Now, there are practically no people over the age of 25 who don't have back problems. One of the most common pathologies is the injury to the neck vertebrae, which, if left untreated, inevitably progresses and causes more and more discomfort to the patient.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative-dystrophic change in joints and intervertebral discs.
With the progression of cervical osteochondrosis, the following symptoms begin to appear:
decreased visual and hearing acuity;
tongue numbness;
with a sharp curve of the neck, darkens the eyes, dizzy;
in the back of the head, a throbbing pain is felt, which may radiate to the temples and crown;
pain in the cervical spine and shoulders, bothering the patient even during sleep and aggravated by movement or exertion;
stiff neck, especially in the morning;
pressure on the sternum;
shortness of breath, feeling of 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 extremities, decreases markedly.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The predisposition to neck osteochondrosis is hereditary. In addition, the common causes of the development of the pathology are:
unbalanced diet;
scoliosis;
flat foot;
VSD;
stress;
spinal injuries and bruises;
excessive physical activity;
rheumatism;
sedentary lifestyle;
overweight.
Reference! The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is a violation of mineral metabolism, which may be associated with a calcium deficiency or hormonal disturbance. Women often face this condition 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. Allows detection of spasmodic vessels as well as violation of blood supply to the brain and spinal cord.
Audiography to test the functioning of Organs auditory organs.
Ultrasound.
CT and MRI of the head and cervical spine. It is performed with the objective of evaluating the area of the lesion, verifying the position of the intervertebral discs, detecting spinal cord and blood vessel compression.
Blood test.
X-ray at an early stage of the pathology.
Electroneuromyography showing the presence of inflammation, pinching and nerve damage.
Duplex scan of vessels in the head.
Reference! All of these procedures are most conveniently performed in a single location, for example, in a treatment and rehabilitation center, where diagnoses are carried out with modern equipment.
which doctor treats
If symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur, you cannot start treatment right away. First, make an appointment with a neurologist. The specialist will perform an examination and then refer the patient for the necessary studies.
Important! Performing manual therapy and other types of treatment without a preliminary diagnosis can cause injuries and aggravate existing problems.
treatment methods
Once the diagnosis is made, the patient can proceed with the treatment. Leading specialists work in treatment and rehabilitation centers, so the likelihood of complications is minimal.
The main method of treating neck osteochondrosis is manual therapy. The specialist gives 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, drug treatment and physiotherapy are used to get rid of the pathology.
results
As a result of the therapy, the nerve endings are freed from pinching, the spine is stabilized and the pain disappears or subsides. A chiropractor is able to straighten the vertebrae and increase the distance between damaged discs, thus eliminating friction.
Important! 2 and 3 degree osteochondrosis cannot be completely cured. But therapy and rehabilitation will allow the patient to restore the impaired spinal functions as much as possible.
Rehabilitation and Lifestyle Recovery
In the treatment and rehabilitation centers, not only the diagnosis and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are carried out, but also the rehabilitation measures. The patient leaves the center healthy and ready to return to their usual way of life as soon as possible.
Rehabilitation aims not only to restore the functioning of the spine, but also to prevent damage to healthy tissue. The program is designed taking into account the severity of the pathology and the presence of complications. Physiotherapy procedures, massages, exercise therapy, mud applications have proven themselves well. If the patient still has symptoms of pathology, drug blockade is prescribed.
Lifestyle with cervical osteochondrosis
To prevent a relapse of the disease, the following recommendations should be followed:
change your body position at least every half hour;
do not lift a load weighing more than 5 kg;
walking more, doing physical therapy, swimming, Pilates;
it is preferable to use not a purse but a backpack;
when sedentary, take ten-minute breaks every hour.
Important! The position of the human body during sleep is of great importance. You need to sleep on your back, on a medium firm orthopedic mattress and an orthopedic pillow. In this case, the head and neck should be on the pillow and the shoulders on the mattress.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is most effective at an early stage, so you should not postpone visiting a neurologist. But it is possible to halt 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 an expert.