Auto-training for cervical osteochondrosis. Panic attacks in cervical osteochondrosis: treatment and connection. Causes of associated ailments

For a person experiencing pain caused by cervical osteochondrosis, the occurrence of nervousness, anxiety, and hysterics comes as a surprise. Panic attacks appear suddenly, leaving a feeling of fear, a feeling of panic that the situation may repeat itself. Is this related to osteochondrosis of the cervical spine? Let's try to figure it out.

Why does panic attack syndrome occur?

With cervical osteochondrosis, changes occur in intervertebral discs which cause pinching of nerve endings and narrowing of arteries. As a result:

• blood supply to the brain deteriorates;
• cells lack oxygen;
• there is a shortage nutrients;
• there is a feeling of sudden fear;
• mental discomfort occurs;
• physical discomfort begins.

Because the brain is for normal operation there is not enough food, he strives to get it. To increase blood flow, it is necessary to dilate the blood vessels; for this, the body begins to actively produce adrenaline. All this can be provoking factors for the occurrence of a panic attack with cervical osteochondrosis. In addition, there are many factors – psychological and physical – that contribute to the appearance of unpleasant manifestations.

Panic symptoms in cervical osteochondrosis

How stronger man experiences pain, the more pronounced panic attacks with cervical osteochondrosis manifest themselves. Attacks can vary significantly in duration - from minutes to several hours. Accompanied by unpleasant symptoms:

• shortness of breath;
• rapid heartbeat;
• heaviness in the head;
• lethargy;
• suffocation;
• chest pain;
• sweating;
• nausea;
• difficulty breathing;
• insomnia;
• frequent urge to urinate;
• chills.

The patient experiences a lack of air due to cervical osteochondrosis. The following symptoms of a panic attack often occur:

• heightened perception of the world;
• incessant tears;
• the emergence of fear of death;
• the appearance of a feeling of madness;
• depressed mood;
• causeless tantrums;
• emergence obsessive thoughts;
• fears of society;
• stressful state;
• fear of confined spaces;
• confusion of thoughts.

One of the symptoms indicating a panic attack is derealization with cervical osteochondrosis. This is a condition in which the patient’s perception of the world around him changes. In reality, he looks at simple things completely differently. In this case, changes in color, sound perception, sensation of objects, and oneself are possible. The assessment of space and time changes.

What can trigger attacks

In addition to squeezing the arteries supplying blood saturated with oxygen to the brain, panic attacks with cervical osteochondrosis can cause internal changes in organism. These are the factors leading to restructuring bone structure, among them:

• changes in blood acidity levels;
• calcium metabolism disorder;
• deviation amino acid profile blood.

Panic attacks can be severe stressful situations, overstrain of the body. The reasons that can provoke them are:

• mental illness;
• postpartum depression;
• genetic characteristics of the organism;
• lack of microelements;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD);
• lack of vitamins;
• intense production of adrenaline;
• use of stimulant drugs;
• use of hormonal contraceptives.

Among the reasons that provoke panic attacks is prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable situation. It can be:

• staying in a confined space;
• uncomfortable body position for a long time;
• prolonged stress on the neck area;
• weather conditions;
• mental fatigue;
• physical overload;
• fear of large crowds of people.

How to deal with panic attacks

How to get rid of panic attacks with cervical osteochondrosis and can this be done forever? The problem can be dealt with if you seek help from specialists. First you need to treat the cause that provokes panic attacks - cervical osteochondrosis. To do this you need:

• relieve muscle tension;
• loosen compressed nerve endings;
• take off inflammatory process;
• improve blood circulation.

A comprehensive effect on the body helps to cope with symptoms. For treatment different degrees diseases with cervical osteochondrosis help:

• medications;
• manual therapy;
• physiotherapy;
• physiotherapy;
• cupping massage;
• acupuncture;
• hot stone massage - stone therapy;
• psychotherapy sessions;
• yoga classes;
• relaxation.

Drugs

To prevent panic attacks, doctors prescribe medications. Among medicines effective are:

• painkillers – No-shpa, Ketanov;
• anti-inflammatory – Ibuprofen, Diclofenac;
• improving cerebral circulation– Vinpocetine, Vasobral;
• chondroprotectors – Alfltop, Rumalon;
• antidepressants – Afobazol, Bellaspon.

How to cope with panic attacks

A person who experiences panic attacks is able to cope with their manifestations himself. There are available ways to do this:

• maintain a daily routine;
• rest more;
• walk;
• get enough sleep;
• eat more vitamins;
• drink sedatives herbal teas with mint, lemon balm;
• eat less sweets, fatty foods;
• try to sit up straight;
• do not make sudden head rotations.

