How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

In osteochondrosis of the cervical region, it is customary to understand the disease characterized by changes in the tissue of the intervertebral discs.During the degenerative process, damage to the discs themselves, as well as the joints and vertebrae in this part of the back.

The causes of osteochondrosis

Doctors call the main cause of the disease slowing down blood circulation in nearby tissues.The lack of blood supply gradually affects the effectiveness of metabolic processes - it is reduced.After a while, the process is applied to intervertebral discs.They become thin, expose deformation, resulting in sticking beyond the spine.

During the disease, degenerative changes occur in the tissue of the intervertebral discs, as well as the vertebrae and joints.

The impulse for the development of such pathology can be a number of factors:

1. Excess weight.In the risk group in this case, people who do not adhere to proper nutrition are given to fast food.
2. Disorders of the musculoskeletal system.Such diagnoses can be called rheumatism, scoliosis, flat legs.
3. Spinal or neck trauma.
4. Lack of regular physical activity (this causes stagnation in the blood in the tissues).Often cervical osteochondrosis is detected by office workers and drivers.
5. Work associated with constant stress or increased nervous tension.
6. Excessively high physical activity.In this case, athletes can be under impact.
7. Pathologies in the development of this department.

Stages of osteochondrosis development

The course of the disease in medicine is usually divided into 4 stages.In the disease of the cervical spine, the symptoms and treatment are completely dependent on the degree of tissue damage.

It is good at the initial stage and is quickly treated, but it is difficult to detect early osteochondrosis.This is explained by the fact that the symptoms of the initial stages manifest themselves relatively slightly.In addition, the signs of the disease are often concealed as other diagnoses.

The development of the pathology occurs with increasing symptoms in 4 stages.

Symptoms and diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Stage I is characterized by weak symptoms.However, it is necessary to remember what osteochondrosis is dangerous.Over time, the identified pathology will begin to start therapy as soon as possible.Among the first symptoms of osteochondrosis:

1. Discomfort, discomfort that can occur in the neck, as well as spread in the shoulders and hands.
2. Headache.Often, people do not pay attention to discomfort, associating this condition with fatigue or stress.
3. The motor activity of the neck can be slightly restricted.
4. Short -term visual impairment.They can be accompanied by the appearance of fog in front of the eyes, loss of clarity of the picture.Such symptoms are explained by ischemia of the brain areas that are responsible for vision.
5. The sensitivity of the skin in the collar area is slightly reduced.

In Stage II, the pathological process is accompanied by a convexity of vertebrates.At this time, in the fibrous ring of disc collagen, collagen fiber was destroyed.There is a narrowing of the intervertebral cracks.During this period, patients complain about the following symptoms:

1. The pain affecting the cervical region is pronounced.Sometimes head movements can be accompanied by crunching in the bones.
2. The headache becomes long and frequent.
3. There is a loss of sensitivity to the skin in the area of the collar and on the shoulders.
4. Before your eyes, flies often appear.
5. There is weakness in the muscles of the hands.
6. Neck pain is a shooting by nature.They often give under the shoulder blade.
7. The appearance of pharyngeal symptoms.The presence of their presence can be explained by the fact that the pathological process in the spine affects the nerves in the throat.Dryness, sweating, difficulty swallowing may occur.There is a lump in the throat.
8. Disorders of sleep are possible, which are often manifested in the form of insomnia.

At 1 and 2 of the stage, the disease is easier to treat, later the diagnosis of osteochondrosis leads to already irreversible destructive processes.

Stage III is evidenced by the destruction of the fibrous ring and the formation of hernia.The list of symptoms is called the following:

1. Neck pain.They often spread in the shoulders and give it to the heart.
2. In some cases, there are changes that occur in the brain.This can be dizziness, attacks of nausea and vomiting, a feeling of unstable position.
3. There is a partial loss of sensitivity of the scalp, neck, shoulders and hands.
4. Weak tendon reflexes may be observed.

Important!With cervical osteochondrosis of grade IV, paralysis and paralysis of the upper limbs often occur.In addition, the symptoms of the disease in men are similar to the signs of pathology in women.The only difference that doctors mention is that in women 45-60 years old, the early stages of the disease are often accompanied by a feeling of tingling and tingling of the neck and hands during sleep.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

The most effective method of therapy is an integrated approach.In this case, the patient may be prescribed:

• administration of medicines;
• surgical surgery;
• orthopedic therapeutic measures;
• massage courses;
• acupuncture sessions;
• Execution of specialized medical charging.

The doctor chooses an appropriate course of treatment after a thorough diagnosis.

Medical physical education

Therapeutic exercise is aimed at restoring impaired blood circulation in the affected tissues and strengthening the muscles of the entire cervical region.No need to be charged independently.The doctor should choose the right load, as the intensity and duration of the exercises depend on the stage of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the symptoms and the general condition of the patient.However, there are general recommendations:

1. Each complex of exercises should be performed no more than 2 minutes.Otherwise, the condition of the spine will deteriorate.
2. It is forbidden to make sharp and deep movements (tilting and turns of the head).

The list of the most common exercises is called the following:

1. Lifting the head.The patient lies on his stomach and his hands rest on the floor.They slowly lift their heads and shoulders and stay for 1-2 seconds.Return to your original position.When performing, the back must remain straight.
2. Resistance.The palm trees are placed on the forehead and pressed back.The task is to resist your head for 25-30 seconds.Then the palms are pressed on the back of the head.
3. Turn your head.You need to rotate your head in different directions.The number of repetitions in each direction is at least 10 times.If dizziness occurs, charging is stopped.

