Vertebrogenic cervicalgia is a common pathology among middle-aged people engaged in sedentary mental work. Prolonged tension in the muscles of the neck and collar area provokes the development of pathologies of the spinal column. These, in turn, cause severe pain.
In this article you can find out more information about the symptoms and treatment of vertebrogenic cervicalgia, and understand the potential causes of the development of this disease. This information will help you make the right decision about effective and safe treatment. You will also be able to independently recognize the first signs of trouble and seek medical help in time.
Acute vertebrogenic cervicalgia is the primary appearance of pain in the neck and collar area. It can occur after a long static position of the body and head, an incorrectly chosen position for night sleep, traumatic effects on the spinal column, etc. If within 5 - 7 days this syndrome does not go away completely, then doctors talk about the disease becoming chronic. currents.
Chronic vertebrogenic cervicalgia has an undulating course. Periods of remission (complete absence of symptoms) are followed by exacerbations (with severe pain and limited mobility). Official medicine is able to offer patients with this pathology only symptomatic treatment. During an exacerbation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed in combination with muscle relaxants. This allows the period of remission to return and the patient can begin his work. But the cause of the pathology does not disappear at this time and destructive processes continue.
It is important to understand that vertebrogenic cervicalgia syndrome is secondary. In the foreground, such patients always have a chronic disease of the musculoskeletal system. Most often these are degenerative dystrophic changes in the cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral discs. Osteochondrosis can provoke the development of protrusion, extrusion and intervertebral hernia - these conditions also lead to cervicalgia. The negative impact of rheumatic and post-traumatic deformities cannot be ruled out.
To begin treatment of vertebrogenic cervicalgia, it is necessary to carry out a full differential diagnosis, the doctor must establish the potential cause of the development of pain and correct this condition by available means. Then work is carried out to restore the functionality of the muscles of the neck and collar area, improve the processes of nerve impulses, etc.
If you notice the first signs of vertebrogenic cervicalgia, do not self-treat under any circumstances. Do not use analgesic drugs or ointments. This will only worsen the health of your spinal column. Seek medical help from a vertebrologist or neurologist. These doctors have sufficient professional competence to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe adequate and safe treatment for the patient’s health.
In Moscow, you can make a free appointment with a vertebrologist and neurologist at our manual therapy clinic. Experienced doctors work here. They will conduct a full examination and give you a preliminary diagnosis. You will then be given individual recommendations for further examination and treatment. To register, use the special form located further on the page.
Causes of cervicalgia syndrome of vertebrogenic origin
Vertebrogenic moderate cervicalgia can appear in completely healthy people under the influence of a number of pathogenic factors. For example, prolonged work at a computer with excessive tension in the muscles of the neck and collar area can cause spasm of myocytes, which will lead to severe pain. However, this condition is different in that it goes away completely on its own (without the use of medications) within a few hours.
Similar manifestations may appear after visiting a bathhouse or sauna, exposure to a draft, emotional stress, etc.
True cervicalgia syndrome of vertebrogenic origin is always a complication of diseases of the tissues of the spinal column. Potential causes include the following pathologies:
- cicatricial deformation of the ligamentous and tendon apparatus after multiple injuries (for example, sprains and ruptures);
- degenerative dystrophic changes in the cartilage tissues of the intervertebral discs (osteochondrosis);
- complications of long-term osteochondrosis, such as protrusion (decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc), extrusion (rupture of the fibrous ring) and intervertebral hernia (exit of part of the nucleus pulposus through the rupture);
- deforming osteoarthritis of the uncovertebral, facet and facet joints in the cervical spine;
- instability of the position of the vertebral bodies, their dislocations and subluxations, displacements such as antelesthesis and retrolisthesis;
- curvature of the spinal column, including in the thoracic region with compensatory displacement of the vertebrae in the neck;
- consequences of injuries in the form of cracks and fractures of the bone tissue of the vertebral bodies and their processes;
- rheumatoid processes such as systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, scleroderma, etc.
In old age, vertebrogenic cervicalgia is a consequence of the destruction of bone tissue (osteoporosis). The vertebral bodies sag, the length of the spinal canal decreases. This leads to compression of the hard membranes of the spinal cord, narrowing of the foraminal openings through which the radicular nerves depart.
The development of vertebrogenic cervicalgia syndrome can be triggered by emotional shock, muscle inflammation and a deficiency of certain microelements responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses.
