Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is a degenerative process of damage to the intervertebral discs and cartilage tissue, gradually moving to the vertebrae. In an untreated state, osteochondrosis leads to such terrible diseases as radicular syndrome, shoulder-scapular periarthrosis, etc.
Currently, cervical osteochondrosis, the causes of which can be very different, affects every third person. But despite his mass character, he is extremely insidious and does not forgive a careless attitude towards himself. How to treat cervical osteochondrosis, regardless of the stage of development? First you need to understand what kind of disease it is - cervical osteochondrosis and the reasons that caused it.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
The main reason for the development of the disease is the same as for other parts of the spine - a sedentary, more sedentary lifestyle. This applies both to the younger generation over 20 years old and to people who have just crossed the 40-year mark: with age, the results of an unbalanced diet, lack of vitamins and calcium in the body, metabolic disorders and postponement ofsalt are felt more sharply.
Add here infectious, toxic, endocrine diseases and genetic predisposition and now your head hurts with osteochondrosis, it is difficult to turn your neck to the side, the dull pain does not allow you to think about anything else. This leads to an increase in pressure and disruption of nerve endings. There is a state of numbness, tingling, heaviness - symptoms that turn into a headache with osteochondrosis, which begins to be felt. By the way, cervical osteochondrosis and pressure, especially increased pressure, is a natural process, as the arteries become clogged and prevent outflow.
Initially, the development of cervical osteochondrosis starts from the intervertebral discs: under the influence of negative factors, the nucleus pulposus begins to lose moisture, elasticity, and microcracks form. As a result, the cushioning functions of the disc deteriorate and the load on the underlying vertebrae increases. They also form microcracks and osteophytes (bone growths) appear in order for the vertebra to cope with the increased load area. But the extra mass of osteophytes begins to put pressure on the nerve roots or compress the vertebral artery. And headache with cervical osteochondrosis is the first symptom you should pay attention to.
In the future, subluxations occur in the intervertebral joints, the neck muscles must be constantly strained to keep the vertebrae in their previous state. But the muscles get tired from tension and the load again falls on the vertebrae, thereby worsening the development of osteochondrosis.
If you have a headache with osteochondrosis, feel a constant spasm of the neck muscles, periodically want to get a massage - consult a doctor. Clinics offer qualified medical assistance in many areas, including treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, manual therapy and massage.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
If you began to suffer from dizziness, numbness in the muscles of the neck and back, headache - hurry to see a doctor, there are obvious signs of manifestations of osteochondrosis. Cervical-brachial osteochondrosis, manifested by the above symptoms, is an unpleasant disease if it is not treated.
The risk group is:
- experienced drivers;
- people who constantly sit at the computer;
- people with diseases of the spine;
- students.
All these people spend most of their time in a position with a fixed position of the muscles, which leads to their spasm.
Cervical osteochondrosis of the 1st degree is characterized by acute pain, lumbago. Similar back pain occurs with lumbago of lumbosacral osteochondrosis. Untrained muscles due to a sedentary lifestyle do not receive enough nutrition and begin to age. This can happen both at the age of 20 and at the age of 50. Then the degenerative destruction of the vertebrae turns into osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the 2nd degree.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in stage 2 are inflammatory processes, ruptures of capsules and the appearance of osteophytes. This process can last for several years, then disappear, then flare up again, simultaneously causing the "falling head syndrome", when the patient is forced to hold his head with his hands to reduce the headache. Another symptom indicating cervicalosteochondrosis, is dizziness, the treatment of which cannot be started.
Previously, only an external examination and X-rays were required to make a diagnosis. But in this case, the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis would not be reliable, since X-rays cannot show a complete picture of the development of the disease. This requires CT and MRI - procedures that show foci of inflammation, circulatory disorders, pathologies and neoplasms.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine begins with the diagnosis, first of all, with the restoration of the tone of the spasmodic muscles. The pain of cervical osteochondrosis in the initial stage of the disease is not so strong and does not require medical treatment. It will be enough to take a course of special massage or manual therapy, review working conditions and switch to a healthier lifestyle: sit less at the computer, move more and do light physical work.
But if you feel dizzy, osteochondrosis does not allow you to turn your neck, and the pain does not give you rest - you need comprehensive and medical treatment. In this case, to relieve pain, the doctor prescribes analgesics (in the acute stage - injections), then tablets, ointments and gels with a warming effect. Massage for cervical osteochondrosis done professionally will also bring great relief and relieve pain for some time.
The main stages in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- elimination of the pain syndrome;
- remove edema;
- normalization of blood circulation;
- strengthening muscles and increasing tone;
- restoration of tissue regeneration.
Complex treatment of cervical osteochondrosis consists of treatment with drugs and acupuncture techniques, acupuncture and reflexology, manual therapy and massage, folk remedies and homeopathic preparations.
All medical prescriptions and therapeutic procedures can be obtained in clinics where you will have offices equipped with modern equipment, hospitals and professional doctors with extensive experience. In order to make the correct diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis and to undertake appropriate treatment, a whole team of doctors with a narrow specialty will be needed: a vertebrologist and a surgeon, a massage therapist and a neurologist, a physiotherapist.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical region
Cervical osteochondrosis, headache, dizziness, back pain, burning pain in the neck and shoulders are symptoms that prevent a person from leading a normal life. But all this can be avoided if you stick to simple things: a proper and healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, more physical activity and therapeutic gymnastics.