Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a pathological process in which the nutrition of the vertebral discs is disturbed, which leads to their gradual damage. With further progression of the disease, the intervertebral discs lose their shape and cease to perform their main functions. The ability of the spine to withstand physical stress is lost.
Treatment Methods
Effective treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is an integrated approach to the disease, combining drug treatment and physiotherapy. If these methods do not achieve a positive effect, they resort to surgical intervention.
Conservative treatment consists in taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, muscle relaxants. The former are designed to reduce inflammation and pain. If the pain is mild, topical ointments or gels will help. The use of vitamins helps to improve blood circulation, which leads to better nutrition of the brain.
But any medication will not be enough when the cause of osteochondrosis lies in a person's lifestyle and remains unchanged. If the disease occurs from constant work at the computer, it is necessary to include some physical exercises in the working rhythm to warm up the neck.
Physiotherapy methods give good results:
- electrophoresis;
- water procedures;
- massage;
- physiotherapy.
Therapeutic exercises will help improve the blood supply to damaged joints, reduce pain and improve neck mobility.
Significantly relieve discomfort hirudotherapy and manual therapy.
As a prophylaxis during sedentary work, it is recommended to periodically do self-massage, dispersing stagnant blood and providing an influx of nutrients to the brain. In addition, you should eat regularly, get enough rest at night and control weight.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is well corrected in the initial stages, before the onset of vertebral artery syndrome and cardialgia.
Treatment is aimed at eliminating pain, restoring blood supply to the brain and slowing down the progression of the disease. The patient is treated by a neurologist. Conservative therapy is as follows:
- Applicationnon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugslocally and systemically. Ointments, gels, tablets and injections cope well with pain in osteochondrosis.
- In the acute stage of the disease, accompanied by severe pain, it is usedparavertebral blockade- local administration of drugs (anesthetics and corticosteroids).
- Drug treatment is a combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics,analgesics and vitamin complexes of group B.
- With intense pain that affects the nervous and mental state of the patient, tranquilizers may be prescribed. With prolonged pain (more than 4 weeks), they are replacedantidepressants. These drugs allow you to stabilize the mental state of the patient.
- In the acute phase, to reduce nerve root compression can be usedmuscle relaxants.
- To maintain cerebral circulation prescribedvasodilators, as well as means to improve metabolism in the nervous tissue).
With the ineffectiveness of conservative treatment for several months and the progression of the disease, sometimes they resort to surgical intervention.
Medical therapy
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes the use of various drugs.
NSAIDs (NSAIDs)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (drugs) are used as a symptomatic treatment, to relieve inflammation and eliminate pain at the time of an exacerbation of the disease.
The course of taking NSAIDs for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine usually does not exceed 6 weeks. The drugs have only a symptomatic effect and after the end of the course, the pain may return again. Often, NSAIDs are used in combination with antispasmodics, which help relieve muscle tension in the paravertebral zone.
Anesthetics
Pain and muscle tension are effectively eliminated by local administration of anesthetics. Blockades are widely used from a combination of anesthetics with corticosteroid drugs, which, in addition to the analgesic effect, have an anti-inflammatory effect.
As a local anesthetic, a solution is used, which includes substances that restrain the impulse flow in irritated nerve endings and block its passage through the innervated areas.
Hormones
Therapy with glucocorticosteroids can adversely affect the production of your own hormones. Therefore, modern medicine is much less likely than before to use drugs of this group in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis and only if there are serious indications.
Hormonal drugs, when ingested, block the inflammatory process inside the cells.
Important!With prolonged use, glucocorticosteroids contribute to the destruction of cartilage, so they should be combined with chondroprotectors.
Medicines containing corticosteroids quickly relieve pain, but at the same time negatively affect many internal organs. The course of hormone treatment rarely takes more than 7 days, since with longer use, bone loss and the development of osteoporosis are possible.
Local irritants
As a result of the destruction of the intervertebral discs, the displacement of the vertebrae and the inflammatory process, the vessels in the tissues of the body narrow. You can improve blood circulation with the help of warming, locally irritating ointments.
When using such funds, due to the excitation of nerve endings, blood flow in the problem area increases, which helps to improve the process of tissue nutrition. After applying the ointment, the treated area of the skin turns red due to active inflow. Since such drugs have a tonic effect, it is recommended to use them in the daytime.
Of the warming ointments, the most popular product is made on the basis of butoxyethyl ether of nicotinic acid. Alternatively, capsaicin and dimethyl sulfoxide ointments are used..
