The development of information technology and the computerization of the population have made the desk a place where a person spends almost the whole 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 face this disease already in high school.
According to localization, osteochondrosis is divided into several types - cervical, thoracic and lumbar. One of the most common types of the disease is called cervical osteochondrosis. It must be said that, due to its localization, it provokes complications in the work of the brain, fraught with 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 excess load on the spine leads to a deformation, which is why the disease appears. Osteochondrosis can be prevented, cured, but only if it is not working. And for those who, fortunately, do not suffer from pain, I would like to warn: analyze the degree of stress on the spine - and you will understand if you are at risk of osteochondrosis.
So, the main and most frequent cause of osteochondrosis in adults can be work, which consists in the constant lifting of heavy objects, such as the work of loaders. Also, the disease can be provoked by "sedentary" work in the office or "standing" work, as, for example, with salespeople who are in a certain position for a long time, creating a load on the same muscles, sections. of the spine.
There is a risk of osteochondrosis in athletes due to heavy loads or, conversely, due to a poor level of physical development in those who do not play sports at all. There are cases of the appearance of the disease even when athletes were actively engaged in training, and then suddenly stopped them suddenly. It is impossible not to mention injuries to the spine, which then lead to osteochondrosis. It can affect the spine and flat feet, when due to the irregular shape of the foot, the load on the vertebrae and discs is distributed differently, creating discomfort.
Perhaps osteochondrosis in pregnant women due to the same increased load, as well as in women who constantly walk on heels, overloading the spine.
The causes of osteochondrosis in the neck area can be genetic or inherited.
Diseases of the spine can appear due to damaged metabolism in the body, obesity, low immunity, poisoning, infectious diseases that reduce the functionality of the spine.
Over the years, the spine becomes more fragile, loses the elasticity of the discs, the density of the bones and deforms. Age is another cause of osteochondrosis.
And finally, the impact on the backbone of the environment and living conditions cannot be discounted. Bad ecology, stress, food, not rich in vitamins and trace elements - all this can provoke the development of cervical osteochondrosis. The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are quite pronounced. They must be recognized in order to stop the development of the disease in time. After all, each of us is partially at risk.
Symptoms and stages of the disease
You can recognize osteochondrosis with a simple exercise - turning your head. Painful sensations when turning are the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis. The following symptoms are muscle spasms, difficulty moving, numbness in the fingers, pain in the shoulders.
This type of disease is called radicular syndrome or cervical sciatica. It happens if the nerve roots are compressed by the vertebrae due to a violation of their location, the appearance of a hernia. The pain in this case goes down in waves from the shoulder to the fingers, a tingling sensation is felt in the fingers and forearm. If the little finger and the ring finger are numb, it means that the brachial nerve is affected, this is the region of the 7-8 vertebrae. If the other three fingers - the problem is in the region of 5-6-7 vertebrae, the central nerve is affected.
In addition, the disease has symptoms related to the functioning of the brain. Often the recurring headache with cervical osteochondrosis is severe or aching. Perhaps dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis, tinnitus, spots before the eyes, blurred vision, hearing, dental problems. These signs of the disease indicate that there is an effect on the two vertebral arteries that carry blood to the brain. In particular, in those areas that are responsible for blood pressure, in the cerebellar area, which controls our vestibular apparatus. This type of disease is called vertebral artery syndrome and is very common. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, affecting the arteries, is fraught with a violation of the ability to move normally and even stroke.
There are also irritative-reflex syndromes. In this case of cervical osteochondrosis, the symptoms are similar to those of other types of the disease, but pain attacks occur suddenly after a state of rest. For example, when a person gets 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 appears in the chest and radiates to the shoulder, lasting several hours. This is a cardiac 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 a slight change within at the biochemical level. A person feels some discomfort during a long stay in one position, during physical exercise. Back and neck muscles get tired quickly.
The second stage of the disease is called the stage of growth of changes in the nucleus pulposus. At this time, the intervertebral disc is deformed, the metabolism is disturbed in the nucleus pulposus, some of its cells die. Due to these processes, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, which then leads to pinched nerves and spasms. A person feels pain in the areas of spinal cord injury.
In the third stage of the disease, complete or partial destruction of the fibrous ring occurs. Cracks appear through which the nucleus pulposus comes out, violating the tightness of the connection of the vertebrae. The spine becomes abnormally mobile, the vertebral sections are displaced. This causes a person pain in the entire back, movement disorders occur, sensitivity in the limbs disappears.
And the most severe, the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, is manifested by the regeneration of the vertebral discs, the so-called fusion of the vertebrae. The nucleus pulposus replaces the cartilage, the pain subsides, and the spine again functions as a support. But, unfortunately, the consequence of such changes in the spine is the limitation of human mobility and even disability.
The spine has three important functions in the human body. These are support, protection of the spinal cord and cushioning 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 is rather a congenital or hereditary disease. But since the deformation of the spine can lead to bad consequences and cause great harm to the development of the child's body, we decided to emphasize this topic separately and draw the attention of parents to osteochondrosis in children.
