Now there are practically no people over 25 who do not experience problems with the spine. One of the most common pathologies is damage to the vertebrae of the neck, which, if left untreated, inevitably progresses and causes the patient more and more discomfort.
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 begin to appear:
reduced visual acuity and hearing;
numbness of the tongue;
with a sharp turn of the neck, darkens in the eyes, dizzy;
a throbbing pain is felt in the back of the head, which can radiate to the temples and crown;
pain in the cervical spine and shoulders, disturbing the patient even during sleep and intensified by movement or exertion;
stiff neck, especially in the morning;
sternum pressure;
shortness of breath, 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 limbs, decreases significantly.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The predisposition to osteochondrosis of the neck is inherited. In addition, common causes of pathology are:
unbalanced diet;
scoliosis;
flat steps;
VSD;
stress;
spinal injuries and bruises;
excessive physical activity;
rheumatism;
sedentary way of life;
Overweight.
Help! The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is a violation of mineral metabolism, which may be associated with calcium deficiency or hormonal disorders. Women often face this pathology during pregnancy and menopause.
Diagnosis
To determine the degree of degenerative changes in the spine, the following diagnostic methods are used:
Doppler ultrasound of the carotid and vertebral arteries. It allows you to detect spasmodic vessels, as well as disruption of the blood supply to the brain and spinal cord.
Audiography to test the functioning of the hearing organs.
Ultrasound.
CT and MRI of the head and cervical spine. It is performed to assess the area of the lesion, check the position of the intervertebral discs, detect compression of the spinal cord and blood vessels.
Blood test.
X-ray at an early stage of pathology.
Electroneuromyography showing the presence of inflammation, pinching and nerve damage.
Duplex scanning of the vessels of the head.
Help! All these procedures are most conveniently performed in one place, for example in a medical rehabilitation center, where the diagnosis is performed with the help of modern equipment.
Which doctor treats
If symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear, you cannot start treatment immediately. 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 tests.
Important! Carrying out manual therapy and other types of treatment without prior diagnosis threatens with injuries and worsening of existing problems.
Methods of treatment
Once the diagnosis is made, the patient can begin treatment. Leading specialists work in treatment and rehabilitation centers, 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 lymph flow and blood circulation.
Manual therapy is often combined with therapeutic exercises to tone the neck muscles. In addition, medication and physiotherapy are used to get rid of the pathology.
results
As a result of the therapy, the nerve endings are released from pinching, the spine is stabilized and the pain disappears or decreases. The chiropractor is able to straighten the vertebrae and increase the distance between 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 the most damaged functions of the spine.
Rehabilitation and restoration of lifestyle
In the treatment and rehabilitation centers not only diagnostics and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are performed, 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 spine, but also at preventing damage to healthy tissues. The program is designed taking into account the severity of the pathology and the presence of complications. Physiotherapy procedures, massage, exercises, mud applications have proven themselves well. If the patient still has symptoms of pathology, he is prescribed a drug blockade.
Lifestyle with cervical osteochondrosis
To avoid recurrence of the disease, the following recommendations should be followed:
change the position of the body at least every half hour;
do not lift loads weighing more than 5 kg;
more walking, physical therapy, swimming, Pilates;
it is preferable not to use a bag, but a backpack;
when you are stuck, take ten minute breaks every hour.
Important! The position of the human body during sleep is of great importance. You should sleep on your back, on an orthopedic mattress with medium firmness 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 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. Therefore, it is important not to waste time and follow the recommendations of a specialist.