Drug therapy

The use of drugs refers to a conservative method.In this case, the doctor may prescribe medicines related to different groups:

1. Nsaid.They are aimed at relieving pain, swelling of soft tissues.
2. Chondroprotectors.They accelerate cartilage recovery.
3. Group B vitamins. In their presence, tissue metabolism is accelerated.
4. Mussorelaxants.They effectively reduce muscle spasm in the disease, which helps to relieve pain with osteochondrosis.
5. Means normalizing the viscosity of the blood.

Surgery

Surgical surgery is most often prescribed at 3 or 4 stages of the disease.Often in these cases a conservative way of treating the disease in women and men does not produce the desired result.

Massage and self -massage

Under the influence of the massage of the cervical zone of the most raped, it is possible to improve muscle tone and eliminate the pain syndrome.The intensity of exposure to soft tissues depends on the stage of the disease.The more strong the damage to the cervical vertebrae, the more carefully the movements of the massage therapist should be.At the same time, several basic techniques are distinguished:

1. Lightweight.The massage session begins with similar movements.At the same time, they use the palm and outer edge of the palm.The movements are directed from the neck to the armpit area and nodes of Supracain.
2. Pressure.The big index finger is folded together.The original position is the edge of the palm through the neck.In this position, the hand is pulled down the spine and then to the joints of the shoulder.The intensity can gradually increase.
3. Grinding.Such a technique is to perform circular and make movements with thumbs.You should start from the back area, gradually moving to your neck and shoulders.
4. Kneading.With this technique, the soft tissues should be mixed with circular motions.
5. Vibration.The edge of the palm of the palm of the palm of the hand is made by strokes and tapping.It is best to complete the massage procedure.

Important!Patients can also perform a self -massage in circular and gaul movements.At the same time, gels and ointments are used, the action of which is aimed at increasing blood flow.

Manual therapy

Under manual therapy, it is customary to mean a set of manual effects on the body.When combining this method with medication, it is possible to effectively treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

Manual procedures are customary to divide into 3 categories:

1. The massage is relaxing.With it, muscle tension located to the spine is removed.
2. Mobilization.This technique is based on the hood.
3. Manipulation.It includes forced movements to restore the work of the joints.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture refers to unconventional medicine, but has a good therapeutic effect.During the procedure, sensitive points of the body act with the best needles.This increases the metabolic processes in the body and increases immunity.Thank you:

• The pain decreases;
• tissue edema is reduced;
• A person's general condition is improving.

Orthopedic methods of treatment

Osteochondrosis is sometimes recommended to use osteopedic pillows.Their action is to guarantee the correct position of the head in a sleeping person.This prevents the transfer of the roots of the cervical artery and the nerve roots.

Important!However, doctors emphasize that the orthopedic pillow is not suitable as an independent method of treatment.It may impede the development of pathology or supplement the effect of drugs, therapeutic exercises and other methods.

Folk remedies and recipes

Before using this or that agent for traditional medicine, you should definitely be diagnosed and visit your doctor.It is undesirable to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home independently, as such actions can worsen the condition.

In addition to taking medicines, physiotherapy and physiotherapy, the following recipes can be used:

1. Warming.The cause of the inflammation is recommended to heat with mustard plasters, a tissue bag filled with warm salt, alcohol or peppers.Such a procedure relieves pain and inflammation.
2. Potatoes with honey.The potatoes are cleaned of bark and rubbed on a grater.The table is mixed with natural honey in 1: 1 proportions. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected area in the form of a night compress.Repeat this action 2-3 times a week.
3. Horseradish connection.To do this, you need a fresh horseradish leaf, which has pre -emerged with boiling water and slightly cool.The sheet is applied to the neck on the inside and fixed with a bandage or fabric.In this state, the compress should be located overnight.

Contraindications

It is impossible to identify a common list of contraindications, since in any case the doctor individually chooses how to cure the disease.Among the recommendations are often called the following:

1. Drug therapy should pay attention to the composition of the drugs.Patients may have an allergic reaction.
2. Manual exposure is not recommended during pregnancy after injuries in acute inflammatory diseases.This method of treatment is not prescribed before surgery.
3. Acupuncture is prohibited in the case of acute infection, identification of neoplasms (both malignant and benign), insufficiency (liver, kidney, heart).

Prevention

To prevent the osteochondrosis of the SHO, one must adhere to simple but extremely important rules:

1. Fighting over excess weight (if any).For men and women who experience back problems, a critical surplus is 10 kg.
2. Reducing the load of the spine.If a person cannot completely exclude heavy physical activity, then the weight must be carried in a sequentially in his hands.Then you need to lie down or attach to the horizontal bar.
3. Use of an orthopedic pillow.
4. Preventing a sedentary lifestyle.In many cases, the first signs of the disease in men can be eliminated through sports.
5. Formation of proper nutrition.

Diet.Nutrition for osteochondrosis of the spine

Once it was possible to determine the disease and initiate therapy, the patient will have to monitor a diet.Thanks to this, the required number of traces of elements and vitamins will enter the body and the body will have the strength to combat the pathology.

Important!The principle of specialized nutrition is to change the 3rd single meal for 5 (or 6) once.This will facilitate digestion of food and will not cause discomfort.

Be sure to include in the diet:

• a large number of cereals;
• fruits and vegetables (except radishes, celery and onions);
• meat (any low fat);
• fish (preferably low fat);
• Dairy products (milk, yogurt, unsweetened yogurt, cottage cheese);
• eggs;
• flour products;
• Nuts.

Completely refuse alcohol, smoked and fatty products, semi -registered products and canned food.