The problem of cervical osteochondrosis is very relevant today.It is no secret that in the modern world every second or third person suffers from cervical osteochondrosis.And doctors often cannot help anyone, since they do not have the necessary knowledge, and do not see anything wrong with osteochondrosis.Like, "what can you do, he is now at all."
In fact, osteochondrosis is not as simple as it seems.Yes, of course, he is not fatal.But he poisons the life of millions of people who do not know how to treat it.But everything actually lies on the surface ... Therefore, if you have problems with cervical osteochondrosis, carefully read this page to the very end!
Here you will learn about what cervical osteochondrosis is, how exactly it develops, what is dangerous and, of course, how it can be cured.
What is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
Cervical osteochondrosis, in a scientific language, is a dystrophic process that affects the intervertebral discs and cartilage of the intervertebral joints, eventually involving the vertebral bodies themselves in this process.And the task of the process of its treatment is to stop this process, and then completely turn it back!
But before talking directly about treatment, you need to deal with the causes of this process.After all, nothing arises just like that.For each phenomenon in our lives there is a certain reason or a number of reasons.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops under the influence of the same reasons as osteochondrosis of other departments-genetic, endocrine-exchange, infectious, toxic, etc.But the only reason that plays a decisive role in the development of cervical osteochondrosis is a constant sedentary image at the computer, driving, at the desk.
Currently, cervical osteochondrosis can be determined in every second person.This is due to the fact that we live in urbanized conditions, in the age of developed technologies and social networks.While you read, write, work, communicate through a computer, the neck is in an incorrect position, an incorrect position.
In addition, constant stress related to work and other problems also affect the condition of the neck.When a person is in a depressed state, he stoops, lowers his head down.Therefore, your neck again takes on your problems.You do not relax, and your neck, too, accordingly, does not relax.
Because of this, your neck muscles are in constant tension, pressure increases inside the cervical spine, the vessels are spasmodic and the nerve endings are infringed.
Do not ignore your neck and pay attention to each of its signal.After all, cervical osteochondrosis is the most dangerous, because only with it can such frequent complications (syndromes) asspinal artery syndrome, shoulder -packed periarthrosis, royshift syndrome and anterior staircase syndrome.
We will talk about these syndromes a little below.In the meantime, let's see how the cervical region differs from the rest of the spine, and that in the process of development of osteochondrosis serves as a prerequisite for the development of these syndromes.
- The cervical spineThe most mobile.He is characterized by all types of movements in full.These are the prerequisites for frequent infringements and subluxuses!
- There are holes in the transverse processes of the vertebrae that form a channel through whichThe vertebral artery passesthat supplies the brain, cerebellum, hearing organs, as well as the vertebral nerve with oxygen and nutrients.These are the prerequisites for frequent clamps of the artery and nerve.
- Intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae bodiesnot throughout.In front of them, there are protruding edges of the vertebrae, which are interconnected by joints.These are the prerequisites for the emergence of subluxation of the joints.
- The intervertebral holes of the lower three vertebrae are not round, buttriangular shape.These are prerequisites for infringement of nerve roots with bone growths that are formed with osteochondrosis.
- In the cervical region there are importantganglia (nodes) of the autonomic nervous system.
Here are the key features from which we will build on, analyzing the symptoms and complications of osteochondrosis.But for starters, I will tell you how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops so that you can clearly imagine the whole picture.
The mechanism of development of cervical osteochondrosis
The intervertebral disk is a place for the beginning of the process.Under the influence of the above reasons, the pulpoose core (central part) of the disk begins to lose moisture.The fibrous ring (disk frame) is thinner, loses elasticity, microcracks appear.As a result, the supporting, fixing and shock -absorbing disk function is lost.
The load on the underlying vertebrae gradually increases, and then the process passes to the vertebra itself.Microcracks appear in it and additional “bone growths” of osteophytes are formed to increase its surface area to take increased load.
Osteophytes can form either on the back surface, thereby squeezing the nerve roots, or on the side surface, squeezing the vertebral artery.
The stability between the vertebrae is violated, which is why subluxations may appear in the intervertebral joints.The neck muscles are strained to compensate and support the vertebrae in the previous position.
But over time, the muscles “get tired” to support the spine, and again the load increases on the affected vertebra, which further supports progression.
So a vicious circle is formed in which the main links -damaged vertebrae and spasmodic muscles- They influence each other and, thereby, support the process of osteochondrosis.
This is where the very symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis that cause so many problems to millions of people.
