As with any type of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is accompanied by pain and discomfort in the corresponding spine. Often there is a 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 cervical muscles, it is called cervicalgia. Pain in this case can even lead to limited mobility of the cervical spine, dizziness, blurred vision. As a rule, cervicalgias are more pronounced, after sleep - in the morning and can increase with sudden movements of the head, as well as coughing, laughing, etc.
If osteochondrosis passes into an exacerbation phase, then the sensations of pain, 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 vascular sclerosis. All this contributes to the formation of protrusion and hernia 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, 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 in the spine; the second (medium) - 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.
In addition, in the symptomatology of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, there may be pains that arise in the regions distant 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 raising the arm up. And these pains will intensify with prolonged exertion. Thus, it becomes difficult for a person to work with arms raised up, to hold onto the handrails in transport.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
You should not self-medicate for the first time 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 carried out in a complex.
The following methods are used:
- Drug therapy.First of all, these are pain relievers, the purpose of which is to provide emergency assistance and relieve acute pain syndrome. 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 - 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 made.
- Neck and collar zone massage.With osteochondrosis, you can independently massage the neck, but to obtain the most maximum and professional result, you need to apply a comprehensive massage of the collar zone. With the right techniques, you will immediately feel an improvement.
- Rubbing, dry heat, ointments- promote blood flow, warming up, increase blood circulation, reduce pain. The procedures can be carried out 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 accompanying this ailment. 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 for the recovery of the spine, this method is suitable in complex therapy.
If you carry out complex treatment, you can recover quickly enough.