As with any type of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is accompanied by pain and discomfort in the corresponding spine. Often there is periodic acute pain - low back pain.
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 cervical muscles, it is referred to as neck pain. Pain in this case can also lead to limited mobility of the cervical spine, dizziness, blurred vision. As a rule, neck pains are more pronounced, after sleep - in the morning and can increase with sudden movements of the head, as well as cough, laughter, 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 changes in the vertebrae of the cervical spine of a degenerative nature (dehydration of tissues, especially the intervertebral disc and a decrease in its elasticity), discs between them, and it is also possible that patients have the vascular sclerosis. All this contributes to the formation of protrusion and herniated intervertebral disc.
Symptoms in this case will be pain radiating to the back of the head, shoulder, as well as headache, noise and ringing in the head, ears, dizziness, imbalance, coordination.
The intensity of pain in cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into three degrees: the first (the lightest) - pain is felt at maximum loads on the spine, both in volume and in the force of movement of the spine; the second (middle) - the pain that has already arisen is able to calm down, only with a certain position of the spine; the third (severe) - pain in the cervical spine is felt constantly.
Also, in the symptomatology of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, there may be pains that arise in regions far 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, there may be, for example, pain when the arm is raised. And these pains will intensify with prolonged effort. Therefore, it becomes difficult for a person to work with his arms raised, hold on to the handrails when carrying.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
You should not first self-medicate acute pain in the neck area, 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 done in a complex.
The following methods are used:
- Pharmacological therapy.First of all, these are pain relievers, the purpose of which is to provide emergency care and relieve acute pain syndrome. This group includes analgesics that are well known to most of us. The positive features of this type 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, blockades with novocaine, bee and snake poisons are produced.
- Neck and neck area massage.With osteochondrosis, you can massage the neck independently, but to get the maximum and professional result, you need to apply a full massage of the collar area. With the right techniques, you will immediately feel an improvement.
- Rubbing, 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 muscles of the neck, therefore physical therapy should be used with the participation of other muscle groups.
- Manual therapy (osteopathy)- An effective way to eliminate the manifestations accompanying this ailment. But it is possible to achieve a positive effect only if the massage is performed in conjunction with drug therapy, and all procedures are carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
- Foot 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 therapy.
If you carry out a complex treatment, you can recover quickly enough.