Today, there are practically no people over the age of 25 who do not experience problems with the spine.One of the most common pathologies is damage to the cervical vertebrae, which, if not treated, inevitably progresses and causes the patient more and more discomfort.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is degenerative-dystrophic changes in the joints and intervertebral discs.
As cervical osteochondrosis progresses, the following symptoms begin to appear:
- reduced visual and hearing power;
- numbness of the tongue;
- when you turn your neck sharply, your vision becomes dark and you feel dizzy;
- a throbbing pain is felt in the back of the head, which may radiate to the temples and crown of the head;
- pain in the cervical region and shoulders, disturbs the patient even during sleep and increases with movement or stress;
- neck stiff, especially in the morning;
- pressure in sternum;
- shortness of breath, feeling of lack of air.
Due to the fact that the spinal cord does not receive enough nutrients, the range of motion as well as the sensitivity of the upper and lower extremities is noticeably reduced.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Disposition to osteochondrosis in the neck is hereditary.In addition, common causes of the development of pathology are:
- unbalanced diet;
- scoliosis;
- flat feet;
- VSD;
- stress;
- spinal cord injuries and bruises;
- excessive physical activity;
- gout;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- excess body weight.
Reference!The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is a violation of mineral metabolism, which may be associated with calcium deficiency or hormonal imbalance.Women often encounter this pathology during pregnancy and menopause.
Diagnostics
To determine the degree of degenerative changes in the spine, the following diagnostic methods are used:
- Doppler ultrasound of the carotid and vertebral arteries.Allows you to detect spastic blood vessels, as well as reduced blood supply to the brain and spinal cord.
- Audiography to check the function of the hearing organs.
- Ultrasound.
- CT and MRI of the head and cervical spine.It is performed to assess the affected area, check the position of the intervertebral discs and identify compression of the spinal cord and blood vessels.
- Blood test.
- X-ray at an early stage of pathology.
- Electron neuromyography shows the presence of inflammatory processes, pinched nerves and injuries.
- Duplex scan of the vessels of the head.
Reference!It is most convenient to go through all these procedures in one place, where diagnostics are carried out using modern equipment.
Which doctor treats
If symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear, treatment cannot be started immediately.First of all, you should make an appointment with a neurologist.The specialist will carry out an examination and then refer the patient to the necessary tests.
Important!Performing manual therapy and other forms of treatment without preliminary diagnosis risks injury and worsening of existing problems.
Treatment methods
Once the diagnosis has been made, the patient can proceed to treatment.Leading specialists work in the treatment and rehabilitation center, so the likelihood of complications is minimal.
The main method of treating neck osteochondrosis is manual therapy.The specialist performs a massage that relaxes the neck and shoulders, brings the vertebrae and joints back to their natural position and works to normalize the flow of lymph and blood circulation.
Manual therapy is often combined with therapeutic exercises that increase the tone of the neck muscles.In addition, drug treatment and physiotherapy are used to get rid of the pathology.
Results
As a result of the therapy, the nerve endings are freed from pinching, the spine is stabilized, and the pain disappears or weakens.A chiropractor can realign the vertebrae and increase the distance between damaged discs, thereby eliminating friction.
Important!Osteochondrosis of degrees 2 and 3 cannot be completely cured.But therapy and rehabilitation will allow the patient to restore the weakened functions of the spine as much as possible.
Rehabilitation and lifestyle recovery
The treatment and rehabilitation center provides not only diagnosis and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, but also rehabilitation measures.The patient leaves the center healthy and ready to return to their normal lifestyle as soon as possible.
Rehabilitation is not only aimed at restoring the function of the spine, but also at preventing damage to healthy tissue.The program is compiled taking into account the severity of the pathology and the presence of complications.Physiotherapy procedures, massage, exercise therapy and mud applications have been shown to work well.If the patient still has symptoms of the pathology, he is prescribed drug blockades.
Lifestyle with cervical osteochondrosis
To avoid recurrence of the disease, follow the following recommendations:
- change body position at least every half hour;
- do not lift loads weighing more than 5 kg;
- walk more, do physical therapy, swimming, pilates;
- It is preferable to use a backpack rather than a bag;
- When working in a sedentary position, take ten minute breaks every hour.
Important!The position of the human body during sleep is of great importance.You must sleep on your back, on a medium-hard orthopedic mattress and an orthopedic pillow.In this case, the head and neck should lie on the pillow, and the shoulders should lie on the mattress.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is most effective at an early stage, so do not delay a visit to a neurologist.But it is possible to stop the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life regardless of the degree of damage to the joints and intervertebral discs.To do this, it is important not to waste time and follow the recommendations of a specialist.