As with any type of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is accompanied by pain, as well as discomfort in the corresponding part of the spine.Often there are periodic acute pains - lumbago.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
However, if this pain is of a more prolonged nature, accompanied by increased tension and pain in the neck muscles, it is called cervicalgia.Pain in this case can also lead to limited mobility of the cervical spine, dizziness and blurred vision.As a rule, cervicalgia is more pronounced after sleep - in the morning and can intensify with sudden movements of the head, as well as with coughing, laughing, etc.
If osteochondrosis enters the acute phase, then pain sensations, as a rule, intensify even more with movements, and cervical osteochondrosis is often complicated by vascular insufficiency of the brain.
In this case, the cause of this phenomenon may be degenerative changes in the cervical vertebrae (dehydration of the tissues, especially of the intervertebral disc and a decrease in its elasticity), the discs between them and the possible presence of vascular sclerosis in patients.All this contributes to the formation of protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc.
Symptoms in this case will be pain that radiates to the back of the head, shoulder, as well as headaches, noise and noise in the head, ears, dizziness, imbalance and coordination.
The intensity of pain in cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into three degrees: the first (softest) - the pain is felt with maximum load on the back, both in volume and in the strength of movement in the spine;the second (middle) - the pain that has already appeared can be relieved only with a certain position of the spine;the third (severe) - pain in the cervical spine is constantly felt.
In addition, symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine may include pain that occurs in parts distant from the spine - reflex syndromes.These syndromes are mainly associated with irritation of the nerve endings in the discs and subsequent muscle spasms.With reflex syndromes, for example, pain may occur when the arm is raised.And these pains will intensify with prolonged exercise.Thus, it becomes difficult for a person to work with raised hands and hold the handrail in transport.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
You should not self-medicate if you experience acute neck pain for the first time;you should definitely consult a doctor for a more accurate diagnosis of the disease.
We can say that for greater effectiveness it should be performed in a complex manner.
The following methods are used:
- Drug therapy.First of all, these are pain relievers, the purpose of which is to provide emergency help and relieve acute pain.This group includes analgesics that are familiar 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, blockades are made with novocaine, bee and snake venoms.
- Massage of the cervical area.If you have osteochondrosis, you can massage the neck yourself, but to get the maximum and professional result, you should use a comprehensive massage of the neck area.If you perform the techniques correctly, you will immediately feel an improvement.
- Rubbing, dry heat, ointment- promote blood flow, warming, increased blood circulation and pain reduction.Procedures can be performed at home.
- Therapeutic exercises.When it affects the cervical spine, it is important not to overload the neck muscles, therefore 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 the 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.
- Sleeping 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 quite quickly.