Now almost no person over the age of 25 does not have problems with the spine. One of the most common pathologies is damage to the neck spine, which, if left untreated, will inevitably develop and cause the patient increasingly uncomfortable.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative-dystrophic change in the joints and intervertebral discs.
With the development of cervical osteochondrosis, the following symptoms begin to appear:
decreased visual acuity and hearing;
numbness of the tongue;
with sharp round neck, eyes darkening, dizzy;
at the back of the head, a throbbing pain is felt, which can radiate to the temples and crown;
pain in the cervical spine and shoulders, disturbing the patient even during sleep and exacerbated by movement or exercise;
stiff neck, especially in the morning;
pressure in the sternum;
shortness of breath, shortness of breath.
Because the spinal cord does not get 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. In addition, common causes of pathological development are:
unbalanced diet;
scoliosis;
Flat feet;
VSD;
pressure;
spinal injuries and bruises;
excessive physical activity;
rheumatic;
inactive lifestyle;
overweight.
References! The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is a violation of mineral metabolism, which may be related to calcium deficiency or hormonal disorders. 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 arteries and vertebrae. Allows you to detect spasmodic channels, as well as violations of 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 cervical spine. It is performed with the aim of assessing the lesion area, checking the position of the intervertebral disc, detecting compression of the spinal cord and blood vessels.
Blood test.
X-rays in the early stages of pathology.
Electroneuromyography showed the presence of inflammation, pinching and nerve damage.
Duplex scan of the head channel.
References! All these procedures are most easily performed in one place, for example, in a treatment and rehabilitation center, where diagnostics are performed using modern equipment.
Which doctor is treating
If there are symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, you cannot start treatment right away. First of all, you should make an appointment with a neurologist. The specialist will make an examination and then refer the patient to the required study.
Important! Carrying out manual therapy and other types of treatment without early diagnosis threatens injury and exacerbates existing problems.
Methods of treatment
Once the diagnosis is made, the patient can undergo treatment. Leading specialists work in treatment and rehabilitation centers, so the chances of complications are minimal.
The main method of treating neck osteochondrosis is manual therapy. Specialists create massages that relax the neck and shoulders, return the vertebrae and joints to their natural position, and work to normalize lymph flow and blood circulation.
Manual therapy is often combined with therapeutic exercises to tense the neck muscles. In addition, drug treatment and physiotherapy are used to eliminate the pathology.
results
As a result of therapy, nerve endings are freed from pinching, spinal space is stabilized, and pain disappears or is reduced. Chiropractors are able to straighten the vertebrae and increase the distance between damaged discs, thus eliminating friction.
Important! 2nd and 3rd degree osteochondrosis cannot be completely cured. But therapy and rehabilitation will allow patients to restore as much disturbed spinal function as possible.
Rehabilitation and Lifestyle Rehabilitation
In treatment and rehabilitation centers, not only the diagnosis and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is performed, but also rehabilitation measures. The patient leaves the health center and is ready to return to his or her normal way of life as soon as possible.
Rehabilitation aims not only to restore the function of the spinal space, but also to prevent damage to healthy tissue. The program is made by considering the severity of the pathology and the presence of complications. Physiotherapy procedures, massage, exercise therapy, mud applications have proven themselves well. If the patient still has pathological symptoms, he is given a blocker.
Lifestyle with cervical osteochondrosis
To prevent recurrence of the disease, the following recommendations must be followed:
change body position at least every half hour;
do not lift loads weighing more than 5 kg;
walk more, do physical therapy, swim, Pilates;
better to use not a bag, but a backpack;
while inactive, rest for ten minutes every hour.
Important! The position of the human body during sleep is very important. You need to sleep on your back, on an orthopedic mattress with moderate strength and orthopedic pillows. In this case, the head and neck should lie on a pillow, and the shoulders should be on the mattress.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is most effective in the early stages, 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. For this, it is important not to waste time and follow the recommendations of experts.