directions, gradually increasing the amplitude.
- Raise and lower shoulders - 10-15 times.
- The head tilts to the left and to the right, 10-12 times in both directions.
- Stretch your head forward: In a standing position, stretch your head as far forward as possible, then return to your original position. Do 10-15 repetitions.
- Cobra: get on all fours and gently stretch your head forward, aligning your legs and raising your head. Try to lower your hips to the ground. Lock in this position for a few seconds and slowly come back. Repeat 4-9 times.
The last exercise helps to relax the muscles of the cervical region, restore blood supply and eliminate pinching of blood vessels and nerve endings.
All exercises are performed slowly, gently and with increasing amplitude. The number of repetitions and approaches is determined individually.
Nutrition for cervical osteochondrosis.
With joint damage, nutrition should be balanced and fractional: 5-6 times a day in small portions.
Limit your intake of salt, simple carbohydrates, spicy and fried foods.
Foods with a high content of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus should be included in the diet, these are vegetables, fish, meat, vegetables in stewed or baked form.
To effectively combat cervical osteochondrosis, increase your intake of clean water (at least two liters per day).
Prevention
The disease is easier to prevent than to cure. To reduce the risk of osteochondrosis, take the following preventive measures:
- use a comfortable place to sleep - orthopedic mattresses and pillows;
- participate in regular physical activity;
- work in a properly organized place under the condition of sedentary work;
- with a static position of the body, take breaks for gymnastics;
- do not overeat;
- do not carry bags on one shoulder.
Contraindications
The main contraindications are:
- physical overload from a long stay in a static position;
- deliberate cracking of the joints in the neck;
- consumption of a large number of sweets and starchy foods;
- Weightlifting;
- sleep on a soft mattress and a large pillow;
- hypothermia of the cervical region.
Treatment of osteochondrosis must be complex. The combination of various means and methods of therapy, subject to recommendations on nutrition and physical activity, can relieve chondrosis of the neck. Despite the effectiveness of alternative methods of treatment, seek help from an orthopedist or osteopath in time, since self-treatment can pose a health risk.