Like other back diseases, grade 1 cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by pain. The nature of the pain can be said to be tolerable, but this does not give a reason to leave the disease without seeking medical care and further treatment. Ignoring the symptoms of osteochondrosis, which is still in the first stage, will lead to aggravation and further development of the disease.
Self-treatment is not recommended. Only experienced doctors can make a correct diagnosis, determine the cause of disease symptoms, and provide clear recommendations for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Causes of diseases
First of all, in the background of cervical spine osteochondrosis, there is a kind of shooting pain called low back pain. Pain syndrome occurs in the cervical area, and in severe cases, it extends to the shoulders, arms, and chest muscles. The reason for this is that when the movable part of the spine (cervix area) is connected to the less active thoracic region, the intervertebral disc will be more damaged.
The cervical area consists of 7 vertebrae. The first two support the skull, which is why one can rotate its head, tilt and lift it. The vertebrae are connected by joints and movable ligaments, and the intervertebral disc composed of cartilage tissue acts as a spacer between the vertebrae. Adjacent muscles can also keep the spine upright; if the muscle corset is well developed, the spine will remain stable. As you can see, the coordination of vertebrae, intervertebral discs and muscles ensures the healthy functioning of the spine. Once a link from the system starts to fail, the work of the entire spine will be disrupted.
Why would there be a violation and the first symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- a sedentary lifestyle;
- Excessive physical activity;
- Wrong position while sleeping;
- Nutrition cannot provide the human body with sufficient amounts of substances that strengthen the bone and muscle system;
- bad habits;
- pressure;
- Lack of adequate rest, fatigue;
- Hypothermia and colds often occur.
If the muscles that support the spine in a stable position begin to age and lose their tone in nearly 50 years-this can be considered normal. However, when the cervical spine undergoes a deformation process at the age of 20, it deserves attention and action. Take preventive treatment, exercise, stay active and avoid sedentary neck and back bending.
Symptoms
In order to list the main signs and symptoms that can accurately determine the first degree cervical chondropathy, it is necessary to clarify the concept itself.
Grade 1 osteochondrosis is the earliest stage of the disease. So far, it is characterized only by the compaction of cartilage tissue in the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae. The spine is still in a stable position, but the size of the hook-like protrusions of the vertebrae has increased. The displacement of the intervertebral disc is at the minimum level, but the outer shell composed of fibrous tissue begins to unravel. If not treated, it may lead to the subsequent development of osteochondrosis, and even lead to a herniated disc.The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Pain syndrome starts in the neck and spreads to the shoulder joints, shoulder blade bones and chest muscles.
- Compression of nerve endings can cause shooting pain in the neck, especially the uncomfortable posture during sleep can exacerbate this situation. At night, after waking up, the patient cannot maintain a natural posture due to long and painless rotation of the head.
- In the context of nerve root compression, heart syndrome-chest muscle soreness may occur, which is confused with heart pain (examination does not confirm the presence of heart disease);
- Sleep disorders;
- Worried.
Pain syndrome is accompanied by muscle cramps in the affected spine area. Grade 1 osteochondrosis of the spine may not provide the obvious symptoms listed, depending on the body's sensitivity to pain and the patient's general health.
People are more sensitive to any symptoms of the disease under constant fatigue, sedentary and stress. Therefore, the first sign of osteochondrosis—onset of neck pain, especially after physical activity or hypothermia—should be the reason for medical treatment.
Treatment and prevention
First, the treatment of first-stage cervical osteochondrosis should aim to eliminate the pain syndrome and initiate an active metabolic process in the intervertebral disc tissue. Likewise, the musculoskeletal muscles of the neck must be strengthened to keep the spine in a stable, firm position.Medical treatment involves the following methods:
- Analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Physiotherapy;
- Massage;
- Acupuncture;
- Medical gymnastics;
- Swimming.
With the help of medication, it is necessary to reduce the pain and inflammation of the affected area. In this case, the doctor can combine oral anesthetics with vitamin and anti-inflammatory drug injections. It has a good effect through the application of an external agent in the form of a warm gel based on analgesics, bee and snake venom.
In addition to medication and physical therapy, therapeutic exercises can also be performed, which will help to gently stretch the spine, release the roots of nerve roots and relieve neck pain. The subsequent preventive measures are healthy, active lifestyle, exercise, good nutrition and avoiding stress and hypothermia.