The main causes, symptoms and prevention of cervical osteochondrosis. Bonus: preventive gymnastics.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine. With age and in the absence of treatment and prevention, the disease tends to progress. Osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the spine.
If pain appears in this department, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible, since progressive osteochondrosis entails serious health problems, up to vision problems, persistent migraines and can even provoke death.
Osteochondrosis is not necessarily an age-related change, it often affects people at a young age.
If one or more symptoms occur, you should consult your doctor for treatment or prevention.
The causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be varied. Not only age-related changes can provoke illness. The disease also affects young people who prefer sedentary work.
Inactivity is the most common cause of osteochondrosis. Lack of moderate exercise leads to muscle weakness and poor circulation. Further pinching of the nerves and the appearance of an intervertebral hernia are possible.
If the load on the muscles is not symmetrical, it can lead to deformation. These changes are caused by the habit of lifting weights with one hand, carrying a bag on one shoulder, and using a pillow that is too soft while sleeping.
Modern science knows three main degrees of development of the disease of cervical osteochondrosis. They differ from each other in the degree of damage to the vertebrae and in the methods of treatment.
Begins with rupture of the intervertebral disc capsule and the appearance of microcracks in the annulus fibrosus. This type is characterized by degenerative transformations in the cervical joints and changes in tissue structures.
Characterized by a decrease in the distance between the vertebral discs. It entails a point pain with any load, it becomes difficult to turn or tilt the head.
It is noted as a chronic disorder of the musculoskeletal function of the spine. Significant changes in the structure of the spine are noticeable.
Lack of treatment at this stage can lead to stroke. Death is possible.
At the third stage of osteochondrosis, a surgical operation is required.
Women with suspected osteochondrosis are prescribed x-rays, CT and MRI, ultrasound and neuromyography. They may recommend visiting a mammologist and gynecologist in order to exclude diseases similar in their symptoms to osteochondrosis.
In women, as in men, there are three main types of osteochondrosis, these are:
Women are more likely than men to develop osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic regions. This phenomenon is due to the fact that in men, by nature, the muscles of the chest of the neck are more developed. Thus, these departments have the best support. Therefore, it is necessary, if possible, to strengthen the muscles of the back and neck with suitable exercises.
Most often, cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself in women leading a sedentary lifestyle or engaged in sedentary work (office work, salespeople, drivers), and osteochondrosis of the thoracic region most often manifests itself in women who have had scoliosis since childhood.
In order to make the correct diagnosis, you need to make an appointment with a doctor. Other diseases can also be hidden under the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
Cervical osteochondrosis does not have the ability to pass by itself and, passing into the last, third stage, can be fatal.
Timely started treatment will help to avoid serious, irreversible consequences.
Here is a sample list of specialist doctors who will help you understand the problem.
The goal of drug therapy is to relieve inflammation and pain. Correctly selected drugs restore blood circulation and healthy tissue nutrition.
In the acute stage, drug therapy stabilizes the patient's condition and prepares him for the next stage of treatment. Ointments, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids and vitamin complexes are used.
Physiotherapy includes a combination of natural and hardware effects on the body. Effectively relieves pain and restores physical activity.
Manual therapy is effective when it is supervised by a good specialist.
Massage stimulates blood circulation and improves tissue nutrition. Manual therapy is convenient for home use (massagers and various applicators).
Before using home manual therapy products, you need to consult a specialist.
Reflexotherapy brings an effect due to the effect on biologically active points of the body. It can be carried out in the form of acupuncture, acupressure, sometimes moxibustion. If you choose this particular method of treatment, make sure that you have a qualified specialist in front of you, as exposure to inappropriate biological points can have negative consequences.
Physiotherapy exercises (LFK) for osteochondrosis are prescribed without fail at the recovery stage. The purpose of exercise therapy is to strengthen the ligaments and muscles, exercise helps to restore blood flow.
Properly selected exercises can help prevent recurrence and deepening of damage.
In conclusion, we present to your attention a few exercises from the complex of physiotherapy exercises.
Consult a doctor before exercising.
Exercises of the exercise therapy complex can be uncomfortable, so before doing it, try to relax as much as possible and make sure that breathing is calm and measured.
It is not recommended to overload muscles during exercise. Do as much as you can, then, after resting, return to the exercises.
To achieve the effect of final recovery, it is necessary to perform up to 300 movements on the diseased spinal column and 100 repetitions for adjacent sections.
With cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to avoid sudden head movements. Exercises are performed in a standing position, back straight, feet shoulder-width apart (repeat 15 times):
Back Exercises:
Side Lying Exercises: