Cervical osteochondrosis - symptoms and treatment

What is the cause of accelerated osteochondrosis in the cervical region? What are the specific symptoms? How can cervical osteochondrosis be cured alone at home? Many people with osteochondrosis want to hear the answers to these questions.

neck pain with osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is the most common and unpleasant disease that affects modern young people between the ages of thirty and thirty-five. Cervical osteochondrosis develops due to a long stay in incorrect and tense postures - during work at the computer all day, as well as the habit of holding the phone on the shoulder. Quite often, this disease occurs due to prolonged vibration, or rather, when using powerful construction machinery or frequent driving during work. In addition, this disease develops with incorrect posture, uncomfortable beds, sedentary lifestyle, hereditary tendencies and other factors. The back of the neck hurts most often in people suffering from this disease.

Osteochondrosis of the neck is considered a degenerative and dystrophic change of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. It occurs due to metabolic disorders occurring in the cervical spine, which changes the structure of the intervertebral disc, i. e. a special seal between the vertebrae.

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are significantly different from osteochondrosis of other areas. This is one of the most dangerous types of osteochondrosis, as the nerve root of the spinal cord is damaged as a result of blood vessels being compressed and the blood supply to the brain is disturbed. The reason for this is the peculiarity of the structure of the cervical spine.

The large artery that supplies the brain is vertebral and passes into the opening of the process of the cervical vertebra. The pathological change leads to the growth of bone and fibrous tissue and the narrowing of the artery. Due to the displacement of the spine, the normal functioning of these arteries is also disturbed.

The structure of the cervical spine is slightly different - the vertebrae are in close contact with each other. In the case of any minor abnormality, the normal functioning of all departments is disturbed - the nerves and blood vessels are pressed and displaced. As a result, the functions are disturbed - the sensitivity of the skin is upset, signs of dizziness are observed. Tinnitus, headache, severe fatigue appear, vision and hearing deteriorate, and he staggers while walking.

The most important symptoms are:

  • Pain in the neck, shoulders and arms. You will feel muscle weakness, a crackling sensation in your neck when you turn your head.
  • A feeling of pulling pain in the heart. You will feel pain in your left hand. You will experience burning and pain in your shoulder blades.
  • Don't be surprised by occasional headaches and feelings of increased fatigue and weakness.
  • Pain hurts. Difficulty moving the head.
  • Neck pain radiates to the arm, which can lead to numbness in the fingers.
  • Hearing and vision deteriorate, hand pains appear, the work of the heart and lungs is disturbed, dizziness, nausea, numbness of the tongue and face appear.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

gymnastics for the neck with osteochondrosis

At first, osteochondrosis takes a mild form and does not cause discomfort to a person. At this stage, there is no need for drug treatment, only preventive measures should be taken to avoid more serious complications. Working conditions must be improved, lifestyles must be revised and bad habits must be abandoned.

Be active, do morning exercises, follow a diet, stop smoking and avoid heavy lifting. Maintain an upright posture, adopt the correct posture when sitting and lying down. Sign up for a physiotherapy course.

Over the years, cervical osteochondrosis can progress and develop into a more complicated form. Then the treatment is carried out using a conservative method. At this stage, you need to wear special collars, do physiotherapy, go for a massage.

In the most severe cases, it will be necessary to use drug therapy, that is, the treatment is done with the help of pain relievers, antispasmodics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.