There are psychotherapists who offer alternative treatment methods to medications. They recommend that during an attack the patient:

• lie down, calm down;
• listen to calm music;
• engage in auto-training;
• talk to someone without talking about the panic attack;
• learn diaphragmatic breathing;
• master meditation;
• learn techniques acupressure.

For the treatment and prevention of osteochondrosis, sets of physical exercises performed in an isometric mode have been developed. The peculiarity of these exercises is that when they are performed, the maximum efforts of certain muscles are developed, acting on a stationary object or maintaining an uncomfortable body position. Because the external work in this case is not performed, the length of the muscles remains unchanged.

Isometric exercises require extreme tension and most stimulate the synthesis of new myofibrils, and, therefore, maximize the strength of each fiber with a moderate increase in muscle volume. They stimulate internal functions the body, contribute to the development of slender posture, the development of flexibility and strength, and have a general strengthening effect. These complexes are also therapeutic, increase the mobility and flexibility of the spine, strengthen the muscular corset and muscles lower limbs, correct the spine, improve blood and lymph circulation, increase the intensity of metabolic processes mainly in the spine area. Physical exercise performed in isometric mode, help correct disrupted relationships between spinal segments, actively unblock nerve roots and reduce disc protrusion, eliminate muscle contractures and low joint mobility, increase mobility spinal column, correction of its curvatures and postural defects. They provide unloading of the spinal column and stimulate nerve regeneration. These exercises are publicly available and are intended for people of all ages. Experience shows that systematic exercise helps develop greater strength and flexibility, increase endurance, and also eliminate or significantly reduce harmful effects risk factors on the body. The proposed complex is created on the basis of physical therapy exercises, athletic gymnastics and static yoga poses, taking into account the principle of strength gymnastics by P. Anokhin and the specifics of the musculoskeletal system disease. The exercises of the complex must be performed in isometric mode, observing the following conditions: exercises without weights - strongly strain (contract) the muscles, and do movements very slowly; exercises with weights - tighten the muscles as much as possible, and reduce the range of movements to a minimum (mass retention); use your own weight as a load - make movements slowly, with great muscle tension and hold the pose for as long as possible. During classes, endurance is trained by dosing the duration of stay in the pose and the number of repeated movements. To increase flexibility, movements of large amplitude are used, as well as exercises that stretch the muscles while weighing down their own weight. Such exercises are important element techniques. The pain experienced at the beginning of exercise disappears over time due to a decrease in reflex excitation of the nerve, stretching of individual muscle groups and nerve trunks. In the process of training using this method, it is also envisaged to use autogenic training, meditation - focusing on the effect of an exercise on a specific part of the spine or organ.

Osteochondrosis Prevention of osteochondrosis Self-massage for osteochondrosis Exercises for osteochondrosis Exercises for cervical osteochondrosis Exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis Exercises for lumbar and thoracic osteochondrosis Exercises for sacrolumbar osteochondrosis Static exercises for osteochondrosis Stretch marks for osteochondrosis Self-management for osteochondrosis Hanging exercises for the spine Increasing physical activity with osteochondrosis Traditional treatment of osteochondrosis

Autogenic training and elements of meditation help to enrich the neural connections between the functioning muscular system, cerebral cortex, subcortical formations and internal organs, which significantly enhances healing effect exercises.

Static exercises for cervical osteochondrosis

Static exercise for cervical osteochondrosis No. 1

Starting position - sitting. Tighten the muscles of your neck and back, turn your head to the right as much as possible, look down behind your back - inhale slowly. Take the starting position, relax the muscles of the back and neck - exhale. Repeat all movements in the other direction. Tighten the muscles of your neck and back and forcefully tilt your head to the left, trying to touch your left shoulder with your left ear - inhale. Take the starting position, relax the muscles of the back and neck - exhale. Repeat all movements in the other direction. Tilt your head back, strongly straining your neck muscles - inhale. Take the starting position, relax the neck muscles - exhale. Straining the neck muscles, tilt your head forward, touching your chin to your chest - inhale. Take the starting position, relax the neck muscles - exhale. You should be in each position for 5 seconds. Repeat the movements twice. You need to inhale slowly through your nose, for 5 seconds, and exhale through a loosely closed mouth, also for 5 seconds. If pain occurs during exercise, you should reduce the degree of muscle tension.

Static exercise for cervical osteochondrosis No. 2

Starting position - standing, legs apart, arms spread to the sides and bent at the elbows, palms facing out. Tighten the muscles of your back, neck, and arms. Bring your elbows together with force - exhale. Forcefully spread your elbows as far back as possible, trying to bring your shoulder blades together - inhale. Repeat the exercise four times. You should bring your arms together and spread them slowly, for 5 seconds.

