Osteochondrosis is one of the most insidious diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Its symptoms are often disguised as other diseases and bring about many unpleasant and painful sensations. The appearance of pathological changes in the cervical spine is associated with the influence of various factors.
Symptoms
Osteochondrosis of the cervix is accompanied by a variety of symptoms. Headaches, tingling in the center of the chest or chronic fatigue - all of these signs accompany dystrophic disorders of the cervical vertebrae.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- Dizziness, which sometimes leads to loss of consciousness or fainting.
- Chew when you try to rotate or turn your head.
- Drawing pain and tingling sensation in shoulders, elbows or neck.
- Fractures in the arms and legs, from the fingertips and down all the limbs.
- Unreasonable manifestation of apathy and drowsiness. The feeling of accumulated fatigue persists even after a long sleep or passive rest.
- Tinnitus (tinnitus without any apparent cause).
- Hearing loss or blurred vision.
- Pain in the sternum, with numbness of the hands or feet.
| syndrome | cause | event |
|---|---|---|
| root | Compression of spinal nerves. | Severe pain on the move. |
| Reflex | Suppressed nerve. | Severe radiating pain in the arm, headache. |
| Spinal compression | Vascular occlusion, intervertebral hernia. | Loss of sensation in the hands, pain in the shoulder girdle and neck. |
| Cerebral | Disorders of spinal cord circulation. | Fatigue, irritability and irritability, disorientation and fainting, headache and hearing impairment. |
| Vertebral artery | Squeezing the artery. | Stroke, cerebral ischemia. |
Important: the neck is one of the most important parts of the spine due to the accumulation of a large number of nerve trunks. Even slight displacement of the vertebrae by 1-3 mm leads to a violation of blood circulation to the brain and can cause hypertension, migraine. Rarely in brain hypoxia, stroke.
In the last 2 decades, doctors have noticed the appearance of osteochondrosis in young people. If earlier in the risk group were representatives of middle and old age, then at the moment the disease is increasingly common in people barely 20-30 years old.
The risk of any symptoms of osteochondrosis lies in the fact that they are attributed to other diseases and the appeal to specialized specialists is delayed. This makes it possible for the disease to become chronic and lead to irreversible damage to the anatomical structures of the cervical spine.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Each segment of the spine is built according to a single principle: the soft pulp inside the vertebra absorbs all the structures of the segment, loses its elasticity and becomes ossified. The pathological process affects the nerves and blood vessels.
To understand the causes of osteochondrosis, consider the problem from a medical point of view.
| factor | Description |
|---|---|
| physiological process | Aging of cartilage tissue as a result of age-related irreversible changes. It is regulated by nervous and endocrine processes. |
| Pathological process | Destruction of vertebral structures, nerve endings and blood vessels. |
| Physiological changes | The conversion of the pulp into fibrous tissue, which are caused by the aging of the body. It does not manifest clinically if the nerve nodes are not irritated. |
| Pathological changes | Localized in cartilage and beyond, irritate nerves, constrict blood vessels. Manifested by local pain and discalgia - a reflection of pain. |
Pathological changes in the vertebrae are accompanied by:
- Deposition of salts in the pulposus nucleus.
- Penetration of vertebral structures in adjacent segments (hernia formation).
- Deleting and wearing the cervical spine segments.
- Ossification of soft tissues of the joints.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- Autoimmune - diseases lead to degenerative processes in cartilage tissue.
- Infectious - the presence of pathogenic microorganisms leads to metabolic disorders in tissues and can cause pathological processes in the joints.
- Involutive - the body's natural aging processes.
- 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 joint development, 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 strain and prolonged exposure to a stressful situation.
- Rheumatism.
Popular methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis
Along with conservative medical methods, popular methods are very effective in treating 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 to an enamel bowl and 5-6 tablespoons added from the collection. Put the liquid on low heat and cook for about 15 minutes.
Alcohol tinctures from herbs such as wild rosemary, burdock, highlander, elecampane, sage, yarrow are used both for external use and for oral consumption. The principle of preparation of tinctures is as follows:
- 2-3 tablespoons of crushed herbs are placed in a 250 ml container and medical alcohol is poured.
- 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 in a 1 liter jar and pour boiling water over it. Cover the jar and leave for 24 hours in a dark place.
compress
The simplest method of treatment is the use of bischofite compresses, physiological solution. the high efficiency of the method is time-tested, the main principle of treatment is regularity and long-term impact. Bandages made with a soft cloth or a bandage are applied to the neck for a long time.
Salt compress: prepare a salt solution of 10-11% (100 g per 1000 ml of water). Wet the folded gauze in several layers in the resulting solution and apply on the neck. Put polyethylene on top and wrap in a warm scarf. Compresses should be done daily for about 10-14 days 1-2 times a day.
ointment
You can fight osteochondrosis of the cervix with home-made ointments. For their preparation are used: herbs, plant roots, vegetable oils and animal products - fats, poisons, bile, eggs.
