Cervical osteochondrosis, or spondylosis, occurs as a result of changes in the shape and structure of vertebrae.Although the cervical region is short enough compared to the total length of the spine, it is perhaps the most important part of the spine of the spine.Each pair of neighboring vertebrae forms intervertebral holes through which nerve roots go and go to each muscle and organ of the upper half of the body.Through other holes - in the side processes of these vertebrae - vital vessels guarantee the blood supply to the brain.
The causes of cervical spine osteochondrosis
The causes of osteochondrosis are:
- lesions,
- "Sedentary" work on the monitor located below the eye level,
- physical work associated with the transfer of weights,
- Stay in the long run driving a car,
- "On the phone" work without the use of distance devices (in this case the operator presses the phone on the ear shoulder)
- Constitutional characteristics (crooked and congenital changes in cervical vertebrae, short neck)
Formation of pathological changes of vertebral
With osteochondrosis, small notes begin to form at the edges of the vertebral bodies, which can hurt the structures located nearby.Most of the time, this occurs in response to an excess of cargo in the cervical compartment, and not only is the result of "aging" of intervertebral joints (remember that it was considered degenerative osteochondrosis, then a "related" natural disease, such as osteoarthritis).As the disease develops, the closure plates of the vertebrae and a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs occur.These discs are normal performances the role of the shock absorber among the vertebrae and, among other things, avoid damage to the roots of the spine.With progressive osteochondrosis, there is a salary (hernia) of the intervertebral disc jacket core, in which during the disease there is increasingly pressure while weakening the "restricting" the ligaments on all sides.This hernia is also able to squeeze spinal structures and cause neurological manifestations of the disease.
What are the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis?
Cervical spine osteochondrosis with pain syndrome
Any neck pain forces the pathology of the cervical spine.In terms of growth, the intensity of pain syndrome is divided into 4 stages, the first patient feels numbness, tingling, a sense of "tension" in the area of a certain muscle group, in the fourth stage - the most severe - the pain is so intense that they lead to immobility and loss of patient performance.
In addition to pain syndrome in the cervical and occipital region, the patient observes "reflected" pains on the upper limb, the subservist side areas of the chest.
Cervical spine osteochondrosis with root syndrome
They talk about involvement in the nerve root process when pain, numbness and tingling spread to the lower jaw, the upper back, forearm and fingers.At the same time, the patient draws attention to the fact that he "seemed to be leaving" from his hand, he slept inconveniently.Morning stiffness in the fingertips, lasting more than 10 to 15 minutes, is observed.With the development of root syndromes during examination, a decrease in muscle strength from the upper ends can be noted.
Cervical spine osteochondrosis with the "vertebral artery syndrome"
Regarding involvement in the blood vessel process (squeezing them with hernial or osteophyte protrusion), they say that when the patient complains about frequent headaches, especially after a long stay in a certain position, when he is thrown out of his head (for example, when swimming with a brass), if the noise in the ears and shit is concerned.This clinical situation is well detected using ultrasound (with the "doppler mapping regime").With ultrasound, the inquisition of vertebral arteries, the narrowing of your lumen is determined.In this case, we can talk about surgery, since a change pronounced in blood flow in vertebral arteries is a risk factor for stroke development.
Cervical spine osteochondrosis with "heart syndrome (heart)"
This syndrome forces the patient to contact the cardiologist mainly, since the main complaints relate to pain in the left half of the chest, the subscapular region, which weakens or intensifies when physical activity is performed or body position.After the exclusion of myocardial infarction and other heart disease, the patient is under the observation and treatment of a neurologist and orthopedist.
Diagnosis
To clarify the diagnosis, four methods are used: radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
The most accessible method is still the radiography of the cervical spine, the most informative is the radiography in the lateral projection ("lateral view").This method allows, in the first approach, to establish the presence of injury, gross structural changes in the vertebrae.
The ultrasound exam (ultrasound) is performed to clarify the condition of vertebral arteries.With the help of this method, they find out if blood flow is disturbed and, if so, to what extent and what kind of obstacles have come and where they are located.
Computed tomography (CT).It allows you to evaluate the state of bone structures more accurately, the degree of bone density, allows you to see smaller osteophytes (bone growth) of what is possible with X -ray.
Magnetic resonance imaging (magnetic resonance imaging).This type of examination is indispensable for suspicion of hernias, precise location of damage to the spinal cord and the degree of this damage.This study is necessary if the issue is raised from the surgical (surgical) treatment of cervical spine diseases.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Drug treatment
The standard set of products for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis reflects the goal of treatment: relieve pain syndrome, removing painful muscle spasm and inflammation of nerve roots, increasing the mobility of the spine.To achieve these goals, especially the use of painkillers, NSAIDs -non -esteroid anti -inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxing are used.It should be remembered that the self -medication of these groups can be dangerous, as there is a possibility of erroneous interpretation of symptoms, as well as underestimation of the side effects of these medications.Local (Basel) drugs among Gels are widely used and, if pain is interrupted, the same medications can already be used in the form of ointments.