Symptoms (signs) of cervical osteochondrosis
The symptoms of the cervical osteochondroly substantial are familiar to those who have experienced the whole "charm" of the development of this process.The most common signs that you have cervical osteochondrosis are the following:
- Limited mobility in the neck
- Pain or feeling of discomfort in the neck
- Forced position of the head
- A kind of "crunch" in the neck when turning the head
- The tension of the neck muscles
These, let's say, symptoms of "cervical osteochondrosis in its pure form", without complications.The remaining symptoms develop already as a result of compression (compression) of nerve roots and blood vessels and reflex irritation of the nerve fibers of the spinal cord.Specific syndromes that are inherent only to cervical osteochondrosis occur.Let's look at them in more detail:
Vail artery syndrome
The syndrome of the vertebral artery develops as a result of mechanical compression of the artery with a tense muscle or bone growths by “osteophytes”.Sometimes it can develop due to spasm of the artery with irritation of nerve fibers that go from the spinal cord to the artery.
The vertebral artery passes into the cranial cavity and supplies the brain, cerebellum, organs of hearing and vision with oxygen and nutrients, therefore, with its compression, the brain ischemia occurs, and all its parts suffer.Therefore, the signs of the syndrome of the vertebral artery are usually the following:
- The paroxysmal headaches that begin with the back of the head and spread to the forehead, temples, ears.They can capture half of the head.
- The pain intensifies with turns or tilting of the head, with sitting with the tension of the neck muscles.
- Violations of hearing and vision: ringing and noise in the ears, hearing loss, dizziness, flickering “flies” before my eyes.
- Sensation of severity in the head, dizziness, sleep disturbance, memory.
Shoulder -shoulder periarthrosis
The shoulder -bearing periarthrosis is a damage to the periarticular soft tissues of the shoulder joint and blades, especially muscles and tendons.It develops as follows:
- Irritation of vegetative nerve fibers occurs as a result of the destruction of the disk
- This irritation in the form of impulses goes to a close joint - shoulder
- In the periarticular tissues, trophy (nutrition) is disturbed, which affects the functions of the joint itself.
As a result, the following symptoms of shoulder -pave periarthrosis develop:
- Pain in the shoulder joint that surrendered to the hand and neck
- The abduction of the hands to the side is limited and painful
- The pain intensifies lying on a sore side
- Over time, atrophy of the muscles of the shoulder blade and shoulder may develop
Rook syndrome
The rooser syndrome develops due to the compression of the nerve root with bone growths by “osteophytes”, which is manifested by an acute cutting pain, which spreads to the forearm to the little finger or the ring finger.It may be accompanied by a feeling of numbness or “crawling goosebumps”.
It is worth noting that this complication is less common than anyone else.
Anterior staircase syndrome
To begin with, I note that the front staircase muscle goes from 3 and 4 cervical vertebrae through the side surface of the neck and is attached to the first rib.On the side, the medial staircase is also attached to the edge.As a result, a gap is formed between these muscles, through which the nervous shoulder plexus and subclavian artery pass.
Now let's see how the anterior staircase syndrome develops:
- Irritation of vegetative nerve fibers occurs as a result of the destruction of the disk
- Irritation in the form of pulses enters the anterior stair muscle
- The muscle is spasmodic and squeezes the nervous weaves and artery
Signs of the anterior staircase syndrome are as follows:
- The pain from aching to sharp, spreads to its forearm and brush
- The pain intensifies when the head is tilted to the healthy side, when the hand is resigned to the side
Symptoms on the part of the clamped artery - cooling of the hand, numbness, swelling.
What is common between all syndromes?
We examined the development mechanism, symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and all its most common complications.Have you noticed something in common between all these processes?
If not, I will tell you:
In all processes, one important element is involved - spasmodic muscles!
They can:
- squeeze the vertebral artery or nervous plexus,
- impaired the function of the shoulder joint,
- send reverse signals about your spasmodic
- Thus, transfer the load to the damaged cervical region and maintain the progression of osteochondrosis.
Yes, the muscles perform these actions under the influence of infringed and irritated nerve roots.But they also send a signal to the nervous system on the principle of feedback, which either supports the pathological process or eliminates it.Yes, it is eliminating.
All this depends on the state of the muscle:
- If it is spasmodic, it sends a pathological impulse (with osteochondrosis) and supports progression
- If it trains (alternately relaxes and reduces, restoring its tone), then it sends another - a physiological impulse that restores the trophism of the nervous system and rebuilds it.
Hence the answer to the most important question for you:
How to cure cervical osteochondrosis?
So, the only way to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is to restore the tone of your muscles!There are simply no other options.All other methods - drug treatment, injections, drugs and so on - have only a temporary effect.They eliminate the pain effect, but do not eliminate the causes.And very soon the pains will pester you again.
One of the good methods of treating osteochondrosis is massage.And, in the absence of competent masseurs, self -massage.Massage and self -massage relax your muscles, and, as we have already found out, it is very useful.
In parallel with massage and self -massage, you can connect the treatment methods for osteochondrosis with folk remedies, which, as you know, have been tested for centuries.You can do ointments, rubbing and baths from various plants.
And finally, the most important component in the treatment of osteochondrosis!This is the implementation of special complexes of healing exercises (exercise therapy - therapeutic physical culture).Plus, the correct motor mode (proper lifting weights, sitting at the computer, prevention of hypodynamia, position during sleep, etc.).