Cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis in the usual sense for us is a disease of the spine, manifested by a decrease in the height of the discs. But this is a natural process in the body, associated with its aging and retribution for bipedalism. Changes of this kind can be found in most people in the age group of 25-40 years and older.

The structure of the cervical spine includes seven vertebrae C1-C7, connected by an elastic tissue of the intervertebral discs. In the bow there are seven processes connected to each other, and blood vessels and nerve endings pass through their small openings. With a disease, the disc loses strength and elasticity.

The main purpose of a cervical spine x-ray is to rule out spondylitis, osteoporosis, or tumors.

If osteochondrosis is described on the radiograph, this does not have an important clinical significance.

In general, the prognosis of the pathology is favorable, in the vast majority there is a recovery, but it can be delayed for several weeks or months.

Incidence statistics

Most of the persons prone to osteochondrosis are adults. On average, only 15% of cases are in patients under 30 years of age. For persons from 30 to 49 years old, the problem with the cervical vertebrae occurs in 65% of cases. Over the years, there have been more and more complaints about the disease due to the sedentary lifestyle of many workers.

How is it going	Women's age	Age of men
Not progressing	58	65
Slowly progressing	46	46
progresses quickly	49	fifty

The ratio of severity and dynamics of the disease is approximately the same in men and women (~ 50/50). Ages are also almost identical. The difference is only for the group in which the disease does not progress - it is noticeable that the average age of men in this case is 7 years older.

	city dwellers	Villager	Brainwork	Physical work
Not progressing	41	56	55	55
Slowly progressing	31	31	29	28
progresses quickly	28	fourteen	fifteen	17

It is also noticeable that fast-acting osteochondrosis occurs more often in urban residents than in rural ones.

Causes of the disease

Many factors, individually or in combination, affect the condition of the cervical spine.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region - degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs in the cervical region.

Manifested by pain, general weakness, numbness in the arms and neck, sometimes tinnitus.

To determine the degree of damage to cartilage tissue and the involvement of vessels and nerves in the process, X-ray, CT, MRI and other studies are performed.

Medical and physiotherapeutic treatment, lifestyle correction.

The list of causes contributing to malnutrition of the intervertebral disc:

• physical inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle;
• improper metabolism;
• salt deposits;
• unbalanced diet;
• sedentary work, including driving a vehicle or working at a computer;
• obesity;
• violation of posture;
• depression, stress, overexertion;
• viral diseases in a chronic form;
• abrupt cessation of training in athletes or incorrect movements during physical exertion;
• injury;
• genetic predisposition;
• childbirth;
• violations in the formation of bone tissues of the spine;
• hypothermia;
• weight lifting;
• flat feet.

This list can be supplemented, it all depends on the individual characteristics of development, lifestyle and the presence of concomitant diseases.

The degree of development of the pathology of the intervertebral disc

Pathology develops gradually and there are 4 degrees in total:

1 degree

Signs of manifestation of the disease are minimal, pain in the cervical region is insignificant. When you turn your head, they can intensify and create discomfort. When examined by a doctor, there is a slight muscle tension in the neck-collar zone.

2 degree

The pain in this case is stronger than in the description above. And they can give into the arm or into the shoulder area. This manifestation is provoked by a decrease in the height of the spinal disc and infringement of nerve endings in it.

Pain is noted when turning or tilting the head. At the same time, the patient's working capacity decreases, attacks of headaches, general weakness of the body occur.

3 degree

Pain becomes stronger, numbness of the limbs and weakness in the muscles of the hands appear, which means the formation of intervertebral hernias. This degree of the disease is accompanied by frequent dizziness and general weakness of the body.

4 degree

This is the most dangerous condition of the body, as there is a complete destruction of the disk and the replacement of bone tissue with elastic. At the same time, dizziness becomes frequent, noise appears in the back of the head and ears, coordination of movements is disturbed.

This is due to the infringement of the artery that feeds the cerebellum and the back of the head. In the fourth stage of the disease, pain in the neck subsides significantly due to the regeneration of cartilage tissue, but pinched nerve endings remain.

Pain syndrome is not always associated with the presence of protrusions, hernias in the spine, more often it is nonspecific back pain.

Symptoms

Pain can manifest itself in various parts of the body, so special examinations should be carried out. For example, pain can occur in the area of the eyeballs, in the dental nerves or in the ears. In some cases, they can spread to the shoulders, arms, shoulder blades and lower back.

Pain in the heart muscle is not excluded, they can easily be confused with heart disease. If you use drugs that help eliminate pain from heart failure, then they will not be useful.

