The development of information technology and population computing has made the desk where a person spends most of the day in this position. An unpleasant painful sensation in the spine is known to almost every second person. Pain in the spine, limbs, numbness in the legs are the main signs of osteochondrosis. Moreover, if earlier people over 40 suffered from osteochondrosis, today teenagers are already facing this disease in high school.
According to localization, osteochondrosis is divided into several types - cervical, thoracic and lumbar. One of the most common types of disease is called cervical osteochondrosis. It must be said that, due to its localization, it causes complications in the work of the brain, full of neurological diseases. From our article, you will learn in detail about this disease, its course, features of treatment and prevention.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Maybe it sounds a little strange, but the cause of osteochondrosis of the spine is . . . human life. Any excessive load on the spine leads to some deformation, which is why the disease occurs. Osteochondrosis can be prevented, cured, but only if it does not progress. And for those who, fortunately, do not experience pain, I would like to warn: analyze the level of pressure on your spine - and you will understand if you have a risk of osteochondrosis.
So, the main and most common cause of osteochondrosis in adults can be work, which consists of constant lifting of heavy objects, such as loader work. Also, this disease can be provoked by "sedentary" work in the office or work "on the feet", as, for example, with sellers who are in a certain position for a long time, creating a load on the muscles, the same part. from the spine.
There is a risk of osteochondrosis in athletes due to heavy loads or, on the contrary, due to a poor level of physical development in those who do not play sports at all. There are cases of the onset of the disease even when athletes are actively involved in training, and then suddenly stop it suddenly. It is impossible not to mention spinal injuries, which later lead to osteochondrosis. Can affect the spine and flat feet, when due to the irregular shape of the feet, the load on the vertebrae and discs is distributed differently, causing difficulties.
Perhaps osteochondrosis in pregnant women is caused by the same increased load, as well as in women who constantly walk on heels, too much work of the spine.
The cause of osteochondrosis in the neck area can be genetic or hereditary.
Spine diseases can manifest due to impaired metabolism in the body, obesity, low immunity, poisoning, infectious diseases that reduce the function of the spine.
Over the years, the spine becomes more fragile, losing disc elasticity, bone density and deformation. Age is another cause of osteochondrosis.
And finally, the impact on the backbone of the environment and living conditions cannot be ruled out. Bad ecology, stress, nutrition, not rich in vitamins and microelements - all these may trigger the development of cervical osteochondrosis. Symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis are quite noticeable. They need to be known to stop the progression of the disease in time. After all, each of us is partly at risk.
Symptoms and stages of the disease
You can recognize osteochondrosis with a simple exercise - turning the head. A painful sensation when turning is the first sign of cervical osteochondrosis. The following symptoms are muscle cramps, difficulty moving, numbness in the fingers, pain in the shoulder.
This type of disease is called radicular syndrome or cervical sciatica. It happens if the nerve root is compressed by the vertebrae due to a violation of their location, a hernia event. The pain in this case descends in waves from the shoulder to the fingers, tingling in the fingers and forearm is felt. If the little finger and ring finger become numb, this means that the brachial nerve is affected, this is the area of the 7-8 vertebrae. If the other three fingers - the problem is in the area of 5-6-7 vertebrae, the central nerve is affected.
In addition, this disease has symptoms related to brain function. Often recurrent headaches with cervical osteochondrosis are severe or painful. Maybe dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis, tinnitus, spots in front of the eyes, blurred vision, hearing, problems with teeth. The symptoms of this disease indicate that there is an effect on the two vertebral arteries that carry blood to the brain. Specifically, in the area responsible for blood pressure, in the cerebellar zone, which controls our vestibular apparatus. This type of disease is called vertebral artery syndrome and is very common. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which affects the arteries, is fraught with violations of the ability to move normally and even strokes.
There is also an irritation-reflex syndrome. In this case of cervical osteochondrosis, the symptoms are similar to other types of disease, but the pain attack occurs suddenly after a state of rest. For example, when a person wakes up after sleeping, he feels a strong dull pain in the neck.
Another type of disease is very similar to heart disease - angina pectoris, when the pain occurs in the chest and radiates to the shoulder, lasting for several hours. This is a heart syndrome. A cardiogram will help distinguish osteochondrosis from heart disease, which will confirm that blood circulation is not disturbed and the patient is worried about the spine, and not the heart.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is divided into stages of the course of the disease. In the first or preclinical stage, there is little change inside at the biochemical level. A person feels some difficulty while staying in one position for a long time, while doing physical exercise. The muscles of the back and neck get tired quickly.
