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 sharp pain - lumbago.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
However, if this pain is of a more prolonged nature, accompanied by tension and increased pain in the cervical muscles, it is called cervicalgia. Pain in this case can even lead to limited mobility of the cervical spine, dizziness, blurred vision. As a general rule, the cervicals are more pronounced, after sleep, in the morning and can increase with sudden movements of the head, coughing, laughing, etc.
If osteochondrosis passes into a phase of exacerbation, pain sensations, as a rule, intensify 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 vertebrae of the cervical spine (dehydration of the tissues, especially the intervertebral disc and decreased elasticity), discs between them, and it is also possible that patients have vascular sclerosis. All this contributes to the formation of bulges and hernias of the intervertebral disc.
The symptoms in this case will be pain radiating to the back of the head, shoulder, as well as headaches, noise and buzzing in the head, ears, dizziness, imbalance, coordination.
The intensity of pain in cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into three degrees: the first (the mildest) - the pain is felt with maximum loads on the spine, both in volume and in the force of movement in the spine; the second (middle) - the pain that has already arisen can be calmed, only with a certain position of the spine; the third (severe) - pain in the cervical spine is constantly felt.
Also, in the symptomatology of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, there may be pains that arise in the distant regions of the spine - reflex syndromes. These syndromes are mainly associated with irritation of the nerve endings of the discs and subsequent muscle spasms. With reflex syndromes, there may be, for example, pain when lifting the arm. And these pains will intensify with prolonged exertion. Therefore, it is difficult for a person to work with his arms raised, to hold onto the handrails during transportation.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
You should not self-medicate acute pain in the neck area for the first time, you should definitely consult a doctor for a more accurate diagnosis of the disease.
We can say that for greater efficiency it must necessarily be carried out in a complex.
The following methods are used:
- Drug therapyFirst of all, these are painkillers, the purpose of which is to provide emergency assistance and relieve acute pain syndrome. This group includes pain relievers that most of us are familiar with. The positive characteristics of these types of tablets include the fact that they have a quick effect: it will take about an hour to relieve pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors, muscle relaxants, novocaine, bee and snake locks. poisons are made.
- Neck massage and neck area.With osteochondrosis, you can independently massage the neck, but for the most maximum and professional result, you should apply a full massage to the neck area. With the right techniques, you will immediately feel an improvement.
- Rub, dry heat, ointments.- promote blood flow, warm up, increase blood circulation, reduce pain. Procedures can be done at home.
- Physiotherapy.During exposure to the cervical spine, it is important not to overload the neck muscles, therefore, physical therapy should be used with the participation of other muscle groups.
- Manual therapy (osteopathy)- An effective way to eliminate the manifestations that accompany this ailment. But it is possible to achieve a positive effect only 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- normalize muscle tone, have a reflex effect, relieve swelling and relieve pain.
- Sleeping on an orthopedic pillow- the most effective way to prevent osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but for the recovery of the spine, this method is suitable in complex therapies.
If you do complex treatment, you can recover quickly enough.