In the human neck there is a large number of nerve bundles and blood vessels that ensure normal functioning of the brain and organs.The most common causes of pinching are cervical osteochondrosis - a harmful degenerative disease to cartilage and bone tissue, accompanied by severe pain, hearing loss, vision and cognitive function, feeling of numbness in the face and loss of ability to work.
If you have pain and stiffness when turning your head, dizziness or frequent weakness in your hands, it's time to think about treatment for cervical osteochondrosis.
The cause of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis has its own features due to anatomical structure.The cervical spinal vertebrae is smaller than the lumbar and even thoracic, and also has a continuous static load (head weight).During the day, the load can be expressed in maintaining the same posture - for example, when reading the document, work on the computer.At night, the neck is often stripped of rest due to uncomfortable sleeping and uncomfortable pillows (heads either "hanging" on the pillow, or is the point of support and pressure of experience).As a result of this prostitution, it is called the overtraining muscle.Certain muscle groups experience excessive pressure and therefore require longer rest and recovery, but do not accept it - after all, no one cancels the table.
All of this causes persistent tension in several muscle groups and dystrophic changes in others, and often leads to the appearance of "turtle neck" (a slouches, while the head stands forward, and the neck forms a defect).In such cases, the weight of the head falls in the Atlas, the first cervical vertebra.He had to take part in the load controlled by the neck muscles during normal physical development.But the fact is, it is not suitable for such a task!
Additional factors that can accelerate the wearing of intervertebral cartilage in the cervical spine often include:
- Age -related changes and hormones - usually after 45 years (inorganic substances dominate more than organic, which reduces bone flexibility and causes their mineralization, and the destruction of bone tissue occurs faster than its growth);
- injury to the neck and other parts of the spine;
- cardiovascular disease;
- Congenital anomalies of the musculoskeletal system and have postural disruption;
- physical inactivity (after all, the intervertebral joints of the neck are the most portable, and various loads are required for their health);
- Smoking and other bad habits.
Stage of cervical osteochondrosis
The level of cervical osteochondrosis is established based on the diagnostic criteria.These include the patient's own sensation, palpation, neck mobility assessment, as well as joint space release between vertebrae and other indications on X-rays.Depending on the level of the disease, orthopedic doctors choose treatment for neck osteochondrosis, preventive measures and, if necessary, support orthoses.
Cervical osteocondrosis level 1
Grade 1 cervical osteochondrosis is also called premature stage.Patients, as a rule, ignore the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and treatment is not performed due to their mild severity.They are associated with fatigue after work days, uncomfortable sleeping, stress, migraines and various diseases.The patient feels:
- Stiffness in the neck, especially in the morning or after a long stay in the same position;
- pain when turning the head on sharp;
- Frequent headaches (including when the weather changes).
At the stage of this disease, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is most likely - as their symptoms are more significant.This is due to both specific work and physical activity (for example, working in the office during the day, and bending on a sink or homework in the evening), as well as hormone and anatomical features (lower muscle mass and bone mineral density).At premature stages, women are highly characterized by a spike in stress, numbness and softness of the skin (especially in the face), the tendency to faint and dizziness, nausea and some other symptoms of cerebral hypoxia.
Often, symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis arise in patients aged 45 to 65, but with chronic fatigue, excessive physical activity and other risk factors, they can appear quite early - starting at 25 years.
At this stage, the disease can be completely defeated with the help of therapeutic training, ointment for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, training in the orthopedic regimen and nutrition normalization.
Degree to -2 cervical osteochondrosis
In the 2nd stage of the disease, the height of the intervertebral cartilage, which plays the role of shock liners between the vertebrae, begins to decrease.Because of this, microtrauma to the neck often occurs during sharp turns, jumps or excessive loads.Protrusion (bully) intervertebral disc and radicular syndrome (nerve end compression) also appear.
These changes cause severe pain - both in the head and neck.The ability to concentrate, the speed of thought, and the sensitivity of the face and hands decrease.Patients complain of increased fatigue and irritation.At this stage, effective drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is required.
—3 degree cervical osteochondrosis
Severe and acute pain is constant and can emit arm, upper back, or back of the head.One or both -both the patient's arms quickly become tired.This process begins to spread to the neighboring joints due to impaired function of the natural compensation.Patients have difficulty or cannot change their head at all due to the formation of bone growth - osteophytes, as well as the fact that cartilage is replaced by connective tissue.Each movement, if possible, is accompanied by a rough problem.Neck loss of mobility, muscle atrophy.Hernias often form and crack appear in the vertebra.There is a sound in the ear.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis treatment is performed comprehensively, taking into account age, constructing, profession, physical fitness level of the patient, his lifestyle and the presence of the same disease.Therefore, the appropriateness of certain therapeutic steps in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women and men should be determined by the attending physician.
