Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis - how to deal with pain?

In the human neck there are a large number of nerve packages and blood vessels that ensure the normal functioning of the brain and sensory organs.The most common cause of pinching is cervical osteochondrosis - a dangerous degenerative disease of the cartilage and bone tissue, which is associated with severe pain, deterioration of hearing, vision and cognitive functions, a feeling of face and gradual loss of ability to work.

If you experience pain and stiffness when turning your head, frequent dizziness or weakness in your arms, it is time to think about the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.

Pain due to osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis has its own characteristics due to its anatomical structure.The cervical spine vertebrae are smaller than the lumbar and even thoracic ones, and also experience constant static load (head weight).During the day, loads can be expressed in maintaining the same behavior - for example, when reading documents, working on a computer.At night, the neck is also often deprived of rest due to a position of non -physiological sleep and an unpleasant pillow (head or "hinges" on the pillow, or is a supporting point and experiences pressure).As a result of this pre -condition, the so -called muscle overtaking.Some muscle groups experience excess stress and therefore need a longer period of rest and recovery, but do not get them - after all, no one canceled the schedule.

All this causes constant tension in some muscle groups and dystrophic changes in others, and often leads to the appearance of a "tortoise neck" (a person collides while the head lasts forward, and the neck forms a characteristic deviation).In such a situation, the weight of the head falls into the atlas, the first vertebra of the cervix.It is forced to take over that part of the load that the neck muscles treat during normal physical development.But the fact is that it is not at all suitable for such a task!

Additional factors that can accelerate the ear of the intervertebral cartilage in the cervical spine often include:

  • Age and hormonal -related changes - more often after 45 years (inorganic substances prevail over organic ones, which reduces bone flexibility and causes their mineralization, and bone tissue destruction occurs faster than its growth);
  • neck damage and other parts of the spine;
  • Cardiovascular disease;
  • congenital muscle system abnormalities and obtained postural disorders;
  • physical inactivity (after all, the intervertebral joints of the neck are more mobile, and a variety of loads is needed for their health);
  • smoking and other bad habits.

Stages of cervical osteochondrosis

The cervical osteochondrosis phase is established based on the diagnostic criteria.These include the patient's own sensations, palpation, evaluation of neck mobility, as well as cleaning the joint space between vertebrae and other indicators in an X -ray. Depending on the stage of the disease, the orthopedic physician chooses treatment for neck osteochondrosis, preventive measures and, if necessary, supporting orthoses.

The first rate of cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical scale 1 is also called the pre -clinical phase.Patients, as a rule, ignore the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and treatment is not performed due to their mild severity.They are attributed to fatigue after a day of work, unpleasant sleep position, stress, migraines and various diseases.Patients feel:

  • stiffness in the neck, especially in the morning or after a long stay in the same position;
  • pain when you turn your head harshly;
  • frequent headaches (including when the weather changes).

At this stage of the disease, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women most likely - because their symptoms are more pronounced.This is due to the specifics of work and physical activity (for example, working in an office during the day, and bending over the sink or tasks of the evening child's home), as well as hormonal and anatomical characteristics (low muscle mass and mineral bone density).In the pre -clinical stage, women are particularly characterized by pressure increases, numbness and skin shine (especially on the face), a tendency to faded and dizziness, nausea and some other symptoms of cerebral hypoxia.

Most often, symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis arise in patients aged 45 to 65 years, but with chronic fatigue, excessive physical activity and other risk factors, they can occur quite early - starting in 25 years.

At this stage, the disease can be fully defeated with the help of therapeutic exercises, ointments for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, training in an orthopedic regimen and normalization of food.

2nd degree of cervical osteochondrosis

In the 2nd stage of the disease, the height of the intervertebral cartilage, which plays the role of a chimney that absorbs shock between the beads, begins to decrease.Because of this, the neck microtrauma often occurs during sharp turns, jumps or excess loads.The extension of the intervertebral discs and radical syndrome (compression of nerve endings) also appear.
These changes cause severe pain - both in the head and the neck.The ability to focus, the speed of thinking and the sensitivity of the face and hands decrease.Patients complain of increased fatigue and irritability.At this stage, effective treatment of cervical osteochondrosis medication is already required.

3rd degree of cervical osteochondrosis

Severe and acute pain is constant and can radiate to the arms, upper back or back of the head.One or both of the patient's wings quickly tires.The process begins to spread to the neighboring joints due to the disruption of the natural compensatory functions of the spine.The patient has difficulty or cannot turn his head at all due to the formation of bone growth - osteophytes, as well as the fact that the cartilage is replaced by connective tissue.Love every movement, if possible, is associated with a severe crisis.The neck loses mobility, atrophy of its muscles.Hernias often formed and cracks appear in the beads.There is a noise in the ear.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is performed comprehensively, taking into account age, construction, profession, the patient's physical ability, his life style and the presence of simultaneous diseases.Therefore, the adaptability of specific therapeutic measures in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women and men should be determined by the attending physician.

