Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is made on the basis of simple studies - an X-ray.
For the disease to regress, an integrated approach to the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is needed.
Why does cervical osteochondrosis appear?
The pain has several localization sources: neck, head, shoulders. Weakened neck muscles provoke the development of osteochondrosis. Due to incorrect posture, inactivity, and taking 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 lymphatic flow;
- lack of nutrition of the connective tissue of the intervertebral discs;
- instability of the position of the vertebral bodies relative to each other.
Little by little, the structures of the vertebrae and discs are destroyed. This process is irreversible, so you need to take care of your health in time and undergo treatment for the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine immediately, without postponing it for 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):
- Pain. It can be a constant jerk or appear for periods after a static neck position, sleeping in an uncomfortable position. There are sharp pains that immobilize the patient for a short time (lumbago);
- Torticollis or difficult movement. Sometimes it is 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 there;
- Muscle tension, feeling of stiffness, heaviness;
- Cracking of the vertebrae when turning the head. Extravertebral symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis (with participation of surrounding nerves and 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 heaviness in the head; these symptoms are sometimes so clearly presented that the term "osteochondrosis of the head" has taken hold 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 osteochondrosis, not of the head;
- Alteration of the sensory organs: impaired 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 motion of the arms (possibly to 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;
- bulges and hernias, which compress the spinal cord and cause complete paralysis;
- cervicocranialgia (cervical migraine, dystonic stage of vertebral artery syndrome);
- the formation of osteophytes in the vertebrae.
Methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine.
It is impossible to cure this disease with drugs. You can only eliminate pain syndrome with painkillers. 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 from patient to patient and require an individual approach.
Physicians 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: restores the correct position of the vertebrae without risk of injury;
- shock wave therapy - improves blood and lymphatic 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 - Instant pain relief laser therapy.
The next stage in the treatment of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is the restoration of blood supply, the consolidation of the correct position of the vertebrae. Rehabilitation can last several sessions and include physical therapy, manual therapy, and the use of modern devices. The more exactly the patient follows the recommendations of the specialists, the greater the effectiveness of the techniques. The final stage is in the patient's area of responsibility:
- lifestyle and nutrition correction;
- regular exercise therapy;
- Active life position and optimism.