As with any type of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is accompanied by pain and discomfort in the corresponding spine. Often there is a periodic 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 neck muscles, it is called neck pain. 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 can increase with sudden movements of the head, as well as coughing, laughing, etc.
If osteochondrosis passes into a phase of exacerbation, then 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 decrease in its elasticity), of the discs between them, and it is also possible that patientshave vascular sclerosis. All this contributes to the formation of a protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc.
Symptoms in this case will be pain radiating to the back of the head, shoulders, as well as headache, noises 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 the maximum loads on the spine, both in volume and force of movement in thespine; the second (middle) - the pain that has already arisen is able to subside, 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, pain may occur in remote areas of the spine - reflex syndromes. These syndromes are mainly associated with irritation of the nerve endings of the discs and subsequent muscle spasms. With reflex syndromes, there may be, for example, pain when raising the arm. And these pains will intensify with prolonged effort. Thus, it becomes difficult for a person to work with raised arms, to hold onto the handrails during transport.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
You do not have to treat a sharp pain in the neck area on your own for the first time, you should definitely consult a doctor for a more accurate diagnosis of the disease.
We can say that for more efficiency it must necessarily be carried out in a complex.
The following methods are used:
- Drug therapy.These are first of all analgesics, the purpose of which is to provide emergency aid and relieve acute pain syndrome. This group includes pain relievers that are well known to most of us. The positive characteristics of this type of tablets include the fact that they have a rapid effect - it will take about an hour to relieve pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors, muscle relaxants, blockages with thenovocaine, bee and snake poisons are made.
- Massage of the neck and neck area.With osteochondrosis, you can independently massage the neck, but in order to achieve the most maximum and professional result, you need to apply a full massage to the neck area. With the right techniques, you will immediately feel an improvement.
- Scrub, dry heat, ointments- promote blood circulation, warming up, increase blood circulation, reduce pain. The procedures can be done at home.
- Physiotherapy.When exposing 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 disease. But it is possible to achieve a positive effect only if the massage is carried out in conjunction with drug therapy and all procedures are carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
- Reflexology and hirudotherapy- normalize muscle tone, have a reflex effect, relieve swelling and relieve pain.
- Sleep 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 do complex treatment, you can recover quite quickly.