Osteochondrosis is one of the most dangerous diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The symptoms often masquerade as other illnesses and bring on many uncomfortable and painful sensations. The emergence of pathological changes in the cervical spine is associated with the influence of various factors.
symptoms
Cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by a variety of symptoms. Headache, tingling in the middle of the chest or chronic fatigue - all these signs accompany dystrophic disorders of the cervical vertebrae.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- Dizziness, which sometimes leads to loss of consciousness or fainting.
- Crispy when trying to twist or turn the head.
- Draws pain and tingling in the shoulder, elbow or neck.
- Tingling in the arms and legs, from the fingertips and down the whole limb.
- The emergence of unreasonable apathy and drowsiness. The accumulated feeling of fatigue persists even after long sleep or passive rest.
- Tinnitus (tinnitus for no apparent reason).
- Hearing loss or blurred vision.
- Pain in the sternum, with numbness of the hands or feet.
| Syndrome | because | Manifestation |
|---|---|---|
| akar | Spinal cord compression. | Sharp pain on movement. |
| Reflex | Nerves are pinched. | Sharp pain creeping into the arm, headache. |
| Spinal-compression | Pinching of blood vessels, intervertebral hernia. | Loss of sensation in the hands, pain in the shoulder girdle and neck. |
| Cerebral | Circulatory disorders of the spinal cord. | Fatigue, irritability and nervousness, confusion and fainting, headaches and hearing loss. |
| Vertebral artery | Squeezing the arteries. | Stroke, cerebral ischemia. |
Important: the neck is one of the most important parts of the spine due to the accumulation of a large number of nerve trunks. Even a slight displacement of the vertebrae by 1-3 mm leads to a violation of cerebral blood circulation and can lead to hypertension, migraines. Less frequent to brain hypoxia, stroke.
In the last 2 decades, doctors have noted the appearance of osteochondrosis in young people. If earlier in the risk group were representatives of middle age and older, then at this time the disease is becoming more common in people aged almost 20-30 years.
The danger of any symptoms of osteochondrosis lies in the fact that they are associated with other diseases and the appeal to a specialist is too late. This allows the disease to become chronic and lead to irreversible damage to the anatomical structure of the cervical spine.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Each spinal segment is constructed according to one principle: the soft pulp inside the vertebra absorbs all the structure of the segment, loses its elasticity and becomes ossified. Pathological processes affect nerves and blood vessels.
To understand the causes of osteochondrosis, consider the problem from a medical point of view.
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| physiological processes | Aging cartilage tissue results from irreversible age -related changes. It is controlled by neural and endocrine processes. |
| Pathological process | Destruction of vertebral structures, nerve endings and blood vessels. |
| Physiological changes | The transformation of the pulp into fibrous tissue, which is caused by the aging of the body. It is not indicated clinically if the nerve nodes are not irritated. |
| Pathological changes | Localized in cartilage and in turn, irritates nerves, compresses blood vessels. Manifested by local pain and dyskalgia - a picture of pain. |
Pathological changes in the vertebrae are accompanied by:
- Salt deposition in the nucleus pulposus.
- Penetration of vertebral structures into neighboring segments (hernia formation).
- Extinction and wear of the cervical spine segment.
- Ossification of joint soft tissues.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- Autoimmune - the disease leads to degenerative processes in cartilage tissue.
- Infectious - the presence of pathogenic microorganisms leads to metabolic disorders in tissues and can trigger pathological processes in the joints.
- Involutive - the body's natural aging process.
- Traumatic - the development of pathology as a result of injury.
- Endocrine - hormonal disorders.
- Metabolic disorders - degenerative processes due to metabolic failure.
- Heredity - congenital pathology of joint development, cartilage. anatomical disorders.
- Remain in one position for a long time.
- Overweight - increases the load on the cervical area and can cause metabolic disorders.
- Nervous tension and prolonged exposure to stressful situations.
- Joint pain.
Folk methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Along with conservative medical methods, folk methods are very effective in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Treatment with herbs
Phytotherapy is widely used in osteochondrosis of the neck for many reasons: a small number of contraindications, availability, high efficiency, cumulative effect of the use of tinctures and decoctions.
Preparation of decoctions
1 liter of water should be brought into an enamel bowl and add 5-6 tablespoons of collection. Put the gravy on low heat and cook for about 15 minutes.
Tincture on alcohol from herbs such as wild rosemary, burdock, mountaineer, elecampane, sage, yarrow is used for external use and for oral use. The principle of preparation of tincture is as follows:
- 2-3 tablespoons of crushed plants are placed in a 250 ml container and medicinal alcohol is added
- the infusion is aged in a cool dark place for at least 14 days. All of the above herbs are suitable for cooking.
Preparation of the infusion: pour 4-6 tablespoons of crushed vegetable raw materials into a 1-liter jar and pour boiling water over it. Cover the jar and leave for 24 hours in a dark place.
Compressing
The simplest method of treatment is the use of bischofite compresses, saline solution. the high efficiency of the method is time -tested, the main principles of treatment are regularity and long -term effect. Bandages made of soft cloth or bandages are used on the neck for a long time.
