As with any type of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is accompanied by pain and discomfort in the corresponding spine. Often there is a periodic acute pain - lumbago.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
However, if this pain persists and is accompanied by tension and increased muscle soreness in the cervical spine, it is called cervicalgia. In this case, pain can even lead to reduced mobility of the cervical spine, dizziness, and blurred vision. As a rule, cervicalgia is more pronounced after sleep - in the morning - and can increase with sudden head movements, as well as coughing, laughing, etc.
When osteochondrosis becomes exacerbated, pain usually increases with movement, and cervical osteochondrosis is often complicated by vascular insufficiency of the brain.
In this case, the cause of this phenomenon can be degenerative changes in the vertebrae of the cervical spine (dehydration of tissues, especially the disc and decrease in its elasticity), intervertebral discs between them, and it is also possible that patients have vascular sclerosis. All of this contributes to the formation of protrusions and hernias of the intervertebral disc.
Symptoms in this case are pain that radiates to the back of the head, shoulder, as well as headaches, noises and ringing in the head, ears, dizziness, imbalance, coordination.
The intensity of pain in cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into three grades: the first (the lightest) - pain is felt with maximum load on the spine, both in volume and in the force of movement of the spine; the second (medium) - the pain that has already appeared can only calm down with a certain position of the spine; the third (severe) - pain in the cervical spine is constantly felt.
In addition, with the symptomatology of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, pain may appear that occurs in the regions remote from the spine - reflex syndromes. These syndromes are mainly associated with irritation of the nerve endings in the intervertebral discs and subsequent muscle spasms. With reflex syndromes, for example, there may be pain when lifting the arm. And this pain becomes more intense with prolonged exertion. Thus, it becomes difficult for a person to work with his arms raised to hold on to the handrails during transportation.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
You should not be treating acute pain in the neck area yourself for the first time; you should definitely consult a doctor for a more precise diagnosis of the disease.
We can say that for greater efficiency it must necessarily be done in a complex.
The following methods are used:
- Drug therapy.These are primarily pain relievers, the purpose of which is to provide emergency relief and relieve acute pain syndrome. This group includes analgesics that are well known to most of us. The positive properties of this type of tablets include the fact that they have a quick effect - it takes about an hour to relieve pain, become nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors, muscle relaxants, blockages with novocaine, bee and snake poisonsmanufactured.
- Neck and collar zone massage.With osteochondrosis, you can massage the neck independently, but to get the maximum and professional result, you need to apply a comprehensive massage of the collar area. With the right techniques, you will immediately feel an improvement.
- Rubbing, dry heat, ointments- stimulates blood circulation, warms up, stimulates blood circulation, relieves pain. The procedures can be done at home.
- Physical therapy.During the load on the cervical spine, it is important not to overload the neck muscles, so physiotherapy with the participation of other muscle groups should be carried out.
- Manual therapy (osteopathy)- An effective way to get rid of the side effects of this disease. However, it is only possible to achieve a positive effect if the massage is carried out in combination with drug therapy, and all procedures are carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
- Reflexology and hirudotherapy- normalizes muscle tone, has a reflex effect, relieves swelling and relieves pain.
- Sleep on an orthopedic pillow- the most effective way to prevent osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but for the restoration of the spine, this method is suitable in complex therapy.
Performing complex treatment will allow you to recover quickly enough.