Static exercise for cervical osteochondrosis No. 3

Starting position - raise your arms to the sides, up, stand on your toes, bend over, look at your hands - inhale. Half-squat, spread your arms to the sides and place them on your knees, touch your chin to your chest - exhale. Repeat the exercise eight to ten times.

Static exercise for cervical osteochondrosis No. 4

Starting position - standing, legs apart, arms relaxed. While half-inhaling, without changing the position of the head, by tensing the neck muscles, press on the closed palms applied to the head on the right between the cheek and ear. Take the starting position, relaxing the muscles of the back, arms, neck - exhale. Repeat all movements in the other direction. Take the starting position, relaxing the muscles of the back, arms, neck - exhale.
While half-inhaling, without changing the position of your head and straining your neck muscles, press your forehead onto your fists, overcoming their resistance. Take the starting position, relax - exhale. Perform the exercise at a slow pace. Between phases of tension, relax all muscles as much as possible. Hold the voltage for 5 s. Place your palms with closed fingers on the back of your neck and head. Straining the muscles of the neck, overcome the resistance of the hands and strive to pull the head up with the palms - half-inhale. Take the starting position, relax - exhale. Repeat the exercise two to three times.

Static exercise for cervical osteochondrosis No. 5

Starting position - sitting. Do a self-massage of the back of your head and neck. Perform all movements for 26-30 seconds from top to bottom towards the shoulders in the following order: light stroking, circular stroking with fingertips, light rubbing and stroking. The purpose of self-massage is to relieve tension from the previous exercise.

Static exercise for cervical osteochondrosis No. 6

Starting position - lying on your stomach. Tilt your head, touching your chin to your chest, and press on the back of your head with your hands, overcoming the resistance of your neck (10 s).
Tilt your head as far back as possible, press on the back of your head with your hands, overcoming the resistance of your neck (10 s). Repeat the exercise two to three times. Place your forehead on your clasped fingers and relax (10s). If you are prone to hypertension, the pressure level should be minimal. Voltage holding time - 2-3 s.

Static exercise for cervical osteochondrosis No. 7

Starting position - lying on your side, palm on your stomach. Inhale slowly - stick out your stomach. Exhale slowly - draw in the wall abdominals. Repeat the exercise four to six times.

Static exercise for cervical osteochondrosis No. 8

Starting position - lying on your stomach. Elbow right hand rest on the floor, place your chin on right palm, left hand put it on the back of your head. Tilt your head as far as possible to the left, helping with your hands. Hold the pose for 10 s. Place the elbow of your left hand on the floor, place your chin on left palm, put the right one on the back of the head. Repeat all movements in the other direction (10s). Do the exercise three times in each direction. Hold the pose half-inhaling, constantly creating force with your hands.

Static exercise for cervical osteochondrosis No. 9

Starting position - lying on your stomach (forehead on the mat). Turn your head to the left, touching your ear to the floor, raise your head 15-20 cm above the floor and hold this position for 15 seconds. Return to starting position. Repeat all movements three times in each direction. The pose should be held on a half-inhalation.

Osteochondrosis today is rightfully considered the “disease of the century”, because most often it affects people whose work does not require increased physical activity.

In most cases, changes in cartilage and bone tissue are observed in people of working age - up to 40 years.

The disease can affect different parts of the spine, and the second most common is cervical osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disorder of articular cartilage and adjacent bone tissue.

Previously, the term covered a large group of osteoarticular diseases, but now it is used only for degenerative diseases of the spine.

Compared to other parts of the spine, the cervical spine is the most mobile and has many nerve and vascular formations. The structure of the vertebrae is characterized by its small size, and also by the fact that they are surrounded by a rather weak muscle corset.

This anatomical structure predisposes to the development of osteochondrosis, severity clinical manifestations which depends on the nature of the changes intervertebral discs and the degree of their destruction.

Reasons for the development of the disease

The main and most common cause of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a sedentary lifestyle.

Due to lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle:

• metabolic processes are disrupted;
• the level of salts in the bloodstream and lymphatic fluid increases;
• V cervical spine, salts are deposited in the kidneys and liver of the spine.

Damage to the cervical vertebrae is caused mainly by a lack of nutrients in intervertebral discs. Therefore, to the main causes cervical osteochondrosis also include improper and unbalanced nutrition.

Risk factors

There are many risk factors for cervical osteochondrosis.

