Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is made on the basis of simple studies - an x-ray.
In order for the disease to regress, an integrated approach to the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is required.
Why does cervical osteochondrosis appear?
Pain has several localization foci: neck, head, shoulders. Weakened neck muscles provoke the development of osteochondrosis. Due to poor posture, inactivity and the adoption of unnatural postures, some neck muscles are constantly strained, others spend too much time resting. The spine adapts to the irrational load at the expense 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.
Gradually, the structures of the vertebrae and discs are destroyed. This process is irreversible, so it is necessary to take care of your health in time and immediately undergo treatment for the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, without putting off until later. The reasons also include:
- neck injuries;
- excess weight;
- connective tissue dysplasia;
- poor diet, insufficient water intake.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: symptoms
Main (vertebral) signs:
- Ache. It can be constant traction or appear during periods after a static position of the neck, sleeping in an uncomfortable position. There are acute pains that immobilize the patient for a short time (low back pain);
- Stiff neck or difficulty moving. Sometimes it is so painful to turn or tilt the head that a person finds a comfortable position where pain is minimal and tries to stay there;
- Muscle tension, feeling of stiffness, heaviness;
- Crunch of the vertebrae when turning the head. Extravertebral symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis (with the involvement of surrounding nerves and tissues);
- Inflammation of the muscles;
- Headache, migraine, dizziness, sometimes with nausea and vomiting;
- Pain in the back of the head, increased intracranial pressure, heavy-headedness; such symptoms sometimes occur so clearly that the term "osteochondrosis of the head" has taken root among patients. Obviously, 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;
- Disruption of sensory organs: impaired hearing and vision, speech, ringing in the ears due to lack of nutrition in the brain;
- Pain in the collarbones, 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:
- root 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 drugs. You can remove the pain syndrome only 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 at their disposal a rich arsenal of advanced technologies, 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 in the affected area, restores metabolic processes, relaxes the 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, the consolidation of the correct position of the vertebrae. Rehabilitation can take several sessions and includes physiotherapy, manual therapy and the use of modern devices. The more accurately the patient follows the recommendations of specialists, the greater the effectiveness of the techniques. The final stage is in the patient's area of responsibility:
- lifestyle and nutrition correction;
- regular physical therapy;
- active life position and optimism.