Oil recipe:
- In equal proportions, mix yarrow grass, lavender, horsetail, dandelion root (previously crushed).
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of the collection with boiling water and set to simmer on low heat for 5 minutes stirring constantly.
- After cooling, the resulting mixture is mixed with 75 g of each 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.
Friction
Rubbing will help relieve neck pain 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 irritations and complex therapies. Biologically active substances easily penetrate into tissues due to the mechanical effect on the skin.
Rubbing from the ointment (recipe given above): take a small amount of oil and rub it on the palm. Then, with strong stroking movements, rub the oil on the neck, after which it is necessary to insulate with a woolen scarf. Perform the procedure for at least two weeks in a row 1-2 times a day.
warm up
This method of exposure is used in osteochondrosis of the cervix to get rid of toxins accumulated in cartilage tissue, to improve blood and lymph microcirculation. Herbal baths, saunas, special heating pads, baked or boiled potatoes (in the form of mashed potatoes and honey cakes), salt or sand bags are suitable for heating. After heating, the application of tinctures, ointments and compresses is more effective.
To warm up, you will need sea salt and a bag of dense natural fabric - better than linen. The salt should be heated in a pan and pour the bag. Apply to the affected area 2-3 times a day. After the procedure, wrap the neck with a warm scarf and do not go outside, especially in the cold season.
Massage
This method is used only during the remission period - in the absence of sharp pain and other acute symptoms of osteochondrosis.
The healing properties of the essential oils, have long been known in ancient times and are one of the best ways to remove osteochondrosis from the neck. Various massage techniques allow you to relieve spasm from the muscles surrounding the spine segments:
- acupressure;
- classic;
- can;
- vacuum;
- Thai;
- self-massage.
Such an effect includes an improvement in local blood circulation, relieving swelling, eliminating pain in the cervical region, improving tissue metabolism, restoring mobility of the cervical region, and reviving atrophied muscles.
Self-massage for osteochondrosis is performed sitting or standing, the back is equal, the legs are open as wide as the shoulders. You can use one or two hands for the following techniques:
- Rub the neck and collar area with your palms to warm up.
- Grasp the neck with your hands so that your thumbs are in front, and the rest from behind. In this position, hold four fingers from the spine to the periphery along the entire neck and collar area for 2-3 minutes.
- Circular movements with pressed fingers, covering the surface of the neck as much as possible. Continue for 1-3 minutes.
- Vertical rubbing along the spine with fingertips - 1-2 minutes.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
It is almost impossible to cure osteochondrosis quickly, but special exercises will help speed up the recovery process.
A set of exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes:
- Head rotations left and right - perform 5-6 repetitions in both directions, gradually increasing the amplitude.
- Raising and lowering the shoulders - 10-15 times.
- The head bends left and right - 10-12 times in both directions.
- Head extension - in a standing position, extend your head as far forward as possible and then return to its original position. Perform 10-15 repetitions.
- Cobra: Ride on all fours and gently stretch your head forward, lining your legs and raising your head up. Try to lower your hips to the floor. Lock in this position for a few seconds and slowly turn back. Repeat 4-9 times.
The last exercise helps to relax the muscles of the cervical region, restore the blood supply and eliminate the constriction of blood vessels and nerve endings.
All exercises are performed slowly, smoothly and with an ever-increasing amplitude. The number of repetitions and approaches is determined individually.
Nutrition for cervical osteochondrosis
With joint damage, food should be balanced and partial - 5-6 times a day in small portions.
Limit your intake of salt, simple carbohydrates, spicy and fried foods.
Foods high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus should be included in the diet - these are vegetables, fish, meat, boiled or cooked vegetables.
To effectively fight 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 preventative measures:
- use a comfortable place to sleep - orthopedic mattresses and pillows;
- engage in regular physical activity;
- work in a properly organized place under sedentary working conditions;
- with a static body position, take a break for aerobics;
- do not overdo it;
- do not carry bags on one shoulder.
Contraindications
The main contraindications are:
- physical overload from a long stay in a static position;
- intentional cracking of the joints in the neck;
- consumption of a large number of sweets and starchy foods;
- weight lifting;
- sleep on a soft mattress and a large pillow;
- hypothermia of the cervical region.
Treatment of osteochondrosis must be complex. The combination of different tools and methods of therapy, depending on the recommendations for nutrition and physical activity, can alleviate neck chondrosis. Regardless of the effectiveness of alternative treatment methods, seek timely help from an orthopedist or osteopath, as self-medication can pose a health risk.