Due to cervical osteochondrosis, arteries can be pinched (which is extremely rare and only with massive osteophytes or large hernias) that feed the brain with blood, so dizziness, noise in the head, nausea, headaches, loss of orientation, decreased vision function may appearand hearing.

Place of manifestation	characteristic sensations
Cervical	It hurts and dizzy, it is hard to breathe, hearing and vision deteriorate, hoarseness appears in the voice, hands go numb.
Lumbar	Low back pain - sharp or dull, sweating problems, leg cramps, cold feet, menstrual irregularities, erectile dysfunction.
thoracic	It is difficult to breathe, tightness in the chest or back, pain radiates to the region of the heart and occurs when bending over and breathing.

After a long time in a vertical position of the body and a sharp rise, severe dizziness may occur. Fingers, toes and the tip of the nose are often cold.

Each case is individual, and before prescribing drugs, an examination should be carried out.

Syndromes with cervical osteochondrosis

A syndrome is a group that combines several clinical features. The following varieties are distinguished.

Cardiac

Symptoms are similar to the picture that manifests itself in violation of the heart, as well as a condition preceding a heart attack. This category includes:

• burning and pain in the chest;
• increased fatigue;
• dyspnea;
• general weakness;
• frequent heartbeat.

To differentiate cervical osteochondrosis from heart disease, functional tests and electrocardiography are used.

Vertebral

Such a syndrome indicates the relationship of the pathological condition with the cartilage and the body of the bone tissue. Includes three main symptoms:

• sorenessduring neck turns;
• changes inspacebetween the vertebrae and their body;
• violationmobilityin the neck area.

These features are directly related to each other. If any of the symptoms is absent, then we are not talking about vertebral syndrome.

Vertebral artery

It indicates the relationship between pathological processes and arteries that feed the brain tissue. The syndrome includes the following symptoms that are directly related to dysfunction of blood flow in the brain:

• irritation of the nervousendings, which is manifested by migraines, severe headaches, tinnitus, numbness of the limbs;
• dysfunctionblood flowin the trunk, which will be indicated by attacks of nausea and vomiting, dizziness, changes in blood pressure;
• flawoxygen, manifested by drowsiness, depression, fainting, decreased performance.

The development of the syndrome is facilitated not only by cervical osteochondrosis, but also by other pathological processes.

Root

Manifestation is based on the connection of 1 of 8 pairs of roots innervating the cervical spine. Typically, only one side of the body is affected.

The following symptoms will indicate a violation of conductivity:

• 1-2 pairs- pain in the back of the head;
• third- difficulty chewing food, numbness of the tongue;
• fourth- hiccups, pain in the collarbone;
• fifth- Difficulties in moving the shoulder joint;
• sixth- discomfort in the forearm and shoulder blades;
• seventh- numbness of the middle and index fingers on the upper limbs;
• eighth- violation of the mobility of the little fingers and ring fingers on the hands.

Since in most cases several couples are involved in the pathological process at once, mixed symptoms are observed.

Diagnostics

To diagnose the presence of the disease, an analysis of the patient's lifestyle, including his professional activity, is initially carried out. Summarizes information about symptoms. In addition, a survey is conducted on the presence of a similar pathology among family members in order to determine the factors of hereditary predisposition.

Next, a direct examination of the neck and back in different positions is carried out so that changes in posture and visible disc locations can be determined. Painful areas and places of muscle tension are felt. But these are only external examinations, and a more detailed picture can be drawn only with the help of instrumental methods.

X-ray of the cervical spine

The information content of this method for the diagnosis of herniation is small.

CT scan

This is a more advanced way to detect changes in the vertebrae, but it is difficult to determine the size and presence of hernias, as well as places of compression of the spinal cord.

MRI

This method is the most progressive, in relation to the previous two. With it, you can make a detailed conclusion about the size, location and structure of intervertebral changes.

Ultrasound duplex scanning

It is used for suspected changes in blood flow in the vertebral arteries, including its speed and the presence of obstructions.

Rheoencephalography or REG

This examination is aimed at studying the normal blood supply and outflow of blood from the brain. Currently, it is rarely prescribed due to low information content.

The above diagnostic methods can be used individually or in combination to determine the cause of the disease.

Treatment

It is completely impossible to cure cervical osteochondrosis, but with the help of some methods this process can be slowed down.

With an exacerbation of this disease, as a rule, drugs for pain relief are prescribed, and along with them vitamins and muscle relaxants, the latter are aimed at increasing the elasticity of soft bone tissues. Specialists prescribe massage procedures, wearing a Shants collar. Electrophoresis and ultrasonic procedures are also effective.

