The cervical spine is one of the most susceptible to osteochondrosis and, unfortunately, it is very often affected by this disease. Its symptoms, in addition to pain in the neck itself, can be intense headaches associated with constriction of the vertebral artery by bony growths on the vertebrae. Cervical osteochondrosis can be dangerous not only for the elderly, but also for young people, who lead a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle.
What are the causes of cervical osteochondrosis?
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis are the same as in the entire degenerative process of the spine as a whole: physical inactivity, malnutrition, heredity, sedentary work, occupational overload, etc. Of the special factors should be noted the high mobility of this part of the spine, due to which the cervical vertebrae have a large daily load.
Many characteristics of cervical osteochondrosis are also related to the fact that the cervical vertebrae differ in structure from the others and are closely related to the important blood vessels of the neck that feed the brain. These vessels are called vertebral arteries, or more simply, vertebral arteries. They pass inside the arches of the cervical vertebrae, delivering blood directly to the cranial cavity. And if the cervical spine is affected by osteochondrosis, then the artery inside the vertebrae can constrict, which reduces blood flow to the brain. This is one of the mechanisms for the occurrence of headaches in cervical osteochondrosis.
What are the stages of cervical osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be mild or severe. The most severe stage of degeneration is intervertebral hernia. In the cervical region, hernias do not occur as often as in the lumbar region, but they are not uncommon here either. Many young people come to the doctor with hernias detected on magnetic resonance imaging, while others have hernias during the diagnostic process. It is important here that a hernia in itself is not always the cause of pain, but that does not mean that it should not be treated.
It is important to note that not all neck pain is caused by osteochondrosis. That is, this process can take place, but it cannot be the cause of this pain syndrome in this patient. Much more often, the cause of pain is the musculoskeletal syndrome, the essence of which is overexertion of short parts of skeletal muscles. For example, if we sit at the computer for a long time, the trapezius muscles tingle in a monotonous position, resulting in their cramps and pain, which can spread to the neck, head and arms.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervix?
For proper and competent treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to pay attention to several key points. All of them are somehow connected with prevention and early going to the doctor. Here are the most necessary measures:
- Carefully adhere to the rules of ergonomics, organization of your work space, proper height of the table, monitor at eye level.
- Regular warming of the neck and arms (which are closely related to this), at least once in 1, 5-2 hours during sedentary work, daily morning exercises.
- Regular courses of massage and osteopathy, at least once every 6 months.
Taking painkillers can be started only according to the doctor's instructions, otherwise you can simply drive the disease into a corner, alleviating the symptoms and leaving the cause of the pathology unattended.
How can osteopathy help with cervical osteochondrosis?
Osteopathy for this disease is a very effective method of treatment. The fact is that the need for manual procedures for osteochondrosis is obvious to everyone, but not everyone understands how dangerous these manipulations can be.
Some chiropractors practice rough trust techniques, after which the patient suddenly feels particularly "positive", "enlightenment" is achieved in the head. This is a "reduction" of the vertebrae with incredible crunching, and terrible, reminiscent of suffocation, techniques for unlocking motor segments.
It must be said that all these rough and outwardly beautiful techniques are often unsafe and have nothing to do with osteopathy. The system of the cervical vertebrae is arranged very finely and balanced, so that every rough intervention affects not only one vertebra, but also the whole neck, the whole spine, the head, the blood vessels, etc.
The osteopath with the neck works very carefully and smoothly, without rough movements and sudden manipulations. At first glance, it may seem that the doctor did nothing special, but it is not so. The basis of osteopathy is the subtle sensitivity of the doctor's hands. An osteopath always knows how to balance the system of muscles, ligaments and bones without damage. Therefore, osteopathic correction of cervical osteochondrosis is the most successful, safe and effective.