The child's back is 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 the child's food, remember that it should be rich in calcium and other trace elements, be varied and useful. In case of back injuries and falls, especially at a young age, it is necessary to consult a doctor for examination and, if the disease is confirmed, its possible further treatment. By the way, osteochondrosis in a child can be a consequence of birth trauma.
Osteochondrosis occurs in children and due to heredity, when the fragility of the vertebrae is transmitted genetically. If in the case of spinal disease in children, the growth area of the bone is affected, that is, the area in which the bone grows, this can also lead to damage to the child's overall growth and development. The symptoms of osteochondrosis in children are similar to those of adults, but the pain is more moderate, the movements are not disturbed. With cervical osteochondrosis, fainting, dizziness are likely.
If the child has prerequisites for osteochondrosis or you suspect back problems, seek medical advice immediately. The sooner the disease is detected, the sooner you can free the child from it.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The 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 different positions - standing, sitting, lying down, examines the condition of the spine during movement. It draws attention to the posture, the location of the middle pit of the back, the position of the shoulder blades, shoulders. In addition to visual inspection, tactile inspection is also mandatory. The site of the lesion is found, guided by complaints, examination and also using a special technique for counting vertebrae. In addition, the patient is prescribed X-ray or magnetic resonance therapy to more carefully examine the spine, to reveal the stage of the lesion. After the diagnosis, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is prescribed.
Treatment
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is usually complex. Most often, it is based on several mandatory points. One of the main ones is the right engine mode. Correct means to move without shaking your head. Any rapid movement does not benefit the vertebrae. The doctor will most likely prescribe a special soft medical collar to wear, which will immobilize the neck for the duration of the treatment.
Wanting to consider something on his part, the patient should turn his head slowly. If you feel uncomfortable in your neck, do some special exercises, give yourself a massage.
A mandatory stage in the treatment of osteochondrosis in the acute stage is medication. The doctor will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pills to eliminate foci of inflammation and swelling. Be sure to help smooth the flow of pain relievers. If osteochondrosis provokes muscle spasms, then a drug that relieves spasms and relieves pain is also prescribed. Vitamin B will also be prescribed, which improves brain function, helps fight stress and strengthens 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, oils, 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 cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs. And, of course, the patient will need ointments or creams for therapeutic massage, which is also necessary.
Manual therapy for osteochondrosis
Many patients with osteochondrosis seek help from chiropractors. This method of treatment can be included in the complex if the patient has an anatomical change in the spine, the appearance of a hernia or displacement of discs. With proper treatment, it really gives positive results. But when looking for a specialist, be careful. Before agreeing to the treatment, make sure that the specialist has a medical degree and practices traditional treatment, as well as has completed additional training in the specialties of a neurologist and chiropractor and has confirming certificates. Operator experience is also important. After all, the therapy itself requires clear movements and, if used incorrectly, is fraught with injuries. The principle of manual therapy is a point impact on the structural components of the spine. With a quick push, the node that was moved from the correct position is returned to it. Proper therapy, without a doubt, is a very effective treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis will allow you to fight the disease even in the workplace. In addition, simple exercises will be an excellent prevention of diseases of the spine.
So take your eyes off the screen, lean back in your chair and learn some useful exercises.
Sitting 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, that's okay, lower it as much as possible, as much as possible. After that, slowly raise your head and turn it back, also until it stops. Returning to the starting position with a straight head, repeat the exercise 5 times.
Without getting up from the chair, gently turn your head to the side. First in one direction, then return to the starting position and turn in the other. 5 times each.
Turning your head, you can go to the slopes. The exercise is also done while sitting, slowly bending the head to the left, then back and then to the right. They bend their heads all the way, trying to press their ears to their shoulders. The exercise is performed at least 5 times for each side.
It will help in stretching the neck muscles and other exercise. In the 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 rotations in total.
You can also, without leaving the workplace, do an exercise 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 every muscle.
It will help stretch the shoulders and exercise familiar to everyone since kindergarten. It can be performed as desired - sitting or standing, depending on the situation. He slowly throws his left hand over the shoulder on the right side, touches his ear with his fingers and lowers him. 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. Place your palm on your forehead, start pressing your forehead into your palm, resisting with your hand. Hold this position with a tense neck and count to 5. Then relax and repeat the exercise twice.
The exercise is similar to the previous one. But now other cervical muscles will work. You throw your hand or, rather, both, folded into a lock, behind your head, put them on the back of your head and start pressing your head on your hands. Perform the exercise 3 times for 5 seconds.
Now stretch the lateral 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, counting to 5, take a break 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 in a standing position. It is better to choose a free space in the office for this. Place your feet shoulder-width apart for better balance. With arms outstretched in a free state, they begin to rotate synchronously 5 times forward, then 5 times backward.
After taking a short break for 10-15 minutes, you will feel that the tension in the back and neck muscles decreases, let your eyes rest from the monitor, relax a little. Such breaks at work are useful, and in many modern offices they even practice a mass exodus of colleagues to warm up. Do not neglect the simple rule - warm up whenever you are tired and tense. Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis is an excellent treatment for the initial stages of the disease and effective prevention. In the most serious cases of the disease, a course of exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises) is prescribed.
Therapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is simply irreplaceable. A set of exercises will improve the functionality of the spine, help maintain muscle tone and relieve tension. The exercise will require 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.
Lying on your back on the floor, stretch your arms along your torso. Look forward and start looking away gradually right and left, 4 times in each direction. After moving your eyes to the side, start looking up and down 4 times as well. After completing the lateral warm-up, proceed with rolling the eyes immediately clockwise, and then counterclockwise.
In the same position, lying down, turn your head alternately in different directions. Gradually, slowly. After making 4 rotations in each direction, continue to tilt your head sideways to the left and right shoulder.
You can do head lifting exercises. Also, lying on a flat surface, lift your head off the floor and tilt it towards your chest, trying 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 performing exercises for cervical osteochondrosis, you should remember that not only the cervical region, but the whole body requires warming up. Therefore, lying on your back, after completing the first simple exercises, after warming up, proceed to the next one. Spread your arms to your sides and turn to the side, trying to touch the opposite side with your hand and foot, but not to roll onto your stomach. The bend is done with inhalation and they return to their original position during exhalation. Make no more than 5 turns.
The next exercise is to sit down from a lying position. Lying on the floor with your arms stretched along your body, you need to rise slowly, leaning on your hands. A rather difficult exercise for osteochondrosis, so we emphasize once again that you should do this carefully and slowly, 3-4 times.
Lying on your back, bend your legs and press them to your stomach, squeeze your knees with your hands. Then gently pull your head to your feet and touch your knees. Further - also carefully return to the prone position. The exercise is performed up to 5 times.
You are lying down, legs bent at the knees at the level of the stomach, arms open. Turn your body alternately right and left up to 5 times in each direction.
Do not interfere with abdominal exercises. Turn around and stretch your arms along your body. Start by lifting your head off the floor, then your shoulders, torso, 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 small rest from the previous exercises, lie on your back, fold both hands on your stomach. Breathe in deeply and slowly, inflating the stomach, also exhale carefully, pulling the stomach in. Take 5 breaths and exhalations.
Place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest. Take a shallow breath, tensing your muscles, exhaling, relax. The number of breaths is also 5.
These exercises are only introductory and should not be considered a complete treatment. More precisely, these are recommendations for the prevention of the disease or its development. Therapeutic exercise for cervical osteochondrosis is selected by the doctor, based on the patient's needs.
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, there is no question of trying to repeat a professional massage at home, where relatives are involved, this issue is really only dealt with by health workers. But easy blending moves you can do yourself, distracting yourself in the middle of the workday and relieving stress. By the way, massage will be a good addition to gymnastics.
So, feeling pain in the neck, lean back in your chair, relax your back. The massage begins with stroking the neck with the palms from top to bottom, that is, from the hair to the shoulders. After stroking, turn the palms with a lip to the neck and move the hand up and down several times, pressing lightly. Then start grinding. Place your palms on the back of your head so that your fingers converge in the middle on the spine. Rub the body, moving your hands from the center of the vertebra to the sides of the neck, going down from top to bottom. You can massage the neck with your fingertips, rubbing it in circular motions. Then begin to tighten the skin and muscles, grasping them between the index and thumb. And then hit the 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 initial stages of the disease. Herbs such as mint, St. John's wort, calendula, yarrow, licorice root, chamomile, birch and strawberry leaves help well to fight diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Make teas from these herbs, drink regularly, as a tonic and a means of prevention.
You can also take herbal baths. For each bath you need at least 300 grams of dried herbs. The pine bath helps a lot. The needles of coniferous plants are ground, poured with boiling water and boiled for 20 minutes. It is then filtered, added to a hot bath and steamed for up to half an hour.
You can and should take baths 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 compress from improvised means will help relieve back pain. Everyone has potatoes and honey at home. Folk methods are advised to make such a compress from them: grind vegetables and mix with honey in a ratio of 1: 1. The composition is applied to gauze and applied to the injured area. Relief is guaranteed, but, alas, not for long.
Ginger and garlic ointment works in much the same way. They are rubbed on a grater and combined 1: 1, a little butter or vaseline is added to smear and rub the painful place. It will also relieve pain and inflammation, but will not cure the disease. With osteochondrosis, a mandatory visit to a neurologist is required, who will prescribe a complete treatment.
Finally, I would like to say about the basic rules of conduct for osteochondrosis. First of all, keep your back straight and your head straight. Set up your workspace according to these standards, right down to placing a book under the monitor if it's low, or finding a taller chair.
Don't lift heavy things unless absolutely necessary. And if you really had to carry the load, take it heavy not in a bent position, but do it like the barbell lifters - sit down and then stand up with a load.
Do not overcool your back, protect it from drafts. A large selection of fashionable and stylish vests will keep you warm at any time of the year and in any circumstance.
Move more, do swimming, gymnastics, hang on the horizontal bar.
Once you have mastered all the secrets of gymnastics, self-massage and prevention of osteochondrosis with folk remedies, share them with your office friends. So not only can you insure yourself against spinal diseases, but also help your colleagues avoid back pain and increased fatigue. Be healthy!