You can do massage yourself, but only after consulting a specialist. The main methods are:

• kneadingmuscles - deep external impact, gripping the fold, relatively strong squeezing and pressing;
• lightvibration- tapping and shaking;
• trituration- a small application of effort to implement friction to the state of muscle warm-up;
• stroking- movements are gentle without the use of effort;
• squeezing- Light pressure and release.

With the help of manual therapy, you can get rid of pain with a chronic nature, as well as correct your posture. Its direction is to warm up the muscles, relieve tension, restore the normal functions of the joints, and with a sharp effect on the pathogenic zones, the restoration of the cervical vertebrae occurs.

Acupuncture - this method promotes the release of the hormone cortisol, which has anti-inflammatory properties, into the bloodstream.

Exercise therapy at home

Properly performed therapeutic exercises have the most positive effect. The main principle of exercise is based on normalizing blood flow in the damaged area.

During exercise therapy, strong inclinations and rotation of the head should not be used. Movements are allowed in which the joints are in their original position.

There are a number of effective exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical region.

First

Lie on your stomach, rest your hands on the floor. Raise your head and torso. The back forms a straight line. In this position, you need to stand for about two minutes. Then slowly take the starting position. The number of repetitions is no more than 3.

Second

Sit down and bend forward while inhaling. In this case, the head should touch the chest. On exhalation, the head is tilted and tilted back. You need to repeat up to 15 times.

Third

In a sitting position, rotate your head alternately in each direction. In this case, the movements should be smooth and shallow. If dizziness occurs, the exercise must be stopped.

Exercise therapy is allowed only in the absence of an exacerbation of the pathology. The best effect is achieved at the time of recovery.

The absence of pain and discomfort will indicate the correct use of the complex.

Orthopedic pillows

As a rule, most of the time a person is in a sedentary state. As a result, pain in the back begins to appear. Rest of the spinal section is possible only at night during sleep. Therefore, it is important to choose the right pillow.

Orthopedic items for sleep help reduce stress and normalize the physiological position of the spine at night.

Before choosing a pillow, you should consult with your doctor. An experienced specialist will select the most suitable options, taking into account the rigidity, the presence of rollers along the edges, provided for placement under the neck.

If a person is overweight, a pillow with a notch for the shoulders may be recommended.

To obtain the maximum effect, it is also important to consider the following criteria:

1. The size. If a person is used to sleeping on his back, the optimal height will be 9 cm. If on the stomach, then less.
2. Degreerigidity. Here you also need to take into account your favorite sleeping position. If most of the time you sleep on your stomach, a softer product will do; on your back, it is better to opt for a hard pillow.
3. The form. For rest at night, doctors advise taking a rectangular model. For a short rest, the half-moon option is suitable.

The main disadvantage of orthopedic pillows is that with the wrong choice, a person will constantly experience discomfort.

Needle applicator

This is a device consisting of a fabric base and an elastic material on which plastic plates with spikes are fixed. Additionally, the kit may include inserts with magnetic stripes.

The work of the device is based on the acupuncture effect on the human body. The use of the applicator for cervical osteochondrosis contributes to:

• eliminationspasmsand muscle relaxation
• cuppingpainfulback syndrome;
• normalizationblood circulation;
• improvementmobilityjoints;
• revitalizationmetabolic processes in tissues.

The main contraindications for use:

• chronicdiseases;
• pregnancy;
• oncologicalpathology;
• epilepticattacks;
• tendency tobleeding;
• cardiacdisease and lung injury.

The therapeutic course lasts 14-21 days in compliance with all prescriptions of the attending physician. Use the device only in a well-ventilated area.

Diet

Compliance with proper nutrition is an important component in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.

General recommendations

A properly formulated diet has its own characteristics. First of all, there are no strict restrictions on food. The menu provides for the use of a variety of healthy foods. In each case, the energy value per day is calculated individually. It is important that proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fiber are constantly present in the diet.

To prevent tissue dehydration, it is recommended to drink at least 1. 5 liters of pure water per day. In the summer, the daily rate is significantly increased.

In addition, salt intake should be reduced. Its excessive amount in the body contributes to the appearance of edema and puts an additional burden on the vascular system. No more than 5 grams of this product is allowed per day.

It is also recommended to reduce the consumption of starch and sugar.

All dishes are steamed, in the oven, by boiling.

Prohibited Products

Patients with cervical osteochondrosis will have to give up a large amount of coffee, pastries and sweet products.

From the diet you need to completely exclude:

• dried fish;
• carbonated drinks;
• pickles;
• canned food and sausages;
• cakes;
• fatty broths;
• nutritional supplements.

