Due to the fact that the cervical vertebrae are distinguished by their own anatomical distinctive features, even the smallest destructive process of intervertebral discs can become a factor in pinching a vertebra (a nerve in the cervical region). Pain and stiffness are the first signs of a problem.
It should be noted that the pinching of the cervical vertebrae is manifested by several unpleasant signs. In this case, the patient must understand that the disease is accompanied by tangible disturbances in the blood supply to the brain tissues. Accordingly, when this pathology appears, immediate therapy follows. Many are interested in what to do when the cervical vertebrae are pinched. You will find the answer to this question in this article. But it is not recommended to start self-therapy. Specialist consultation required.
What is a pinched nerve in the neck?
PinchA nerve appears when a nerve root protruding from the spinal cord is compressed or pinched. Infringement of the nerve root can occur in many circumstances. In young people, the disease can appear due to trauma and, as a result, the appearance of a herniated disc. In adults, radiculopathy, as a rule, appears suddenly as a result of osteochondrosis or a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs in the cervical region of the ridge.
The cervical spine consists of seven cervical vertebrae (bones that create the cervical center of the spine). Any pair of vertebrae is separated from each other by an intervertebral disc. It functions as a friction damper. The spinal cord passes through a canal founded by the cervical vertebrae. The spinal nerve roots depart from the spinal cord and, branching, follow to certain areas of the arm. The spinal nerves send movement signals to the muscles and also ensure the transmission of perceptual information. The spinal cord is like a log trunk, and the spinal nerves are like branches. In the event that an infringement or an incorrect influence is made close to the trunk, then everything that is along the branch will be affected.
Causes of pinching
In most cases, the formation of osteochondrosis becomes a factor in pinching the nerve in the cervical region of the ridge, which is often manifested by disc protrusion and a slight displacement in the neck. With the development of a disc herniation, the pulpous nucleus begins to bulge over time, which is explained by a defect in the fibrous ring. Key Factorsthis stage of the disease of the cervical vertebrae is the pain that a pinched nerve generates.
The described causes of a pinched cervical vertebra are considered a significant excuse to immediately go to the doctor. Neglect of the disease leads to thickening and proliferation of calluses, which is the result of painful processes that appear in the vertebrae. This often leads to pinching of the cervical nerve, which can provoke quite serious consequences.
The advanced stage of pinching the cervical spine will require a long and very significant cure. The problem is that spine disease can progress for years, until measures are taken.
Symptoms
Compared to the thoracic and lumbar spine, the cervical spine is distinguished by the presence of cerebral blood vessels. Infringement of the nerve in this part of the vertebra can provoke an incomplete loss of functional ability. Disturbed innervation often pulls the contraction of the cervical artery.
Symptoms of a pinched cervical vertebrae can be quite sudden. Among the more well-known signs, it is possible to single out frequent dizziness, headaches that have a migraine character. Infringement of the cervical spine can be accompanied by high fatigue, irritability, a feeling of muscle weakness, visual impairment and memory loss. In addition, one of the key signs of a defect is pain in the affected area, often in the chest area, in the area of the shoulder and shoulder blade. Pain when pinchedshooting, pinching, tormenting and sharp character. In addition to everything else, pinching of the nerve in this area is often accompanied by pain in the back of the head, reduced sensitivity of the fingers, a decrease in the muscle tone of the hands, a feeling of goosebumps in various parts of the back.
Injured nerve, the treatment of which must be urgent, can be successfully eliminated, but only if the appeal to the doctor becomes timely. The cervical spine will require a special approach, for this reason, self-healing in this case is impractical.
During an exacerbation of the disease, complete rest and limitation of physical activity can help relieve discomfort in the cervical and thoracic region of the ridge. Sudden movements have every chance of provoking critical pain and other signs of pinching of the cervical vertebra. The most severe cases are characterized by innervation of the organs of the oral cavity, and, accordingly, speech is disturbed, mucous membranes swell and swallowing becomes more difficult.
In some cases, symptoms of pinching of the cervical vertebrae of blood vessels, such as pain in the chest area, may appear. Particular attention should be paid to pain in the left-sided lobe of the chest. Many incorrectly associate this symptom with heart disease. In order to establish the true root cause that caused the pain, you should be examined by a qualified specialist. In a number of such situations, the patient is prescribed to undergo ancillary studies in order to eliminate myocardial ischemia.
