Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: symptoms and treatment

The main causes, symptoms and prevention of cervical osteochondrosis. Bonus: preventive gymnastics.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. With age and in the absence of treatment and prevention, the disease tends to progress. Osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the spine.

If pain occurs in this ward, consult a doctor as soon as possible, as progressive osteochondrosis leads to severe deterioration of health, including vision problems, persistent migraines and can even result in death.

Osteochondrosis is not necessarily an age-related change, it often affects people at a young age.

Eight major causes of osteochondrosis

• inheritance,
• lesions,
• excessive physical activity,
• age-related changes,
• metabolic disorders,
• sedentary work (hypodynamia),
• incorrect body position during sleep,
• stress (psychosomatic).

If you experience one or more symptoms, consult your doctor for treatment or prevention.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

The causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be varied. Not only age-related changes can cause disease. The disease also affects young people who prefer sedentary work.

Inactivity is the most common cause of osteochondrosis. Lack of moderate exercise leads to muscle weakness and poor circulation. Further pinching of the nerves and the appearance of an intervertebral hernia are possible.

Factors contributing to the development of cervical osteochondrosis

1. Violation of the structure and position of the brain stem relative to the spinal column and deformity of the first cervical vertebra.
2. Acquired forms of deformity: kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis and their combinations.
3. Elderly people over 60 years of age. At this age, natural age-related changes occur in the vertebral discs. Excessive growth of bone growths.
4. Incorrect posture due to bending over or staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time.
5. Injuries of the cervical spine.
6. Incorrect muscle load.
7. Obesity.

If the load on the muscles is not symmetrical, it can lead to deformations. These changes are caused by the habit of lifting weights with one hand, carrying a bag on one shoulder, and using a pillow that is too soft while sleeping.

Degrees of osteochondrosis

Modern science knows three main stages in the development of cervical osteochondrosis disease. They differ from each other in the degree of vertebral injury and methods of treatment.

First degree osteochondrosis

It begins with the rupture of the intervertebral disc capsule and the appearance of microcracks in the fibrous annulus. This type is characterized by degenerative transformations in the cervical joints and changes in tissue structures.

First-degree signs of osteochondrosis:

• concerned about joint pain in the neck and shoulder girdle, vasoconstriction occurs, and blood circulation is impaired;

• the appearance of pain in the neck with a sharp rotation of the head, which indicates compression of the nerve endings;
• discomfort in the cervical region, temples, nape and headache of a constant nature;
• blurred vision, the appearance of flies and veils in the eyes.

Second degree osteochondrosis

Characterized by a decrease in the distance between the vertebral discs. It involves a pain point with any load, it becomes difficult to turn or tilt the head.

Third degree osteochondrosis

It is considered a chronic disorder of the musculoskeletal function of the spine. Significant changes are noted in the structure of the spinal column.

Lack of treatment at this stage can lead to a stroke. Death is possible.

Signs of third degree osteochondrosis:

• partial or complete paralysis of the neck and shoulder joints;
• decreased sensitivity of the upper limbs;
• the herniated disc becomes visually evident;
• death of parts of the cerebral cortex due to circulatory disturbances and lack of adequate oxygen supply.

In the third stage of osteochondrosis, a surgical operation is required.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis in various parts of the spine

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

• acute pain in the neck, passing to the upper limbs,
• headache,
• your fingers may become numb,
• hypertension,
• reduced coordination of movements,
• feeling of stiffness,
• bouts of nausea are not excluded,
• when a nerve is pinched, pain is felt when swallowing,
• painful sensations in the teeth are possible.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:

• pain in the chest, which can radiate to the region of the heart, lungs, pass to the shoulder blades,
• pain throughout the spine,
• pain in the ribs,
• shoulder pain,
• spots in front of the eyes,
• tinnitus.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region:

• menstruation disorder
• lumbar pain syndromes passing to the lower limbs
• low back pain
• hernia between the vertebrae
• increased fatigue.

Women with suspected osteochondrosis are prescribed x-rays, CT and MRI, ultrasound and neuromyography. They may recommend visiting a mammologist and gynecologist to rule out diseases similar in their symptoms to osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis in women

In women, as in men, there are three main types of osteochondrosis, these are:

• cervical,
• lumbar,
• chest.

Women are more likely than men to develop osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic regions. This phenomenon is due to the fact that in men, by nature, the chest muscles of the neck are more strongly developed. Therefore, these departments have the best support. Therefore, it is necessary, if possible, to strengthen the muscles of the back and neck with adequate exercises.

