Treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis without surgery

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease characterized by damage to the intervertebral discs.

Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases in the world. Statistically, about 60% of the world population faced this, as modern people suffer from sedentary lifestyles and also spend a lot of time in sedentary work. Osteochondrosis manifests itself in the form of damage to the intervertebral cartilage, in addition to reactive processes in adjacent tissues.

The vertebrae in the cervical spine are much smaller than the vertebrae in another spine, but the load on them is no less. We constantly turn our heads, which is why the neck is in systematic movement. In the early stages, the disease is difficult to recognize and the basic manifestations of the disease are often ignored by patients. The result is the release of osteochondrosis of the cervical collar, which significantly complicates the subsequent treatment process.

A modern clinic successfully treats neck osteochondrosis with non-surgical methods using correction and kinesiotherapy.

Causes of Osteochondrosis of the Neck

There are several factors that can contribute to the development of osteochondrosis:

• Physical inactivity is the main reason that precedes the development of a dangerous disease. The complete absence of moderate physical activity leads to the degradation of the muscular and bone skeleton. Insufficient daily activity is not just a problem for office workers and drivers. People who prefer to spend their free time at the computer or watching TV suffer from hypodynamics.
• Excessive physical activity. Most of the time, professional athletes exposed to axial back loads suffer from it. Working at the limit of possibilities also threatens novice athletes who train without the supervision of a professional trainer and perform exercises with an incorrectly defined technique.
• Negative factors for posture are walking in high heels and uncomfortable shoes, scoliosis, flat feet, and inadequate body posture during sleep.
• Excess weight places an excessive load on the spine, leading to displacement of the vertebrae and wear of the cartilaginous structures.
• Rheumatism.
• Disorders of the endocrine system.
• Stress.
• Neck hypothermia.
• A sedentary lifestyle (such as drivers and office workers) or excessive physical activity (such as athletes).

As a rule, under the influence of these factors, a load occurs on the cervical vertebrae, which causes the formation of muscle spasm. As a result, the blood circulation process is disrupted and metabolism worsens, which leads to degenerative changes.

An interesting fact: the risk of developing a disease such as osteochondrosis is largely associated with evolutionary changes in the human body. It is about walking upright. During the entire life cycle, the spine plays the role of "center" of our body. The vertebrae, pressing on the cartilaginous discs, gradually wear them down so that the connective tissue degrades. Because of this, osteochondrosis usually manifests itself in old age.

The symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine will depend to a large extent on the reasons for the onset of the disease. To develop an individual treatment plan, doctors perform a series of tests. Self-medication for neck pain is strongly discouraged. Incorrect massage, medication or traditional medicine methods can aggravate the situation and lead to a series of irreparable consequences!

Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment

The manifestations of a dangerous disease depend on 2 main factors:

1. Type of load on the cervical spine.
2. Site of injury to the cartilaginous structure of the intervertebral disc.

Nerve roots perform a large number of functions, so symptoms of damage to their individual parts can vary widely. Furthermore, it is necessary to take into account the stage of development of the disease. There are 4 of them, each subsequent one is heavier than the previous one.

1 degree cervical osteochondrosis

This grade is called preclinical and is poorly expressed, which is why patients attribute the symptoms to stress, lack of sleep, and other seemingly frivolous problems. The spine begins to defend itself against "destructive" movement and excessive stress, so that people begin to feel uncomfortable.

The main symptoms are:

• headache
• discomfort in the neck, shoulders and arms
• mild visual impairment
• a slight decrease in neck motor activity

One of the most noticeable symptoms of the preclinical stage of cervical osteochondrosis is constant tension in the neck muscles. The muscles quickly overload, which leads to a sensation of bearable pain, as well as compression when turning / tilting the head.

As the above problems do not cause much discomfort, most patients prefer to let the situation run its course. In fact, it is already necessary to start the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, because the earlier the therapy is started, the more effective it will be.

2nd degree cervical osteochondrosis

In this case, the patient begins to experience a noticeable pain when bending/turning the head. The uncomfortable sensations often spread to the arms, shoulder joints and hands. Problems start to arise with the state of the nervous system: the person becomes irritated, distracted, their daily work capacity is visibly reduced. The basic symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are almost identical to the symptoms of problems with the reproductive system (weakness, fatigue, apathetic mood, and more).

Despite the obvious signs of development of the disease, it is still possible to get rid of neck osteochondrosis. First, doctors work to eliminate the risk of hernias, which lead to deterioration in limb mobility and the brain's blood supply.

The main symptoms are:

• severe pain in the neck
• noise in the ears
• Visual impairment
• decreased skin sensitivity on the shoulders and arms
• deterioration of tendon reflexes

Cervical osteochondrosis 3 degrees

At this stage of development, the disease is already considered neglected. Treatment of stage 3 cervical osteochondrosis is more difficult, as the destruction/deformation of cartilage structures is usually irreversible. The pain syndrome is becoming stronger, which is associated with the active development of hernias and the friction of the bone tissues of the vertebrae against each other.

