The diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is made on the basis of simple studies - an X-ray.
In order for the disease to recede, an integrated approach to the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is needed.
Why does cervical osteochondrosis appear?
The pain has several foci of localization: neck, head, shoulders. Weakened neck muscles provoke the development of osteochondrosis. Due to improper posture, inactivity and the adoption of unnatural postures, some neck muscles are constantly tense, others spend too much time at rest. The spine adjusts to the irrational load at the cost of its health. In cervical osteochondrosis, the following changes are recorded:
- violation 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, therefore, you need to take care of your health on time and undergo treatment for the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine immediately, without postponing until later. Reasons also include:
- neck injuries;
- excess weight;
- connective tissue dysplasia;
- poor nutrition, insufficient water intake.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: symptoms
Main signs (vertebral):
- Pain. It can be constant pulling or appear during periods after a static position of the neck, sleeping in an uncomfortable position. There are sharp pains that immobilize the patient for a short time (lumbago);
- Torticollis or difficult movement. It is sometimes so painful to turn or tilt the head that a person 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 (with the involvement of nerves and surrounding tissues);
- Inflammation of the muscles;
- Headaches, migraines, dizziness, sometimes with nausea and vomiting;
- Pain in the back of the head, increased intracranial pressure, feeling of a heavy head; such symptoms sometimes occur so clearly that the term "head osteochondrosis" has taken root among patients. Obviously, headache is only a secondary manifestation of pathological changes in the skeletal system, and it is correct to talk about cervical, not head osteochondrosis;
- Disruption of the sensory organs: impairment of hearing and vision, speech, ringing in the ears due to lack of nutrition in the brain;
- Pain in the collarbones, arms down to the palms;
- Tingling and chills in the neck and arms, 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 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 on the vertebrae.
Methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine
It is impossible to cure this disease with medicines. You can only remove the pain syndrome with analgesics. 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; they can choose the most effective and efficient one. Effective in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis and its manifestations:
- traction on the DRX robot - it restores the correct position of the vertebrae without the 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 pinched nerve;
- HILT - laser therapy that relieves pain instantly.
The next stage in the treatment of 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 accurately the patient follows the recommendations of specialists, the higher the effectiveness of the techniques. The final stage is in the patient's area of responsibility:
- correction of lifestyle and nutrition;
- regular exercise therapy;
- active life position and optimism.