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A pinched nerve in the cervical spine

A pinched nerve in the cervical spine is called cervical radiculopathy. Such problems are fairly common, and the intensity of pain while this phenomenon is expressed more intensely than in the case of pinched nerves in other parts of the body.

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Symptoms pinched nerve cervical

Depending on its location, pain is divided into: cervicobrachialgia (thus hurting both hand and neck) and cervicalgia (neck only). Also in the neck may removing under pressure: the arteries, which is called vertebrobasilar syndrome, nerve in the neck and the spinal cord and nerve endings.

In more rare situations, it is noted simultaneous pinching of the nerves (nerve roots) and blood vessels.

The result:

  • Deteriorating blood supply of the cervical;
  • Manifested additional signs of circulatory disorders in the neck.

Subject to pinching any of the eight cervical nerves, or rather their roots, finding the common and specific symptoms. They arise because in this case, changes in the algorithm innervation and spasm of the vascular portion of the artery in the spine.

Manifestations of a General nature are as follows:

  • Periodic or persistent dizziness, which can occur also in the case of abrupt changes of body position. This is the effect of orthostatic dizziness;

  • Regular headachesand also similar to migraine and pain in the neck;

  • Paresthesia and tingling of one or both upper extremities. It can spread to the wrist or finger joints;
  • Painful sensations along the entire length of the hand, including to the index finger;
  • Pain in the neck, shoulders and even shoulder blades which can purchase shooting, tearing, stabbing and burning character;
  • An increased level of fatigue;
  • The decline of performance;
  • The worsening of memory;
  • The reduction of muscle tone (this applies mainly to toplimbs);

  • Paralysis and paresis of mild;

  • In more severe or chronic cases, probably the lack of a sufficient supply of the mouth and problems with speech. The pinching in the nerve in the cervical spine may be accompanied by swelling in the region of the mucosa and difficulty in swallowing.

Causes of pinched nerve cervical

The main factors that cause pinched nerves and arteries in the neck should be considered changes of a pathological nature in the backbone:

  • The increase in connective tissue volume;
  • The growths on the skeleton and bones;
  • Frequent injuries;

  • The cervical osteochondrosis and its pathologies (thus there is a bulging or herniated disc, a reduction in the distance between several or each of the vertebrae, protrusion or prolapse of one or more disks);

  • The formation of the tendency to reduce or spasserovannye back muscles;
  • Displacement or subluxation in the vertebral spaces.

To be the catalyst for the entrapment root part of the nerve in the cervical spine can processes such as:

  • Changing the position of the head;

  • Increasing the tumor or the same scars;

  • Gipodinamiya lifestyle and weakness in the area of the supporting muscles;
  • Overload of physical and emotional nature;
  • Frequent overcooling;
  • Disease in the acute form and exacerbation of chronic diseases;

  • Irregularities in the thyroid gland.

Another factor affecting the pinched nerve in the cervical region, it may be a genetic predisposition and poor development of the fetus during pregnancy or a wrong exit from the birth canal.


Treatment for pinched nerve cervical

Experts say that this disease is very difficult to cure completely, but itit is possible to successfully arrest due to standard methods of treatment. Surgical intervention in the case of a pinched cervical nerve is only necessary in extreme cases when recovery with the use of conservative methods bring positive results, or acts too slowly. The first thing to carry out therapy of diseases, which provoked a pinched.

Simultaneously, it is recommended to take drugs. So, medication involves the appointment of such funds, which relieve pain and inflamed (for example, "Nise", "Ibuprofen", "Diclofenac"or"Voltaren"). Also the necessary drugs, which provide the ability to improve blood circulation in the brain.

In the case of pathological muscle tension professionals will insist on the necessity of the medication that will allow them to relax (for example, "Mydocalm"). No less useful will be vitamin complexes in therapeutic doses (nicotinic acid, vitamins from b to B1, B6 and B12). Auxiliary remedies for pinched nerve in the cervical spine are drugs with the presence of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and manganese.

You should also apply creams and gels, the properties of which should be considered pain relief and deep heating. In order to ensure the immobility in the cervical it is advisable to wear a special locking collar.

After radiculopathy comes out of its acute phase, specialists prescribe a special procedure. We are talking about electrophoresis, massage, hirudotherapy, or leech therapy, and manual therapy and medical gymnastics. After the course of treatment is completed, the patient will need to use a special chondroprotector. This means that give the ability to restore the cartilage tissue ("activated"or"symptoms").

The average course of treatment takes at least three months. If you stick to it throughout, it is possible to achieve sustainable improvement. Thus, a pinched nerve in the cervical spine can be treated. However, it is necessary to consider not only the symptoms but also the causes of the disease.