In addition to pain, the patient feels weakness and complains of dizziness. The reason for this is the violation of large vessels and nerves that pass through the spine. The brain receives inadequate amounts of nutrition and oxygen, which can lead to blurred consciousness. The pain radiates to the upper extremities, there is a feeling of weakness in the arms. Another clear sign of grade 3 osteochondrosis is loss of feeling in the fingers as well as tingling in the fingers.

The main symptoms are:

• increased pain
• cervical spine hernia
• very weak tendon reflexes
• upper limb paralysis

Grade 4 cervical osteochondrosis

The cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral discs have already undergone major changes due to destruction. In stage 4 of the disease, 99% of cases have protrusions and hernias, which have a significant negative effect on the patient's condition. The body begins independent recovery and "accumulates" tissue in the damaged areas of the disc. As a result, the pillar itself loses its mobility.

As the nerves and blood vessels are compressed, the person loses coordination of movement. Drowsiness, apathy and pain only intensify. Patients often complain of uncomfortable tinnitus. In addition, stage 4 cervical osteochondrosis threatens a number of the following consequences:

1. Cerebral ischemia, the risk of developing spinal effusion. This is due to the strong compression of the vertebral arteries.
2. Impaired perception of the surrounding world and systematic loss of consciousness. The reason is the compression of blood vessels and insufficient blood supply to the cerebral cortex.
3. Fatal result. A disastrous consequence can arise as a result of spinal cord clamping.

The main symptoms are:

• brain activity depression
• lack of coordination
• dizziness increase
• paralysis
• hearing and vision loss
• angina pectoris, shortness of breath

How to cure cervical osteochondrosis: the diagnostic phase

Before starting to eliminate the disease, doctors perform a comprehensive examination of the patient's cervical spine. This is necessary to establish the fact of the presence and neglect of the disease. Diagnosis consists of several steps:

1. X-ray. It is a visual way of determining the location of the vertebrae, as well as changes in their mobility.
2. Laboratory research. With the help of tests, doctors establish spinal disorders and also make a final diagnosis.
3. CT. This is a modern technique for evaluating ruptures and changes in the height of intervertebral discs. Additionally, computed tomography helps to track instability of individual vertebrae.
4. Magnetic resonance. The examination step presented is performed with the aim of determining the state of the nerve roots, the quality of blood circulation, as well as pathological changes in the cartilage / bone structures.
5. Differential diagnosis. This includes an ultrasound, a cardiogram and several other procedures. They are necessary not to confuse osteochondrosis with other diseases that have identical symptoms. This includes urinary system disorders, all kinds of spinal deformities, hip injuries as well as central nervous system disorders.

Determining the symptoms and treating cervical osteochondrosis is impossible without a comprehensive diagnosis. The sooner it is done, the more effective the therapy will be. If you experience symptoms of illness, see your doctor as soon as possible. He will refer you to consultations with specialists with more restricted profiles: a neurologist and an orthopedist. In some cases, it may be necessary to consult a cardiologist if signs of the disease coincide with suspected angina pectoris or cardiac muscle ischemia.

In modern clinics, the diagnosis and successful treatment of neck osteochondrosis is based on the use of kinesiotherapy. With the help of this healing technique, patients performing a series of physical exercises on special recovery exercise machines significantly improve their health.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women and men basic methods

A stable, high-quality outcome in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can only be achieved with an integrated approach to the problem. The effectiveness of recovery largely depends on the mood of the patient, who will have to thoroughly review their lifestyle, diet, sleep and wakefulness.

It is not possible to independently treat cervical spine osteochondrosis in women and men, as the basic symptoms of the disease may indicate the development of a completely different disease. Drugs chosen without the doctor's knowledge can seriously aggravate the situation. Even the elementary ingestion of analgesics does not always have the expected effect, which once again proves the need for prior consultation with a specialist.

Elimination of pain exacerbations

The disease usually presents as an acute, painful pain syndrome. The doctor's main task is to alleviate your suffering, so first of all experts prescribe:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs;
• Vitamins;
• Analgesics;
• Chondroprotectors.

The last category of drugs is aimed at restoring cartilage structures, which is especially important in the advanced stages of the disease. In addition, patients are given medications to relieve muscle spasms and improve blood flow in the body.

Therapeutic gymnastics exercises

Physical therapy specialists know how to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis in the most affordable way. Exercise therapy is one of the most effective methods of treating osteochondrosis and can even be used at home. Exercise intensity, in this case, plays no role. Regular moderate physical activity will help achieve the result. Here is the effect of the exercise:

1. Strengthening of the neck muscles, which are responsible for supporting weakened vertebrae.
2. Stimulation and normalization of the body's blood supply, which is especially important for the cerebral cortex.
3. Increased overall tone, energy load, restoration of a person's productivity and ability to work.

