The diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is made based on simple studies - an X-ray.
For the disease to regress, an integrated approach is needed for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Why does cervical osteochondrosis appear?
Pain has several foci of localization: neck, head, shoulders. The weakened neck muscles cause the development of osteochondrosis. Due to improper posture, inactivity and the adoption of unnatural postures, some neck muscles are constantly tense, others spend a lot of time at rest. The spine adjusts to the irrational burden at the expense of your health. In cervical osteochondrosis, the following changes are recorded:
- violation of blood and lymphatic flow;
- lack of nutrition of the connective tissue of the intervertebral discs;
- instability of the position of the vertebral bodies in relation to each other.
Gradually, the structures of the vertebrae and discs are destroyed. This process is irreversible, so you need to take care of your health at the right time and submit to the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine immediately, without postponing it until later. The reasons also include:
- neck injuries;
- overweight;
- connective tissue dysplasia;
- poor nutrition, insufficient water intake.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: symptoms
Main signs (vertebral):
- Ache. It can be a constant pull or appear during periods after a static neck position, sleeping in an uncomfortable position. These are acute pains that immobilize the patient for a short period (lumbago);
- Torticollis or difficult movement. Sometimes it is so painful to turn or tilt the head that the person finds a comfortable position in which the pain is minimal and tries to stay in it;
- Muscle tension, feeling of stiffness, weight;
- Crunching of the vertebrae when turning the head. Extravertebral symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis (involving surrounding nerves and tissues);
- Inflammation of the muscles;
- Headaches, migraines, dizziness, sometimes with nausea and vomiting;
- Neck pain, increased intracranial pressure, feeling of a heavy head; such symptoms sometimes occur so clearly that the term "osteochondrosis of the head" has taken root among patients. Obviously, headache is only a secondary manifestation of pathological changes in the skeletal system, and it is correct to speak of cervical osteochondrosis, not the head;
- Disturbance of Organs sensory organs: decreased hearing and vision, speech, ringing in the ears due to lack of nutrition in the brain;
- Pain in the clavicles, arms to the palms;
- Tingling and chills in the neck and arms, sometimes numbness in the fingers;
- Limit the range of movement of the arms (possibly on one side).
Dangerous consequences of cervical osteochondrosis: treatment is mandatory!
If the degenerative changes are not stopped, the following can be added to osteochondrosis:
- root pain due to pinched nerves emanating from the spine;
- protrusions and hernias, which compress the spinal cord and lead to complete paralysis;
- cervicocranialgia (cervical migraine, dystonic stage of vertebral artery syndrome);
- the formation of osteophytes in the vertebrae.
Methods for the treatment of cervical spinal osteochondrosis
It is impossible to cure this disease with medications. You can only remove pain syndrome with pain relievers. But they always have side effects, so it is recommended to use them only in extreme cases. Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine vary from patient to patient and require an individual approach.
Doctors have a rich arsenal of advanced technologies at their disposal, being able to choose the most effective and efficient. Effective in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis and its manifestations:
- DRX robot traction - restores the correct position of the vertebrae without risk of injury;
- shockwave therapy - improves blood and lymph flow to the affected area, restores metabolic processes, relaxes muscles;
- interstitial electrical stimulation - combats the complications of osteochondrosis, relieves pain caused by inflammation of the pinched nerve;
- HILT - laser therapy that relieves pain instantly.
The next step in the treatment of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is the restoration of the blood supply, consolidation of the correct position of the vertebrae. Rehabilitation can take several sessions and include physical therapy, manual therapy and the use of modern devices. The more faithfully the patient follows the experts' recommendations, the more effective the techniques will be. The final phase is in the patient's responsibility area:
- correction of lifestyle and nutrition;
- regular exercise therapy;
- active life position and optimism.