As with any type of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is accompanied by pain and discomfort in the corresponding spine. There is often a recurrent sharp pain - lumbago.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
However, if this pain is of a more prolonged nature, accompanied by tension and increased pain in the cervical muscles, it is called neck pain. The pain, in this case, can even lead to limited mobility of the cervical spine, dizziness, blurred vision. As a rule, neck pain is more pronounced after sleep - in the morning, and may increase with sudden movements of the head, in addition to coughing, laughing, etc.
If osteochondrosis moves into an exacerbation phase, pain sensations, as a rule, intensify with movement, 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 the tissues, especially of the intervertebral disc and a decrease in its elasticity), discs between them, and it is also possible that patients have vascular sclerosis. All of 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 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 mildest) - the pain is felt with maximum loads on the spine, both in terms of volume and strength of movement of the spine; the second (medium) - the pain that has already appeared can be calmed, only with a certain position of the spine; the third (severe) - pain in the cervical spine is felt constantly.
In addition, in the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, pain that arise in distant regions of the spine can occur - reflex syndromes. These syndromes are primarily associated with irritation of the nerve endings in the discs and subsequent muscle spasms. In reflex syndromes, there may be, for example, pain when lifting the arm. And these pains intensify with prolonged exertion. This makes it difficult for a person to work with their arms raised, to hold onto the handrail during transport.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
You should not self-medicate for the first time with acute pain in the neck region, 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 performed in a complex.
The following methods are used:
- Drug therapy.Firstly, these are analgesics, which are intended to provide emergency care and alleviate acute pain syndrome. This group includes pain relievers that are well known to most of us. The positive characteristics of this type of pill include the fact that they have a quick effect - it takes about an hour to alleviate the pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors, muscle relaxants, blocks with novocaine, bee and snake venoms are done.
- Neck and neck massage.With osteochondrosis, you can massage your neck independently, but to get the maximum, professional result, you need to apply a comprehensive massage to the collar area. With the right techniques, you will immediately feel an improvement.
- Scrub, dry heat, ointments- promotes blood flow, warms, increases blood circulation, reduces pain. Procedures can be performed at home.
- Physiotherapy.During exposure of the cervical spine, it is important not to overload the neck muscles, therefore, physiotherapy should be used with the participation of other muscle groups.
- Manual therapy (osteopathy)- An effective way to eliminate the manifestations that accompany this disease. But it is only possible to obtain a positive effect if massage is performed in combination with drug therapy and all procedures are performed under the supervision of a physician.
- Reflexology and Hirudotherapy- normalizes muscle tone, has a reflex effect, relieves swelling and relieves pain.
- Sleeping on an orthopedic pillow- the most effective way to prevent osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but for spine recovery, this method is suitable in complex therapy.
If you have a complex treatment, you can recover quickly enough.