In addition to ointments, special patches impregnated with active substances are used as a local irritant. So, for example, the composition of the well-known pepper patch includes hot pepper extract, belladonna, lanolin oil. These components have an irritating effect, relieving muscle spasm and increasing local blood circulation. At the same time, oxygen delivery to cells and tissues is accelerated, due to which pain disappears.
Chondroprotectors
There is an active discussion around these drugs. Not all doctors use chondroprotectors in the treatment of osteochondrosis. These drugs contain glycosaminoglycans and chondroitin sulfates, which form the structural basis of the intervertebral discs. It is believed that chondroprotectors prevent the destruction of the cartilage of the spine and articular surfaces.
The composition of such preparations may contain chondroitic acid, mucopolysaccharides, animal cartilage, glycosaminoglycans, etc.
Reference.Some experts believe that the effect of these drugs is insignificant, although it differs from the placebo effect, and the achieved result is not comparable with their high price.
Preparations for improving blood microcirculation
This group of drugs promotes the expansion of blood vessels. The drugs improve blood microcirculation, eliminate the violation of venous outflow, normalize metabolic processes, stimulate regeneration and increase the frequency of nerve impulses. As a result, blood circulation is normalized, metabolic processes in soft tissues are improved and the degree of their swelling decreases, brain activity is restored.
vitamins
With osteochondrosis, the attending physician may prescribe the intake of individual vitamins or vitamin complexes. Particular attention is usually paid to B vitamins (B1, B6 and B12). Their intake enhances the nutrition of nerve fibers, supports metabolic processes in cartilage tissue and gives it elasticity, improves blood circulation and the functioning of the central nervous system, and stimulates metabolic processes.
In addition to B vitamins, providing the body with ascorbic acid is of paramount importance. With its regular intake, the process of regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue improves, toxins are eliminated, and the processes of carbohydrate, protein and mineral metabolism are regulated. It can partially reduce the need for additional intake of vitamins B1, B2, A and E.
Surgical intervention
It is indicated in the absence of a visible effect in the treatment of the disease using conservative methods, as well as in the development of complications.
Indications for surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis:
- spinal stenosis, due to a herniated or protruding disc - a "pinching" of the spinal cord and/or nerve roots, resulting in pain, cramps, weakness, or numbness;
- cervical spondylolisthesis - a condition in which the vertebrae are displaced along the horizontal axis relative to each other, sliding when moving and causing pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord;
- herniated disc - depending on the severity of symptoms, the severity of the patient's condition and the effectiveness of conservative therapy.
Massage
Massage is one of the main methods of treatment. In this case, it is not only useful, but also an indispensable procedure. First you need to take a professional course. To obtain the greatest effect, it is desirable to conduct at least 10 sessions. With cervical osteochondrosis, massage can achieve the following effects:
- pain relief and muscle spasm relief;
- reduction of edema;
- muscle strengthening;
- restoration of normal tone;
- improvement of blood supply and nutrition in the intervertebral discs;
- increased conduction of nerve impulses;
- improvement of metabolic processes;
A course of therapeutic massage of the cervical-collar zone can significantly improve the condition of the cartilage tissue in the neck.
After a professional course, you can perform simple tricks at home on your own. The peculiarity of the procedure for cervical osteochondrosis is the passive stretching of the muscles from the overstrain position in combination with massage elements. It is necessary to apply the technique after the spasmodic muscles are warmed up with a bath, hot compress or kneading.
For self-massage, the same techniques are used as in the professional version. These are tapping, kneading, point strikes, patting, rubbing. The massage is performed with warm hands. Massage oil should be used to improve glide. The technique sequence is as follows:
- stroking;
- trituration;
- kneading;
- tapping.
Ending a self-massage session should also be stroking. It is important that there is no severe pain during the procedure.
Reference.In addition to the traditional massage for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, some other techniques are used, for example, acupressure or vacuum massage. In the second case, medical banks or special vacuum devices are used.
Massage is very useful for cervical osteochondrosis. However, there are a number of factors that are absolute contraindications:
- blood diseases;
- osteomyelitis;
- thrombosis;
- malignant or benign neoplasms;
- aneurysms;
- active stage of tuberculosis;
- the presence of many warts and moles on the body;
- spider veins in the back.
There are also temporary contraindications:
- heat;
- infectious diseases;
- exacerbation of chronic processes.
exercise therapy
If the disease has already developed and been diagnosed, the first step after the elimination of pain and neurological symptoms with the help of drug therapy is a course of physiotherapy, as an integral part of complex treatment. A moderate load on the neck muscles in remission contributes to the strengthening and formation of the muscular corset that supports the intervertebral discs.
