The modern sedentary lifestyle is responsible for the increasing youthfulness of common diseases such as cervical osteochondrosis. Representatives of "sedentary" occupations such as "IT people", drivers, etc. increasingly complained about him. According to doctors, even 17-year-olds can complain of cervical osteochondrosis. Usually, these are those who actively use their smartphones.
The truth is, the human spine is loaded with 12 to 27 kilograms, depending on the inclination of the gadget. The more time a person spends in this position, the faster the disc wears down, pain in the neck and back, and then osteochondrosis. Doctors strongly recommend starting treatment as soon as the first symptoms appear, otherwise the consequences of neglecting your health may be irreversible.
What is this disease - cervical osteochondrosis?
Of all the parts of the spine, the cervical spine is the most mobile. It has seven vertebrae connected by elastic discs. Each intervertebral disc has an annulus fibrosus, which contains a nucleus pulposus.
Metabolic disturbances therein may indicate osteochondrosis, in which the intervertebral discs lose strength and elasticity. Later, under the action of load, the fiber ring protrudes and cracks appear on it.
The cervical spine area has many nerve channels and blood vessels that provide nutrients to the brain, and the vertebrae are in close proximity to each other. Thus, even modest deformation of one of the vertebrae can cause neural structures and blood vessels to be compressed.
What are the symptoms and harm of cervical osteochondrosis?
The first signs of the disease are tension and tingling in the neck muscles that can radiate to the back of the head, shoulder blades, and arms. Migraine headaches, vegetative vascular disease, and hypertension occur when cerebral circulation disorders are caused by osteochondrosis. In addition, the disease has adverse effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, loss of general coordination, hearing and vision.
If treatment is not started promptly, cervical osteochondrosis can cause herniated discs, hernias, and vertebral artery syndrome.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis
The diagnosis and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out by highly specialized specialists - orthopaedic traumatologists and neurologists specializing in the field of spondylology. First, doctors determine the severity of symptoms of the disease. Possible causes of appearance - harmful working conditions, patient habits, presence of injuries are also identified.
If necessary, the patient is advised to perform additional tests:
- X-rays show the degree of instability in the cervical vertebrae.
- MRI can detect protrusion formation, disc herniation, and soft tissue conditions.
- For cerebrovascular accidents, migraine, ultrasonography (Doppler contrast) of the blood vessels in the head and neck region is recommended. This test allows you to determine the condition of the vertebral arteries, veins, and the presence of pathological tortuosity and vascular loops. Ultrasounds can also allow you to see violations of vascular patency. Together, these tests give you an overall picture of the state of your cervical spine in order to correctly determine the diagnosis and develop the most effective treatment and further rehabilitation to ensure long-term results.
Treatment features of cervical osteochondrosis
The treatment is designed to improve blood supply to the tissues around the brain and cervical spine, increase mobility in blocked segments of the cervical spine, and reduce pain and rigidity syndrome.
To achieve these goals, various methods are used:
- Massage is combined with minor orthopedic corrections to improve blood flow to the cervical spine.
- Short-lever method for spinal correction. This non-traumatic approach allows you to effectively eliminate dysfunction and restore segmental mobility.
- Shockwave therapy improves metabolic processes, renews cells and affected tissue areas, and eliminates muscle spasms.
- Carboxytherapy (the therapeutic effect of carbon dioxide on spine and joint tissue).
- Physiotherapy methods (electrotherapy and magnetic therapy).
- Medication (blockade, multi-regional and other injections) in combination with the above methods. Medications are only used in some cases to relieve acute myotonia (soft tissue edema) and pain syndromes.
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis
Physiotherapy exercises are becoming more and more popular in the treatment of diseases. It is not only used to relieve the condition, but also to prevent cervical osteochondrosis. Physical activity improves circulation, strengthens the muscular corset, removes restrictions on vertebral mobility, increases range of motion, and allows you to restore neuromuscular connections.
Effective results have been obtained with treatment according to the Finnish-German David method, which is carried out at the Institute of Chiropractic and Rehabilitation. During a complex computer testing process, the fragility of the cervical spine, muscular asymmetry in the cervical spine region, strengths or weaknesses in the development of the musculature are determined. Based on these indicators, possible loads are calculated and individual training plans are formed on the innovative medical simulator. To treat and consolidate results, it should be done twice a year, 24 times each. The results of simulator training are usually visible after 5-6 sessions.
Self-medication is not an option
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are often ignored or self-treated. At the same time, it can lead to serious complications. A person is especially at risk in the context of self-medication or the use of traumatic manual techniques and physical manipulations, which not only fail to cure, but even aggravate the disease. It is best to entrust the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis to a qualified specialist who will choose a gentle, modern and effective method for you, ruling out the possibility of injury to the involved cervical spine.