The most common factors are:

• heredity;
• age-related changes;
• cervical spine injuries;
• hypothermia;
• hormonal disorders that lead to metabolic disorders;
• some autoimmune diseases that lead to damage cartilage tissue(systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatism).

Why is it dangerous?

Not only do the cervical spine pass through spinal cord and nerve roots, but also the vertebral artery, which is responsible for supplying blood to the back of the brain, medulla oblongata and cerebellum.

Therefore, with cervical osteochondrosis, compression of this artery occurs, and as a result, cerebral circulation is impaired.

Fig.: syndrome vertebral artery

In particularly advanced cases, compression of the artery and adjacent blood vessels And nerve plexuses can lead to such consequences as:

• lack of coordination;
• decreased hearing and vision;
• stroke.

If the disease is not treated at the initial stage, it can lead to complications such as intervertebral disc protrusion or intervertebral disc herniation.

Degree of disease development

Cervical osteochondrosis, like osteochondrosis of other parts of the spine, develops in stages. There are 3 stages of disease development.

Fig.: stages of osteochondrosis

1st degree

Characterized by the onset of destruction of intervertebral discs.

Cracks form in the fibrous ring, the strength and elasticity of the disc is impaired, its height decreases, due to which the nerve roots are compressed.

A characteristic It's a dull pain. Sometimes at stage 1 (preclinical) such pain may be absent, and osteochondrosis occurs with moderate discomfort in the neck area.

2nd degree

If grade 1 osteochondrosis was not treated or treatment was not effective, then a chronic condition occurs, which is grade 2 osteochondrosis.

The pain becomes constant, the destruction and compaction of the intervertebral disc continues and leads to slight dislocations of the cervical vertebrae.

With cervical osteochondrosis, falling head syndrome may develop at this stage. This syndrome is characterized by severe pain, and the person is forced to support his head in a fixed position to reduce pain.

3rd degree

Cervical osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• headaches;
• nausea;
• dizziness;
• neck “lumbago”;
• impaired sensitivity of the upper extremities.

The fibrous ring is almost destroyed, which leads to complications of osteochondrosis - protrusion of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral hernia.

At stage 3 of osteochondrosis, intensity pain may decrease, since the affected cartilage tissue in the intervertebral disc simply no longer exists, and therefore there is no source of pain, however, the pinching of the nerve roots remains, so the pain does not completely go away.

Characteristic signs and symptoms

There are many signs of manifestation of this disease. And they depend on which vertebrae are damaged by this disease.

Characteristic syndromes for cervical osteochondrosis are:

• radicular syndrome;
• cervical migraine syndrome;
• hypertension syndrome.

All these syndromes are accompanied, first of all, by different types pain.

If we consider vertebral artery syndrome, then headache here it manifests itself already at an early stage of the development of the disease.

In this case, attacks of pain may be accompanied by:

• dizziness;
• unsteadiness of gait;
• visual symptoms (the appearance of fog before the eyes, decreased visual acuity, etc.). fainting (with sudden movements of the head).

In hypertension syndrome, increased intracranial pressure is determined.

The headache is more of a bursting nature and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. With exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, an increase in temperature and an increase in ESR may be observed.

When the spinal roots are compressed (“radicular syndrome”), the following neurological symptoms may appear:

• severe pain in the neck (cervicalgia);
• neck pain spreading to the forearm and humerus(cervicobrachialgia);
• arm pain;
• sensation of crunching or crackling in the neck when turning the head;
• pain “radiating” to the ear, which occurs only after a long stay in an uncomfortable position or sudden movement;
• pain or feeling of a lump in the throat, breathing problems;
• numbness of hands and tongue;
• sensation of tongue swelling;
• severe weakness;
• hearing and vision impairment;
• noise in ears;
• general deterioration of health.

In case of “cervical migraine” syndrome, irritation of the sympathetic nodes is observed, which leads to impaired reactivity of cerebral vessels and impaired circulation.

As a result, hypertension may develop, often accompanied by:

• stuffy ears;
• tachycardia;
• noise in the head;
• ringing in the ears.

When the arteries supplying the spinal cord are compressed, a spinal stroke can occur.

Poor blood circulation in the brain with osteochondrosis can lead to:

• oxygen deficiency of brain cells;
• mental disorders (depression, panic attacks);
• the appearance of signs of episyndrome, such as short-term losses consciousness and tension of the whole body - they are often confused with signs of epilepsy.

A very common sign of cervical osteochondrosis is changes and disturbances in heart rhythm, such as extrasystole or arrhythmia.

Such signs are very common among drivers and office workers.

