The cervical spine is one of the most susceptible to osteochondrosis and, unfortunately, it is very often affected by this disease. The symptoms, in addition to pain in the neck itself, can be severe headaches associated with narrowing of the vertebral arteries by bone growth on the vertebrae. Cervical osteochondrosis can be dangerous not only for the elderly, but also for young people, who lead a sedentary and inactive lifestyle.
What is the cause of cervical osteochondrosis?
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis are similar to the whole degenerative process of the spine as a whole: physical inactivity, malnutrition, heredity, sedentary work, professional load, etc. Of the special factors, it should be noted the high mobility of this part of the spine, because 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 one another 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 enter the arch of the cervical vertebrae, delivering blood directly to the cranial cavity. And if the cervical vertebrae are affected by osteochondrosis, then the arteries inside the vertebrae can be pinched, which reduces blood flow to the brain. This is one of the mechanisms for the appearance of headaches in cervical osteochondrosis.
What is the stage 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 here they are not uncommon. Many young people come to see a doctor with a hernia detected on MRI, while others experience a hernia during the diagnostic process. The important thing here is that the hernia itself is not always a cause of pain, but this does not mean it cannot be treated.
It is important to note that not all neck pain is caused by osteochondrosis. That is, this process can occur, but is not the cause of this pain syndrome in these patients. More often, the cause of pain is musculoskeletal syndrome, the essence of which is overstrain of short parts of skeletal muscle. For example, if we sit at a computer for a long time, the trapezius muscle becomes numb in a dull position, resulting in cramps and pain, which can radiate to the neck, head, and arms.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
For proper and efficient treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, several important things must be observed. All of them are somehow related to prevention and early visits to the doctor. We list the most necessary steps:
- Careful adherence to ergonomic rules, organization of your workspace, correct table height, monitor at eye level.
- Regular warm-up on the neck and arms (which are closely related to it), at least once every 1. 5-2 hours during sedentary work, daily morning exercise.
- 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 just drive the disease into a corner, relieve symptoms and leave the pathological cause 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 a manual procedure for osteochondrosis is obvious to everyone, but not everyone understands how dangerous this manipulation is.
Some chiropractors practice a rough trust technique, after which the patient suddenly feels particularly "positive", "enlightenment" is achieved in the head. This is a "reduction" of the vertebrae with an unusual, and terrible crunch, reminiscent of shortness of breath, a technique for unlocking motor segments.
It must be said that all of these rough and beautiful external techniques are often unsafe and have nothing to do with osteopathy. The cervical vertebral system is arranged very finely and in balance, so that any gross intervention affects not only one vertebra, but also the whole neck, the whole spine, head, blood vessels, etc.
The osteopath works with the neck very carefully and smoothly, without rough movements and sudden manipulations. At first glance, you may seem that the doctor is not doing anything special, but this is not so. The basis of osteopathy is the delicate sensitivity of the doctor’s hands. Osteopaths always know how to balance the muscular, ligament and bone systems without damaging them. Therefore, osteopathic correction for cervical osteochondrosis is the most successful, safe and effective.