Many of those who have encountered osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are interested in the question: "How to treat cervical osteochondrosis? "I suggest you look into this.
How to cure cervical osteochondrosis?
Unfortunately, cervical osteochondrosis, like osteochondrosis of other parts of the spine, is a progressive and incurable disease.
Therefore, the treatment of this disease today is very difficult.
The main goals that doctors set when starting therapy for osteochondrosis are to stop the progression of degenerative processes and not harm the patient, because the neck borders the vital brain centers.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis should be prescribed by a neurologist or vertebrologist, but in no case by the patient himself.
Self-medication not only does not bring relief, but is often harmful to your health.
For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, a combination of conservative methods such as drug therapy, acupuncture, manual therapy, massage and various physiotherapeutic procedures is widely used.
Important!In extreme cases, when conservative methods are ineffective or dangerous complications occur, surgery is resorted to.
Correctly selected treatment for cervical osteochondrosis can stop the disease and ensure remission for several decades.
Pharmacological treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Drugs for cervical osteochondrosis are prescribed as followsgoals:
- anesthetize;
- relax cramped neck muscles;
- alleviate the inflammatory process in the spine and paravertebral tissues;
- relieve tissue swelling;
- improve microcirculation and metabolism in the cervical spine;
- improve blood supply to the brain;
- restore and protect the bone and cartilaginous tissue of the spine.
Patients with cervical osteochondrosis are prescribed the following:drug groups:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) perfectly relieve pain and inflammation. In the acute period of the disease, NSAIDs are used in the form of injections. When the patient's condition improves, they switch to oral administration of drugs. The course of treatment with these drugs is 7-10 days. NSAIDs can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines, causing erosions and ulcers. To eliminate negative effects on the digestive tract, proton pump inhibitors are prescribed together with NSAIDs.
- Hormonal agents.A group of glucocorticosteroids that relieve inflammation and swelling in radicular syndrome is used. Glucocorticosteroids are often used as perineural and paravertebral injections.
- Anestheticsused in the form of neuromuscular paravertebral blocks. With this method of administration the drugs act directly on the roots of the spinal nerves, thus relieving pain. To enhance the blocking effect, anesthetics are combined with a glucocorticosteroid. The course of treatment consists of 5-6 blocks.
- Chondroprotectors.Preparations of this group contain glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which are components of the cartilaginous tissue of the spine. Chondroprotectors protect the cartilage of the intervertebral discs from the effects of negative factors and help restore its structure, thereby restoring the lost functions of the spinal joints and reducing the manifestations of osteochondrosis.
- Drugs to improve metabolism and microcirculationin spinal tissues and nerves.
- Vitamins.Vitamin preparations, such as ascorbic acid, retinol acetate, tocopherol acetate, calciferol, thiamine, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin, improve nerve conduction, reduce the severity of hearing and vision disorders, strengthen blood vessels and have an antioxidant effect.
- Preparations for topical use– ointments, creams, gels and patches help relieve pain and improve blood flow to the affected areas.
In addition, for cervical osteochondrosis, diuretics can be prescribed to relieve swelling of the paravertebral tissues and nerves, muscle relaxants to relax spasmodic neck muscles, and calcium supplements.
Therapeutic exercise for cervical osteochondrosis
How to treat osteochondrosis? Therapeutic exercise (physical therapy for cervical osteochondrosis) is a set of specially designed exercises based on physiological movements of the body that can reduce pain in the spine, improve blood flow and metabolism in the tissues, and restore the normal configuration and mobility of the spine.
Interesting!Therapeutic exercise is an effective means of treating and preventing cervical osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy exercises and gymnastics can be prescribed by a physiotherapist only after studying the results of an examination of the spine and only after acute pain has been relieved.
Contraindications to physical therapy and gymnastics may include:
- illnesses in the acute phase;
- acute infectious diseases;
- acute myocardial infarction;
- malignant and benign neoplasms;
- aortic aneurysm;
- cardiac aneurysm;
- blood clotting disorder;
- heart rhythm disorder;
- hypertension;
- ocular myopia;
- severe forms of diabetes.
Physiotherapeutic methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Electrotherapyrepresents a local effect of the electric field on the cervical spine and paravertebral tissues.
The method has a positive effect on blood circulation and metabolism in the affected area. Electrotherapy is contraindicated for those with pacemakers and other metal implants.
Laser therapyinvolves the use of helium-neon rays, which have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and regenerating effects by activating biological processes in the tissues of the nervous system.
Treatment with ultraviolet rays.Ultraviolet rays have pronounced anti-inflammatory, analgesic, regenerating and bactericidal effects.
In addition, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the synthesis of calciferol (vitamin D) is activated in the body.
The method is not used in people suffering from malignant diseases of the blood and internal organs.
Balneotherapy– is the use of mineral waters and muds in the form of baths, showers, applications and compresses. The chemicals and minerals present in mineral waters and muds improve microcirculation in the spine and affected tissues.
Vibration therapy- it involves the use of mechanical vibrations aimed at the cervical spine, which reduce muscle spasm and pain.
There are band exercisers that can be used in both a hospital setting and at home.
Important!Vibration therapy is contraindicated for people with pustular skin diseases of the neck and vibration diseases.
Acoustic shock wave therapy,affecting the cervical spine. This reduces pain, improves metabolism and blood flow in the neck tissues.
There are many other methods of physical therapy. To eliminate the negative impact of physiotherapeutic factors on the body, a physiotherapist should prescribe and monitor the implementation of procedures.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis using manual therapy and massage?
Manual therapyit is called local dosed impact on the elements of the spinal column with the hands to restore normal mobility within it and eliminate the displacement of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
To avoid spinal injuries, trust your body only to a qualified chiropractor.
Manual therapy consists of gentle, gentle adjusting movements, neck massage and traction, in which the head and limbs are used as leverage.
With the help of manual therapy it is possible to reduce neck pain, activate the autonomic nervous system and increase the mobility of the spine.
Manual therapy cannot be performed on patients with cervical osteochondrosis, who also suffer from inflammatory diseases of the spine, oncopathology or who have had spinal injuries.
Massage for cervical osteochondrosis can be performed by a masseur or by the patient himself (self-massage).
Interesting!There are acupressure and segmental massage of the cervical spine.
Segmental massage is a massage of the paravertebral zones, and acupressure is a massage of special "vital" points responsible for individual segments of the spine.
Acupuncture or acupuncture
Acupunctureis a method of treating cervical osteochondrosis by applying needles to active points of the spine.
The needle irritates these points and the body activates the production of cortisol and endogenous painkillers, which help cope with inflammation and pain.
Cervical osteochondrosisIt is a progressive and incurable disease. With the help of comprehensive, timely and properly selected treatment, it is possible to stop the process of destruction and immobilization of the spine.