Today, there are practically no people over the age of 25 who do not have problems with their spine.One of the most common pathologies is damage to the cervical vertebrae, which, if not treated, inevitably progresses and causes increasing discomfort to the patient.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative-dystrophic change in the joints and intervertebral discs.
As cervical osteochondrosis progresses, the following symptoms appear:
- reduced visual acuity and hearing;
- numbness of the tongue;
- when you turn your neck suddenly, your vision becomes dark and you feel dizzy;
- a throbbing pain is felt in the back of the head, which can radiate to the temples and crown;
- pain in the cervical region and shoulders, disturbing the patient even during sleep and increases with movement or stress;
- stiff neck, especially in the morning;
- pressure in the 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 significantly reduced.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Predisposition to osteochondrosis of the neck is inherited.In addition, common causes of the development of pathology are:
- unbalanced diet;
- scoliosis;
- flat feet;
- VSD;
- stress;
- spinal injuries and bruises;
- excessive physical activity;
- rheumatism;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- excess body weight.
Reference!The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is a violation of mineral metabolism, which can be associated with a lack of calcium or a hormonal imbalance.Women often encounter this pathology during pregnancy and menopause.
Diagnostics
The following diagnostic methods are used to determine the degree of degenerative changes in the spine:
- Doppler ultrasound of the carotid and vertebral arteries.It allows you to detect spasms of blood vessels, as well as disturbed blood supply to the brain and spinal cord.
- Audiography to check the functioning of 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 determine the compression of the spinal cord and blood vessels.
- Blood test.
- X-ray in the early stage of pathology.
- Electroneuromyography showing the presence of inflammatory processes, nerve entrapment and damage.
- Duplex scanning of blood vessels of the head.
Reference!It is most convenient to perform all these procedures in one place, where diagnostics are performed with the help of 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 perform an examination and then refer the patient to the necessary tests.
Important!Carrying out manual therapy and other types of treatment without a preliminary diagnosis risks injury and aggravation of existing problems.
Treatment methods
Once the diagnosis is made, the patient can proceed to treatment.Leading experts work in the treatment and rehabilitation center, so the likelihood of complications is minimal.
The main method of treating osteochondrosis of the neck is manual therapy.The specialist performs a massage that relaxes the neck and shoulders, returns the vertebrae and joints 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 physical therapy are used to eliminate the pathology.
The results
As a result of the therapy, the nerve endings are freed from pinching, the spinal column is stabilized, and the pain disappears or weakens.A chiropractor can realign the vertebrae and increase the distance between the damaged discs, thus eliminating friction.
Important!Osteochondrosis of the 2nd and 3rd degrees cannot be completely cured.But therapy and rehabilitation will allow the patient to restore the damaged functions of the spine as much as possible.
Rehabilitation and restoration of lifestyle
The Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation provides not only diagnosis and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, but also rehabilitation measures.The patient leaves the center healthy and ready to return to his usual way of life as soon as possible.
Rehabilitation is aimed not only at restoring the functioning of the spinal column, but also at preventing damage to healthy tissues.The program is compiled taking into account the severity of the pathology and the presence of complications.Physiotherapy procedures, massage, exercise and mud applications have proven themselves well.If the patient still has symptoms of pathology, he is prescribed drug blockades.
Lifestyle with cervical osteochondrosis
To avoid recurrence of the disease, you must follow the following recommendations:
- change body position at least every half hour;
- do not lift loads larger than 5 kg;
- walk more, do physical therapy, swimming, pilates;
- It is preferable to use a backpack rather than a bag;
- When you work sitting down, 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 an orthopedic mattress of medium hardness and an orthopedic pillow.In this case, the head and neck should lie on the pillow, and the shoulders on the mattress.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is most effective in the early stages, so do not delay visiting 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 experts.