The second stage of the disease is called the stage of increased changes in the nucleus pulposus. At this time, the intervertebral disc is deformed, metabolism is disturbed in the nucleus pulposus, some of its cells die. Due to this process, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, which in turn leads to pinched nerves and spasms. A person feels pain in the area of damage to the spine.
In the third stage of the disease, complete or partial destruction of the fibrous ring occurs. Cracks appear where the nucleus pulposus comes out, breaking the tightness of the vertebral joints. The spine becomes abnormally mobile, parts of the vertebrae are displaced. This causes a person pain all over the back, movement disorders occur, sensitivity in the limbs is lost.
And the worst, the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, is shown by the regeneration of the vertebral disc, which is called vertebral fusion. The nucleus pulposus replaces the cartilage, the pain subsides, and the spine once again serves as a support. But, unfortunately, the consequences of such changes in the spine are restrictions on human mobility and even disability.
The spine has three important functions in the human body. This is support, protection of the spinal cord and depreciation during movement. Our ability to move and exist comfortably depends on the spine. Back pain should not be seen as a temporary and random phenomenon. Take it as a rule: if you feel pain with a smooth turn of the head, you should contact a neurologist.
Osteochondrosis in children
Osteochondrosis in children is not as common as in adults, and instead is a congenital or hereditary disease. But since deformation of the spine can lead to bad consequences and cause great harm to the development of the child's body, we decided to highlight this topic separately and draw the attention of parents to osteochondrosis in children.
Children's spines are more sensitive to injury, freezing, lack of nutrients for formation and development. And this, as already mentioned, is the cause of osteochondrosis. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to children's nutrition, remember that it should be rich in calcium and other trace elements, be diverse and useful. In the case of injuries and falls on the back, especially at a young age, it is important to consult a doctor for an examination and, if the disease is confirmed, the possibility of further treatment. By the way, osteochondrosis in children can be a consequence of birth trauma.
Osteochondrosis occurs in children and is hereditary, when the fragility of the vertebrae is transmitted genetically. If, in the case of spinal disease in children, the bone growth zone is affected, i. e. the area where bones grow, this can also lead to impaired growth and overall development of the child. Symptoms of osteochondrosis in children are similar to adults, but the pain is milder, movement is not disturbed. With cervical osteochondrosis, fainting, dizziness are possible.
If the child has prerequisites for osteochondrosis or you suspect a back problem, consult a doctor immediately. The sooner the disease is detected, the sooner you can get rid of the child.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis, like other diseases, begins with an examination by a doctor. In this case, a neurologist. The doctor examines the patient in various positions - standing, sitting, lying down, checking the condition of the spine during movement. Paying attention to posture, the location of the posterior median sulcus, the position of the shoulder blade, the shoulder. In addition to visual inspection, tactile inspection is also mandatory. The site of the lesion is found, guided by complaints, examination, and also using special techniques to count vertebrae. In addition, the patient is prescribed X-ray therapy or magnetic resonance to examine the spine more carefully, to find out the extent of the lesion. After diagnosis, treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis is prescribed.
Treatment
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is usually complicated. Often, it is based on a few mandatory points. One of the main ones is the correct motor mode. Right means to move without jerking the head. Any rapid movement does not benefit the vertebrae. The doctor will most likely prescribe a special medical soft collar to wear, which will immobilize the neck for the duration of the treatment.
Wanting to consider something from his side, the patient should turn his head slowly. If you feel discomfort in the neck, do some special exercises, massage yourself.
The mandatory stage in the treatment of osteochondrosis in the acute stage is medication. The doctor will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pills to eliminate the focus of inflammation and swelling. Be sure to help ease the analgesic course of the disease. If osteochondrosis causes muscle spasms, then drugs are also prescribed that relieve spasms and relieve pain. B vitamins will also be prescribed, which improve brain function, help fight stress, and strengthen muscles. And if the patient is depressed, then antidepressants will be prescribed.
You can not do without the treatment of osteochondrosis without external preparations - gels, ointments, creams. Known anti-inflammatory drugs will act directly on the focus of the disease. There are ointments called chondroprotectors, that is, ointments with elements that restore the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc. And, of course, the patient will need an ointment or cream for therapeutic massage, which is also very necessary.
