Cervical spine: pain and treatment
If the cervical spine is affected by the disease, this is manifested by a group of symptoms. Painful sensations extend to the eyes, ear, neck, wrist and elbow joints, directly on the hands, fingers, upper back, occipital region. Roaring in my ears. My legs and hands are gone.
There are signs of the most common cervical disease - osteochondrosis. If you have these symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
Symptoms of cervical disease:
- The neck hurts, the pain spreads over the neck, eyes and ears, and the shoulder girdle. Does not go away even at night. It hurts during twists and turns of the head.
- Your hands hurt, even the smallest load increases pain.
- Hands in general, their hands and fingers are obstructed in movements.
- In the morning it seems as though they "lain" the neck.
- Hands and feet experience burning and numbness.
- The head in the occipital region and neck experience a throbbing pain, which then goes away, then returns.
- Headache: first the back of the head, then the temples and whiskey.
- The head turns, darkens in the eyes, sharp turns of the head can cause a faint.
- The ears are buzzing.
- Sight and hearing lose their sharpness.
- The tongue is numb.
- Heart hurts, nitroglycerin does not relieve pain.
- The fabric grows on the neck, the growth resembles "withers".
The cervical spine has a reputation for being the most vulnerable part of the spine. His muscular corset is weak, and the vertebrae are planted closely together. Even a small load on the neck area can lead to a displacement of the vertebrae, as a result of which the nerves and blood vessels are squeezed. The consequences of compression are dangerous.
Cervical vertebrae have transverse processes. In each process there is an opening, which is occupied by the vertebral arteries, which supply the brain with blood. The pinch of the vertebrae threatens with a violation of the cerebral circulation.
As a result of compression, the vessels and nerve roots create back pressure on the spinal disc. This leads to its displacement, protrusion( protrusion into the spinal canal) and hernia( protrusion into the spinal canal).
In response to an overload, the vertebrae overgrow with osteophytes( enlarged bone tissue).These processes lead to muscle irritation. Muscle tension, in turn, increases the mutual compression of the vertebrae. Intervertebral disks are compressed, losing their height. Growing osteophytes squeeze the vertebral artery. Thus, only one sharp turn of the head can lead to insufficient cerebral circulation. But even in the absence of mechanical disturbances, the dysfunctional cervical spine gives pain and numbness due to prolonged stress in the body.
If the pain in the cervical spine is unbearable, you can take analgesic analgesics tablets. When they do not help, it is worth resorting to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs( Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, etc.).You should know that they are dangerous to the stomach, and you can take them only as an emergency one-time help, and then visit a doctor. Fight with pain can be with painkillers and warming ointments - "Butadion", "Finalgona", "Kapsikama", "Viprosala", "Apizartrona".In case of swelling in the inflamed area, you can use the possibilities of diuretics and herbal infusions for 3-4 days. During the day it makes sense not to forget about the pepper patch, but at night it does not work. A numb or pain-stricken hand is useless to smear, efforts should be focused on the source of pain-the neck.
Those who wear the collar of Shantz, should know that it should not be worn for long. Fixed muscles of the neck become so weak and undergo such atrophy( weakening) that it is difficult to just keep your head straight.
When exacerbations are prohibited to engage in exercise therapy.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis with the help of hardware methods:
- radiography
- computed tomography
- magnetic resonance imaging
The state of the neck vessels is checked using:
- ultrasound doppler ultrasound
- duplex scanning
Treatment of the cervical spine - or rather, its osteochondrosis, is possible only complex. Medicinal and non-drug therapy is used, prevention( prevention) of a complicated course is important. The aforementioned anesthetics are used, as well as medications that promote improved cerebral circulation. Against the painful tension of the muscles are prescribed relaxing medications( "Midokalm").Treatment with vitamins in hospital doses - B1, B6, B12.In tablets - calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese.
Fashionable and popular biologically active additives-chondroprotectors are absolutely useless, although very expensive. Do not use them categorically.
Physiotherapy can be of great help:
- electrophoresis( the introduction of drugs through the skin with the effect of electricity);
- magnetotherapy;
- water procedures( with the use of medical baths and showers);
- paraffin applications( flooding patients with molten wax).
Everywhere use the methods of alternative medicine:
- reflexotherapy( impact on certain areas of the body, causing controlled reflexes);
- manual therapy( complex types of massage);
- hirudotherapy( treatment with leeches);
- apitherapy( treatment with directed biting of bees).
The greatest importance is attached to curative gymnastics. Its complexes are specially designed and taught by specialists in therapeutic physical training.
When implementing the exercises, the main rule should be taken into account.
You can not do more and more intensively if there is pain.
The cervical spine needs constant attention.