Now 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 left untreated, inevitably progresses. and causes greater discomfort to the patient.
what is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is degenerative-dystrophic changes in the joints and intervertebral discs.
With the progression of cervical osteochondrosis, the following symptoms begin to appear:
decreased visual acuity and hearing;
numbness of the tongue;
With a sharp turn of the neck, it darkens in the eyes, dizziness occurs;
a throbbing pain is felt in the back of the head, 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;
neck stiff, especially in the morning;
pressure in the sternum;
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 extremities, is markedly reduced.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The tendency to osteochondrosis of the neck is inherited. In addition, the common reasons for the development of pathology are:
unbalanced diet;
scoliosis;
flat feet;
VSD;
the stress;
spinal cord injuries and injuries;
excessive physical activity;
gout;
sedentary lifestyle;
overweight.
Reference! The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is a violation of mineral metabolism, which may be associated with a lack of calcium or hormonal disruption. Women are often faced with 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. Allows you to detect spasmodic vessels, as well as a violation 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. This is done for the purpose of assessing the area of the lesion, checking the condition of the intervertebral discs, detecting compression of the spinal cord and blood vessels.
blood test.
X-ray at the initial stage of pathology.
Electroneuromography showing the presence of swelling, pinching and nerve damage.
Duplex scanning of the vessels of the head.
Reference! All of these procedures are most easily performed in one place, for example, in a treatment and rehabilitation center, where the diagnosis is carried out using modern equipment.
which doctor treats
If symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur, you can not immediately start treatment. First of all, you should make an appointment with a neurologist. The specialist will conduct an examination and then refer the patient for the necessary studies.
Necessary! Doing manual therapy and other forms of treatment without early diagnosis carries the risk of injury and aggravation of existing problems.
Treatment Methods
Once the diagnosis is made, the patient can proceed to treatment. Leading specialists work in treatment and rehabilitation centers, so the chances of complications are 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 positions, and works to normalize lymph flow and blood circulation. Is.
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.
Result
As a result of therapy, the nerve endings are freed from pinching, the spinal column is stabilized, and the pain disappears or subsides. A chiropractor can help straighten the vertebrae and the distance between the damaged discs. able to increase, thereby eliminating friction.
Necessary! Osteochondrosis of the 2nd and 3rd degree cannot be completely cured. But therapy and rehabilitation will allow the patient to restore the impaired functions of the spine as much as possible.
Rehabilitation and lifestyle improvement
In treatment and rehabilitation centers, not only cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed and treated, but rehabilitation measures are also carried out. The patient leaves the center healthy and is ready to return to his normal life as soon as possible.
Rehabilitation aims not only to restore the functioning of the spinal column, but also to prevent damage to healthy tissues. The program is designed taking into account the severity of the pathology and the presence of complications. Physiotherapy procedures, massage, exercise therapy, Clay applications have proven themselves well. If the patient still has symptoms of pathology, he is prescribed drug blockade.
Lifestyle with cervical osteochondrosis
To avoid recurrence of the disease, the following recommendations should be followed:
Change body position at least every half hour;
Do not lift a load of more than 5 kg;
more walking, physical therapy, swimming, Pilates;
It is better to use not a bag, but a backpack;
When sedentary, take a ten-minute break every hour.
Necessary! The position of the human body is of great importance during sleep. You need to sleep on your back, on an orthopedic mattress of medium strength 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 most effective in the early stages, so you should not postpone the visit to a neurologist. But regardless of the degree of damage to the joints and intervertebral discs it is possible to stop the progression of the disease and improve the quality of lifeFor this it is important not to waste time and follow the recommendations of a specialist.