The cervical spine is one of the most vulnerable 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 clamping of the vertebral artery by bone growths on the vertebrae. Cervical osteochondrosis can be dangerous not only for the elderly, but also for the young, leading a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle.
What are the causes of cervical osteochondrosis?
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis are the same as those of the entire degenerative process of the spine as a whole: physical inactivity, malnutrition, heredity, sedentary work, professional overload, etc. Of the special factors, it should be noted the high mobility of this section of the spine, due to which the cervical vertebrae have a large daily load.
Many features of cervical osteochondrosis are also related to the fact that the cervical vertebrae differ in structure from the rest 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 vertebra is affected by osteochondrosis, then the artery inside the vertebra can be pinched, which reduces the flow of blood to the brain. This is one of the mechanisms for the appearance 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 an intervertebral hernia. In the cervical region, hernias do not appear as often as in the lumbar, but even here they are not a rarity. Many young people come to the doctor's office with hernias detected on MRI, in others hernias are detected during the diagnostic process. The important thing here is that a hernia in itself is not always the cause of pain, but this 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 not 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 the overstrain of short sections of the skeletal muscles. For example, if we sit at a computer for a long time, the trapezius muscles become numb in a monotonous position, resulting in their spasm and pain, which can radiate to the neck, head, hands.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
For the correct and competent treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, several key points must be observed. All of them are somehow related to prevention and early visits to the doctor. We list the most necessary measures:
- Careful observance of the rules of ergonomics, organization of your workspace, the correct height of the table, the monitor at eye level.
- Regular warm-up of the neck and arms (which are closely related to it), at least once every 1. 5-2 hours during sedentary work, daily morning exercises.
- Regular courses of massage and osteopathy, at least once every 6 months.
Taking pain medications can only be started as directed by a doctor, otherwise you can simply drive the disease into a corner, relieving 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 especially "positive", "enlightenment" is achieved in the head. This is the "reduction" of the vertebrae with an incredible crunch, 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 any gross intervention affects not only a single vertebra, but also the entire neck, entire spine, head, blood vessels, etc.
The osteopath works with the neck very carefully and smoothly, without rough movements and sudden manipulations. At first glance, it may seem to you that the doctor did nothing special, but this is not so. The basis of osteopathy is the subtle sensitivity of the doctor's hands. The osteopath always knows how to balance the system of muscles, ligaments and bones without harming it. Therefore, osteopathic correction for cervical osteochondrosis is the most successful, safe and effective.