Physiotherapy for cervical osteochondrosis
To relieve pain, relieve inflammation, improve nerve flow and nourish the brain, the following physiotherapeutic methods to treat cervical osteochondrosis are used:
- Ultrasound therapy and phonophyesis - have heating effects, increase the effects of external drugs;
- Electrophoresis - enhances the effects of drugs administered, have stimulating and warming effects;
- Shock wave therapy (SWT) - activates blood supply, relieves inflammation and improves bone and cartilage regeneration processes;
- Electromyostimulation - increases mobility and durability of neck and arms, relieves pain;
- Cold and ozone therapy - reducing pain and inflammation, helping to reduce the dose of corticosteroids;
- Physical therapy and kinesitherapy - strengthening the neck muscles, improving blood circulation and metabolism, maintaining neck movement;
- Manual therapy and mechanical attractiveness (attractiveness) - helps eliminate tension and pain;
- Acupuncture - helps maintain mobility and nervous sensitivity;
- Paraffin applications - stimulate metabolic processes, reduce pain.
The sanatorium method for treating cervical osteochondrosis is effective and beneficial - for example, balneotherapy (hydrogen sulfide, radon and turpentine bath), hirudotherapy (leech treatment).
Massage in the treatment of neck osteochondrosis
Massage and physiotherapy of therapeutic drainage, lymph has a positive effect on the intervertebral disc, bone tissue, muscle and cervical spine ligaments.Some movements can be done independently - for example, rubbing cervical collar, parotid and shoulders, kneading neck with fingers and palms, knocking, wiping and movements on the back of the neck.In the treatment of cervical vertebral osteochondrosis, it is useful to have a circular massage on the back of the head, as well as heating for the clavicular, shoulder, and upper back.Massage before training therapy training is very effective.You can combine it by using ointment to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
For neck osteochondrosis, hydromassage is also recommended - physiotherapy techniques that improve metabolism, inhibit fibrous growth, help relieve headaches and improve nerve conduction.
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis
The lack of adequate physical activity in the neck and back muscles is a major cause of development and further development of cervical osteochondrosis.Therefore, daily exercises are used for the prevention and treatment of the disease (but not for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis!).Remember that training must be done at least 3-5 times a day (1 time in the morning, after waking up).All movements should be smooth, without jerking.If you feel pain during training, stop it, and if performing the entire complex is painful for you, contact orthopedis for drug treatment for cervical osteochondrosis, and also visit physical therapy teachers.
You can do the following exercises daily (5-7 repetitions):
- Press your palms to your forehead and tighten your neck, trying to move your palms with your forehead.Repeat this exercise for the back of your head, and then, in turn, for your right and left temple.
- Tilt your head back, and then slowly lower it, pressing your chin to your chest.
- Stand straight and turn your head to the left as possible.Repeat the training on the right.
- Tilt your head and try to touch your ears to your shoulders.Repeat on both sides.
- Reduce your chin to a jugular position and rotate your head first in one direction (5 times or more) then, the same, on the other.
Shoulder heating, such as "factory", will also be useful.Early daily training of the disease helps to be performed without pills for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Please note: If you have been diagnosed with osteochondrosis, you cannot describe your head in a full circle, as it can be traumatic.
Medicine and preparation for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Starting from the 2nd stage of the disease, medicines are used to treat cervical osteochondrosis hunting.But it is not possible to carry the disease with the help of pharmacotherapy only -therefore, it is important to combine the drugs and medicines listed below for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with therapeutic training, physiotherapy and orthoses (for example, shants collar).
Chondroprotectors for cervical osteochondrosis
Chondroprotectors activate the process of cartilage and bone tissue, and therefore as good as a support treatment for neck osteochondrosis.They are taken for 3 to 6 months.They are produced in the form of tablets for the treatment of cervical spinal osteochondrosis, and in the form of sachet, injection, and capsules.
To unite remission and treat cervical spinal osteochondrosis, doctors recommend chondroprotective medicine.
Anti-inflammatory drugs for cervical osteochondrosis
Anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are divided into nonsteroid drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids (hormones).Both groups are taken in short courses as prescribed by the doctor - in the form of tablets for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis or intramuscular injection.Steroids are used in the late stages of the disease, when pain cannot be overcome.
Antispasmodic and angioprotectors
When treating cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to protect the central nervous system, which is at risk for the disease.Therefore, for effective drug treatment for cervical osteochondrosis, doctors recommend taking:
- Antispasmodics.
- Angioprotectors.
- Nootropics, amino acids and vitamin complexes for the brain.
An external heating agent
Gel heating, cream and ointment for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis improves blood flow, relieves inflammation and distracts the patient from pain.
Diet in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical spinal osteochondrosis can be classified as called."Diseases of the whole body."Therefore, in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, the diet has two goals: patting the body with nutrients and limiting substances that contribute to dehydration, mineralization of joints and their destruction.
Therefore, when treating cervical osteochondrosis, a special place in the diet should be given to:
- Chicken, beef, games, heart and offal.
- Seafood - fish, clams, crustaceans, edible algae.
- Eggs and dairy products.
- Seeds and whole beans - oats, wheat (including grown wheat), brown rice, nuts, nuts.
- Vegetables - carrots, spinach, bell peppers, broccoli, salads and more.
- Fruits - apricots, bananas, citrus, plums, apple, avocado, pic, pomegranate.
- Peanuts.
- Any fruit (fresh, dried, frozen) and dried fruits.
But it is best to exclude marinade, salty dishes, fast food, half -finished products and sausages at all.It is also important to reduce white bread, potatoes, sugars (except for dark chocolate and dried fruits), carbonated drinks and coffee "from bags" in the menu -this will reduce the need for drug treatment for cervical spinal osteochondrosis.