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 vertebrae of the neck, 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 auditory acuity.
- 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 region of the cervix and shoulders, which bothers the patient even during sleep and increases with movement or stress.
- stiff neck, especially in the morning.
- chest pressure;
- 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 limbs, is noticeably reduced.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The predisposition to osteochondrosis of the neck is hereditary.In addition, common causes of development of pathology are:
- unbalanced diet;
- scoliosis;
- flatfeet?
- VSD?
- stress;
- injuries and bruises of the spine.
- excessive physical activity;
- rheumatism;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- excess body weight.
Reference!The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is the violation of metal metabolism, which may be related to calcium deficiency or hormonal imbalance.Women often face 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.It allows you to detect spasmodic blood vessels, as well as reduced blood supply to the brain and spinal cord.
- Audiography to check the functioning of the hearing organs.
- Ultrasound.
- CT and MRI of the head and cervical spine.It is performed to evaluate the affected area, check the position of the intervertebral discs and identify compression of the spinal cord and blood vessels.
- Blood test.
- Radiography at an early stage of pathology.
- Electroneuromyography showing the presence of inflammatory processes, pinched nerves and damage.
- Double scanning of the vessels of the head.
Reference!It is more convenient to undergo all these procedures in one place, where diagnostics are carried out using modern equipment.
Which doctor heals
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 for the necessary tests.
Great!Carrying out manual therapy and other types of treatment without a preliminary diagnosis carries the risk of injury and worsening of existing problems.
Treatment methods
Once the diagnosis is made, the patient can proceed with treatment.Top specialists 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, restores 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 therapy and physical therapy are used to get rid of the pathology.
Results
As a result of the treatment, the nerve endings are released from the pinch, the spine 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.
Great!Osteochondrosis grades 2 and 3 cannot be completely cured.But treatment and rehabilitation will allow the patient to restore the weakened functions of the spine as much as possible.
Rehabilitation and lifestyle restoration
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 aims not only to restore the function of the spine, but also to prevent damage to healthy tissues.The program is drawn up taking into account the severity of the pathology and the presence of complications.Physiotherapy procedures, massage, exercise therapy and mud applications have proven themselves well.If the patient still has symptoms of the pathology, he is prescribed drug exclusions.
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 weighing more than 5 kg.
- walk more, do physical therapy, swimming, pilates.
- It is better to use a backpack than a bag.
- When sitting, take ten minute breaks every hour.
Great!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 be on the pillow and the shoulders should be on the mattress.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is more effective at an early stage, so do not delay the 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 an expert.