As with any type of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is associated with pain and discomfort in the respective spine. There is often an acute recurrent pain - lumbago.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
However, if this pain is of a more prolonged nature, accompanied by increased tension and pain of the cervical muscles, it is called cervical pain. The pain in this case can also lead to limited movement of the cervical spine, dizziness, blurred vision. As a rule, cervical pain is more pronounced, after sleep - in the morning and can be aggravated by sudden movements of the head, as well as coughing, laughing, etc.
If osteochondrosis passes into a deteriorating phase, then the pain sensations, as a rule, intensify with movement, and cervical osteochondrosis is often complicated by cerebral vascular insufficiency.
In this case, the cause of this phenomenon may be changes in the vertebrae of the cervical spine of a degenerative nature (dehydration of tissues, especially the intervertebral disc and reduction of its elasticity), the discs between them and it is also possible thatpatients have vascular sclerosis. All this contributes to the formation of elongation and herniation of the intervertebral disc.
Symptoms in this case will be radiating pain in the back of the head, shoulder, as well as headaches, tingling and tingling in the head, ears, dizziness, imbalance, coordination.
The intensity of pain in cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into three degrees: the first (lightest) - the pain is felt at the maximum loads on the spine, both in volume and in the force of movement in the spine; second (middle) - the pain that has already arisen is able to subside, only with a certain position of the spine; third (severe) - pain in the cervical spine is felt constantly.
In addition, in the symptomatology of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, there may be pain arising in regions distant from the spine - reflex syndrome. These syndromes are mainly associated with irritation of nerve endings in the discs and subsequent muscle spasms. With reflex syndromes, there may be, for example, pain when the arm is raised. And these pains will intensify with prolonged effort. Thus, it becomes difficult for a person to work with arms raised high, to hold handrails in transport.
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 a greater efficiency it must necessarily be performed in a complex.
The following methods are used:
- Drug therapy.First of all, these are pain relievers, the purpose of which is to provide urgent help and alleviate acute pain syndrome. This group includes analgesics that are familiar to most of us. The positive features of this type of tablet include the fact that they have a rapid effect - it will take about an hour to relieve pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectants, muscle relaxants, novocaine blockade, bee and snake. become poisons.
- Massage of the neck and collar area.With osteochondrosis, you can independently massage the neck, but to get the maximum and professional result, you need to apply a comprehensive collar area massage. With the right techniques you will immediately feel an improvement.
- Rubbing, dry heat, ointment- promote blood flow, warming, increase blood circulation, reduce pain. Procedures can be performed 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 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 physician.
- 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 for spinal recovery, this method is suitable in complex therapy.
If you perform complex treatment, you can recover quite quickly.