In some cases, there are seizuresepilepsy from pinching of the cervical vertebrae. This type of pathology requires immediate complex treatment. However, in most cases it should be carried out in a hospital setting. Emphasis is placed on electrophoresis and drug therapy. It will not be superfluous to visit a manual therapist. An expert in his field can "put you on your feet" in a fairly short period of time.
To recognize the infringement of the cervical vertebra, do electro-radiography or computed tomography. It is important that painful changes are diagnosed in a timely manner.
Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosis is a visit to a neurologist. At the consultation, the doctor will ask in detail about the time of onset, the nature, localization of pain, and conduct a neurological examination. In order to clarify the diagnosis, they can be sent for auxiliary studies. For example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or electromyography (EMG). Soft tissues, including the spinal cord and nerve endings, are clearly visible on MRI images. This study can help determine what causes nerve impingement, including protrusions and herniated discs. EMG measures the activity of nerves and muscles. This study could help determine how well the spinal nerves provide signals to the muscles.
Treatment methods
Treatment of pinching of the cervical vertebrae and blood vessels, as a rule, begins with the use of pharmaceutical substances that are prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation. Pain relievers like Ibuprofen are available without a prescription. And for more powerful drugs, you will need a doctor's referral - such medicines are intended for use only under the supervision of a doctor, since their uncontrolled intake can lead to drug addiction.
To treat a pinched cervical vertebrae, the doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants with methocarbamol. They must be used with caution, as they have a powerful hypnotic effect. After using muscle relaxants, it is strictly contraindicated to drive or take part in any events that require high concentration.
To rapidly reduce pain and inflammation, your doctor may also recommend corticosteroid injections. This is a fairly specific technology, primarily because injections of corticosteroids are accompanied by serious side effects. For this reason, it should be used only if, without exception, all other treatments have not provided the desired results.
In addition to medicines, other types of therapy are also used to cure a pinched cervical vertebra in a child and an adult. For example, in some cases, neck pain can be relieved with a simple heating pad, which is applied to the affected area for 10-15 minutes three times a day. Another method is the use of "frost therapy", when ice packs are applied to the diseased area to reduce swelling.
Part of the recovery program after a pinched necknerve are required to be a procedure in order to maintain the muscles of the neck. A set of exercises to develop muscles, as a rule, is given by a doctor. Strong, trained muscles can help maintain the cervical spine. Another type of treatment after a pinched nerve can be a therapeutic massage for the neck and collar. Massaging relaxes tense neck muscles, which helps improve blood flow and soften muscles that can compress nerves. In addition, a doctor or chiropractor may also recommend ultrasound treatment. During the ultrasound treatment procedure, the unhe althy area is affected by sound waves, which can help the renewal of materials and inhibit inflammation.
In the event that all of the above methods of treatment without exception after a pinched cervical nerve failed and you still feel powerful pain in the neck, there is always microsurgery. The decision to have a surgical procedure is strongly influenced by a number of factors: the patient's medical history, physical condition, age, and the cause of the pinched cervical nerve. It can take up to 6-8 months to resume after the procedure.
After the key stage of healing a pinched cervical nerve has been completed, it is necessary to beware of any work in which you have to strain your neck too much. If you work at a computer or at a desk, you need to stop from time to time and stretch your neck. In addition, it is important to maintain correct posture, and in addition, perform special procedures for elasticity for muscles.neck at least three days a week.
Ointments and creams
In the presence of pain in the neck for several days, healing creams with a warming effect are prescribed. Warming agents based on bee venom showed themselves well. But if the symptoms of the disease have arisen relatively recently, the use of warming agents can only worsen the condition, causing significant redness and swelling of the cervical region. When edema occurs, it is possible to advise to apply cold from time to time for a short time. If, with the correct observance of the above methods, improvement does not occur, then the attending physician is able to prescribe a course of corticosteroids.
Medicines
Regardless of the choice of a particular method of treatment, pain relief is considered the number one problem. For this purpose, appoint:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Nurofen, Naproxen. They can be bought without a prescription. Substances remove suppuration, show an analgesic effect.