Compressed salt: prepare a 10-11% salt solution (100 g per 1000 ml of water). Wet the gauze folded in several layers in the resulting solution and apply on the neck. Place polyethylene on top and wrap with a warm scarf. Compression must be done daily for about 10-14 days 1-2 times a day.
Ointment
You can fight cervical osteochondrosis with homemade ointments. For their preparation are used: herbs, plant roots, vegetable oils and animal products - fats, poisons, bile, eggs.
Ointment recipe:
- In equal proportions, mix yarrow grass, lavender, horsetail, dandelion root (previously crushed).
- Pour 2-3 tablespoons of the collection with boiling water and let it boil over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- After cooling, mix the resulting mixture with 75 g of any vegetable oil and 75 g of animal fat until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Rub into the neck for 4-5 minutes 2-3 times a day.
Rubbing
Rubbing will help relieve pain in the neck with osteochondrosis. The effectiveness of this method lies in the fact that it has a complex effect. Rubbing the neck with the use of tinctures and ointments is effective in exacerbation and complex therapy. Biologically active substances easily penetrate into tissues due to mechanical effects on the skin.
Rubbing from the ointment (recipe given above): take a small amount of ointment and rub on the palms of the hands. Then, with an intense stroking motion, rub the ointment into the neck, after which it is necessary to cover with a fur scarf. Perform the procedure for at least two consecutive weeks 1-2 times a day.
warm up
This method of exposure is used in cervical osteochondrosis to get rid of toxins accumulated in cartilage tissue, improving the microcirculation of blood and lymph. Herbal baths, saunas, special heating pads, baked or boiled potatoes (in the form of mashed potatoes and honey cakes), bags of salt or sand are ideal for warming the body. After warming up, the use of tinctures, ointments, and compresses is more effective.
To keep warm, you need sea salt and a bag made of dense natural fabric - better than linen. Salt should be heated in a pan and pour the bag. Apply to the affected area 2-3 times a day. After the procedure, wrap your neck with a warm scarf and do not go outside, especially in winter.
massage
This method is used only during the remission period - in the absence of sharp pain and other acute symptoms of osteochondrosis.
The healing properties of massage have been known for a long time and are one of the best ways to remove osteochondrosis from the neck. Various massage techniques allow you to relieve cramps from the muscles that surround the spinal segment:
- acupressure;
- classic;
- can;
- vacuum;
- Thai;
- massage yourself.
Such effects require an increase in local blood circulation, relieve swelling, relieve pain in the cervical region, increase tissue metabolism, restore mobility of the cervical region and revitalize atrophic muscles.
Self -massage for osteochondrosis is done by sitting or standing, back flat, legs open shoulder -width apart. You can use one or two hands for the following techniques:
- Rub the neck and collar with the palms of your hands to keep warm.
- Hold your neck with your hands so that the thumb is in front, and the rest from behind. In this position, hold four fingers from the spine to the edges along the entire neck and collar zone for 2-3 minutes.
- Circular movements with the fingers with pressure, while covering as much as possible the surface of the neck. Continue for 1-3 minutes.
- Rub vertically along the spine with fingertips - 1-2 minutes.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
It is almost impossible to cure osteochondrosis quickly, but special training will help speed up the recovery process.
A set of exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes:
- Rotate the head to the left and right-do 5-6 repetitions in both directions, gradually increasing the amplitude.
- Raise and lower the shoulders - 10-15 times.
- The head is tilted to the left and right-10-12 times in both directions.
- Stretch the head forward - in a standing position, stretch the head as far forward as possible, and then return to its original position. Do 10-15 repetitions.
- Cobra: climb up on all fours and slowly stretch your head forward, align your legs and lift your head up. Try lowering your hips to the floor. Lock in this position for a few seconds and slowly return. Repeat 4-9 times.
The latter exercise helps relax the muscles of the cervical area, restore blood supply and eliminate pinching of blood vessels and nerve endings.
All exercises are performed slowly, smoothly and with ever -increasing amplitude. The number of repetitions and approaches were determined individually.
Nutrition for cervical osteochondrosis
With damage to the joints, the diet should be balanced and fractional - 5-6 times a day in small portions.
Limit your intake of salt, simple carbohydrates, spicy and fried foods.
Foods with a high content of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus should be included in the diet-these are vegetables, fish, meat, vegetables in boiled or baked form.
To combat cervical osteochondrosis effectively, increase clean water intake (at least two liters a day).
Prevention
This disease is easier to prevent than to cure. To reduce the risk of osteochondrosis, take the following precautions:
- use a comfortable place to sleep - orthopedic mattresses and pillows;
- engaging in regular physical activity;
- work in a properly organized place under inactive working conditions;
- with a static position of the body, rest for gymnastics;
- do not overeat;
- do not carry the bag on the side of the shoulder.
Contraindications
The main contraindications are:
- physical load from prolonged stay in a static position;
- deliberately crushing a joint in the neck;
- consumption of a large number of sweet and starchy foods;
- weight lifting;
- sleep on soft mattresses and large pillows;
- hypothermia of the cervical region.
Treatment of osteochondrosis should be complex. A combination of various means and methods of therapy, subject to recommendations on diet and physical activity, can relieve neck chondrosis. While alternative treatment methods are effective, get help from an orthopedic or osteopath in a timely manner, as treatment alone can pose health risks.