For the treatment of osteochondrosis at a deeper and "basic" level, systemic medications are used.These substances restore the vertebrae cartilage structures, prevent their additional damage.Treatment courses are long, the effect persists for many months.
Cervical osteochondrosis has significant differences from the pathology of another spine.Neck pain in this case cannot be caused by signs of the suffering spinal nerves, but by the painful chronic muscle overloading - all together are called muscle syndrome.This is a completely "benign" state, which is well treated with the same set of medicines: non -esteroid anti -inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, using intramuscular "blocking" using steroids.Generally, the doctor reveals a marked pain by investigating the "trigger" points so called throughout the cervical spine, as well as in the upper waist muscles.More often, this pathology occurs in women, especially under 40 years old.Despite pronounced pain syndrome, vascular-nore structures remain intact, the blood area of the head area does not suffer.
Manual therapy
This method of treatment can be effective for recent pain (usually as a result of a small injury, subluxation) in the neck, not accompanied by dizziness, other changes in the nervous system and the circulatory system.Manual therapy is allowed only after a complete examination, and the doctor who performs this procedure should have sufficient experience in the field of traumatology and orthopedics.With "old" forms of the disease, the use of manual therapy is dangerous!
Two methods of this type of intervention are known:
- Manipulation (sharp influence of significant force designed to eliminate subluxation, well -known "bone clicks");
- Mobilization (the method is based on a smooth neck stretching after heating and relaxing the muscular neck corset).
A combined method is also used based on a combination of two main ones.It is important to remember that, in addition to these contraindications, manual therapy is prohibited for any disease, accompanied by an increase in blood pressure, for any pathology of the thyroid gland and ENT or Entregão.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home
Medical gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis
The first and main rule for beginners to engage in physical therapy exercises is not to perform exercise, overcoming painful sensations.Obviously, you should not start in the "acute" period when the pain has just appeared.Another important recommendation is to avoid sudden movements and circular movements in the cervical region.
Each lesson should start with a short struggle of the neck muscles light.
Following is a “warming” -UP: UP:
- The hands are lowered along the body, the shoulders are uniform, the backs are straight (you can check the slightly pressured posture with heels, shoulder blades and buttocks on the wall).We walked at 1 min in full foot, 1 min - in socks, 1 min - in the heels.
- The starting position is the same.Let's push the brushes on fists, shrugging, our hands are straightened.The movements are slow, we make 20 repetitions, the last rise is greater than 5 seconds.We guarantee that the neck muscles are not "stuck".
- The starting position is the same.We include our heads, in turn, to the right, then on the left side.The movements are gentle, a slope in 8 accounts, at the extreme point of slope - hold for 8 seconds.
- The starting position is the same or sitting in a hard chair.Soft tilts from the head to the front, at the extreme point - hold for 8 seconds
- The starting position is the same or sitting in a hard chair.Slowly, tilting your head forward until your chin in the chest, then turn your head slowly to the right (to 4 accounts) and to the left (for 4 accounts).Do not allow muscle tension.
- The starting position is the same or sitting in a hard chair.We increased the shoulders to 4 accounts and also lowered them in 4 counts.10 repetitions.
- The starting position is the same or sitting in a hard chair.We have increased our shoulders, but now we perform circular movements in front, 8 accounts.10 repetitions.
- We align our backs, check out the posture.For 4 accounts, we reduced the paps behind our backs, trying to connect them at the end point, we took 8 seconds and then returned to the starting position.
Pillow
As already mentioned, the hypertonization of the neck muscles is the first and often the main reason for the development of cervical osteochondrosis.A rational selection of pillows and mattresses, ensuring a relaxed and comfortable position during sleep is no less than gymnastics, physicality and drugs.
When choosing a mattress, pay attention to the composition of the filling (the products are suitable, at least half made of coconut chip, ie, with a sufficient degree of rigidity).Soft spring mattresses do not sufficiently supply straightening the spine.The most ideal sleep for sleep is on the side, pull one or both knees in the stomach.The pillow should be located in order to fill the entire space between the shoulder, heard and matched, the parietal part (crown) of the head is on the same horizontal line with the spine.To avoid too loud and very low, as well as soft pillows.The ideal option is an ergonomic product, that is, in this case, with a small tightening loyal on one side.
General recommendations
Pay attention to posture.During the walk or in standing position, the position is a position when the chest projects forward and the stomach is pulled.
Avoid long -term stay in a sitting position.A simple rule of cervical osteochondrosis prevention is known: after every 60 minutes of work, a period of 10 to 15 minutes of walking or heating is required.
A chair for work should have a high head or back support.
In a sitting position, the legs should rest on the floor, and the neck should not be tense.For this purpose, use special orthopedic devices: rollers under the neck when driving in a car, a pillow under the back.
Avoid weight lifting.If necessary, to kneel, press the heavy object to the body and then it was gently using the strength of the leg muscles, but not the "impulse" of the back.
Do not lean with the straight legs.Use booths, work surfaces to bring the object closer to yourself, not persuade your face to the subject.Try to do your homework sitting in a chair or gymnastics ball.
If you need to use a smear, broom or rake, do not strain your arms, back and neck, do not lean to the side.
Avoid swimming in brass style.