Osteochondrosis - dystrophic changes in the articular cartilage, accompanied by a partial destruction of the discs between the vertebrae. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by a slow, developing over the years tissue destruction between the vertebrae that support the head. If in the last century the ailment was diagnosed mainly in people thirty years old or older, today orthopedists make such a diagnosis even for schoolchildren. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is long. Even during remission, supportive therapy courses should be taken.
Symptoms of the disease in the early stages
The vertebrae of the cervical region are smaller in size than in the thoracic and lumbar. But the burden on them is substantial: every day the neck of a person performs many complex movements. Office workers, who have to sit in the same position at the computer for many hours in a row, very often develop osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae. In this case, treatment involves not only the removal of the pain syndrome, but also the obligatory lifestyle change. Sedentary hours-long sitting behind the monitor is a great test for the spine.
We can distinguish the following causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae:
- heredity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- extreme physical activity;
- neck injuries;
- abnormalities of the cervical spine;
- constant incorrect body position during sleep.
Orthopedics and neurology distinguish four stages of the disease. In the first two, the disease does not cause severe pain, but it cannot be ignored.
At the first stage, the disease manifests itself as frequent headaches, a slight pulling sensation in the neck. Almost all patients do not attach importance to such mild symptoms. Headache is attributed to fatigue or lack of sleep. Most patients prefer to just take an analgesic pill.
Over time (sometimes this process can drag on for several years), the disease inevitably flows into the second stage. The danger of osteochondrosis is that the so-called radicular syndrome often develops. Most often, it manifests itself in the second stage and is further aggravated as osteochondrosis progresses. Radicular syndrome is a pinched nerve endings in the cervical vertebrae. After this, many other pathologies join the headache. This is a deterioration in vision and hearing, impaired functioning of the vestibular apparatus, unbearable migraine with and without aura, numbness of the hands.
As a rule, patients go to the doctor only after manifestations of radicular syndrome. Most of all they care only about his symptoms. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae and the necessary rehabilitation will not be able to level all the consequences that the radicular syndrome carries. You can only temporarily stop the development of the disease and prevent even greater complications.
Manifestations of the disease in the later stages
There is a third and fourth stage of the disease, which is simply impossible not to notice. Even patients who differ in a surprisingly disregard for their own health, sound the alarm and go to see a doctor.
The third stage of cervical osteochondrosis , if it is not accompanied by radicular syndrome, brings the patient a frequent excruciating headache. The appearance of pain directly in the neck and shoulders is characteristic. The patient is forced to use ointments with a warming and analgesic effect on an ongoing basis. Very good in the third stage helps massage. It is important to understand: to completely get rid of the disease will not work. Only long-term remission can be achieved - this is the goal of treatment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae at the fourth stage: the distortion of the spinal column, noticeable to the naked eye, and severe pain in this area. If radicular syndrome is also present, then the patient often experiences very severe dizziness, and may faint after having made one or another sharp physical movement. Depending on where and how badly the nerve ending was pinched, serious vision or hearing impairment is possible.
In the later stages, the appearance of an irritative-reflex syndrome is also possible, in which severe pain in the occipital region is pulsating in nature, as well as pain that descends to the thoracic spine. They can achieve such strength that the patient cannot fall asleep or perform habitual movements. Such symptoms are also possible with a strong displacement of the vertebrae. Late stages of cervical osteochondrosis in 90% of cases are accompanied by either an irritative-reflex or radicular syndrome.
There are cases when the disease is complicated immediately by these two pathologies. In this case, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae with folk remedies is not suitable. An integrated approach is important, which implies the use of both specialized methods (injections, massage, physiotherapy, analgesics) and general methods (swimming, exercise therapy, lifestyle).
Symptoms depending on damaged nerve roots
Osteochondrosis of the 1 cervical vertebra is accompanied by numbness in the occipital region at the first stages of the development of the disease. In the later stages - the appearance of severe pain in this area. The best treatment is the use of ointments with a warming and anesthetic effect, as well as massage. Once every six months, it is necessary to inject drugs of group B vitamins with a course. The best drugs of this series are Combibipen, Neuromultivit, Milgamma. You can prefer a cheaper option and buy separately ampoules with liquid for intramuscular injection:
- "Pyridoxine";
- "Cyanocobalamin";
- Thiamine;
- "Riboflavin";
- "A nicotinic acid".
