Arthrosis of the cervical spine: treatment, gymnastics, symptoms

Reasons for development

Quite often, arthrosis of the cervical vertebrae begins with depletion of cartilage tissue. Under the influence of negative factors, cartilage becomes thin and inelastic, which leads to the destruction of intervertebral discs and inflammation of the synovial membrane. With the development of the pathological condition, atrophy of the muscle fibers and nearby soft tissues is noted. Further, the disease is accompanied by the formation of osteophytes and a change in the natural anatomical position of the vertebrae. The main cause of the disease is unknown. There are a number of factors that provoke cervical arthrosis:

genetic predisposition;
cervical injuries;
excessive loads on certain areas of the back;
age-related changes;
concomitant infectious diseases;
hormonal and metabolic disorders;
thyroid dysfunction.

The most dangerous subtype is considered to be vertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine, which leads to significant deformation changes in its structure. This pathology is accompanied by the active growth of osteophytes, which cause complete immobilization of the neck. Uncovertebral arthrosis causes compression of discs, blood vessels and nerves. It often affects the facet joints.

Often deforming arthrosis of the cervical spine is a congenital pathology and occurs against the background of flat feet or thyroid disease.

The disease can be acquired by leading an inactive lifestyle.
The following factors can provoke the development of an acquired disease:

systematic injuries of the spinal column;
physical inactivity;
obesity;
displacement of the head of the femoral neck;
excessive loads on the hip joint and back;
metabolic disorder.

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Symptoms of the disease

By the nature of the damage and the main symptoms, neck arthrosis resembles osteochondrosis and other pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, to make an accurate diagnosis, a number of clinical studies are carried out. If arthrosis of the uncovertebral joints develops, the symptoms become pronounced and are accompanied by functional disorders that are associated with infringement of the lumen of arteries and nerves. The clinical picture that accompanies osteoarthritis is as follows:

pain of an aching nature, the intensity of which increases when turning the neck;
irradiation of pain to the shoulder blades and shoulders;
dizziness;
migraine;
change in heart rate;
characteristic crunch in the neck;
changes in visual and auditory perception;
pressure instability;
dyskinesia of muscle fibers.

Numbness in the limbs may be a sign of osteophyte formation.
With the formation of osteophytes and deformities of the vertebrae, signs of cervical arthrosis are complemented by gait disturbances, numbness of the limbs and face, tremor of the fingers, and nausea. The localization of pain can be determined by palpation of the damaged area. As a rule, one or more vertebrae are affected, with pinching of nerve endings and spasms of nearby muscles.

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Diagnosis of arthrosis of the cervical spine

To begin with, the doctor collects a history of complaints and examines the affected areas. Next, mandatory diagnostic tests are prescribed, described in the table:

Procedure	Result
Blood biochemistry	Carried out to exclude rheumatic and infectious pathologies
Radiography	Determines the severity of degenerative processes in two projections. Diagnoses the proliferation of osteophytes.
MRI and CT	Establishes minimal structural changes in the spine
Ultrasound	Determines the functionality of blood vessels and soft tissue degeneration
ECG	Carried out to exclude heart pathologies

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Arthritis of the cervical spine: what it is, causes, treatment, symptoms, signs

How is the treatment carried out?

Special medications are used to treat the disease.
Initially, treatment measures are aimed at eliminating acute symptoms. Next, a series of measures are carried out that help stop the degeneration of cartilage cells and restore the normal functionality of the spinal column. For this purpose, drug therapy, physical rehabilitation, orthopedics and nutritional correction are used.

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Treatment with drugs

To relieve pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used, such as Ibuprofen, Nurofen, Diclofenac. To normalize the blood circulation process, vasodilators are prescribed, which include: Dibazol, Trental. In order to improve the regeneration of cartilage cells, chondroprotectors are used, in particular, Chondroxide and Structum. To reduce pathological muscle tone, muscle relaxants are used: “Tolperil”, “Ditilin”.

Local agents, such as Fo Hu balm, can reduce pain.

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Gymnastics

Exercises for this part of the spine should be performed carefully.
Exercise therapy helps normalize blood circulation, reduce congestion and restore normal mobility of the spinal axis. Gymnastics for the cervical spine consists of breathing, statistical and dynamic exercises with low intensity. The amplitude of movements increases with each lesson. Many exercises involve bending and turning the head. It is important to avoid sudden movements. Exercises with circular rotations of the head cause special caution. Improper execution of which can lead to injury to the vertebrae.

