As with any type of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is accompanied by pain, as well as feelings of discomfort in the corresponding part of the spine.Often there is periodic acute pain - lumbago.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
However, if this pain is of a more prolonged nature, accompanied by tension and increased soreness of the neck muscles, it is called cervicalgia.Pain in this case can even 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 coughing, laughing, etc.
If osteochondrosis enters the acute phase, then the sensations of pain, 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 tissues, especially the intervertebral disc and a decrease in its elasticity), 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 radiating to the back of the head, shoulder, as well as headaches, noise and ringing in the head, ears, dizziness, imbalance, and coordination.
The intensity of pain in cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into three degrees: first (the mildest) - pain is felt with maximum load on the spine, both in volume and in the strength of movement in the spine;second (medium) – pain that has already arisen can calm down only with a certain position of the spine;third (severe) – pain in the cervical spine is felt constantly.
In addition, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine may include pain that occurs in parts remote 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 raising the arm up.And these pains will intensify with prolonged exercise.Thus, it becomes difficult for a person to work with his hands raised up and hold 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 should definitely consult 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 manner.
The following methods are used:
- Drug therapy.First of all, these are painkillers, the purpose of which is to provide emergency assistance and relieve acute pain.This group includes analgesics that are well known to most of us.The positive features of this kind 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-collar area.If you have osteochondrosis, you can massage your neck yourself, but to get the most maximum and professional result you need to use a comprehensive massage of the collar area.If you perform the techniques correctly, you will immediately feel an improvement.
- Rubbing, dry heat, ointments- promote blood flow, warming, increased blood circulation, and reduced pain.The procedures can be carried out at home.
- Therapeutic exercise.When influencing 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 the massage is performed in combination with drug therapy, and all procedures are performed 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 this method is also suitable for complex therapy for improving the health of the spine.
If you carry out comprehensive treatment, you can recover fairly quickly.