Due to a sedentary lifestyle, the intervertebral discs of the cervical and thoracic changes occur in the spine, which lead to disturbances in the functioning of the heart.

In most cases, until osteochondrosis is cured, it is virtually impossible to get rid of disturbances in heart rhythm.

Swelling under the eyes may also indicate osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

Most often, they depend on the position of the head during night sleep, disappear during the day and are combined with headaches, dizziness, heaviness in the head, etc.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia is another common disease that occurs with this disease.

It is a consequence of pinching of the vascular arteries that run along the sides of the spinal column.

Diagnostic methods

A preliminary diagnosis is established by a neurologist when initial examination patient. Until recently, a doctor had to make a diagnosis by conducting only an external examination of the patient and sending him for an x-ray.

But, unfortunately, on x-ray it is impossible to see the full picture of the development of the disease.

Currently available tests include: CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging, which can be used to fully assess what stage of development the disease is at.

Once the diagnosis is made, the patient is referred to a doctor who specializes in this area.

Which doctor treats you?

Treatment is carried out by a specialist with a narrow focus - a vertebrologist or vertebroneurologist.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The basis for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is the severity of the main clinical symptoms.

In the cervical spine, symptoms are mainly associated with compression of blood vessels and nerve endings, therefore, during treatment, the first step is to relieve swelling and restore blood circulation.

There are many treatment methods used in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.

The most effective treatment is complex, which is a combination of several conservative methods treatment.

Complex treatment of cervical osteochondrosis may include the following traditional and non-traditional methods: drug treatment, massage, acupressure, manual therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, folk remedies and so on.

The main stages of treatment for osteochondrosis are the same for all localizations of this disease:

1. First you need to relieve the pain.
2. Then the swelling will go away.
3. At this stage it is necessary to normalize blood circulation.
4. Strengthening the muscle corset.
5. Improving nutrition and tissue regeneration.

Only a team can choose the most appropriate therapy good specialists, which includes a neurologist, physiotherapist, massage therapist, surgeon, and vertebroneurologist.

Like any disease, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be treated at the earliest stage of its occurrence. If you do not start the process, then at this stage you can achieve a complete cure of osteochondrosis.

Unfortunately, stages 2 and 3 of cervical osteochondrosis are accompanied by complete or partial destruction of the intervertebral discs, so these stages are characterized by a very long recovery process.

First aid

How to relieve pain during exacerbation?

At severe pain you need to take painkillers from home first aid kit: These can be analgesics - diclofenac, nise, etc. You can also apply a pepper patch for pain.

If swelling occurs, you can take diuretics. Rubbing the neck area with pain-relieving ointments may help.

You can also use for pain, which:

• relieves pain in the spine;
• reduces muscle spasm;
• stimulates the functioning of internal organs;
• normalizes blood circulation.

Physical therapy during exacerbations is contraindicated, as well as heating, since these effects can cause serious complications.

After removal acute pain You must immediately consult your doctor for advice.

Treatment with medications

Treatment with medications most often begins with injections (during exacerbation), then switches to tablets and suppositories in combination with local application ointments and gels.

Pain relief for drug treatment produced using steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, diclac gel, etc.).

Photo: Diclak gel for the treatment of osteochondrosis

Medications that restore cerebral circulation must be prescribed.

For pathological muscle tension, muscle relaxants such as Mydocalm may be prescribed. For more effective treatment vitamins are taken in therapeutic doses and microelements.

Massage and self-massage

This method goes well with physical therapy and physiotherapy. You can take a massage course at any medical institution, and turning to private practices.

Massage is necessary for cervical osteochondrosis to strengthen muscles and relieve tension in the neck.

The massage therapist’s task is to remove harmful products metabolism, as well as relieve spasm from the pathological area.

The main techniques used by specialists in neck massage are:

• stroking;
• squeezing;
• trituration;
• vibration;
• kneading.

The self-massage technique can be performed using the following techniques:

• stroking (movements should be soft, without much effort forming folds)
• kneading (deep impact on muscles by gripping, pressing and pushing);
• vibration (oscillatory effect by tapping, shaking, patting).

Self-massage should always end with stroking. During vibration, you can use a massager.

Video: self-massage of the neck

Acupressure

Acupressure relieves headaches during exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, helps with pressure surges, normalizing it.

Scheme of acupressure:

• Impact on the feng fu point, which is located under occipital protuberance, for 1 minute.
• Impact on the Feng Chi point, located two fingers' width from the mastoid processes of the skull.
• Exposure for 1-1.5 minutes to the ya-men point (located at a distance of three fingers’ width from the feng fu point).
• Sedative effect for 1-1.5 minutes on the Da Zhui point (7th cervical vertebra).