Massage session for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Physiotherapy for cervical osteochondrosis

To relieve pain, relieve inflammation, improve nerve tracking and nourish the brain, the following physiotherapeutic methods are used for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis:

  • Ultrasound therapy and phonophoresis - have a heat effect, improve the effect of external medication;
  • Electrophoresis - enhances the effect of administered medicines, has a stimulating and heater effect;
  • Shock wave therapy (SWT) - activates blood supply, relieves inflammation and improves bone and cartilage regeneration processes;
  • Electromyostimulation - improves the movement and durability of the neck and arms, relieves pain;
  • Cold and ozone therapy - reduce pain and inflammation, help reduce the dose of corticosteroid drugs;
  • Physical therapy and cinets or cinets - strengthens the neck muscles, improves blood circulation and metabolism, maintains neck movement;
  • Manual therapy and mechanical withdrawal (withdrawal) - helps to get rid of tension and pain;
  • Acupuncture - helps maintain mobility and nerve sensitivity;
  • Paraffin applications - stimulate metabolic processes, reduce pain.

Sanatorium methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are effective and useful - for example, balneotherapy (hydrogen, radon and terpentine baths), hirudotherapy (treatment with caterpillars).

Massage in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck

The therapeutic, lymphatic drainage massage and physiotherapy have a positive effect on the intervertebral discs, bone tissue, muscles and cervical spine ligaments.Some movements can be performed independently - for example, rubbing the cervical collar, parotid area and shoulders, cooking the neck with fingers and palm skirts, tapping, stroke and up along the back of the neck.In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, it would be useful to have a circular massage of the back of the head, as well as a heat for the clavicular area, shoulders and upper back.Massage before exercise therapy is particularly effective.You can combine it with the application of oil to treat cervical osteochondrosis.

For neck osteochondrosis, hydromassage is also recommended - a physiotherapeutic technique that improves metabolism, inhibits fibrous growth, helps get rid of headaches and improves nerve tracking.

Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis

Lack of adequate physical activity in the neck and back muscles is the main reason for the development and further progression of cervical osteochondrosis.Therefore, daily exercises are used for both prevention and treatment of this disease (but not for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis irritations!).Remember that exercises should be performed at least 3-5 times a day (once in the morning, after wakeing up).All movements must be polished, without joking.If you feel pain while performing the exercise, stop it and if performing the entire complex is painful for you, contact an orthopedic drug treatment for cervical osteochondrosis, and also visit a physical therapy instructor.

You can perform the following exercises every day (5-7 repetitions):

  1. Press your palm on your forehead and strain your neck, trying to move your palm with your forehead.Repeat this exercise for the back of your head, and then, on the other hand, for your right and left temple.
  2. Tilt your head back, and then slowly lower it, pressing your chin on your chest.
  3. Stand straight and turn your head as much as possible.Repeat the exercise on the right side.
  4. Pull your head back and try to touch the ear on the shoulder.Repeat from both sides.
  5. Lower your beard to the jugular level and turn your head first in one direction (5 times or more), then, similarly, to the other.

Shoulder heaters, such as "mill", will also come available.Daily exercises in the early stages of the disease help to do unpaid pills to treat cervical osteochondrosis.

Please note: if you are already diagnosed with osteochondrosis, you should not describe your head in a full circle because it can be traumatic.

Medication and preparation for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Starting from the 2nd stage of the disease, the medication is used to treat irritation of the cervical osteochondrosis.But it will not be possible that the disease under single control with the help of pharmacotherapy - therefore, it is important to combine the medicines and medicines listed below for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with therapeutic exercises, physiotherapy and coating of orthoses (for example, jacket of blackmail).

Chondroprotectors for cervical osteochondrosis

The chondroprotectors activate the processes of cartilage regeneration and bone tissue, and therefore are excellent as a supporting treatment for neck osteochondrosis.They were taken for 3 to 6 months.They are produced as in the form of tablets for the treatment of cervical back osteochondrosis, and in the form of sacks, injections and capsules.

To consolidate the removal and treatment of cervical back osteochondrosis, doctors recommend chondroprotective drugs.

Anti-inflammatory drugs for cervical osteochondrosis

Anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are divided into non-steroidal medicines (NSAIDs) and steroids (hormonal).Both groups are taken in short courses as defined by a physician - in the form of tablets for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis or intramuscular injections.Steroids are used in the later stages of the disease, when the pain cannot be overcome otherwise.

Antispasmodics and angioprotectors

When treating cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to protect the central nervous system, which is at risk with this disease.Therefore, for the effective treatment of cervical osteochondrosis medication, doctors recommend taking:

  1. Antispasmodics.
  2. Angioprotectors.
  3. Nootropics, amino acids and vitamin complexes for the brain.

External heating agents

Heating executioners, creams and ointments for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis improve blood flow, relieve inflammation and distract the patient from pain.

Diet in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The cervical back osteochondrosis can be classified as the so -called."Diseases of the whole body."Therefore, in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, the diet has two purposes: saturation of the body with nutrients and restrictive 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:

  1. Birds, lean beef, game, liver and off.
  2. Seafood - fish, shellfish, crustaceans, edible algae.
  3. Eggs and dairy products.
  4. Complete grains and legumes - oats, wheat (including wheat sprout), brown rice, beans, peas.
  5. Vegetables - carrots, spinach, bell peppers, broccoli, lettuce and others.
  6. Fruits - apricots, bananas, citrus fruits, plums, apples, avocados, peaches, pomegranates.
  7. nuts
  8. Anydo berries (fresh, dried, frozen) and dried fruit.

But it is best to exclude marinades, salty dishes, fast food, semi -finished products and sausages.It is also important to reduce white bread, potatoes, sweets (in addition to dark chocolate and dried fruits), carbonated drinks and coffee "from bags" to the menu - this will reduce the need for drug treatment for cervical back osteochondrosis.