Osteochondrosis is a disease of the musculoskeletal system. According to statistics, about 90% of the population suffers from it. Most patients are not even aware of this, because the initial forms of the disease develop asymptomatically.
The other part of people only occasionally feels discomfort in the back, writes it off as fatigue and is not treated. Among all types of osteochondrosis, the defeat of the cervical spine prevails. If treatment is started on time, there is every chance that you will get rid of the disease.
The essence of osteochondrosis
Two mechanisms are involved in the development of osteochondrosis: dystrophic and degenerative. The first involves a violation of trophism (nutrition) of the intervertebral cartilage (discs). Another consequence is dystrophy - organic changes in the structure of cartilage tissue and vertebrae.
The essence of the disease is as follows: circulatory disorders in certain parts of the back lead to depletion and dehydration of cartilage tissue. It loses its nutrients along with the liquid. As a result, the cartilage loses elasticity and strength - it decays. The distance between the vertebrae decreases, their staticity (position stability) is disturbed. They can move and nest against each other while simultaneously pinching nerve roots.
With osteochondrosis, cartilage wears out rapidly.
If the dystrophy persists, the muscles that support the spine also lose tone. The vertebrae relax even more. Due to the increased friction, protrusions develop - damage to the cartilaginous capsule with the protrusion of its contents outwards.
Then the natural defense mechanism of the spine is triggered. Bone growths - osteophytes appear on them. They must ensure a stable position of the vertebrae. However, osteophyte growth often exceeds "needs". Excessive growths put additional pressure on the remains of cartilage, nerve fibers. Moreover, they are solid. The spine loses elasticity, "adjacent discs" can be damaged. The patient loses mobility, suffers from severe pain. The result of advanced osteochondrosis is disability.
Due to blood clotting, osteochondrosis is accompanied by salt deposition in areas along the cartilage. Such "accumulations" exacerbate the development of the disease, accelerating the damage to cartilage and vertebrae.
Why the neck hurts more often
The cervical spine is the most sensitive and fragile. Its elements are the smallest and are not adapted to heavy loads. However, neck muscles are not involved in all types of physical activities. Thus, chronic blood congestion and malnutrition of the spinal joints. If a person does not play sports, the risk of cervical osteochondrosis increases significantly. Most people very rarely use the neck for everyday tasks.
The main cause of osteochondrosis is a hypodynamic lifestyle. Lack of exercise, combined with passive leisure, leads to muscle weakness and vascular tone disorders. Neck disease provokes a longer stay in one position. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is considered part of office workers and computer scientists.
Excessive physical activity leads to muscle hypertension. Constantly in a tense state, they also cause stagnant processes. Indirect causes of the disease include improper diet (excess salt and fat in the diet), metabolic disorders. The disease can be triggered by autoimmune processes, lack of nutrients (vitamins and minerals), endocrine diseases and psycho-emotional shocks (because they are accompanied by muscle strain).
How to recognize cervical osteochondrosis
Early osteochondrosis does not manifest in any way. In the first stage of development, the cartilage is dehydrated. It is not noticed from the outside, it does not cause physical discomfort. The disease can be accidentally detected during an examination of the spine due to injuries or other ailments.
In stage 2, the cartilage relaxes. Its height decreases, depreciation capacity deteriorates. Early symptoms may appear at this stage. Their characteristic is periodicity. The discomfort in the neck is felt clearly and then subsides. Occasionally it disappears completely. A person sometimes feels pain in the neck. They appear after physical exertion or prolonged stay in one position (sitting or standing). Unpleasant sensations appear in the morning, while the patient "walks" weakly and reminds himself in the late afternoon. If salts are deposited in the cervical region, the person hears a creaking spine when turning. The "click" does not hurt when tilting the head.
In stage 3, the nerve roots may be partially trapped. This is accompanied by severe painful sensations. Patients complain of lumbago and sudden sharp pains in the neck. Discomfort occurs after a static position. Unlike the early stages, it worries more often. The man's neck "gets tired" in a short time. There may also be excruciating pain. The patient is attacked in the evening and at night.