Osteochondrosis of the 4th and 5th cervical vertebra is accompanied by a violation of the sensitivity of the limbs and the appearance of pain in the forearms, thoracic region. Treatment - massage of the cervical-collar zone and those parts of the body that are numb. The regular use of B vitamins on an ongoing basis is shown (at least once every six months, optimally - once a quarter). Physiotherapy is also effective.
Osteochondrosis of the 6 cervical vertebra is accompanied by pain in the shoulders and neck. Headaches are frequent. Sight may begin to deteriorate - myopia and astigmatism develop. The same treatment principles are the same as in the case when other vertebrae are affected. Only with concomitant symptoms - visual and hearing impairment - should we pay attention to it too. Regularly engage in visual hygiene, do exercises for the eyes, dig in special drops that relax the optic nerve.
Osteochondrosis of the 7th cervical vertebra is accompanied by damage to the nerve ending in the fifth, sixth and seventh vertebrae. It occurs in both men and women at any age. This is the most common osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae. Symptoms of pinching of the nerve endings C6 and C7 are periodic numbness of the fingers and hands, pain in the neck, forearm and lower - the scapula, back, up to the lumbar.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis: which doctor to consult
To diagnose and prescribe a course of treatment for cervical vertebral osteochondrosis, you should make an appointment with a neurologist and orthopedist. A neuropathologist can prescribe medications for the manifestations of the disease, which affect the state of nerve endings. This makes sense if the disease is accompanied by radicular syndrome. An orthopedist will assess the condition of the spinal column and diagnose the presence of additional diseases: scoliosis, lordosis, etc.
For the diagnosis and accurate assessment of the condition of the intervertebral discs, the following research methods are used:
- Roentgenography.
- CT scan.
- Magnetic tomography.
- Ultrasound scanning of the vessels of the neck.
Each of them is completely safe for health and does not pose any threat of excessive exposure. Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, the treatment of which remains to be carried out throughout the rest of life, can be carried out after a simple visual examination. Any orthopedist can easily do this. An exception is the first stage of the disease, when no visible pathologies of the cervical spine are noticed.
Treatment Methods for Traditional Medicine
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae? Whatever method is chosen, it should be remembered that in order to achieve remission, you will have to regularly monitor the condition of the neck. Osteochondrosis cannot be cured to the end. After some time, the symptoms will certainly make themselves felt again, and their intensity will directly depend on the patient's attitude to their own health.
Here is a list of the most effective measures to get rid of the symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- physiotherapy;
- cervical collar massage;
- taking analgesics;
- a course of B vitamins;
- physiotherapy;
- swimming.
The patient should remember that he should not be involved in athletics (running, jumping, plyometric exercises), strength fitness. This will inevitably provoke an exacerbation of the condition. You can not sit in one pose for a long time. Even if office work involves long hours spent behind the monitor, once an hour you need to get up and arrange yourself a ten-minute warm-up of the cervical-collar zone, a slight stretch.
The complex of physiotherapy exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae at home can be carried out using special exercises. They must be performed daily, otherwise, a noticeable result can not be expected.
- Get up straight on the line. Raise your hands up, take a breath, rise on your toes and stretch as much as possible up. Perform several repetitions.
- Starting position - standing on one's legs, the back is straightened, arms are freely lowered along the body. Touch the left ear to the left shoulder, the right - to the right. Perform ten times in each direction at a slow pace without making sudden movements.
- The starting position is the same as in the previous exercise. Touch the chin of the sternum, then gently and carefully tilt your head back. If the movement is accompanied by pain or discomfort, you should abandon it.
- Sit on a chair or on a hard floor, back straight. You can cross your legs in the lotus position. Perform circular head rotations - first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
- Lie on a hard floor on your stomach. Arms and legs extended. Exercise “boat”: tear off the head, arms and legs from the surface and try to raise them as high as possible. Linger in this position for the maximum possible time. This exercise is useful not only for the cervical spine, but also for the chest and lumbar.
Physical therapy exercises should be performed carefully, at a slow pace. Sharp movements can lead to increased pain.
If it is possible to perform exercises after a therapeutic warming massage of the cervical-collar zone - wonderful. This method of combining two treatment methods at once is very good.
Blockade of pain with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The main group of drugs that are used in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with vertebral displacement is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Moreover, with regard to cervical osteochondrosis, local use of NSAIDs in gels and ointments is preferable.
In this regard, “Fastum gel”, “Nurofen”, “Diklak gel”, ointments and creams with snake and bee venom in the composition, and “Ibuprofen” ointment are effective. Among topical agents for topical use are locally irritating agents and chondroprotectors.
