Osteochondrosis is one of the most insidious diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Its symptoms are often disguised as other diseases and bring many anxious and painful feelings. The appearance of pathological changes in the cervical spine is associated with the influence of various factors.
Symptoms
Cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by various symptoms. Headache, tingling in the center of the chest or chronic fatigue - all these symptoms are accompanied by dystrophic disorders of the cervical spine.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- Dizziness, which sometimes causes fainting or fainting.
- Grinding while trying to turn or turn your head.
- Pain and tingling in the shoulders, elbows or neck.
- Tingling in the arms and legs, fingertips and lower limbs.
- Unreasonable appearance of apathy and drowsiness. The feeling of accumulated fatigue continues even after a long sleep or passive rest.
- Tinnitus (unexplained tinnitus).
- Hearing loss or blurred vision.
- Pain in the sternum, numbness of the hands or feet.
| Syndrome | reason | Manifestation |
|---|---|---|
| Root | Compression of the spinal nerves. | Acute pain during movement. |
| Reflex | Compressed nerve. | Acute pain in the arm, headache. |
| Compression-spine | Compression of blood vessels, intervertebral hernia. | Loss of sensation in the hands, pain in the shoulder girdle and neck. |
| Cerebral | Circulatory disorders of the spinal cord. | Fatigue, irritability and irritability, orientation and fainting, headache and hearing impairment. |
| Vertebral artery | Compression of 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 a small displacement of the vertebrae up to 1-3 mm leads to disruption of blood circulation to the brain and can lead to hypertension and migraine. Less often cerebral hypoxia, stroke.
In the last two decades, doctors have noted the appearance of osteochondrosis in young people. In the past, the risk group included middle-aged and older people, but now the disease is more common in people aged 20-30.
The danger of any symptoms of osteochondrosis is that they are attributed to other diseases and it is too late to consult a specialist. This causes the disease to become chronic and irreversible damage to the anatomical structures of the cervical spine.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Each segment of the spine is based on a single principle: the soft pulp inside the spine 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.
| Factors | Description |
|---|---|
| physiological process | Aging of cartilage tissue as a result of irreversible changes with age. It is regulated by nervous and endocrine processes. |
| Pathological process | Destruction of vertebral structures, nerve endings and blood vessels. |
| Physiological changes | Transformation of pulp into fibrous tissue formed as the body ages. If the nodes are not irritated, they do not show up clinically. |
| Pathological changes | It is localized in and outside the cartilage, irritates the nerves and constricts blood vessels. Manifested by local pain and dyscalgia - a reflection of pain. |
Pathological changes in the spine are accompanied by:
- Deposition of salts in the nucleus of the pulposus.
- Penetration of vertebral structures into adjacent segments (hernia formation).
- Erosion and wear of segments of the cervical spine.
- Ossification of the soft tissues of the joints.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- Autoimmune - diseases cause degenerative processes in cartilage tissue.
- The presence of infectious - pathogenic microorganisms causes metabolic disorders in tissues and can trigger 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 resulting from metabolic failures.
- Heredity - congenital pathologies of the joints, the development of cartilage. anatomical disorders.
- Stay in one position for a long time.
- Excess weight - increases the load on the cervical region and can lead to metabolic disorders.
- Prolonged exposure to nervous tension and stress.
- Rheumatism.
Folk methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
In addition to conservative medical methods, folk methods are highly effective in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Treated with herbs
Phytotherapy is widely used in osteochondrosis of the neck for many reasons: a small number of contraindications, availability, high efficacy, the combined effect of the use of tinctures and decoctions.
preparation of decoctions
Bring 1 liter of water in an enamel bowl and add 5-6 tablespoons of the collection. Put the broth on a low heat and cook for about 15 minutes.
Tinctures on alcohol from herbs such as wild rosemary, burdock, climber, elecampane, sage, yarrow are used both for external use and for oral use. The principle of preparing tinctures is as follows:
- 2-3 tablespoons of crushed herbs are placed in a bowl of 250 ml and medical alcohol is added.
- The infusion is aged in a cool dark place for at least 14 days. All of the above herbs are suitable for eating.
Preparation of infusion: 4-6 tablespoons of crushed vegetable raw material are poured into a 1-liter jar and hot water is poured over it. Cover the jar and leave in a dark place for 24 hours.
Compresses
The simplest method of treatment is the use of bischofite compresses, saline solution. The high effectiveness of the method has been tested over time, the main principle of treatment is regularity and long-term effect. Bandages made of soft fabric or bandage are applied to the neck for a long time.
Salt compress: Prepare 10-11% saline solution (100 g per 1000 ml of water). Moisten several layers of gauze in the resulting solution and apply to the neck. Put polyethylene on top and wrap in a warm scarf. The compress should be applied 1-2 times a day for about 10-14 days.