Stagnation in the cervical spine leads to a cerebrovascular accident. It is manifested by headache (sometimes migraine), tinnitus, dizziness. With persistent hypoxia (lack of oxygen) there is a feeling of “goose bumps” on the scalp, often on one side. There are also secondary symptoms - the patient gets tired quickly, feels weak, sleepy (for no apparent reason), sometimes sleep is disturbed.
In parallel with the above symptoms, the mobility of the joints in the cervical spine changes. Some head or neck movements are accompanied by sharp pain. The patient subconsciously reduces his amplitude, trying to maintain a comfortable position.
Stage 4 osteochondrosis is accompanied by protrusions and the appearance of osteophytes. Nerve root damage leading to permanent pain syndrome. If inflammation develops in the process of change, the pain becomes permanent. The person has more and more headaches, visual impairments (worsening of vision at dusk, "flies", blurred image). The mobility of the door is significantly limited. The patient avoids turning the neck, if necessary, turning the whole body. When the nerves are damaged, pain, "goose bumps" or numbness of the shoulders, shoulders, forearms, and even the arms occur.
Diagnostics
The above complaints should be referred to a neurologist, orthopedist or vertebrologist. The doctor will do a conversation with the patient, do an examination. During the examination they will check the sensitivity of the points, reflexes, mobility of the cervical spine. If osteochondrosis is suspected, an additional examination will be prescribed. It includes an X-ray of the cervical spine in several projections.
If there are no specific abnormalities on the X-ray, and the patient's complaints persist, an MRI or CT scan is prescribed. With these methods, osteochondrosis can be detected even in the earliest stages.
How to treat
Even if the patient has all the signs of osteochondrosis, it is better to visit a doctor. Only an expert can objectively assess the extent of destruction, distinguish chondrosis from other diseases, make the correct diagnosis and individually choose the treatment regimen.
The development of this disease takes a long time. Exacerbations of osteochondrosis may occasionally occur and disappear on their own. The patient should still be examined.
The disease is treated on an outpatient basis. Surgical intervention (removal of osteophytes) is the ultimate measure resorted to only for severe nerve root damage with severe pain syndrome. Conservative treatment can almost always be given up.
Osteochondrosis (depending on the stage) is treated for 1 to 3 months. Therapy should be comprehensive. Only medicines are needed here. Even after the onset of improvement, the patient must control his activity and take preventive measures. The main task of treatment is to stop degenerative processes. Relieving symptoms with medication relieves the patient's condition only for a while. There are several ways to treat osteochondrosis at home.
Drug Therapy
With medication you can eliminate inflammation, relieve pain, provide the body with beneficial substances and improve the nutrition of the cartilage of the cervical spine. Pain relievers are used as a symptomatic treatment. In the inflammatory process, the pain is removed with the help of NSAIDs. Medications are prescribed in the form of tablets (if symptoms are moderate) or injections (if the pain is severe).
To eliminate muscle hypertonicity, muscle relaxants are prescribed in parallel with NSAIDs. These agents enhance the effect of painkillers, giving them “free access” to the site of inflammation. Painkillers are used in the shortest possible course (5-10 days) due to the risk of side effects.
Chondroprotectors are prescribed to increase elasticity and restore cartilage. In the acute period, these are injections. Doctors recommend long-term intake (3-6 months) of capsules or tablets as maintenance therapy.
To increase the effectiveness of treatment, taking tablets can be combined with the use of external means (ointments, gels, patches). Pepper or menthol patches, pain relievers with ointments will relieve severe pain. Further, osteochondrosis can be treated with chondroprotective ointments.
Vitamin B and vascular preparations are prescribed to improve joint trophism.
Folk remedies
In the recipes of traditional medicine there are many recommendations for the treatment of osteochondrosis. As with the traditional approach, folk remedies can be used internally or externally.
The most powerful current blends:
- Horseradish wrap.Horseradish root is rubbed on a fine grater, spread the porridge on gauze, applied to the neck, cover with a film, wrap with a bandage, leave for 2 hours, rinse with clean water, the procedure is performed 10 days in a row before bedtime.
