The cervical spine is one of the most vulnerable to osteochondrosis and, unfortunately, is often affected by this disease. Its symptoms, in addition to pain in the neck itself, can be intense headaches associated with pinching of the vertebral artery by bony growths in the vertebrae. Cervical osteochondrosis can be dangerous not only for the elderly but also for the young people leading a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle.
What are the causes of cervical osteochondrosis?
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis are the same as for 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 in the neck that supply the brain. These vessels are called vertebral arteries, or more simply, vertebral arteries. They pass within the arches of the cervical vertebrae, carrying blood directly into the cranial cavity. And if the cervical vertebra is affected by osteochondrosis, the artery inside the vertebra can be compressed, which reduces blood flow to the brain. This is one of the mechanisms for the onset of headaches in cervical osteochondrosis.
What are the stages of cervical osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be mild or severe. The most serious stage of degeneration is an intervertebral hernia. In the cervical region, hernias do not appear as often as in the lumbar region, but even here they are not a rarity. Many young people come to a doctor with hernias detected on MRI, while others have hernias during the diagnostic process. The important thing here is that the hernia itself is not always the cause of the pain, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be treated.
It is important to note that not all neck pain is caused by osteochondrosis. That is, this process can occur, but not be the cause of this painful syndrome in this patient. Much more often, the cause of pain is musculoskeletal syndrome, the essence of which is overloading of short sections of skeletal muscles. For example, if we sit for a long time in front of a computer, the trapezius muscles go numb in a monotonous position, resulting in spasm and pain, which can radiate to the neck, head, and arms.
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 ergonomic rules, organization of your workspace, correct table height, monitor at eye level.
- Regular warming 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 massage and osteopathy courses, at least once every 6 months.
Taking pain medication can only be started as directed by a doctor, otherwise you can simply corner the disease, 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 crude confidence techniques, after which the patient suddenly feels especially "positive", "enlightenment" is achieved in the head. This is the "reduction" of the vertebrae with incredible grinding, and terrible, asphyxiation-like, motor segment unlocking techniques.
It must be said that all these crude and seemingly beautiful techniques are often unsafe and have nothing to do with osteopathy. The system of the cervical vertebrae is very finely organized and balanced, so that any gross intervention affects not just a single vertebra, but the entire neck, entire spine, head, blood vessels, etc.
The osteopath works with the neck very carefully and gently, without sudden movements and sudden manipulations. At first glance, it may seem to you that the doctor has not done anything special, but it 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 of cervical osteochondrosis is the most successful, safe and effective.