If the pain is too strong, you can use once strong analgesics - “Ketorol”, “Analgin”. Sometimes osteochondrosis worsens with colds. In this case, remove all the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections and chondrosis, drugs based on the active substance of paracetamol will help. These are Treraflu, Fairvex and the like.
The use of B vitamins in the traditional treatment of the disease
Why do neuropathologists invariably prescribe B vitamins as part of the complex treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae? The explanation is very simple. With radicular syndrome, nerve endings suffer, and vitamins are the easiest way to maintain their functioning. The most effective form of administration is intramuscular injection. When taken orally, B vitamins are only partially absorbed. When administered intramuscularly, they instantly enter the bloodstream.
List of the most effective drugs:
- “Combilipen” is sold in the form of ampoules with thiamine, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin in the composition. The cost of packaging with 10 ampoules is about two hundred rubles. This drug is the best choice in terms of price and quality.
- "Milgamma" is a foreign-made drug, available in the form of tablets and ampoules with liquid for intravenous or intramuscular administration. Injections into the muscle can be done independently at home. The disadvantage of the drug is a rather high cost, one course will cost about seven hundred rubles.
- "Pyridoxine" - a drug in ampoules of domestic production. This is vitamin B 6 , which is very beneficial for nerve endings. The cost of packaging with ten ampoules is about thirty rubles. Injections can be done independently if there is a skill of intramuscular injections.
- Niacin is sold in the form of tablets and ampoules with liquid for injection. This vitamin promotes a rush of blood to the head. It is very important for people suffering from osteochondrosis of the cervical spine to undergo treatment with nicotinic acid from time to time, since their blood circulation is most often seriously impaired.
- "Thiamine" - vitamin B 1 in the injectable form. It is necessary for the normalization of blood circulation in cervical osteochondrosis. When used regularly, it improves cognitive processes, as a result of which memory, ingenuity and speed of thinking are restored. One ampoule contains 1 mg of thiamine. The cost of packaging, in which there are ten ampoules, is about forty rubles.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae at home
For complex treatment it is not at all necessary to go to hospital. It is possible to achieve remission at home. It is very good if the patient is able to inject himself. Then you can not go to the clinic every day.
Methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae with folk remedies:
- Baths with salt and soda bring a reduction in pain, relaxation of the whole body. This procedure is especially good before bedtime. You should collect a full bath of water of moderate temperature and dissolve in it a kilogram of salt and about 500 grams of soda.
- Paraffin baths help a lot. Melt paraffin or wax, cool to a comfortable temperature and apply to a damaged place. Such compresses can be done 2 times a week.
- To reduce the inflammatory process, you can take a decoction of herbs. It is necessary to mix 1 tbsp. l Hypericum, chamomile, calendula and yarrow flowers. To them add 1 tbsp. l thyme and dandelion leaves. Now you should take 2 tbsp. l the resulting mixture and pour one liter of boiling water, insist. Within 3 weeks, it is enough to take a decoction of 1/4 of a glass 3 times a day.
- If you do not trust pharmaceutical preparations, you can prepare an ointment for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. We will have to take in equal parts the fruits of coriander, birch buds, dandelion roots, peppermint grass. Grind three tablespoons of the mixture into a powder, pour 1/2 cup boiling water and simmer for 5 minutes. To the resulting mass add 75 g of vegetable oil and pork fat. Cool and rub into the affected 4 times a day. Store the ointment in the refrigerator.
- Well help with osteochondrosis and compresses. For example, from honey and potatoes. Grate one large tuber on a fine grater and mix with honey in a 1: 1 ratio. The resulting mixture is applied to the sore spot for 45 minutes.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, massage is the # 1 remedy for reducing tension and pain. In order to do therapeutic massage on your own, you need good flexibility. Older people are often unable to even raise their hands to the desired height. But they find a way out of the situation: they are asked to massage one of the younger relatives.
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Some patients note that the course of procedures with a good massage therapist literally brought them back to life, and increased performance.
Some patients respond positively exclusively to physiotherapy exercises. They began to practice regularly at home, purchased a subscription to the pool for therapeutic swimming courses. Yoga and regular exercises to stretch the spinal column helped some. Sensations after such asanas: lightness in the body, lack of pain, stress relief.
If you regularly load your body with this kind of activity, you can go into prolonged remission and forget about the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.