Many people know about cervical osteochondrosis. Prolonged standing in a static position, lowering the head while working on a computer, "sitting" in front of the TV for a long time are factors that contribute to the appearance and development of the disease. A patient with a disease has a question: how to treat cervical osteochondrosis? The article is dedicated to answering the question.
Stages of disease development
The disease develops in stages:
- Grade 1 cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by damage to cartilage tissue, the patient feels muscle discomfort, mild dysfunction. Symptoms disappear, at this stage few people see a doctor;
- Grade 2 cervical osteochondrosis leads to the destruction of the fibrous ring, a decrease in the distance between the compressed vertebrae, painful symptoms appear;
- Grade 3 cervical osteochondrosis is expressed in the subsequent successive destruction of the vertebrae, changes in the shape of the body, increased bone processes, variability of the intervertebral hernia. The patient feels difficulty and pain while trying to turn his neck to the side
Symptoms
In the early stages of development, osteochondrosis is asymptomatic. After a long stay with the head bent or with intense physical force, there is a slight discomfort in the back of the neck. The patient is in no hurry to see a doctor, mistaken for the consequences of muscle overload. The pathology develops slowly but steadily.
The main symptoms of the disease:
- painful sensations in the problem area - "lumbago" is given to the shoulder blade;
- excessive tension of the cervical muscles;
- tongue tingling - is felt while eating, talking;
- paresis of the muscles of the arms and legs, accompanied by any activity
The patient's condition worsens as the intervertebral discs and vertebrae are deformed.
The course of osteochondrosis is complicated by neurogenic symptoms caused by compression by osteophytes or herniation of the spinal cord, vertebral artery. Headache, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, decreased visual acuity and hearing.
What to do
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis requires an integrated approach. Drug treatment is not used in the early stages of the disease. Sufficient prophylactic procedures:
- Organization of a healthy lifestyle;
- Proper nutrition (avoid spicy, fatty, high-calorie foods);
- Gymnastics (10-15 minutes of morning exercise will improve physical condition);
- Refuse to lift weights - load on the spine;
- Fighting bad habits;
- Proper posture during sleep (orthopedic mattresses will help), while working on the computer;
- Track your location.
Use of drugs
With age, osteochondrosis progresses. Treatment is aimed at combating pathological property. It is worth reducing pain (anesthesia), reducing the intensity of the inflammatory process and increasing metabolism in the cervical area.
Drug groups are used:
- vitamin complexes;
- chondroprotective substances;
- analgesics;
- muscle relaxants (drugs aimed at relieving muscle spasms).
Doctors often prescribe aspirin-containing medications. These remedies relieve pain, fever and fight minor ailments.
The course includes sedative tablets.
A doctor who develops a complex to fight the disease will treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with the help of drugs.
Injections
Blockade is a procedure that involves the insertion of a drug into the area affected by a progressive pathological process.
The activity is carried out only by a doctor with higher medical education. Injection reduces the intensity of the inflammatory process, reduces pain.
Two types of injections are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis.
In the first case, the active substance is injected into the spinal cord in the direction of the nerve branches, in the second - injections into the recurrent branch of the spinal nerve.
The latter block has a more complex action, execution technique.
Ointments
One of the options for the treatment of osteochondrosis with the help of drugs is the use of creams, ointments, gels - means for the external treatment of painful areas.
Therapy is used in the early stages of osteochondrosis. Advantages:
- The use of ointments has a lower cost than magnetic therapy, acupuncture;
- means for external use are convenient, affordable;
- there are no contraindications for use;
- Allergic reactions to the components are excluded, because you can use the funds for a long time.
Types of ointments used in the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- Contains anti-inflammatory, analgesic components;
- complex creams;
- irritating ointments - strengthen local blood circulation;
- chondroprotectors, to restore cartilage tissue;
- homeopathic products, containing natural plant extracts;
- massage mixtures (containing - mummy, herbal substances, bee venom).
Non-pharmacological treatment of osteochondrosis
Therapeutic methods are selected by the doctor based on the analysis of the stage of development of the disease. In the first stage, the patient is advised to sleep on a hard surface. If the nerves are constricted, the cervical vertebrae are removed with a Glisson curve. As a result, the muscles and ligaments of the paravertebral zone stretch. The distance between the vertebrae increases, nerves and blood vessels are released. You can manually extend the spine using manual therapy. The results are given by magnetotherapy, ultrasound.
An important place in the system of therapeutic measures to combat osteochondrosis is occupied by physical exercises - gymnastics, swimming.
Exercise is recommended as a preventive measure for patients in remission and healthy people. The intensity of the load gradually increases. To begin, do the exercises at half-strength so as not to overload the spine.
Therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is dangerous in the beginning - you can harm the body in the fight for health. Treatment is prescribed by a doctor who conducts a thorough examination of the patient.
Proper body position
If most of the symptoms of osteochondrosis are in the wrong position of the neck, it is associated with constriction of nerve endings, blood vessels, disruption of local blood circulation, the formation of "zones of stagnation. "In this regard, doctors recommend constant monitoring of the anatomical accuracy of posture, gait, posture.
Keep your back and neck straight throughout the day. If the work is static, it is important to pay attention to the height of the chair and table. It should be the same so that the person sits upright, without bending, without overloading the muscles.
For sleep you need a special bed, orthopedic latex mattress. It is important to make sure that the pillow is at the correct height (measured as the distance from the neck to the shoulder joint). This position relaxes the cervical muscles during sleep and has a therapeutic effect.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that requires a comprehensive approach to the organization of therapeutic and prophylactic measures to combat it. It is worth warning against self-medication, which leads to irreversible negative health consequences. Authorized medical care will cure the disease.