Ointments
You can fight cervical osteochondrosis with homemade ointments. Used for their preparation: herbs, plant roots, vegetable oils and animal products - fats, poisons, bile, eggs.
Ointment recipe:
- Mix yarrow, lavender, horsetail, dandelion roots (previously crushed) herbs in equal proportions.
- Pour 2-3 tablespoons of the collection with boiling water and bring to a boil on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- After cooling, mix the resulting mixture with 75 g of any vegetable oil and 75 g of animal oil until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Rub 2-3 times a day for 4-5 minutes.
friction
Friction 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 inflammation and complex therapy. Biologically active substances easily penetrate into the tissues due to their mechanical effect on the skin.
Rub from the ointment (recipe given above): Take a small amount of ointment and rub it on your palms. Then, with intense strokes, rub the ointment around the neck, after which it is necessary to insulate with a woolen scarf. Perform the procedure 1-2 times a day for at least two consecutive weeks.
warming
This method of exposure is used in cervical osteochondrosis to get rid of toxins accumulated in the cartilage tissue and 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 sandbags are suitable for heating. After warming, the application of tinctures, ointments and compresses becomes more effective.
To warm up, you'll need sea salt and a bag made of dense natural fabric - better than linen. The salt should be heated in a pan and poured into a bag. Apply to the affected area 2-3 times a day. Wrap your neck in a warm scarf after the procedure and do not go out, especially in the cold season.
Massage
This method is used only in remission - in the absence of acute pain and other acute symptoms of osteochondrosis.
The healing properties of massage have long been known and are one of the best ways to remove osteochondrosis of the neck. Different massage techniques allow to relieve muscle spasms surrounding the segments of the spine:
- acupressure;
- classic;
- be able;
- vacuum;
- Thai;
- to massage yourself.
Such an effect improves local blood circulation, eliminates swelling, relieves pain in the cervical region, improves tissue metabolism, restores mobility of the cervical region and revitalizes atrophied muscles.
Self-massage for osteochondrosis is performed sitting or standing, the back is straight, the legs are shoulder-width apart. You can use one or two hands for the following techniques:
- Warm to rub the neck and collar area with the palm of your hand.
- Hold your neck with your hands so that the thumbs are in front and the rest are behind. In this position, hold all four fingers from the spine to the periphery along the entire neck and neck area for 2-3 minutes.
- Circular movements with pressure fingers while covering as much of the neck surface 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 treat osteochondrosis quickly, but special exercises will help speed up the recovery process.
A number of exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine include:
- Head rotation left and right - perform 5-6 repetitions in both directions, gradually increasing the amplitude.
- Raise and lower the shoulders - 10-15 times.
- The head bends to the left and to the right - 10-12 times in both directions.
- Extend the head forward - on the feet, extend the head as far forward as possible, and then return to the original position. Repeat 10-15 times.
- Cobra: Stand on all fours and gently extend your head forward, straighten your legs and lift your head up. Try to lower your hips to the ground. Lock in this position for a few seconds and slowly return. Repeat 4-9 times.
The latter exercise helps to relax the muscles of the cervical region, restore blood supply and relieve constriction of blood vessels and nerve endings.
All exercises are performed slowly, smoothly and with constantly increasing amplitude. The number of repetitions and approaches is determined individually.
Nutrition for cervical osteochondrosis
With joint damage, nutrition should be balanced and fractionated - in small portions 5-6 times a day.
Limit salt, simple carbohydrates, spicy and fried foods.
The diet should include foods high in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus - such as greens, fish, meat, and cooked or uncooked vegetables.
Increase your intake of clean water (at least two liters a day) to effectively combat cervical osteochondrosis.
Prevention
Prevention is easier than cure. Take the following precautions to reduce the risk of osteochondrosis:
- use a comfortable place to sleep - orthopedic mattresses and pillows;
- engage in regular physical activity;
- to work in a sedentary place in a properly organized place;
- take breaks for gymnastics with a static body position;
- do not overeat;
- Do not carry bags on one shoulder.
Contraindications
The main contraindications are:
- physical overload without staying in a static position for a long time;
- intentional sprains of the joints in the neck;
- consumption of large amounts of sweets and starchy foods;
- weight lifting;
- sleep on a soft mattress and a large pillow;
- hypothermia of the cervical region.
Treatment of osteochondrosis should be comprehensive. A combination of different tools and therapies in accordance with the recommendations of nutrition and physical activity can relieve cervical chondrosis. Despite the effectiveness of alternative therapies, seek the help of an orthopedist or osteopath in a timely manner, as self-medication can pose a health risk.