The diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is made on the basis of simple tests - X-ray.
An integrated approach to the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is needed to alleviate the disease.
Why does cervical osteochondrosis occur?
The pain has several foci of localization: neck, head, shoulders. Weakened neck muscles provoke the development of osteochondrosis. Due to improper posture, inactivity and taking unnatural postures, some neck muscles are constantly tense, others spend too much time at rest. The spine adapts to the irrational load at the cost of its health. The following changes are registered in cervical osteochondrosis:
- disturbance of blood and lymph flow;
- lack of nutrition of the connective tissue of the intervertebral discs;
- instability of the position of the vertebral bodies relative 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 in a timely manner and immediately undergo treatment for the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, without delay. Reasons also include:
- neck injuries;
- Overweight;
- connective tissue dysplasia;
- poor nutrition, insufficient water intake.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: symptoms
Main signs (vertebrate):
- Pain. It can be a constant pulling or appear during periods after a static position of the neck, sleeping in an awkward position. There is sharp pain that immobilizes the patient for a short time (lumbago);
- Torticollis or difficulty moving. Sometimes it is so painful to turn or tilt the head that one finds a comfortable position in which the pain is minimal and tries to stay in it;
- Muscle tension, feeling of stiffness, heaviness;
- Crunching of the vertebrae when turning the head. Extravertebral symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis (involving nerves and surrounding tissues);
- Inflammation of the muscles;
- Headache, migraine, dizziness, sometimes with nausea and vomiting;
- Occipital pain, increased intracranial pressure, feeling of heavy head; such symptoms sometimes appear so clearly that the concept of "osteochondrosis of the head" has become established among patients. Obviously, the headache is only a secondary manifestation of pathological changes in the skeletal system, and it is correct to speak of cervical rather than major osteochondrosis;
- Sensory disorders: hearing and vision impairment, speech, ringing in the ears due to lack of nutrition in the brain;
- Pain in the collarbones, hands down to the palms;
- Numbness and chills in the neck and hands, sometimes numbness of the fingers;
- Limiting the range of motion 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:
- radicular pain due to pinched nerves radiating from the spine;
- bulges and hernias that compress the spinal cord and lead to complete paralysis;
- cervicocranialgia (cervical migraine, dystonic stage of vertebral artery syndrome);
- the formation of osteophytes of the vertebrae.
Methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine
It is impossible to cure this disease with drugs. You can eliminate the pain syndrome only with analgesics. But they always have side effects, so it is recommended to use them only in extreme cases. The symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine vary in patients and require an individual approach.
Doctors have a rich arsenal of modern technologies; they can choose the most efficient and effective. Effective in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis and its manifestations:
- grip of the DRX robot - restores the correct position of the vertebrae without risk of injury;
- shock wave therapy - improves blood and lymph flow to the affected area, restores metabolic processes, relaxes muscles;
- interstitial electrical stimulation - fights the complications of osteochondrosis, relieves pain caused by inflammation of the compressed nerve;
- HILT - laser therapy that instantly relieves pain.
The next stage of treatment of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is the restoration of blood supply, consolidation of the correct position of the vertebrae. Rehabilitation can take several sessions and include physiotherapy, manual therapy and the use of modern devices. The more closely the patient follows the recommendations of specialists, the higher the effectiveness of the techniques. The last stage is in the patient's area of responsibility:
- lifestyle and dietary adjustment;
- regular training therapy;
- active life position and optimism.