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Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic procedures are used in the treatment of many pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, for the spine in particular. Their action is aimed at eliminating pain, inflammatory reactions and improving metabolic processes, which promotes the regeneration of cartilage tissue. For neck arthrosis use:

drug electrophoresis;
magnetic therapy;
phonophoresis;
UHF;
acupuncture;
mud applications;
balneological procedures;
hirudotherapy.

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Orthopedics

To remove the increased load on the spinal column, you need to choose the right mattress and pillow.
In order to reduce the load on the affected areas of the spinal axis, you need to follow some orthopedic recommendations. First of all, it is important to choose the right bedding. The mattress and pillow should be of orthopedic effect and of medium hardness. If necessary, special support collars should be worn. To avoid curvature of the spine with further degenerative processes, it is important to constantly monitor your posture. Comfortable shoes will help reduce the load on your back muscles.

Arthrosis of the cervical spine: signs, symptoms and treatment

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Nutritional Features

Arthrosis needs to be treated comprehensively, with diet correction. To do this, fresh vegetables, fatty fish, dried fruits, nuts, fermented milk products and olive oil are introduced into the daily menu. The consumption of fatty meat and milk, animal fats, sweets and flour products is minimized. Alcohol and caffeine are completely excluded from the diet. Particular attention is paid to a proper drinking regime.

Gymnastics by Yuri Popov

Starting position: you need to lie with your back on two chairs or stools. The neck and head should hang over the edge of the chairs. Both arms are extended behind the head, and the palm of one hand is held by the thumb of the other. The lower back should be pressed firmly against the surface of the chair to reduce sagging of the lumbar lordosis.

Next, you should tense the muscles of your shoulders and arms, raising your arms up along with your head, do this smoothly but energetically, if the condition of the body allows. The number of such oscillatory movements can be increased up to three to five times and increased little by little with each workout. Attention should be focused on the seventh vertebra - where the neck meets the torso. This exercise is also useful for people suffering from stooped posture. Having completed it, there is a feeling that the spinal spine “itself” is trying to align itself, and the forward tilt of the head decreases.

Another exercise designed for the cervical spine, proposed by Yuri Popov.

Author's recommendation: should be performed with caution, especially for older people. They are recommended to first perform this exercise on the floor, placing a small pillow or cushion under their back.

Starting position: You need to lie on your back on two chairs or stools so that your head and neck hang freely from the chairs. You need to stretch your arms behind your head, clasping both palms with your fingers. Lower your head below your body. And very carefully rotate your head to the right and left. The number of exercises at the beginning of training can be increased up to five times, and subsequently increased to 10. Attention should be paid to the cervical vertebrae. When turning, the joints may crack; if it is not painful, then the exercise can be continued, making it as smooth and soft as possible.

This physical exercise has a healing effect on the entire spine, has a better effect on vision, facial skin, cheeks, reduces headaches, dizziness, and the number of wrinkles.

Video: gymnastics for arthrosis of the cervical spine

To get rid of neck pain, it is important to do physical exercise daily. There is a wide selection of programs in the fight against cervical arthrosis, one of them is the unique and effective gymnastics of Dr. Butrimov. Over the years, he has selected the most effective exercises to strengthen the cervical region and spine. The complex lasts 12 minutes and consists of simple movements. To perform all the exercises correctly, use this video:

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A set of exercises for the neck

These simple exercises are designed to improve the mobility of the neck muscles, relax them and relieve spasms that occur with arthrosis of the cervical spine.

Place your palm on your forehead. Point your head forward while simultaneously resisting this movement with your palm. Let this “struggle” between the head and hand continue for about 10 seconds. Then rest for the same amount of time and repeat this isometric exercise again 10 times.
Place your palms on your temples and also tilt your head to the side in one direction and the other, resisting the bending of your head with your palm. This exercise strengthens the lateral neck muscles.
Take a sitting position or standing with your arms down, parallel to your body. We lift our shoulders and fix them at ten at the maximum possible point of lifting. You can pull your shoulders up as you inhale and lower them as you exhale. Then, relaxing the neck and shoulder muscles, repeat the exercise up to ten times for 15 seconds.
In a sitting position or lying on your stomach, massage the cervical region, focusing on thoroughly warming the muscles for 5-10 minutes. Massaging can be done either by yourself or with outside help. Impacts on the neck muscles may cause some soreness, which is acceptable, since it passes quickly, taking with it also headaches caused by vascular smears in the shoulders and neck.
Massaging or rubbing the inside of the shoulder blades with your fingers. There are cervical muscles that affect the movement of the shoulder blades. This massage may also cause slight pain when certain points are massaged, but soon a pleasant sensation of warmth will come to the area, replacing the painful effects. Continue massaging for about five minutes. It is most effective if someone performs the massage, but you can do it yourself if there is no one to help.

