If the cervical spine is affected by the disease, this is manifested by a group of symptoms. Pain affects the eyes, ear, neck, wrist and elbow joints, directly on the hands, fingers, upper back, occipital region. Noisy in the ears. Feet and arms go numb .
There are signs of the most common disease of the cervical spine - osteochondrosis. If you have these signs, you should consult a doctor.
Symptoms of a disease of the cervical spine:
- The neck hurts, the pain spreads along the back of the head, eyes and ears, shoulder girdle. Doesn’t leave even at night. It hurts while turning and tilting the head.
- Hands hurt, even the smallest load enhances pain.
- Hands in general, their hands and fingers are difficult to move.
- In the morning, it seems as if they had “laid back” their neck.
- Hands and feet feel burning and numb.
- The head in the occipital region and neck experience a throbbing pain, which either leaves or returns.
- Headache: first occiput, then whiskey and crown.
- Dizzy, darkens in the eyes, sharp turns of the head can cause fainting.
- Noisy in the ears.
- Sight and hearing lose sharpness.
- The tongue goes numb.
- Heart ache, nitroglycerin does not relieve pain.
- Tissue grows on the neck, the growth resembles a “withers”.
The cervical spine has a reputation as the most vulnerable part of the spinal column. His muscular corset is weak, and the vertebrae are planted closely on top of each other. Even a small load on the neck can lead to displacement of the vertebrae, resulting in compression of nerves and blood vessels. The effects of compression are dangerous.
Cervical vertebrae have transverse processes. Each process has an opening that is occupied by the vertebral arteries supplying the brain with blood. Pinched vertebrae threaten a violation of cerebral circulation.
As a result of compression, the vessels and nerve roots create back pressure on the spinal disc. This leads to its displacement, protrusion (protrusion into the spinal canal) and hernia (protrusion into the spinal canal).
In response to overload, the vertebrae are overgrown with osteophytes (overgrown bone tissue). These processes lead to muscle irritation. Muscle tension, in turn, increases the mutual compression of the vertebrae. The intervertebral discs are compressed, losing their size in height. Grown osteophytes compress the vertebral artery. Thus, only one sharp turn of the head can lead to insufficient cerebral circulation. But even in the absence of mechanical disturbances, a dysfunctional cervical spine gives pain and numbness due to prolonged tension in the body.
If the pain in the cervical spine is unbearable, you can take painkillers, analgesics. When they do not help, it is worth resorting to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, etc.). You should know that they are dangerous for the stomach, and they can be taken only as emergency one-time help, and then visit a doctor. You can fight pain with the help of painkillers and warming ointments - Butadion, Finalgon, Kapsikama, Viprosala, Apizartrona. In case of edema in the inflamed area, you can use the capabilities of diuretics and herbal infusions for 3-4 days. During the day, it makes sense not to forget about the pepper patch, but at night it does not work. It is useless to smear a numb or pained hand, efforts should be concentrated on the source of pain - the neck.
Those who wear a Shanz collar should know that it should not be worn for long. The fixed muscles of the neck become so weak and undergo such atrophy (weakening) that it becomes difficult to simply keep your head straight.
With exacerbations, it is forbidden to engage in physical therapy.
Diagnosed cervical osteochondrosis using hardware methods:
- radiography
- computed tomography
- magnetic resonance imaging
The condition of the vessels of the neck is checked using:
- ultrasound dopplerography
- duplex scan
Treatment of the cervical spine - or rather, its osteochondrosis, is only possible comprehensive. Drug and non-drug therapy are used, prevention (prevention) of a complicated course is important. The above painkillers are used, as well as medications that contribute to improved cerebral circulation. Against painful muscle tension, relaxants are prescribed (Midokalm). Treatment with vitamins in hospital doses - B1, B6, B12. In tablets - calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese.
Fashionable and popular dietary supplements, chondroprotectors are absolutely useless, although very expensive. It is strongly recommended not to use them.
Significant medical assistance can provide physiotherapy:
- electrophoresis (administration of drugs through the skin with exposure to electricity);
- magnetotherapy;
- water procedures (using therapeutic baths and showers);
- paraffin baths (pouring sick areas with molten wax).
Everywhere they use the methods of alternative medicine:
- reflexology (effect on certain parts of the body, causing controlled reflexes);
- manual therapy (complex types of massage);
- hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches);
- apitherapy (treatment with directed bee stings).
The greatest importance is attached to medical gymnastics. Her complexes are specially designed and taught by specialists in physiotherapy.
When performing sets of exercises, the main rule should be taken into account.
You can not do more and more intensively if there is pain.
The cervical spine needs constant attention.