After acupressure, you need to lie down for a few minutes, as you may feel slightly dizzy.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy helps to cope with both acute and chronic pain, also increases range of motion and improves posture well.

Basic techniques of manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

• Relaxing and segmental massage. Used to warm up muscles and relieve tension.
• Mobilization. Influences aimed at restoring joint functions. by traction method.
• Manipulation. A sharp push aimed at the patient's pathological areas. The procedure is accompanied by a characteristic crunch (returning the joint to its normal position).

A specialist practicing manual therapy must master these techniques perfectly. Otherwise, any mistake can lead to injury.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture promotes the release of cortisol into the blood. This hormone has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.

Acupuncture is performed by influencing points near the inner edge of the scapula. The needles are inserted to a depth of 1–2 cm and left to act for 10–30 minutes.

Video: about the benefits of acupuncture

Homeopathy

Drug treatment carries with it many adverse side effects, so homeopathy can become a worthy replacement treatment without undesirable consequences.

At this disease The most commonly used homeopathic medicines are:

• Rus in 6, 12 and 30 dilutions, as well as in the form of ointments and oils;
• Staphysagria in 3 and 3 dilutions.

For cervical osteochondrosis with severe hypertension (expressed as pain in the back of the head), strontium carbonate or Stonziana Carbonica is used.

Prescribed in 3, 6, 12 and 30 dilutions.

When cervical osteochondrosis is combined with varicose veins Esculus is prescribed in 3, 3 and 6 dilutions.

Nutritional Features

The diet should be rich in calcium and magnesium.

These microelements are found in fish and seafood, nuts, legumes and dairy products.

Often neck osteochondrosis can be accompanied by atherosclerosis. IN in this case A strict diet is recommended.

The diet is prescribed for 3-4 months. It is necessary to limit the consumption of all foods containing cholesterol. These include animal fats, fatty varieties meat, fatty dairy products, etc. You should also limit or eliminate the consumption of salt, sugar, and flour products.

Cervical osteochondrosis and alcohol are interrelated. The fact is that when alcohol gets into the blood, it destroys cells, thereby exacerbating the already impaired blood circulation in osteochondrosis.

Therefore, you should limit alcohol consumption to a minimum, and during periods of exacerbation, completely stop drinking alcohol.

Disease prevention

To prevent cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to follow the following rules:

• sleep should be on a firm mattress and on a low pillow: the angle of neck flexion should not be more than 15 degrees;
• Take a hot shower every day for at least 10 minutes;
• visit the sauna and bathhouse as often as possible: heat helps relieve neck spasms;
• give yourself aerobic exercise and regular walks at a low pace;
• go swimming;
• after 25 years, avoid shock loads on the spine (jumping, running);
• when working sedentarily, be sure to take five-minute breaks every hour;
• regular yoga classes can prevent any manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis;
• refuse to visit gym, since bodybuilding exercises can provoke the occurrence of cervical disc protrusion;
• physical exercises as a preventive measure for osteochondrosis of the neck help strengthen the neck muscles and relieve tension.

FAQ

What to do during pregnancy and how to treat it?

Often, it is during pregnancy that the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur.

This is due to change hormonal levels and softening of the vertebrae, as well as due to a shift in the center of gravity and excessive load on the spine.

Treatment of osteochondrosis in pregnant women is quite complex, since it is limited in general by medicinal method aimed at relieving pain.

Can be used natural ointments or resort to traditional medicine.

Any impact on the neck area (warming, exercise, etc.) during pregnancy is strictly prohibited.

Does it happen in children and teenagers?

In children and adolescents, cervical osteochondrosis develops as a result of congenital or acquired functional deficiency of cartilage tissue.

It is expressed by complaints of headache, fatigue, dizziness and fainting.

Is it possible to heat the neck area?

Warming the neck for cervical osteochondrosis is strictly prohibited, especially in the acute stage of the disease, since heating can lead to increased swelling and dilation of cerebral vessels.

How to sleep properly?

You need to sleep on a flat, hard bed with an orthopedic mattress.

The use of an orthopedic pillow helps relax the muscles in the cervical region, reduces irritation of nerve endings, which prevents headaches and insomnia.

Are physical activities and saunas allowed?

IN preventive measures and at stage 1 of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to engage in physical therapy and swimming.

Osteochondrosis and VSD... On many media resources, these two concepts are often found together. Sometimes you can even find statements that this is practically the same disease, or that one pathology is the cause of another. What is true and matters for diagnosis, treatment and human health? This will be discussed in our article.