- Strong analgesics - their purpose is rational only when absolutely necessary. Such drugs can only be used under continuous medical supervision, as they have every chance of causing drug addiction.
- Muscle relaxants. In order to treat a pinched nerve, the main muscle relaxants are used: Baclofen, Tizanidin,"Cyclobenzaprine", "Methocarbamol". As a rule, they are not used for a long period, since such substances have a bad effect on other body systems. The peculiarity of the action is the contraction of the muscles and the relaxation of the muscle fibers, as a result of which the pinched nerve roots are released and pain is relieved.
- Medications to maintain blood vessels, improve circulation and metabolism. The resumption of standard blood flow and metabolism in the affected area contributes to the destruction of degenerative phenomena and, as a result, activation of the restoration of damaged nerve fibers.
- Corticosteroids. Their use is a rather drastic measure. Substances in this category have every chance of causing significant side effects, for this reason, hormonal resources are used only when other medicines are ineffective.
Manual Therapy
With the help of this method, it is possible to quickly treat the symptoms of a pinched cervical vertebra, namely, to localize pain and eliminate limited mobility resulting from a pinched nerve. In some cases, the symptoms disappear after the first session. Manual action relieves tension in the affected area, resulting in reduced pressure on the pinched nerve.
The advantages of manual methods are:
- release of nerve, resumption of normal transmission of nerveimpulses;
- effective prevention of muscle contraction;
- increase in the gap between the vertebrae;
- stimulation of blood circulation and improvement of nutrition of intervertebral discs.
It should be noted that with the help of manual therapy it is possible not only to eliminate pain, but also to achieve an absolute resumption of the functions of the affected nerve. The technology is effective, moreover, if the pinching was the result of the destruction of the fibrous ring of the disc.
Only a highly qualified specialist who is familiar with human anatomy in detail is obliged to carry out treatment. Incorrect movement during the treatment session of a pinched cervical vertebra will lead to the patient's disability. Popular types of manual treatment include:
- Soothing and segmental vibration massage with active manipulations. Restores muscles, eliminates hypertonicity and pain. A number of sessions with complex treatment will remove spasms of the cervical vertebra.
- Acupuncture. Eliminates soreness and tension.
- In case of inflammation of the nerve, pharmacopuncture is used. All directions of such treatment are quite effective in restoring the mobility and he alth of the cervical vertebrae.
How to relieve suffering with home remedies
A pinched cervical nerve can be the result of an incomplete loss of physical activity, not to mention the fact that you will regularly feel pain in the neck (and not only in the neck). Prevention can behealing charge. All exercises for pinching the cervical vertebrae can be performed at home. The most famous movement is neck tilts: stand straight, press your chin to your chest. Slowly lift your chin up and tilt your head back as far as possible. Do this exercise five times, pause for 30 seconds and repeat again. This exercise is suitable for those who experience pain in the back of the neck.
Folk recipes
There are a large number of effective prescriptions for home treatment of pinched cervical vertebrae. They reduce pain and inflammation from pinched nerves in the neck. Here are some of them:
- In a ratio of 1:6 mixed juniper and bay leaf, crushed to a fine state. Then the dissolved butter is added and everything is thoroughly mixed until smooth. The purchased medicine will reduce muscle tension and pain.
- Crush the hop cones and mix with 15 g of fat of any type, mix. The finished medicine is rubbed every four hours into the neck.
- Add 10 bay leaves to 1 glass of vodka and keep for 72 hours. Rub the finished solution into the neck.
- To strengthen muscles, it is recommended to drink a glass of celery juice every day, no doubt in the absence of gastrointestinal problems.
- Take 50 g of grated potatoes and horseradish. Squeeze the juice out of them, mix it with one tablespoon of honey. The resulting solution must be applied to the neck for 1.5 minutes one-twice a day.
- A compress of celery pulp can also help reduce pain.
Traditional medicine has a large number of similar recipes that help with this condition. It is important to understand that folk therapy is used only as an auxiliary method for conservative treatment and must be agreed with the doctor! Consider your own well-being, signs of allergies, protracted diseases. Do not forget that plant substances have a strong effect, and therefore are not always acceptable for use in chronic diseases and in children. Take good care of yourself.