Most often, cervical osteochondrosis occurs in women who lead a sedentary lifestyle or engaged in sedentary work (office work, salesmen, drivers), and osteochondrosis of the thoracic region occurs more often in womenwho have had scoliosis since childhood.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

To make the correct diagnosis, you need to make an appointment with a doctor. Other diseases can also be hidden under the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.

Cervical osteochondrosis does not have the ability to pass on its own and, moving on to the last, third stage, can be fatal.

Timely treatment will help avoid serious and irreversible consequences.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

Here is an example of a list of medical specialists who will help you understand the problem.

• General practitioner (general practitioner). Therapists carry out general diagnostics without treatment, prescribe general tests (urine, blood biochemistry). They take your individual complaints into consideration and give a further referral to the right specialist.
• Neurologist. A neurologist deals with the treatment of the early and intermediate stages of cervical osteochondrosis. At the stage of visiting a neurologist, as a rule, an x-ray of the spine is taken. With confirmed osteochondrosis, an appropriate treatment is selected.
• Trauma surgeon. Consultation of this specialist is prescribed if there are changes in the tissues. Perhaps the appointment of MRI, spondylography, CT. An additional treatment is also selected.
• Neurosurgeon. Consultation with a neurosurgeon is prescribed if an intervertebral hernia is suspected, referring to the results of CT and MRI.
• Physiotherapist. It deals with the elimination of the clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis.
• Rehabilitologist. Treatment by a rehabilitation therapist involves a recovery period after surgery. During this period, special therapeutic exercises (physical therapy) are selected.
• Chiropractor. Prescribed to eliminate pain.
• Rheumatologist. Provides advice and diagnoses for people with various forms of arthritis.
• Oncologist. Seeing an oncologist is indicated for people with suspicious CT and MRI results. A specialist consultation helps to confirm or exclude the presence of tumor pathologies of the bone tissue. Biopsy may be prescribed.

Modern methods of treating osteochondrosis:

• surgery (in the presence of irreversible changes,
• osteopathy,
• manual therapy,
• physiotherapy,
• massage,
• works with psychosomatics,
• reflexology,
• drug therapy.

Drug therapy

The goal of drug therapy is to relieve inflammation and pain. Correctly selected drugs restore blood circulation and healthy nutrition of tissues.

In the acute phase, drug therapy stabilizes the patient's condition and prepares him for the next phase of treatment. Ointments, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids and vitamin complexes are used.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy includes a combination of natural and hardware effects on the body. Effectively relieves pain and restores physical activity.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is effective when under the supervision of a good specialist.

The massage stimulates blood circulation and improves tissue nutrition. Manual therapy is convenient for home use (massagers and various applicators).

Before using home manual therapy products, you should consult a specialist.

Reflexology

Reflexotherapy brings an effect due to the effect on the biologically active points of the body. It can be performed in the form of acupuncture, acupressure, sometimes moxibustion. If you choose this particular method of treatment, be sure to have a qualified specialist in front of you, as exposure to inappropriate biological points can have negative consequences.

physical therapy

Physiotherapy exercises (LFK) for osteochondrosis are prescribed without fail in the recovery phase. The purpose of physical therapy is to strengthen the ligaments and muscles, exercise helps restore blood flow.

Properly selected exercises can help prevent repetition and deepening of the damage.

Exercises for cervical osteochondrosis

In conclusion, we present to your attention some exercises taken from the complex of physiotherapy exercises.

Consult a doctor before exercising.

Exercises in the physical therapy complex can be uncomfortable, so before doing this, try to relax as much as possible and make sure your breathing is calm and measured.

It is not recommended to overload the muscles during exercise. Do all you can, then, after resting, go back to the exercises.

To achieve the effect of the final recovery, it is necessary to perform up to 300 movements on the diseased spine and 100 repetitions for the adjacent sections.

With cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to avoid sudden head movements. The exercises are performed in a standing position, back straight, feet shoulder-width apart (repeat 15 times):

1. Tilt your head to the left, hold for 10 seconds. By putting pressure on your shoulders, you tighten your neck muscles and resist the pressure. Repeat the same movements to the right. Repeat the first exercise, bending forward and back.
2. Turn your head to the right, trying to reach the shoulder with the chin, hold the movement for a few seconds. Repeat the exercise turning left.
3. Use your chin to draw numbers from 0 to 9 in the air.

Back Exercises:

1. Raise your head and hold the position for 10 seconds. Lower your head and pause for five seconds.
2. Pull your chin towards the ceiling and hold for 10 seconds, then gently lower your head.

Exercises for lying on the side:

1. Raise your head and hold it parallel to the floor for 10 seconds. Then, gently lowering your head, stop for a few seconds.
2. Repeat this exercise lying on the other side.