1. What is osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a degenerative (i.e. leading to deterioration, degeneration) processes in the vertebral joints (or other human joints), leading to a significant decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs and sclerotic (replacement of parenchymal connective tissue) changes in their surfaces, with the appearance and proliferation pathological growths (osteophytes).

To put it simply, disc cartilage transforms into bone tissue, as a result of which the disc decreases in size, loses elasticity, ceases to perform a shock-absorbing function, and compresses the nerve roots, causing a feeling of pain, as well as aching joints (reminiscent of arthritis), numbness of the arms and legs.

Osteochondrosis can occur in any joints of the body, but in relation to VSD, it is osteochondrosis of the vertebral joints that needs to be considered.

Spinal osteochondrosis is classified according to the location of the pathology:

• Lumbar osteochondrosis (the most common type, up to 50%, because the maximum load falls on the lumbar spine).
• Cervical osteochondrosis (second place in prevalence, up to 25%).
• Thoracic osteochondrosis.
• Common osteochondrosis (pathology affects different parts of the spine: lumbosacral, cervicothoracic, etc.).

The course of osteochondrosis can be complicated by the formation of:

• protrusions (disc protrusion (prolapse), with preservation of the fibrous ring);
• intervertebral hernias (the same disc prolapse, accompanied by rupture of the fibrous ring with the release of the contents of the nucleus beyond the disc).

2. What do osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia have in common?

If we consider the main manifestations of cervicothoracic and cervical osteochondrosis, we can find symptoms similar to VSD. Thus, the following symptoms are characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis:

• manifestation (headache),
• limited mobility and pain in the neck,
• the occurrence of pain in the shoulders and arms.

But headaches and migraines are companions and VSD.

With complicated forms of flow, disruptions in work also occur sympathetic division, manifested:

1. Pressure changes.
2. Impaired coordination, fatigue.
3. Anemia (pallor) of the skin.
4. Vertebral artery syndrome, consisting of a complex of symptoms (cause – artery spasm as a result of irritation of the sympathetic plexus caused by osteochondrosis):

• Flashing before the eyes of multi-colored spots.
• Phenomena of noise in the ears and head.
• Dizziness.

Almost each of the described manifestations is characteristic of different types vegetative-vascular dystonia.

With cervical thoracic osteochondrosis, the above symptoms may be accompanied by:

• manifestations intercostal neuralgia( , in area lumbar region, scapula and collarbone);
• difficulty breathing, pain and discomfort from other internal organs.

In addition, both of these disorders may be accompanied by other neurological manifestations (numbness, tingling and decreased temperature of the extremities).

As you can see, the symptoms are very similar to, or more correctly, to somatoform dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.

3. And yet: VSD or osteochondrosis?

As we have written many times before, VSD is a neurosis, i.e. a disorder with psychogenic roots. It turns out that cervicothoracic osteochondrosis and autonomic dysfunction, as they say in Odessa, are two big differences.

Accordingly, the complexes of therapeutic measures in the first and second cases are different. In case of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to treat the spine (for example, manual therapy, massages, exercise therapy), and in case of VSD - the nervous system, i.e. What is needed, first of all, is the help of a psychotherapist or psychologist who specializes in the correction of anxiety-phobic disorders, especially during a crisis.

However, the situation becomes more complicated when a person still has osteochondrosis. (And this is not difficult to do: with radiography and MRI, pronounced degenerative changes spine). But the question immediately arises: are the symptoms of dizziness, headache, palpitations, etc., symptoms caused by osteochondrosis? Or does osteochondrosis have nothing to do with it, but vegetative-vascular dystonia is to blame?

The question has full reason, because Many people have osteochondrosis, but it occurs without pronounced disorders of the autonomic nervous system (characteristic of NCD), manifesting itself more in the form of pain (when palpating problem areas - neck, back, etc.), as well as limitations motor functions. And we often see a picture that a patient who really needs the help of a psychotherapist is persistently and unsuccessfully treated for osteochondrosis, and cannot understand why, instead of improvement, there is an increase in symptoms; they already manifest themselves not one at a time, but as a whole complex, in the form of attacks .

Thus, correct understanding understanding the nature of the symptoms will avoid wasting money, time and mental energy. Let's look at how to determine where the VSD is and where the cervical osteochondrosis is, so to speak, at home. Let's try to separate the flies from the cutlets. 🙂

4. Differences in symptoms of VSD and cervicothoracic osteochondrosis

So, in order to choose correct scheme treatment, you need to at least approximately know how the seemingly similar symptoms of osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia differ.