- Potato wrap.Rub 3 large potatoes, add 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of mustard, spread the mixture on gauze and apply to the painful area for 1 hour, apply a compress 2 times a day for 2 weeks.
- Red pepper lotions.The treatment lasts 2 weeks.
Mustard and pepper compresses are good for increasing blood circulation.
You can take infusions, decoctions and tinctures inside. All recipes are aimed at normalizing metabolism, removing salt, removing inflammation:
- Parsley soup.3 tablespoons parsley seeds are ground in a coffee grinder. Pour the mass with a liter of boiling water, simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes. After complete cooling, filter. It is taken orally in 100 ml twice a day for 15 days.
- Barberry tincture.10 g of a mixture of dried root and barberry bark (available at the pharmacy or from the herbarium) is poured into 100 ml of alcohol or vodka. The mixture is placed in a dark place for 10 days. After straining, take 30 drops orally three times a day for half an hour before meals.
- Celery infusion.Pour a tablespoon of grated celery root with a liter of water. Bring to a boil over low heat, turn off immediately. After a day, filter, take 3 tablespoons before meals three times a day. The treatment lasts 1 month.
Before using any traditional medicines, make sure you are not allergic to their components. If a strong burning sensation occurs when using the dressing, you must remove the bandage and rinse the remnants of the mixture with running water.
Physiotherapy, exercise therapy and massage
Doctors often prescribe physiotherapy to treat osteochondrosis. This can be heating with medical ultraviolet light, exposure to low frequency currents, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis or phonophoresis. Such manipulations are performed in the hospital, using special equipment. They eliminate inflammation and improve access to cartilage tissue. A combination of medication and physical therapy can quickly alleviate unpleasant symptoms. The course will require 10-15 procedures. In order to achieve a stable result, all types of physiotherapy must be completed (not interrupted).
Physical therapy to treat osteochondrosis of the neck involves simple exercises. They can be performed independently in the morning and evening, as well as between work. Physical education can be performed sitting or standing.
The following exercises may be included in the exercise for cervical osteochondrosis:
- 2 minutes rotate your head first clockwise and then counterclockwise (2 sets);
- smoothly lower your head forward, backward and to your hips (15 times in each direction);
- raise your shoulders as high as possible, leaving your neck and head still (15-20 times);
- rotate your shoulders forward or backward, keeping your neck and head still (1 minute in each direction);
- fold your palms, pressing your fingertips to the center of your forehead, running smoothly through the temples, along the neck, to the collarbone (10 times);
- without changing the position of the chin, smoothly pull the neck back (chin is retracted) and then forward, to the sides (without tilting or turning the face);
- gather your palms in the lock behind your back, pull your arms back, lifting and stretching your neck as much as possible, stay in an outstretched position for 15 seconds (3 times).
For osteochondrosis, massage is considered the best way to improve blood circulation in the neck. It is better if the patient goes through a full course (10-15 sessions) with a trained specialist. If this is not possible, you can knead the neck yourself at home.
Short self-massage guide:
- first it is necessary to warm the neck muscles: rub the back of the head with the pads of your fingers or the edge of the palm;
- kneading involves soft pressing followed by muscle relaxation - kneading with 4 collected pads and thumb;
- Squeeze the skin on your neck lightly to improve blood circulation;
- lightly press your finger on both sides of the spine along the entire cervical area;
- To relax the nape of the neck, tap lightly with your palm or fingers.
Each phase of the massage ends with a light rubbing of the palm. To improve the effect, the neck is massaged with ointment. After the massage you need to make sure that the cervical region is warm.
You should only massage your neck with your palms or fingertips (not your fist).
All methods of treating osteochondrosis should be supplemented with diet. A classic healthy diet includes the use of lean meats, fish, seafood, whole grains and lots of vegetables. Food must be cooked, baked or steamed.
For the whole period the child needs to reduce the amount of salt consumed, give up fast food and sweets. It is important to drink at least 1. 5 liters of water a day. It is useful to eat jellies and jellies to strengthen the joints.
With an integrated approach, the symptoms of the disease will disappear in a week, and the destruction of cartilage will be completely stopped.