Manual therapy for osteochondrosis
Many patients with osteochondrosis seek help from chiropractors. This treatment method can be included in the complex if the patient has an anatomical change in the spine, the occurrence of a hernia or disc displacement. With the right treatment, it really gives positive results. But when looking for an expert, be careful. Before agreeing to treatment, make sure that the specialist has a medical degree and practices traditional treatment, as well as completes additional training in neurology and chiropractor specialties, and has a certification certificate. Operator experience is also important. After all, the therapy itself requires clear movements and, if used incorrectly, is full of injuries. The principle of manual therapy is point impact on the structural components of the spine. With a quick push, the joint that has shifted from the correct position returns to it again. Correct therapy, without a doubt, is a very effective treatment for cervical spine osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis will allow you to fight the disease even at work. Moreover, simple exercise will be an excellent prevention of spinal diseases.
So, take your eyes off the screen, lean back in your chair, and learn some useful exercises.
Sit on a chair, place your feet shoulder-width apart. Relax, put your hands down. Slowly lower your head down until your chin touches your chest. If it doesn't work, it's okay, take it down as much as you can, as much as you can. After that, slowly lift your head and tip it back, also until it stops. Return to the starting position with a straight head, repeat the exercise 5 times.
Without getting up from the chair, slowly turn your head to the side. First in one direction, then return to the starting position and turn in the other direction. 5 times each.
Turning your head, you can go to the slope. The exercise is also done while sitting, slowly tilting the head to the left, then back, and then to the right. They bowed their heads all the way, trying to press their ears to their shoulders. Exercises are performed at least 5 times for each side.
It will help stretch the neck muscles and subsequent exercises. In a sitting position, the head is slowly thrown back, hold this position for a few seconds and slowly begin to turn the head, without raising it, to the left, and then to the right, making at least 10 turns in total.
You can also, without leaving the workplace, do exercises to warm up the shoulder muscles. Sitting in a relaxed position, start rolling your shoulders forward 5 times, then back 5 times. Do this slowly and carefully, feeling each muscle.
It will help stretch your shoulders and is an exercise known to everyone from kindergarten. It can be done as desired - sitting or standing, as conditions allow. You slowly throw your left hand over your shoulder to the right, touch your ear with your finger and lower it. Throw your right hand in the same way over your head to your left ear.
Now a little more warm-up for the neck muscles. Put your palm to your forehead, start pressing your forehead to your palm, resisting with your hand. Hold this position with a tense neck and count to 5. Then rest and repeat the exercise twice.
The exercise is similar to the previous one. But now other cervical muscles will work. You throw your hands or, more easily, both, folded in locks, behind your head, put them behind your head and start pressing your head on your hands. Do the exercise 3 times for 5 seconds.
Now we stretch the side muscles of the neck. There is only one scheme - the head presses on the hand, the hand resists. You put your left hand on your left temple, press, count to 5, rest for a few seconds and repeat 2 more times. In the same way, the exercise is done for the right side of the neck.
And finally, a little warm-up while standing. It is better to choose an empty space in the office for this. Feet are placed shoulder width apart for better balance. With arms outstretched in a free state, they begin to rotate simultaneously 5 times forward, then 5 times backward.
After taking a short break for 10-15 minutes, you will feel that the tension in your back and neck muscles is reduced, let your eyes rest from the monitor, relax a little. Breaks in such work are useful, and in many modern offices they also practice mass exits of colleagues to warm up. Do not ignore the simple rule - warm up every time you are tired and tense. Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis is an excellent treatment for the early stages of the disease and effective prevention. In the case of more serious diseases, a course of exercise therapy (physiotherapy) is prescribed.
Therapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis cannot be replaced. A set of exercises will improve spinal function, help keep muscle tone constant, and relieve tension. Exercise requires some free time and a warm exercise mat on the floor. They can be done at home in the evening or in the morning before work. Of course, it is advisable to do this between meals.
Lie on your back on the floor, stretch your arms along your torso. Look forward and begin to shift your gaze gradually to the right and left, 4 times in each direction. After moving your eyes to the side, start looking up and down also 4 times. After completing the warm-up, proceed to the rotation of the eyes immediately in a clockwise direction, and then in the opposite direction.
In the same position, lying down, turn your head in different directions. Gradually, slowly. After doing 4 turns in each direction, continue to tilt your head sideways to the left and to the right shoulder.
You can do exercises by lifting your head. Also, lying on a flat surface, lift your head off the floor and tilt it towards your chest, try to touch your chest with your chin. Pull your head as close as possible. All this without sudden movements no more than 4 times.
When doing exercises for cervical osteochondrosis, you need to remember that not only the cervical area, but the whole body needs warming up. Therefore, lying on your back, after completing the first simple exercise, after warming up, proceed to the next one. Extend your arms to your sides and turn to the side, try to touch the opposite side with your hands and feet, but do not roll onto your stomach. Turns are performed on inhalation, and they return to their original position on exhalation. Do no more than 5 rounds.
