Osteochondrosis (bone - osteon, the cartilage chondro of, gr.)– is degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc, that start eating disorders, deterioration of metabolism and leads to aging and tissue destruction of the disc cartilage and the intervertebral joints.
Diagnosis and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a complex process, because of this the spine is the most mobile, and the muscles that support the vertebrae, weak and difficult exercise. Another difficulty is that brace cervical unlike bandages, corsets and other components of the spine wear is difficult enough, because it can be hidden under clothing.
What causes lower back pain
Causes for degenerative disc disease of the cervical versatile – a hereditary predisposition to the continuous high load. In today's world of osteochondrosis noticeably younger, its symptoms begin to appear in people 20 years and sometimes younger.
The main causes of diseases are the following:
- Static overload when a person is obsessive for a long time to be a unified position. A permanent seat in the computer chair or driving a car is one of the main causes of degenerative disc disease, such as cervical;
- Dynamic overload, sudden movements, turns, incorrect calculation of the loads during sports. Frequent changes in body position, lift and move heavy loads;
- Incorrect posture when sitting at a desk or standing wearing a backpack on one shoulder;
- Disc injuries, permanent myositis in the cervical muscles.
The main causes of disease is added to other factors, such as hypothermia, the effect of certain chemical substances, air and food, the failure of diet and rest, excessive weight, genetic predisposition,venous pathology of the joints, hormonal disorders. All of these factors themselves can hardly become a cause of osteoarthritis, but in one of the main reasons, they increase the risk of its occurrence.
How to recognize the disease
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical so obvious that the person is easily recognizable:
- Difficulties, when trying to turn your head. Depending on the localization and the intensity of the insult, the rotation angle can be different – sometimes a person absolutely can not turn your head, and sometimes I feel just a little pain;
- The neck muscles are in constant tension, and this starts to hurt the entire shoulder girdle. Any attempt to straighten the shoulders and relax the neck muscles, accompanied by pain;
- Discomfort in the hand to stretch the shoulder to the wrist. The numbness spread to the outer part of the hands and can be so strong that we must continue to stretch my arms;
- Surgery sharp pain, accompanied by tingling;
- Even a small pressure on the shoulder or on the arm increases the pain. In the acute stage the pain can be so intense that the man seems to be too heavy even draped over the shoulders of the jacket;
- Any sudden movement, sneezing, coughing, head turning, especially with a healthy side of the neck, the pain is worse.
Diagnosis of the disease
This is the most simple signs of osteoarthritis, which can observe and identify all man alone.
In fact, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae varied. Some of them are so similar to the symptoms of diseases of the cardiovascular system and degenerative disc disease of the thoracic vertebrae that distinguish them can only be an expert in:
- Sometimes the patient may feel numbness in the lower extremities, which restricts the mobility;
- When compressed vertebral artery can occur in migraine, which is associated with restriction of blood flow to the tissues of the brain. With the further development of osteochondrosis headaches can become permanent;
- The nature of the headache can be very different, but most often they occur in the occipital part and moved in the temporal-parietal part. When bending and turning the head, the pain intensified, and when too much consciousness;
- Sometimes there are pressing, long-term pain in the heart area.
All these symptoms are not specific and characteristic only for the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease, so correctly determine the location of the pathology can only be a specialist. During the diagnostic use of instrumental methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- Fluoroscopic studies;
- Computed tomography;
- Ultrasound.
These and other techniques, so that the doctor can properly determine which vertebra is affected, with local pathology, and in accordance with the intensity of the problem and give appropriate treatment.
Basic principles of treatment
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can identify only a doctor. Self-medication in most cases does not lead to the desired result, and only exacerbates the problem.
Osteoarthritis treatment consists of two phases:
- Drug therapy, which is to relieve the inflammation and remove pain. Essential drugs – anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics, which can be taken orally and it can be given intramuscularly. The second route is better, because the medicine works faster and does not affect the digestive system. In the hospital the patient can carry out the procedure of electrophoresis, which contributes to the rapid penetration of the active ingredients to the site of inflammation;
- Physical therapy, which started after the removing the inflammation and reduce the pain.
The main physiotherapeutic methods of treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease are the following:
- Massage, which should only be done by an expert. Don't trust Amateurs, like any wrong pressure or a sudden movement can aggravate the problem. To enhance the effect, instead of massage oil, you can use anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointment, the active ingredients which massage is easier to penetrate through the skin barrier and has a direct impact on inflammation and pain. A small number of sessions is 10, if necessary, can be added;
- Electrophoresis the use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs;
- UHF, laser therapy, treatment with magnetic field.
All of these procedures can be performed in a hospital, and some of them at home, use special portable equipment:
- Physical therapy, consisting of a specially selected set of exercises. Exercise use a variety of equipment, classes are held under the supervision of an expert. Effective method for the treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical exercises on the wooden panel, which is equipped with movable handles two different levels using Glisson loop. You should not do these exercises on their own, as any careless movement can cause degradation;
- Use special kinesiology tape, which is glued during the muscle fibers in the area of pain. He took some of the load itself, which considerably accelerated the recovery from the vertebrae, pain is reduced;
- During treatment and even prevention experts recommend using a special neck collars, for example, the ring Trench. These products assume part of the load, relieve muscle tension, accelerate the recovery process. Those who is constantly monotonous posture, such a collar is recommended to use every day 1⁄2 - 1 hours, so that the neck muscles to rest.
How to help yourself
After the disease patients are often ask ourselves the question-what to do to avoid a relapse or worsening of the disease.
The main recommendations are the following:
- It is necessary to make the right lifestyle – Hiking, working constantly to engage in physical 5 minutes;
- A constant static state, it is necessary to periodically change the cause and be sure that at least 1 time a day to use a neck brace for relief of the neck muscles and rest;
- 1-2 times a year to visit a massage therapist to perform pre-emptive;
- Sports. The best sport of the demolition and to strengthen the muscles – swimming;
- The first signs of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to contact a doctor who will perform the examination and prescribe appropriate treatment.