In addition, strong tea, sweet grapes, spicy dishes, marinade and smoked meats are banned.

Complications and consequences

Pain arising from cervical osteochondrosis is not yet a severe symptom of the disease. But if you do not respond to them in a timely manner and do not take any action, then later there may be irreversible processes. The most dangerous disease resulting from displacement or herniation of the vertebral discs can be cardiovascular pathologies.

When squeezing the arteries passing in the spine, cerebral circulation is disturbed, and, accordingly, the brain experiences starvation. As a result, the function of the cerebellum and the upper parts of the spinal cord is disturbed, noises appear in the back of the head.

Due to poor blood supply, vision is impaired and hearing is lost. Comorbidities begin, such as thyroid disease, migraines, and curvature of the spine. Cervical osteochondrosis can provoke a violation of the normal function of the digestive system and genital organs.

Studying the pathogenesis of the disease, experts found that its origin is often provoked by an unhealthy lifestyle, malnutrition, as well as stress and increased stress on the body. Therefore, it is recommended that if minor signs appear, contact your doctor in order to avoid their development into a more serious pathology.

Prevention

Preventive measures to prevent such a disease should be different. Experts recommend:

• sleepon a medium firm mattress and a low pillow;
• visit periodicallybathor a sauna. This helps to relieve tension in the muscles;
• take dailyshowerwith hot water;
• walk moreon foot, swim or do yoga exercises;
• notturnon the sides of the head sharply;
• after work forcomputerat the end of each hour, rest for five minutes, while working with your hands, making small torso bends, not forgetting to keep your posture;
• atsedentarywork to keep your back straight;
• specially selectarmchairsor chairs comfortable for work.

In addition to the physical impact on the correct function of the cervical vertebrae, it is necessary to adjust the nutritional diet. To do this, you need to eat a little, but often - at least 5 times a day.

Steam dishes will ensure good digestion and will not have a negative effect on soft bone tissue. It is necessary to drink at least one and a half liters of clean water per day and completely exclude alcoholic beverages and smoking. Dressing salads is recommended with olive oil.

The following foods should be included in the nutritious diet:

• rabbit meat, Chickenor lean beef
• tomatoesand cucumbers, cabbage, beets, avocados, celery, spinach, lettuce, peppers, carrots, and onions;
• leancheeses, cottage cheese and milk;
• fish, squid, crabs and oysters;
• aspicand jelly;
• seedsunflower, almonds and hazelnuts;
• cereals, eggs and mushrooms.

It is recommended to exclude from the diet or limit the amount of consumption:

• fatty soups;
• beans;
• beans;
• grape;
• smoked meats;
• flour products and spicy dishes.

For preventive purposes, you can perform simple physical exercises:

1. lie down onstomachand rest your hands on the floor. Then slowly and carefully raise your head and fix this position for a minute. After returning to the starting position. So repeat 3 or 4 times.
2. Lying on stomach, handsarrangealong the body, then gently turn the head to the right. Return to the starting position and also turn your head to the left. Repeat on both sides 5 times.
3. Sitting on a chairlet downhead until the chin touches the body. Do this exercise while exhaling. Then take the starting position. After inhaling air from the lungs, tilt your head back. Repeat exercise - 10 times.
4. Rotatehead 4 times clockwise and counterclockwise, but if the state of health allows this to be done.

Complexes of exercises can be different, a medical worker will help you choose them.

In any case, before performing gymnastics, it is necessary to consult a specialist, and if during the exercises you feel dizzy or feel pain, then they should be stopped and consult your doctor.

Answers to common questions

What doctor treats?

At the first signs of the development of pathology, you need to contact a therapist who, after an initial examination, will give a referral to a neurologist (he is the one who treats problems of the nervous system), a radiologist and a specialist in tomography. The vertebrologist performs subsequent diagnostics and prescribes treatment. An osteopath will help determine the location of the lesion.

What pillow to sleep on with cervical osteochondrosis?

Experts recommend using only orthopedic pillows for sleeping. They must meet the following requirements: springy, moderately dense, rectangular in shape, small in size.

How long does an exacerbation last?

The duration of an attack averages 2-5 days. However, after this period, for another 2-3 weeks, the patient will experience discomfort in the affected area of the spinal region. Thus, the exacerbation phase can last from several days to several months.

How long to lie on the needle applicator?

With cervical osteochondrosis, one session lasts no more than 7 minutes. At the same time, every 60 seconds you need to slightly change the position of the head and back. It is necessary to perform 2-3 procedures per day.