Now there are virtually no people over the age of 25 who do not experience spinal problems. One of the most common pathologies is damage to the cervical vertebrae, which, if left untreated, 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 osteochondrosis of the cervix progresses, the following symptoms begin to appear:
decreased visual acuity and hearing;
tongue numbness;
with a sharp turn of the neck, darkens in the eyes, dizzying;
in the back of the head, a throbbing pain is felt, which may radiate to the temples and crown;
pain in the back and neck of the cervix, disturbing the patient even during sleep and aggravated by movement or strain;
stiff neck, especially in the morning;
sternal pressure;
shortness of breath, feeling of shortness of breath.
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, decreases significantly.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The predisposition to neck osteochondrosis is inherited. Furthermore, the common causes of pathology development are:
unbalanced diet;
scoliosis;
flat feet;
VSD;
stress;
spinal injuries and bruises;
excessive physical activity;
rheumatism;
sedentary lifestyle;
overweight.
Reference! The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is a violation of mineral metabolism, which may be associated with calcium deficiency or hormonal disruption. Women often face this pathology during pregnancy and menopause.
diagnostic
To determine the extent of degenerative changes in the spine, the following diagnostic methods are used:
Doppler ultrasound of the carotid and vertebral arteries. Allows you to detect spasmodic vessels as well as a violation of the blood supply to the brain and spinal cord.
Audiography to test the function of the hearing organs.
Ultrasound.
CT and MRI of the head and back of the cervix. It is performed for the purpose of assessing the area of the lesion, checking the position of the intervertebral discs, detecting compression of the spinal cord and blood vessels.
Blood test.
X-ray at an early stage of pathology.
Electroneuromography showing the presence of inflammation, stinging and nerve damage.
Dual scan of head vessels.
Reference! All these procedures are best done in one place, for example, in a treatment and rehabilitation center, where the diagnosis is performed using modern equipment.
Which doctor treats
If symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear, you can not start treatment right away. First of all, you need to make an appointment with a neurologist. The specialist will perform an examination and then refer the patient to the necessary studies.
Important! Performing manual therapy and other types of treatment without prior diagnosis threatens injury and exacerbation of existing problems.
Treatment methods
Once the diagnosis is made, the patient can continue treatment. Leading specialists work in treatment and rehabilitation centers, so the likelihood of complications is minimal.
The main method of treating neck osteochondrosis is manual therapy. The specialist does a massage that relaxes the neck and shoulders, returns the vertebrae and joints to their natural position and works to normalize lymph flow and blood circulation.
Manual therapy is often combined with therapeutic exercises to tone the neck muscles. Moreover, drug treatment and physiotherapy are used to get rid of the pathology.
results
As a result of therapy, the nerve endings are released from the constriction, the spine stabilizes, and the pain disappears or diminishes. A chiropractor is able to direct the vertebrae and increase the distance between the damaged discs, thus eliminating friction.
Important! Grade 2 and 3 osteochondrosis cannot be completely cured. But therapy and rehabilitation will allow the patient to restore damaged spinal functions as much as possible.
Lifestyle rehabilitation and recovery
In the treatment and rehabilitation centers, not only the diagnosis and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is done, but also the rehabilitation measures. The patient leaves the center healthy and ready to return to his normal way of life as soon as possible.
Rehabilitation aims not only to restore the functioning of the spine, but also to prevent damage to healthy tissue. The program is designed taking into account the severity of the pathology and the presence of complications. Physiotherapy procedures, massage, exercise therapy, mud applications are well proven. If the patient still has symptoms of pathology, he is prescribed medication blockade.
Lifestyle with cervical osteochondrosis
To avoid recurrence of the disease, the following recommendations should be followed:
change body position at least every half hour;
do not lift a load weighing more than 5 kg;
walking more, doing physical therapy, swimming, Pilates;
it is preferable to use not a bag but a backpack;
when you are sitting, take a ten-minute break every hour.
Important! The position of the human body during sleep is of great importance. You should sleep on your back, on a medium-strength orthopedic mattress and an orthopedic pillow. In this case, the head and neck should lie on the pillow, and the shoulders should be on the mattress.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is most effective at an early stage, so you should not postpone 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. For this, it is important not to waste time and follow the recommendations of a specialist.