Now there are virtually 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 cervical vertebrae, which, if left untreated, inevitably progresses and causes the patient more and more discomfort.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervix is degenerative-dystrophic changes in the joints and intervertebral discs.
With the progression of cervical osteochondrosis, the following symptoms begin to appear:
impaired visual acuity and hearing
numbness in the tongue;
with a sharp turn of the neck it darkens in the eyes, dizzy;
in the back of the head a throbbing pain is felt, which may radiate to the temples and the crown;
pain in the cervix and shoulders, disturbs the patient even during sleep and is 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 decreases markedly.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The prerequisite for osteochondrosis of the neck is inherited. In addition, common reasons for the development of pathology are:
unbalanced diet;
scoliosis;
flat feet;
VSD;
stress;
spinal cord injuries and bruises;
excessive physical activity
arthritis;
sedentary lifestyle;
overweight.
Reference! The main cause of the development of osteochondrosis is a violation of mineral metabolism, which may be associated with calcium deficiency or hormonal disorder. 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 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 function of the hearing organs.
Ultrasound.
CT and MRI of head and cervical spine. It is performed for the purpose of assessing the lesion area, checking the position of the intervertebral discs, detecting compression of the spinal cord and blood vessels.
Blood test.
X-ray at an early stage of pathology.
Electroneuromyography showing the presence of inflammation, pinching and nerve damage.
Duplex scanning of the vessels of the head.
Reference! All these procedures are most conveniently performed in one place, for example in a treatment and rehabilitation center, where diagnostics are performed using modern equipment.
Which doctor treats
If symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur, you cannot start treatment immediately. First and foremost, you should make an appointment with a neurologist. The specialist will perform an examination and then refer the patient for the necessary examinations.
Important! Performing manual therapy and other forms of treatment without preliminary diagnosis threatens injury and exacerbation 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 likelihood of complications is minimal.
The main method of treating osteochondrosis of the neck is manual therapy. The specialist performs a massage that relaxes the neck and shoulders, puts the vertebrae and joints back to their natural position and works to normalize lymph flow and blood circulation.
Manual therapy is often combined with therapeutic exercises to tone up the neck muscles. In addition, medication and physiotherapy are used to get rid of pathology.
results
As a result of the therapy, the nerve endings are released from squeezing, 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, thereby eliminating friction.
Important! Osteochondrosis of 2 and 3 degrees can not 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 recovery
In the treatment and rehabilitation centers, not only the diagnosis and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are performed, but also rehabilitation measures. The patient leaves the center healthy and ready to return to his usual lifestyle as soon as possible.
Rehabilitation is not only aimed at restoring the function of the spine, but also to prevent damage to healthy tissues. The program is prepared taking into account the severity of the pathology and the presence of complications. Physiotherapy procedures, massage, exercise therapy, mud applications have proven successful. If the patient still has symptoms of pathology, he is prescribed medication block.
Lifestyle with cervical osteochondrosis
To avoid recurrence of the disease, the following recommendations must be followed:
change body position at least every half hour;
do not lift a load weighing more than 5 kg;
walk more, practice physiotherapy, swim, Pilates;
it is preferable to use not a bag but a backpack;
When you are 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 an orthopedic mattress of medium firmness and an orthopedic pillow. In this case, the head and neck should rest on the pillow and the shoulders should be on the mattress.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is most effective at an early stage, so you should not postpone a visit to a neurologist. However, it is possible to stop the course of the disease and improve the quality of life regardless of the degree of damage to joints and intervertebral discs. For this, it is important not to waste time and follow the recommendations of a specialist.