1. When VSD is clearly present pronounced violations functioning of the nervous system: panic attacks, fears, increased anxiety about health, etc. These manifestations are typical for hypochondria, as well as panic disorder, manifested in the form of panic attacks and accompanied by various phobias, for example, agoraphobia.

If the symptoms described in paragraph 2 are accompanied by fear, anxiety, especially if you notice that as a result of these fears discomfort only intensifying, which means the influence psychological component It's very big here. It doesn’t matter whether there is osteochondrosis or not, you need to pay attention Special attention diagnosis and treatment of autonomic dysfunction.

1. It is very important to understand under what conditions did the first attack of dizziness, visual effects, pressure surges and other disturbing symptoms occur? One of key reasons The development of neurocirculatory dystonia is stress accumulated over a certain period of time. Overload at work, weddings, funerals, divorces, the birth of a child, changing jobs or positions - all of these are strong stressors. The main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis include: spinal injuries, severe physical exercise, prolonged stay of the spine in one position (in a state of tension).

The presence of several stressors preceding the occurrence of the first acute manifestation symptoms from point 2, signals that it is necessary to treat primarily the nervous system and NCD, and not osteochondrosis.

1. Further development of the disease. If you notice that the frequency of peaks of discomfort increases over time, and you know that you are consistently influenced by so-called “triggers” - specific conditions under which the previous (especially the first) crisis arose. Such triggers include cold, heat, stuffy room, large cluster people, etc.

Think logically: what does osteochondrosis and its symptoms, which by definition depend on spinal problems, have to do with osteochondrosis? crowded place or temperature fluctuations? That's right, very distant. Therefore, again we must concentrate our main efforts on psychology.

1. How are you being treated? In addition to (or even instead of) treating osteochondrosis, do you take sedatives or tranquilizers? And they even have a small effect? Well, let's not deceive ourselves - the problem is psychogenic in nature.

You must give yourself an honest answer: the use of antidepressants, sedatives and the like cannot affect problems with the spine, while they affect the nervous system. Therefore, the very fact of taking such drugs suggests that internally, subconsciously, you know the cause of the disease, and it is clearly rooted in psychology.

conclusions

Cervicothoracic osteochondrosis and VSD, in essence, are two various pathologies, which can arise and manifest themselves completely independently of each other. Although this does not completely exclude their simultaneous manifestation. In this case, one will aggravate the course of the other.

A clear example of their simultaneous manifestation is the case of one patient. She was diagnosed with cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, but, in addition, there were signs of agoraphobia (fear of leaving the house unaccompanied for fear of becoming ill), expressed in the fear of developing panic attack while traveling in public transport, as well as in large supermarkets during rush hours.

As a result of treatment ( physiotherapy, correction of the spine, etc.), there was a clear improvement in terms of pain, but the manifestations of neurosis, in the form of attacks, not only did not decrease, but, on the contrary, became more frequent. The reason for this was that the doctor did not treat the panic disorder with agoraphobia accompanying osteochondrosis. The latter developed and progressed.

What does this mean for diagnosis?

The presence of similar symptoms indicates that treatment is required. differential diagnosis these pathologies. To confirm the diagnosis of osteochondrosis, radiography, computed tomography and MRI are used.

The diagnosis of VSD is described in detail in, so we will not repeat it.

Implications for treatment

• Certainly, main role Correct and timely diagnosis plays a role in treatment. After all, if you have VSD, and treatment is carried out for non-existent osteochondrosis, then you can aggravate the course of the disease without receiving timely help.
• When carrying out treatment, the doctor must take into account the presence of concomitant neuroses. If they are detected, treatment should be carried out comprehensively by appropriate specialists.
• If during the treatment of osteochondrosis with pronounced nervous manifestations limit myself only traditional methods(manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, etc.), the manifestations of neurosis cannot be eliminated, since disturbances in the activity of the nervous system can occur very quickly and do not disappear even after the cause is eliminated. Required A complex approach and help from a psychotherapist.
• Using psychotherapy methods, you can significantly speed up the treatment of osteochondrosis even without neurological signs (for example, a method used to treat psychosomatic disorders, improve immunity and many other diseases).

Summary

Any disease accompanied by disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system is very difficult to treat if they are not taken into account during diagnosis and subsequent therapeutic procedures. It is also possible that the underlying disease is cured, but the accompanying neuroses remain and often begin to progress. This is of particular importance in the treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia in the presence of cervical or cervicothoracic regions, because their symptoms overlap in many ways. This can result in the development of a completely different, serious pathology of a psychogenic nature.

If in a timely manner, a psychotherapy plan is developed, and after a short period of time the first results will appear, life will take on colors.