Symptoms
The diagnosis is established on the basis of X-ray confirmation of problems with the spine (including the presence of cervical osteochondrosis, protrusions or herniations of intervertebral discs, anomalies in the development of vertebrae, etc.), as well as in the presence of a characteristic clinical picture that includes the following symptoms:
- Pain in the neck, radiating (radiating) to the back of the head.
- Muscle tension in the occipital region.
- Dizziness.
- Noise in ears.
- Flashing of flies before the eyes.
- Limiting head turns.
It should be said that no specific signs of vertebrogenic cervicocranialgia are determined in the neurological status. With vertebrogenic cervicranialgia, pain in the head can be caused by compression of the vertebral arteries (the so-called vertebral artery syndrome), and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine as the cause of the existing symptoms should also be separated from other causes of headache. This is why it is advisable to conduct further examination:
- Doppler ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck with functional tests (head rotations).
- MRI of the brain and craniovertebral junction to exclude focal pathology.
Clinical symptoms of vertebrogenic cervicalgia
The clinical picture develops very acutely. Severe cramping pain appears in the neck and collar area. It worsens when trying to make any movements with the head and hands.
Gradually, the symptoms of vertebrogenic cervicalgia subside, but when you try to turn your head or throw it back, they reappear. Other signs of the disease include:
- excessive tension in the muscles of the neck and collar area;
- impaired mobility, feeling of stiffness of movements;
- muscle tension headache;
- pain in the back of the head and temples;
- difficulty making hand movements;
- decreased muscle strength in the upper extremities;
- the appearance of a periodic sensation of complete loss of sensitivity in one or another part of the hand;
- dizziness, nausea, flickering before the eyes or the appearance of a veil (these are signs of impaired blood flow in the posterior vertebral arteries, which leads to a reduction in the volume of blood flowing to the brain).
Gradually, the symptoms of vertebrogenic cervicalgia become less pronounced. But this does not mean a sweaty recovery. On the contrary, pathological changes continue to develop in cartilage, tendon, muscle and ligament tissues. Scar deformation further aggravates the patient's condition. Over a long period of time, vertebrogenic cervicalgia leads to significant impairment of cerebral circulation. This is fraught with the development of a stroke with subsequent paralysis of the body. Patients may experience depression, depression, and decreased mental and physical performance.
Diagnosis is carried out by a vertebrologist or neurologist. First, the condition of the cervical spine is examined and determined. Then an x-ray of the cervical spine is taken in different projections. This allows us to determine the condition of the vertebral bodies and the height of the intervertebral spaces. If it is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor may recommend an MRI or CT examination. To assess the intensity of cerebral circulation, an ultrasound scan of the vessels of the neck and head is performed.
Causes of vertebrogenic cervicalgia
Sometimes vertebrogenic cervicalgia can appear as a result of more serious diseases of the spine. But often the cause of cervicalgia is not serious problems associated with unsuccessful loads on the muscles of the neck and spine.
The most common causes of the disease:
- Hypothermia;
- Sedentary work in one position;
- Cervical spine injuries;
- Uncomfortable position of the head and neck at night;
- Muscle overload as a result of heavy physical labor or sports;
- Tumor processes;
- Infectious diseases;
- Diseases of the cervical spine (osteochondrosis, hernia, etc.).
Complications of vertebrogenic cervicalgia
As vertebrogenic cervicalgia develops, complications arise. The most dangerous to human health is vertebrogenic cervicalgia with muscular-tonic syndrome - this condition can provoke cerebrovascular accident. In the early stages, this leads to vegetative-vascular dystonia. Blood pressure may increase and mental performance may decrease. In a later period, this leads to serious arterial hypertension. There is a high probability of developing acute cerebrovascular accident (stroke) and body paralysis.
An increase in muscle tone has a negative effect on blood microcirculation and diffuse nutrition of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs. Therefore, with vertebrogenic cervicalgia, all intervertebral discs are often quickly destroyed and widespread osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs.
Another common complication of vertebrogenic cervicalgia is thoracalgia (pain in the chest area). Often it imitates a heart attack or angina. A diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis, intercostal neuralgia, etc. may be erroneously made.
