How to treat cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects the intervertebral discs and causes reactive changes in paravertebral structures. Under the influence of various factors, the annulus fibrosus loosens and the nucleus pulposus penetrates into it.If no treatment is performed at this stage, the pathological process will end with breakthrough of the annulus fibrosus and occurrence of disc herniation. In turn, it begins to compress the spinal nerves or the spinal cord itself, causing compression syndrome.

Characteristics and development stages

A distinctive feature of cervical osteochondrosis is that the symptoms are quite diverse, including headache and dizziness, unstable blood pressure, feeling of lack of air, numbness of the upper limbs, etc.All of this not only brings great discomfort to life, but also complicates diagnosis, since a person does not immediately go to a neurologist, but to a cardiologist, orthopedic surgeon or therapist. There are two factors to consider in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis: physiological (which means the natural aging of the body) and pathological (the presence of inflammatory or degenerative processes in the patient's body).The physiological change consists in the replacement of the nucleus pulposus by fibrous tissue, and clinical manifestations only occur when the nerve roots are stimulated. Pathological changes are observed outside the cartilage and are necessarily accompanied by compression of nerve endings and blood vessels. Symptoms include multiple pains, crunching and clicking sounds when you turn your head, and muscle weakness or numbness.The neck area is the most mobile and experiences less pressure than the chest and lumbar areas. The weight of an adult does not exceed 115 kilograms, and the lower part of the spine can withstand up to 400 kilograms of pressure. However, the structure of the cervical vertebrae is different - they are narrower and higher, which makes them susceptible to various injuries and dislocations.Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis and its duration depend largely on the stage of the disease:

• In the initial stages of development, there are almost no obvious symptoms, and only after severe loading or prolonged maintenance of a static position will the neck muscles feel severe fatigue and discomfort;
• The second stage is characterized by changes in the structure of the discs - they begin to flatten and sag, causing spinal instability. Pain syndrome during exercise is caused by the reduction in intervertebral disc height and compression of nerve roots;
• In the third stage, a herniation forms, which precedes the intervertebral hernia. The nucleus pulposus gradually moves and begins to protrude beyond the anatomical boundaries. The pain syndrome extends not only to the neck but also to the entire collar area and to the upper limbs due to pinched nerve endings or spinal cord. Headaches and dizziness are caused by constriction of blood vessels;
• The fourth stage of cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by disc destruction and bone growth - the formation of osteophytes. The pain is constant, movement is limited, and muscles become weak until they atrophy. Symptoms become severe: loss of coordination, decreased vision and hearing acuity are observed. At this stage, cervical osteochondrosis cannot be cured, and surgery can only be used.

Treatment principles and methods

Treatment of osteochondrosis is always comprehensive and includes not only medication but also physical therapy, massage, exercise therapy and diet. Emergency medications for severe pain are analgesics. Medications in the NSAID group were equally effective. With the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, not only pain relief can be achieved, but also swelling can be reduced, blood circulation can be improved, and inflammation of nerve endings can be eliminated. To enhance the effect, you can use ointments and creams that work directly on the source of the pain and are safer than pills.Use a warm massage ointment containing bee venom and plant extracts during the remission phase. These medications help relieve muscle spasms, improve circulation, and restore nutrients to inflamed tissue.For the effective treatment of osteochondrosis, several groups of drugs are prescribed:

• Muscle relaxants;
• B vitamins;
• chondroprotectant;
• Vasodilators (vasodilators);
• diuretics (diuretics);
• Means for improving blood circulation and blood rheological properties.

normalizes blood circulation

Improving blood flow is one of the most important tasks in treating osteochondrosis. Administration of vasodilators is necessary to activate the microcirculation, dilate the vascular lumen to physiological normality and dilute the blood. As a result, the brain receives the required amount of nutrients and oxygen, which positively affects its functioning.To relieve patients' painful symptoms, such as dizziness and cramps, a combination of vasodilator drugs and nootropics or antiplatelet drugs may be used. Depending on the stage of the disease and the patient's condition, medications that improve blood circulation may be prescribed.For more effective treatment, these drugs are used in combination with antiplatelet drugs as well as nootropics. If circulation is severely compromised, your doctor may prescribe short-term injections; continue treatment with oral tablets after acute symptoms subside.

Eliminate muscle spasms

Osteochondrosis is always accompanied by muscle tension at the site of the pathological lesion. Mobility in the affected area is impaired and pain occurs. Hypertonia of skeletal muscles is often considered a protective response to pain. To reduce muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are used.When treating with muscle relaxants, their effects on psychomotor responses and ability to concentrate should be considered. This applies to patients who are engaged in occupational activities that require intensive care, such as vehicle drivers.

chondroprotectant

Chondroprotectants are used to restore and strengthen the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs. These drugs can be used to treat cervical osteochondrosis only in its early stages, as they do not produce any effect in advanced cases.Healthy people produce sufficient amounts of chondroitin to ensure complete hydration of cartilage. If chondroitin synthesis is disrupted for some reason, cartilage tissue loses water and becomes thinner.

Chondroprotectants contain various combinations of chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and hyaluronic acid. After taking it, your own chondroitin production is activated, cartilage tissue becomes denser, and spinal mobility is restored.

