Like any type of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is accompanied by pain, as well as a feeling of discomfort in the corresponding part of the spine.Often there is periodic acute pain - lumbago.
Symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis
However, if this pain is more prolonged, accompanied by tension and increased pain in the neck muscles, it is called cervicalgia.Pain in this case can even cause limited mobility of the cervical spine, dizziness, and blurred vision.As a rule, cervicalgia is more noticeable after sleep - in the morning and can increase with sudden head movements, as well as coughing, laughing, etc.
If osteochondrosis enters the acute phase, then the sensation of pain, as a rule, increases with movement, and cervical osteochondrosis is often complicated by lack of cerebral vasculature.
In this case, the cause of this phenomenon may be degenerative changes in the cervical vertebrae (dehydration of tissues, especially the intervertebral discs and a decrease in their elasticity), the discs between them, and the possible presence of vascular sclerosis in the patient.All this contributes to the formation of protrusions and herniation of the intervertebral disc.
Symptoms in this case will be pain that radiates to the back of the head, shoulders, as well as headaches, noises and ringing in the head, ears, dizziness, imbalance, and coordination.
The intensity of pain in cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into three degrees: first (mildest) - the pain is felt with the maximum load on the spine, both in the amount and in the strength of movement in the spine;second (moderate) - the pain that has arisen can be soothed only by a certain position of the spine;third (severe) - pain in the cervical spine is felt continuously.
In addition, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine may include pain that occurs in the remote part of the spine - reflex syndrome.This syndrome is mainly associated with irritation of nerve endings in the disc and subsequent muscle spasms.With reflex syndrome, for example, pain may occur when lifting the arm up.And this pain will increase with prolonged exercise.Therefore, it becomes difficult for a person to work by raising his hands and holding on to the handrails in transport.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
You should not self-medicate if you experience acute pain in the neck for the first time;you definitely need to see a doctor for a more accurate diagnosis of the disease.
We can say that for greater effectiveness it must be carried out in a complex way.
The following methods are used:
- Drug therapy.First of all, this is a pain reliever, its purpose is to provide emergency relief and relieve acute pain.This group includes analgesics known to most of us.The positive features of this type of tablets include the fact that they have a quick effect - to relieve pain, it will take about an hour, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors, muscle relaxants, restrictions are made with novocaine, bee and snake venom.
- Massage the cervical collar area.If you have osteochondrosis, you can massage your neck yourself, but to get the maximum and professional results you need to use a comprehensive massage of the collar area.If you do the technique correctly, you will immediately feel the improvement.
- Rubbing, dry heat, ointment- promotes blood flow, warms, improves blood circulation, and reduces pain.The procedure can be carried out at home.
- Therapeutic exercise.When affecting the cervical spine, it is important not to overload the neck muscles, so it is necessary to use physical therapy with the participation of other muscle groups.
- Manual therapy (osteopathy)- an effective way to eliminate the manifestations associated with this disease.But it is possible to achieve a positive effect only if massage is performed in combination with drug therapy, and all procedures are performed 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 this method is also suitable for complex therapy to improve the health of the spine.
If you carry out comprehensive treatment, you can recover quickly.