As with any type of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is accompanied by pain and feeling 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 neck pain.Pain in this case can also lead to limited mobility of the cervical spine, dizziness and blurred vision.As a rule, cervicalgia is most 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, 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 a degenerative change of the cervical vertebrae (dehydration of the tissues, in particular of the intervertebral disc and a decrease in its elasticity), of 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.
The 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 and coordination.
The intensity of pain in cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into three degrees: first (the mildest) - pain is felt with the maximum load on the spine, both in volume and force of movement in the spine;second (medium) – the pain that has already arisen can only calm down with a certain position of the spine;third (severe) – pain in the cervical spine is felt constantly.
In addition, symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine may include pain occurring in parts distant from the spine - reflex syndrome.These syndromes are mainly associated with irritation of the nerve endings of the discs and resulting muscle spasms.In reflex syndromes, for example, pain may occur when raising the arm.And these pains will intensify with prolonged exercise.Therefore, it becomes difficult for a person to work with raised hands and hold on to handrails during transportation.
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 must be done in a complex way.
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 well known to most of us.The positive characteristics 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, blocks are made with novocaine, bee and snake venoms.
- Massage of the cervico-collarial area.If you suffer from osteochondrosis, you can massage your neck yourself, but to achieve the 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.
- Rubbings, dry heat, ointments-promotes blood flow, warming, increased blood circulation and reduced pain.The procedures can be performed at home.
- Therapeutic exercise.When affecting 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 massage is performed in combination with drug therapy, and all procedures are carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
- Reflexology and hirudotherapy– normalizes muscle tone, has a reflex effect, relieves swelling and relieves pain.
- Sleep on an orthopedic pillow– the most effective way to prevent osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but this method is also suitable for complex therapies to improve the health of the spine.
If you do a full treatment, you can recover quite quickly.