Like any type of osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis in the cervical spine is accompanied by pain, as well as discomfort in the corresponding part of the spine.Often there is periodic acute pain - lumbago.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the cervical spine
However, if this pain lasts longer, accompanied by more tension and pain in the neck muscles, it is called neck pain.The pain in this case can even lead to limited mobility of the cervical spine, dizziness and blurred vision.As a rule, neck pain is more pronounced after sleep - in the morning and can intensify with sudden head movements, as well as coughing, laughing, etc.
If osteoarthritis enters the acute stage, then pain, as a rule, is even more enhanced with movement, and cervical osteoarthritis is often complicated by cerebral ischemia.
In this case, the cause of this phenomenon may be degenerative changes in the cervical vertebrae (dehydration of tissues, especially the intervertebral disc and decrease in its elasticity), intervertebral discs between them, and possibly the presence of vascular sclerosis in the patient.All this contributes to the formation of protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc.
Symptoms in this case will be pain spreading to the back of the head, shoulders, as well as headaches, noise and ringing in the head, ears, dizziness, loss of balance and coordination.
The intensity of pain in cervical spondylosis can be divided into three degrees: first (lightest) - pain is felt with maximum load on the spine, both in volume and intensity of movement in the spine;second (medium) – the pain that has arisen can only be relieved when the spine is in a certain position;third (severe) – feel constant pain in the cervical spine.
Additionally, symptoms of cervical spondylosis may include pain occurring in the distal parts of the spine - reflex syndrome.These syndromes are mainly associated with irritation of nerve endings in the intervertebral disc and subsequent muscle spasms.For example, with reflex syndrome, pain may occur when raising the arm.And these pain will increase with prolonged exercise.Therefore, it will be difficult for a person to work with his hands raised and hold on to the handrails during transportation.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the cervical spine
You should not self-medicate if you first experience acute pain in the neck;You should definitely consult your doctor for a more accurate diagnosis.
It can be said that to achieve greater efficiency this must be done in a complex way.
The following methods are used:
- Drug treatment.First of all, these are painkillers, the purpose of which is to provide emergency assistance and relieve acute pain.This group includes pain relievers known to most of us.The positive features of this type of tablets include the fact that they act quickly - to relieve pain, it will take about an hour, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors, muscle relaxants, blockers made with novocaine, bee and snake venom.
- Massage the neck-neck area.If you have osteoarthritis, you can massage your neck yourself, but to achieve the maximum and most professional results, you need to massage the entire neck area.If you perform the techniques correctly, you will immediately feel improvement.
- Massage, apply heat, apply ointment- Promotes blood circulation, warms, increases blood circulation and relieves pain.The procedure can be performed at home.
- Therapeutic exercises.When affecting the cervical spine, it is important not to overload the neck muscles, so it is necessary to use physical therapy with the participation of other muscle groups.
- Manual treatment (osteoporosis)- an effective way to eliminate the manifestations associated with this disease.But a positive effect can be achieved only if massage is performed in combination with drug treatment and all procedures are carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
- Acupressure and hirud therapy– normalizes muscle tone, has a reflex effect, reduces swelling and relieves pain.
- Sleep on an orthopedic pillow– the most effective way to prevent cervical spondylosis, but this method is also suitable for complex therapy aimed at improving the health of the spine.
If you take comprehensive treatment, you can recover quite quickly.