The latest generation of drugs also contains additional substances - vitamins and anti-inflammatory ingredients. In most cases, patients take tablet chondroprotectants, but sometimes intramuscular or intra-articular injections are required. Topical products can also be used, but are least effective.It is worth noting that the effects of chondroprotectant treatment become apparent only after a few months.

physiotherapy

Can cervical osteochondrosis be cured with physical therapy? Unfortunately, it is impossible to get rid of the disease completely, and physical therapy can only work in combination with medication. The main purpose of this surgery is to stimulate the body's recovery process and eliminate pain.The most efficient way is:

• Electrophoresis, which allows drugs to be delivered directly to the affected area;
• ultrasound;
• magnet therapy;
• Darsenvar;
• laser.

The action of electrophoresis is based on the use of low-power current supplied to special plates. Underneath the plate were tampons soaked in medicine. Since skin has a low electrical conductivity, drugs can penetrate deep into the skin and relieve the patient's condition.If electrophoresis is performed with an anesthetic, the pain syndrome is relieved, and the use of vasodilators helps increase blood flow.The result of magnet therapy is improved blood circulation and reduction of manifestations of inflammatory processes - swelling and pain. Magnet therapy can be done at home and can even partially replace medical treatments in some cases. For this you need a special device.To treat back problems, low-intensity lasers with an infrared spectrum are used. The laser beam penetrates deep into the tissue and affects deformed areas of the spine. As a result, metabolic processes in cartilage tissue are activated, nerve endings are protected from compression, and the normal function of the muscle structure is restored.Darsonval is a device that delivers directional action via rapidly decaying pulsed current. During this procedure, alternating current is delivered to the body through glass electrodes carrying gas and promotes:

• Increase blood circulation;
• Lower pain sensitivity threshold;
• Improve nervous system function;
• normalization of vascular tone;
• Increase the body's defense capabilities.

It is important to note that Darsonval is suitable for any stage of osteochondrosis.

The healing power of massage

Massage for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is undoubtedly the most enjoyable, convenient and effective treatment method. However, this should be entrusted to qualified experts. You can massage the collar area while sitting or lying on your stomach. The main thing is that the patient is comfortable and can relax.The massage begins with stroking movements from the back of the head to the upper back. Strokes should also cover the side areas of the neck. Perform 10-12 strokes with minimal effort so the skin does not move relative to the muscles.Longitudinal squeezing is done with the thumb and index finger, which grab the skin and squeeze it. The effect is limited to soft tissue; the vertebrae are not involved in the process. Be very careful when squeezing, especially in the first stage. Perform parallel to spine, 5-6 times on each side. The next technique is kneading. Use semi-curved fingers in a circular motion first along the spine and then along the sides of the neck to warm up the muscles in the neck and upper shoulders. Since kneading affects deep tissues, it should be performed according to the patient's diagnosis to avoid aggravating the condition.Friction is necessary to increase blood circulation by heating the skin. It is performed with a sawing motion of the fingertips or the side of the palm.Circular friction movements are also allowed. The rub begins at the upper part of the neck and gradually moves to the shoulder girdle, grabbing the trapezius muscles. If the patient experiences pain or discomfort, the intensity should be reduced.The session ends with a stroke; you can alternate this with a low-intensity squeeze. Finally apply vibration. The total time of a massage is 25-30 minutes, and the standard number of times is 10 times.

Orthopedic instruments

To minimize the manifestations of osteochondrosis and enhance the effectiveness of treatment, various orthopedic products are used. Special attention should be paid to the position of the head and neck during sleep, since unpleasant symptoms - headaches, increased blood pressure, dizziness and discomfort in the shoulders - are most acutely felt during or after a night's rest.All these manifestations indicate a violation of blood circulation, and an orthopedic pillow will help to correct this situation.When selecting a product, the following parameters should be considered:

• The ideal shape for patients with osteochondrosis is a rectangular shape. Long pillows and square pillows can be used for short rests, but sleeping on them is not recommended;
• The height must be at least 5 cm but not exceed 10 cm;
• Width – Slightly wider than the sleeper’s shoulders;
• Hardness – Medium. Pillows that are too soft or too hard are not suitable. In addition, orthopedic products mainly produce products with medium hardness.

Another helpful device is a needle applicator that can be easily used at home. The device is a spiked pad made of elastic material that is applied to the collar area.The massager should be placed on a small, narrow mat or pad so that the curvature of the neck is maintained and the sensation is not too painful. There are also roller-type models on sale, which are also suitable for the treatment of cervical chondrosis.You can lie on the pincushion or roller for up to half an hour, but for your first session, 5-7 minutes will be enough. It is recommended to change body position or roll during use. The procedure is performed once or several times a day.Dietary nutrition is also an important component of comprehensive treatment. Since excess weight often hinders rapid recovery, it's best to eliminate processed foods and fast food from your diet and reduce your intake of salt and sweetened sodas.If cervical osteochondrosis is detected early, then the question "Can cervical osteochondrosis be cured? " will have a definite answer. With effective treatments and patients following medical advice, you can achieve significant improvement and live a full, comfortable life even in your later years. healthy!