What gymnastics to do for cervical arthrosis

Physical education (physical therapy) for arthrosis of the cervical spine is a specially designed set of classes, which is based on the principle of natural human body movements. Thanks to this therapy, according to statistical data, up to 80 percent of patients with arthrosis get rid of pain in the cervical spine after the first or second week of therapeutic exercises.

There are a large number of methods of therapeutic exercises for the neck. All of them, when executed correctly, are effective, simple and affordable. They can be performed at home, at work, or on vacation. Any therapeutic physical exercises should only be prescribed by a doctor after taking tests and a full examination, since incorrect movements can worsen the situation. Here is a list of the most effective techniques:

Dikul's gymnastics. The essence of the technique is regular physical and strength exercise, which gradually contributes to the restoration of spinal cord cells.
Breathing exercises by Strelnikova. Involves activation of blood flow to organs and spine. As a result, neck pain subsides and tension is relieved from the spine.
Kinesitherapy (method of restoring body functions) by Dr. Bubnovsky. Physical exercises are carried out using a simulator specially designed by the doctor. The sequence of exercises removes the symptoms of the disease for a long time in a short time.
Shishonin's gymnastics. The complex involves performing simple, easy movements in a sitting position and takes a minimum of time. Relief occurs after a week of intense training.

Complex No. 2

The exercises below are aimed at improving the mobility of the cervical vertebrae and restoring muscle tone. They are specially created for patients suffering from arthrosis of the cervical region. Gymnastics for your neck can be performed during an exacerbation of the disease, when the pain syndrome subsides.

During a crisis, it is recommended to wear a bandage that fixes the position of the neck, ensuring a calm position for the diseased vertebrae and neck muscles. You can also do a similar neck brace during sleepless nights for people suffering from osteoarthritis.

The exercise begins from a position, sitting on a chair, or standing, but with freely lowered arms parallel to the body. Rotate your head from one side to the other. You need to bring your head to the maximum possible amplitude. The number of repetitions is 5-10 times. This well-known simple exercise has an unusually good effect on the cervical spine, increasing the mobility of the vertebrae.

You should turn your head carefully and smoothly - this is a very important aspect! Listen to the sensations within yourself.

Next exercise: same position. Turning the head back and forth. Lowering your head down, touch your chin to your chest.

When throwing back, we also try to lower our head as much as possible. Repeat up to 10 times. Sharpness is not needed here. Forget about stupid physical training warm-ups, when everything was done sharply, quickly, bitingly. This is very harmful, it is so easy to pinch nerve endings or pull muscles. And patients with arthrosis even more need to perform gymnastics extremely smoothly, but efficiently.

The third exercise is almost identical to the previous one, but you just need to do it by retracting your chin while throwing your head back. What does this give? Correction of posture, especially for people who sit a lot at the computer or do written work. This exercise relaxes the back muscles of the neck. You can do it up to 10 times not only in the order of the given complex, but also separately during a break at work. Gives a quick and good relaxing effect.

Let's hope that the presented exercises for cervical arthrosis will help you cope with the disease and bring relief.

Rules for doing it at home

Performing exercises for the prevention and treatment of cervical arthrosis requires knowledge of important rules. They must be followed to get the maximum effect from therapeutic exercises:

Exercises are prohibited during periods of exacerbation of cervical arthrosis. This is dangerous to health and can lead to increased pain and complications of the disease.
Pain and discomfort are not acceptable during exercise. If pain occurs regularly, stop performing the problematic task and consult a doctor.
Keep your posture straight during classes, this will allow you to improve the effectiveness of the exercises.
Perform all movements smoothly, slowly. The main task is to tone the muscles, and sudden movements can cause harm, lead to muscle injury and aggravate the situation.
It is recommended to conduct the first lesson in a medical institution where there is a vertebrologist. He will show you how to perform the movements correctly.
Most of the exercises are basic, but the complex includes individual exercises for each patient with different loads, so the treatment method is prescribed and developed exclusively by the doctor.
You need to exercise regularly, several times a day. Prolonged physical activity is not recommended; the maximum duration of the complex for cervical arthrosis is 20 minutes.
Classes begin with a minimum load, but gradually increase it with each training session.
Before starting the exercises, be sure to do a warm-up to warm up the necessary muscles and relieve their stiffness. You can take a warm shower and massage the cervical area.

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