The main way to prevent cervical osteochondrosis, as well as weakness of the cervical region, is to strengthen the muscles of the neck. This will help therapeutic exercises. To get tangible results, you should perform at least 2-3 exercises 2-3 times a day. Starting position - sitting with a straight back.
- Exercise number 1.Tilt your head slightly forward and place your hands on your forehead. Then press your palms on your forehead and without moving your neck, hold the position for 30 seconds.
- Exercise number 2.Tilt your head back and slowly turn left and right for 1 minute. This exercise improves blood flow in the veins.
- Exercise number 3.At the same time, raise your shoulders, trying to bring them to your ears, and then lower them to their original position. Then alternately - one shoulder down, the other up. The total duration is 2 minutes.
- Exercise number 4.Join your palms above your head, spreading your elbows to the sides. Press your palms hard against each other for 2-5 seconds, then relax your hands. Repeat 3 times.
- Exercise number 5.Do smooth tilts of the head forward - on the exhale, back - on the inhale (3 times).
The gymnastic complex ends with self-massage - rub the neck with rotational circular movements.
Perform a small set of exercises every day and soon you will feel much better.
Manual therapy
It is a set of non-drug therapeutic and diagnostic techniques aimed at eliminating certain diseases of the spine.
Reference.Usually, about 10 sessions are performed with an interval of 2 days. After the first procedures, the patient may experience mild pain, which is considered normal. But if the pain does not go away in the future, you should stop the course. Constant pain indicates either a low professionalism of a specialist, or an incorrect diagnosis.
At the first visit, an experienced osteopath always performs diagnostic palpation of the cervical region. The doctor determines the most painful places, assesses the condition of muscle tissue and skin. The success of further treatment will depend on a properly performed examination.
The session begins with warming up the muscles and a light massage. Then the doctor stretches the muscles, reducing spasms in the cervical segment. At this stage, the patient should not experience pain. After that, the therapist goes directly to the manipulation.
This is the most painful part of the procedure. The doctor with considerable effort presses on the cervical vertebrae, trying to push them back. Often during such manipulations, patients hear a frightening crackle, but this is considered normal. At the end of the session, the chiropractor makes a soothing massage.
Immediately after the session, sudden movements of the head, tilts and deflections should be avoided. If possible, it is better to lie down for half an hour.
Manual therapy can restore neck mobility the very next day. If you feel any stiffness and limitation in movements, try to contact a chiropractor.
Important!A doctor using manual therapy techniques must master them perfectly in order to exclude harm to the patient.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture affects the body in a certain area by inserting needles into biologically active points. In this case, a response occurs, expressed in the directed production of hormones that regulate metabolic processes and the state of immunity. Due to this, inflammatory processes are actively suppressed.
The therapy is effective for cervical osteochondrosis. Under the influence of the procedure, the blood vessels of the neck expand, blood flow improves, the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the brain increases, headaches, tinnitus, dizziness disappear, and the flow of the anti-inflammatory hormone cortisol into the bloodstream increases.
Chinese medicine specialists claim that they can treat more than 250 different types of diseases, including those associated with osteochondrosis.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine has many recipes that can relieve pain and unpleasant symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. However, although these recipes alleviate the condition, they do not eliminate the cause of the disease, so other measures cannot be dispensed with.
Compresses and tinctures are the most popular remedies. They warm up the muscles, improve blood circulation, relieve pain.
Recipe 1.A mixture of lard, horse chestnut, turpentine, agave and vodka. Cooking method:
- 3 tablespoons of horse chestnut;
- 100 g American agave;
- camphor oil - 50 ml;
- purified turpentine - 30 ml;
- vodka - 200 ml;
- unsalted lard - 50 grams.
Grind and mix the ingredients, then put in a dark place for 9 days. For use, apply a thin layer on black bread and apply to a sore spot. If a burning sensation occurs, the compress is removed. After the discomfort subsides, you can repeat the procedure.
Recipe 2.Tincture of calendula.
It is necessary to take a glass bottle, pour 50 g of calendula into it and pour one cup of camphor spirit. Then add a glass of cologne and a glass of vodka. Put the closed bottle in a dark place and let stand for a couple of weeks. The resulting tincture is rubbed into the sore spot.
Osteochondrosis is easier to prevent than to treat. All achievements in the fight against the disease will be reduced to zero if the patient continues to lead the same way of life: move little, do not play sports, gain excess weight. This can again lead to pathologies of the intervertebral discs and exacerbation of osteochondrosis.