Symptoms
In order to correctly recognize the pathologies that cause “painful neck” syndrome, it is necessary to conduct an initial diagnosis yourself based on characteristic signs. But discovering signs of illness in yourself should be a signal to contact our medical specialist for a more accurate diagnosis and selection of an effective treatment method. The main symptoms of cervicocranialgia include:
- Frequent contraction of the neck muscles, cramps.
- Painful sensations when turning the head.
- Noise in the head, sleep disturbance.
- Pain in the cervical spine, radiating to the head.
- Frequent dizziness.
- Constant tension in the neck and back of the head.
The presence of three to four signs should make the patient think about immediately contacting medical specialists.
How to treat vertebrogenic cervicalgia
Treatment of vertebrogenic cervicalgia can only be complex. First of all, all potential causes should be eliminated. It is impossible to treat this condition separately, since in most cases vertebrogenic cervicalgia is closely associated with damage to the tissues of the spinal column. If they are not eliminated, the pain and all the unpleasant symptoms will return again.
Therefore, before treating vertebrogenic cervicalgia, an experienced doctor will collect a detailed history and give the patient individual recommendations. They may include changing your lifestyle, introducing the habit of doing physical exercise, eating right, giving up bad habits, properly organizing your sleeping and working space, etc.
For the treatment of vertebrogenic cervicalgia, the use of pharmacological drugs is completely inappropriate. There are no drugs that would be able to restore damaged tissue and eliminate the negative effects on the hard membranes of the spinal cord and radicular nerves.
Manual therapy methods provide positive results. In our clinic, the course of treatment is developed individually for each patient and may include:
- manual traction of the spinal column in the cervical region (allows you to increase the height of the intervertebral spaces and eliminate the compression effect on the radicular nerves and hard shells of the spinal cord);
- osteopathy, which enhances the processes of microcirculation of blood and lymphatic fluid in the affected areas;
- massage, which allows you to eliminate increased muscle tone and restore their normal performance;
- physiotherapy, which accelerates metabolic processes at the cellular level;
- reflexology, which triggers tissue regeneration processes by using the body’s hidden reserves;
- laser exposure, therapeutic exercises, kinesiotherapy and much more.
If you need treatment for vertebrogenic cervicalgia, then you can make an initial free appointment with a vertebrologist in our manual therapy clinic right now. During the initial consultation, the doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and give all the necessary individual recommendations for comprehensive treatment.
Vertebrogenic cervicalgia
Vertebrogenic cervicalgia is a pain syndrome localized in the neck. With cervicalgia, pain can be of various types - it can be throbbing, tingling or shooting. At the same time, you may feel increased pain with any sudden movement, physical exertion, or actions such as coughing and sneezing.
The disease is usually associated with diseases of the cervical spine (trauma, herniated disc, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, etc.). But it can also be a consequence of hypothermia, sedentary work, being in an uncomfortable position for a long time, muscle overload during training or physical activity, carrying heavy objects, or poor head position during sleep. This disease may also be associated with the presence of a tumor or infection.
In order to make an accurate diagnosis and identify the cause of the disease, it is first necessary to undergo an MRI procedure. This stage will help you understand what phase the disease is in and whether it has entered a chronic stage, as well as prescribe the necessary course of treatment.
Treatment of cervicalgia is carried out using conservative methods. When dealing with pain, it is necessary to take into account that the main reason for its occurrence is the disease, and it is only its consequence.
Conservative treatment includes a set of physical procedures, such as ultrasound therapy, electrophoresis, and magnetic therapy. These activities have a calming effect on the brain and help to successfully combat pain.
The treatment also includes injection methods, such as blockades, plasmas and droppers, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, improve the condition of blood vessels, relieve local pain and restore the volume of the extracellular and intracellular water space of the body. Plasma therapy helps stimulate the body's internal regenerative capabilities to restore damaged areas at the cellular level.
Another effective method of treatment for vertebrogenic cervicalgia is acupuncture. It eliminates pinched nerves, reduces inflammation and helps relieve pain.
Techniques such as massage and PIR (post-isometric relaxation) also help alleviate the patient's condition. With the help of manual manipulation, spasms and excess muscle tone are relieved, blood microcirculation is improved and tissue nutrition is restored.
If you start treating vertebrogenic cervicalgia at an early stage, then in the vast majority of cases it is possible to achieve complete recovery of the patient. If the problem has already become chronic, then the treatment will last much longer and subsequently the disease may remind itself of itself with relapses.
