The modern sedentary lifestyle becomes the reason that such a common disease as cervical osteochondrosis actively becomes younger. It is increasingly complaining "IT people", drivers and other representatives of "sedentary" professions. According to doctors, even 17-year-old teenagers are complaining about cervical osteochondrosis. As a rule, these are those who actively use the smartphone.
The fact is that depending on the inclination over the gadget, the human spine experiences a load of 12 to 27 kg. The more time a person spends in that position, the faster the wear and tear of intervertebral discs, the pain in the neck and back, and then the osteochondrosis. Doctors are urged to begin treatment immediately when the first symptoms appear, otherwise the consequences of neglecting one's health can be irreversible.
What is this disease - cervical osteochondrosis?
The most mobile among all the departments of the spine is the cervical. It has seven vertebrae which are connected by elastic intervertebral discs. Each disc has a fibrous ring with a pulpous core inside.
Violation of the metabolism in it can indicate the appearance of osteochondrosis, in which the intervertebral disc loses its strength and elasticity. Later, under the influence of downloads, the fibrous ring protrudes, cracks appear on it.
The cervical region has a variety of nerve channels and blood vessels to supply the brain, and the vertebrae are closely adjacent to each other. Thus, even a moderate deformation of one of the vertebrae results in the nerve structures and blood vessels being squeezed.
What are the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and what is their danger?
The first signs of the disease manifest themselves in the form of tension and tingling sensations in the muscles of the neck, pain sensations that can give back to the nape, shoulder blades, hands. When due to osteochondrosis cerebral circulation is disturbed, migraines, vegetovascular diseases, hypertension appear. Also, the disease has a bad effect on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, general coordination, hearing and sight deteriorate.
If you do not start treatment on time, cervical osteochondrosis can cause intervertebral protrusion, a hernia, and a vertebral artery syndrome.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis
Diagnostics and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are performed by highly specialized specialists - orthopedists-traumatologists and neurologists, specializing in the field of vertebrology. First of all, the doctor determines the severity of the symptoms of the disease. Also possible causes of occurrence are determined - harmful working conditions, patient's habits, the presence of injuries.
If this is necessary, the patient is recommended an additional examination:
Radiography shows the degree of instability of the vertebral bodies of the cervical region.
MRI reveals the formation of protrusions, herniated intervertebral discs and the condition of soft tissues.
Ultrasound of the head and cervical vessels (dopplerography) is recommended for violations of cerebral circulation, migraines. This examination allows you to determine the condition of vertebral arteries, veins, as well as the presence of pathological tortuosity and loops of blood vessels. Ultrasound also makes it possible to see violations of the patency of blood vessels. In a complex, all these examinations make it possible to see the general picture of the cervical spine condition in order to correctly establish a diagnosis and to prescribe the most effective treatment and further rehabilitation to fix a long result.
Features of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
The treatment is aimed at improving the blood supply to the brain and tissues surrounding the cervical spine, increasing the mobility of blocked segments of the cervical spine, reducing pain and myotonic syndrome.
To achieve the goals set, various methods are used:
Massages in combination with light orthopedic corrections to improve blood flow in the cervical spine.
The method of a short lever for correction of the spine. This non-traumatic method effectively eliminates the functional blocks and restores the mobility of the segments.
Shockwave therapy to improve metabolic processes, update cells and affected tissue sites, eliminate muscle spasms.
Carboxytherapy (the therapeutic effect of carbon dioxide on the tissues of the spine and joints).
Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment (electrotherapy and magnetotherapy).
Drug treatment (blockades, multizonal and other injections) in combination with the above methods. Medications are used only in selected cases, for the removal of an acute condition in the myotonic (soft tissue edema) and pain syndrome.
LFK with cervical osteochondrosis
In the treatment of diseases, exercise therapy is becoming increasingly popular. It is used not only in a state of remission, but also as a prophylaxis of cervical osteochondrosis. Physical exercises improve blood circulation, strengthen the muscular corset, eliminate limitations of mobility of the vertebrae, increase the volume of movements, and restore neuromuscular connections.
Effective results help to achieve therapy in the Finnish-German method of David, which is conducted at the Institute of Vertebrology and Rehabilitation. In the course of complex computer testing, the vulnerability of the cervical spine, asymmetry in the cervical region, predominance or lack of development of the muscular system is determined. On the basis of these indicators, a possible load is calculated and an individual training program is developed on innovative medical simulators. To treat and consolidate the result, a course of 24 lessons should be taken twice a year. The results of training on simulators are usually visible after 5-6 sessions.
Self-medication is not an option
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are often ignored or self-medicated. Meanwhile, this can lead to serious complications. Especially people risk in case of self-treatment or the use of traumatic manual techniques and physical manipulations, which are not simply not treated, but can further aggravate the disease. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis should be best entrusted to qualified specialists who will choose for you sparing, modern and effective methods that exclude the possibility of traumatizing the affected cervical spine.
The Institute of Vertebrology and Rehabilitation is the leader in the field of back care for 17 years. In more than 95% of cases, patients of the Institute get rid of spine diseases without surgery.