The next exercise is sitting from a prone position. Lying on the floor with arms extended along the body, you need to slowly rise, leaning on your hands. A rather difficult exercise for osteochondrosis, so we emphasize once again that you need to do this carefully and slowly, 3-4 times.
Lie on your back, bend your legs and press to your stomach, grasp your knees with your hands. Then slowly pull your head to your feet and touch your knees. Further - also carefully return to the prone position. Exercise is done up to 5 times.
You lie down, legs bent at the knees at the level of the stomach, arms spread. Turn your body alternately to the right and left up to 5 times in each direction.
Do not interfere with abdominal exercises. Turn and stretch your arms along the body. Start lifting your head off the floor, then your shoulders, your body, focusing on your legs and hips. Then return to the starting position and do the exercise up to 5 times.
Breathing exercises are useful for osteochondrosis of the cervical region. After a little rest from the previous exercise, lie on your back, fold both hands on your stomach. Breathe in deeply and slowly, exhale the stomach, exhale also carefully, pull the stomach in. Take 5 breaths and exhale.
Place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest. Take a shallow breath, tense your muscles, exhale, relax. The number of breaths is also 5.
This exercise is only an introduction, and should not be considered a complete treatment. On the other hand, this is a recommendation for the prevention of the disease or its development. Therapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis are selected by the doctor, based on the needs of the patient.
Self massage
Massage is one of the necessary and pleasant procedures in the course of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis and is prescribed by a doctor. Of course it is out of the question to try to repeat the professional massage at home, involving relatives, this matter is actually handled only by health workers. But light kneading movements can be done on your own, interrupted in the middle of the working day and relieves stress. In this way, massage will be a good addition to gymnastics.
So, neck pain, lean back in your chair, relax your back. The massage begins by stroking the neck with the palms of the hands from top to bottom, ie from the hair to the shoulders. After stroking, turn your palm with the edge to your neck and move your hand up and down several times, pressing gently. Then start grinding. Place your palms behind your head so that your fingers are centered on the spine. Rub the body, moving your hands from the center of the vertebrae to the sides of the neck, going down from top to bottom. You can massage your neck with your fingertips, rubbing it in a circular motion. Then start pinching the skin and muscle, gripping it between the index finger and thumb. And then rub your neck with your palms, completing the massage.
Self-massage for cervical osteochondrosis will help relieve pain and muscle tension.
Treatment with folk remedies
The most popular folk remedies for any disease are herbal preparations. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies is possible, as a rule, in the early stages of the disease. Herbs like peppermint, St. wortJohn's wort, calendula, yarrow, licorice root, chamomile, birch and strawberry leaves help well to fight diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Brew tea from this herb, drink it regularly, as a tonic and preventive measure.
You can also take a herbal bath. For each bath you need at least 300 grams of dried plants. Pine baths help a lot. Coniferous plant needles are ground, poured with boiled water and boiled for 20 minutes. Then filtered, added to a hot bath and steamed in it for up to half an hour.
You can and should take a bath from chamomile, which has an anti-inflammatory effect and perfectly heals the body. Chamomile is poured with boiling water, insisted for up to an hour, filtered and added to the water.
A quick compression of the method made will help relieve back pain. Everyone has potatoes and honey in the house. The folk method is advised to make such a compress: grate vegetables and mix with honey in a ratio of 1: 1. The composition is applied to gauze and applied to sore spots. Relief is guaranteed, but, unfortunately, not for long.
Ginger and garlic ointment works the same way. They are rubbed on the grate and combined 1: 1, a little butter or petroleum jelly is added so that it can be rubbed, and the sore spot is rubbed. It will also relieve pain and inflammation, but it will not cure the disease. With osteochondrosis, a mandatory visit to a neurologist is required, who will prescribe complete treatment.
Finally, I would like to say about the basic rules of behavior for osteochondrosis. First of all, make sure your back is straight and your head is straight. Set up your workspace according to these standards, down to placing books under your monitor if it's low, or finding a higher chair.
Do not lift heavy objects unless absolutely necessary. And if you really have to carry a load, take it not in a bent position, but do it like a weightlifter with a barbell - sit down and then get up with the load.
Do not overcool your back, protect from drafts. A wide selection of fashionable and stylish jackets will keep your back warm at any time of the year and in any situation.
Move more, do swimming, gymnastics, hang on a horizontal bar.
Having mastered all the secrets of gymnastics, self-massage and prevention of osteochondrosis with folk remedies, share them with your office colleagues. Therefore, you can not only insure yourself against spinal diseases, but also help colleagues avoid back pain and increased fatigue. So healthy!