Physiotherapy classes are allowed daily. The set of exercises includes all types of head rotation and tilt. With the right level of physical fitness, the level of difficulty increases and hand movements are linked to work. The advantage of therapeutic gymnastics elements is that they can be used even in the workplace. But keep in mind that they can only be performed after the acute pain syndrome has cleared.

As an added burden, doctors recommend that patients visit the pool, as swimming relieves stress on the spine and intervertebral discs. Shown and worked with lightweight dumbbells to strengthen the shoulder girdle.

Physiotherapy

Physical therapy methods are numerous:

1. Electrophoresis.
2. Magneto, laser and shock wave therapy.
3. Mud Therapy.
4. Medical baths and showers.

The above methods are just the main therapeutic methods aimed at restoring the blood supply to the affected spine, eliminating inflammation, pain and slowing down the neck ossification process.

Massage

The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine with massage is widespread throughout the world. But this method must be used with great care, as a rough and inept impact on the damaged parts of the neck can lead to aggravation of the condition. Before making an appointment with a massage therapist, you should consult your doctor.

Thanks to the influence of the hands on the painful area, muscle tone decreases, which leads to the elimination of painful spasms. It also improves blood circulation, restores clarity of thought and the patient's general well-being.

Surgery

The last stage of disease development leads to the formation of severe intervertebral hernias, as well as narrowing of the spinal lumen. Treatment of the patient in this case may require surgical intervention. The surgeon decides if an operation is needed. It also determines the complex of preparatory measures, the period of post-operative recovery and rehabilitation.

Most surgical interventions involve removing the resulting hernias as well as replacing the damaged vertebrae.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in the clinic

The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in a professional clinic involves the use of exclusively non-surgical methods. Specialists work according to a unique technique developed based on the principles of kinesiotherapy. Patients who come to us for help are treated with a series of physical exercises in a specially equipped room.

The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis occurs according to an individually developed program. The therapeutic effect is not just on a specific part of the spine, but also on Organs internal organs. The drug-free, non-surgical treatment process is difficult, but we offer comprehensive support to patients, helping them to become more resolute and reconsider their attitude toward their disease.

This is what the healing process is built on:

1. Training in the rehabilitation room at least 2-3 times a week.
2. Therapeutic gymnastics Parterre.
3. Thermotherapy according to individual indications.
4. Pain relief with ice massage.
5. Therapeutic / restorative massage.
6. Adaptive exercises for working from home.
7. Microanatomical ultrasound studies to monitor recovery over time.
8. Personal consultations with specialists from the kinesiotherapy clinic.

osteochondrosis prevention

The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the context of modern medicine includes many effective methods. But it is much better not to allow this problem to arise than to deal with its elimination. There is a set of preventive measures that will minimize the risk of onset and development of a dangerous disease:

1. Take a hot bath for 10 minutes daily. A systematic visit to the baths / saunas is also recommended. Please note that these recommendations are only suitable for people without cardiovascular health problems.
2. Swim and take regular outdoor walks at a relaxed pace. Physical inactivity is one of the main causes of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
3. Refuse excessive physical exertion within the limits of human capabilities. This is especially true when working out in gyms. Critical axial loads on the spine can cause protrusion.
4. Try to avoid back stabbing, especially if you are over 30 years old.
5. Review your diet. Try to exclude confectionery, flour, moderate salt and sugar intake. Reducing the caloric content of food helps prevent weight gain, which puts additional pressure on the spine.
6. If you work in an office and spend a lot of time on the computer, be sure to purchase a special chair with a lumbar and neck support. Try doing basic warm-up exercises every 60 minutes.
7. If pain appears upon waking, consider purchasing an orthopedic mattress and pillow. If possible, buy a bed with a flat, hard surface.
8. To avoid degenerative and dystrophic changes in the cervical spine, visit a professional massage therapist at least 2-3 times a year. Neck and collar massage is one of the most effective preventive measures.
9. Women should minimize walking in high-heeled shoes as this interferes with the natural position of the spine. With flat feet diagnosed, it is recommended to purchase special shoes or insoles, as orthopedic products correct the position of the foot and relieve unnecessary stress on the spine.

Like this:

• you should go to the shower regularly
• you need to give up weight training, which can contribute to cervical disc protrusion.
• light exercise can be a good disease prevention

Result

Treatment of osteochondrosis in a professional clinic takes place under the strict supervision of highly qualified specialists. Doctors take an integrated approach to working with patients and even deal with advanced stages of the disease. If you notice symptoms of osteochondrosis, you don't need to put up with it, self-medicate and postpone a doctor's appointment. Start your journey to a healthy and happy life!