Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

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

The effective treatment of cervical osteochondrosis consists of an integrated approach to the disease, combining pharmacological treatment and physiotherapy. If these methods do not achieve a positive effect, they resort to surgical intervention.

Conservative treatment consists in taking nonsteroidal 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 improve blood circulation, which leads to better nutrition of the brain.

But any medicine will not be enough when the cause of osteochondrosis is found in a person's lifestyle and remains unchanged. If the disease is caused by constant work at the computer, it is necessary to include some physical exercises in the rhythm of work to warm up the neck.

Physiotherapy methods give good results:

• electrophoresis;
• water procedures;
• massage;
• physiotherapy.

Therapeutic exercises will help improve blood supply to damaged joints, reduce pain and improve mobility of the neck.

Significantly relieves the discomfort of hirudotherapy and manual therapy.

As a prophylaxis during sedentary work, it is recommended to periodically perform self-massage, dispersing stagnant blood and providing an influx of nutrients to the brain. In addition, you need to eat regularly, get enough rest at night, and control your weight.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is well corrected in the initial stages, before the appearance of the syndrome of the vertebral artery and cardialgia.

The goal of treatment is to eliminate pain, restore blood supply to the brain, and slow the progression of the disease. The patient is treated by a neurologist. Conservative therapy is as follows:

1. Requestnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugslocally and systemically. Ointments, gels, tablets and injections cope well with pain in osteochondrosis.
2. In the acute stage of the disease, accompanied by severe pain, it is usedparavertebral block- local administration of drugs (anesthetics and corticosteroids).
3. Pharmacological treatment is a combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics,analgesics and vitamin complexes of group B.
4. With severe pain that affects the nervous and mental state of the patient, tranquilizers can be prescribed. With prolonged pain (more than 4 weeks), they are replacedantidepressants. These drugs allow you to stabilize the mental state of the patient.
5. In the acute phase, to reduce nerve root compression, you can usemuscle relaxants
6. To maintain prescribed cerebral circulationvasodilators, as well as means to improve metabolism in nervous tissue).

With the ineffectiveness of conservative treatment for several months and the progression of the disease, surgical intervention is sometimes resorted to.

medical therapy

Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes the use of various drugs.

NSAIDs (NSAIDs)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (drugs) are used as 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. NSAIDs are often used in combination with antispasmodics, which help relieve muscle tension in the paravertebral area.

anesthetics

Pain and muscle tension are effectively eliminated by the local administration of anesthetics. Blockades are widely used from a combination of anesthetics with corticosteroids, which, in addition to the analgesic effect, have an anti-inflammatory effect.

As a local anesthetic, a solution is used that includes substances that restrict the flow of the impulse in the irritated nerve endings and block its passage through the innervated areas.

hormones

Glucocorticosteroid therapy can negatively affect the production of your own hormones. Therefore, modern medicine is much less likely to use drugs from 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, glucocorticoids contribute to the destruction of cartilage, so they must be combined with chondroprotectors.

Drugs containing corticosteroids quickly relieve pain, but at the same time negatively affect many internal organs. The course of hormonal treatment rarely takes more than 7 days, since with prolonged 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 are narrowed. You can improve blood circulation with the help of locally warming and irritating ointments.

When using such means, due to the excitation of the nerve endings, blood flow to the problem area increases, which helps to improve the process of tissue nutrition. After applying the ointment, the treated area of \u200b\u200bthe skin turns red due to active input. Since such drugs have a tonic effect, they are recommended to be used during the day.

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 local irritants. 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 spasms and increasing local blood circulation. At the same time, the supply of oxygen to the cells and tissues is accelerated, due to which the pain disappears.

Chondroprotectors

There is an active discussion surrounding 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 intervertebral discs. Chondroprotectors are believed to prevent the destruction of spinal cartilage and joint surfaces.

The composition of said 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 result obtained is not comparable with its high price.

Preparations for improving blood microcirculation.

This group of drugs promotes the expansion of blood vessels. Medicines improve blood microcirculation, eliminate the violation of venous outflow, normalize metabolic processes, stimulate regeneration, increase the frequency of nerve impulses. As a result, blood circulation is normalized, metabolic processes in soft tissues are improved and the degree of swelling decreases, brain activity is restored.

vitamins

With osteochondrosis, the attending physician may prescribe the intake of single vitamins or vitamin complexes. Special attention is usually paid to the B vitamins (B1, B6 and B12). Its intake improves 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, it is of utmost importance to provide the body with ascorbic acid. With its regular intake, it improves the regeneration process of bone and cartilage tissue, 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 with conservative methods, as well as in the development of complications.

Indications for surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis:

• spinal stenosis, due to a herniated or bulging disc - a "pinching" of the spinal cord and/or nerve roots, causing pain, cramping, weakness, or numbness;
• cervical spondylolisthesis - a condition in which the vertebrae are displaced along the horizontal axis relative to each other, slip when moving and put 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 get 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;
• edema reduction;
• 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 neck area can significantly improve the condition of 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 position of overexertion in combination with massage elements. It is necessary to apply the technique after warming up the spasmodic muscles with a bath, a hot compress or kneading.

For self-massage, the same techniques are used as in the professional version. These are tapping, kneading, spot tapping, patting, rubbing. The massage is done with warm hands. Massage oil should be used to improve gliding. The technical sequence is as follows:

• caressing;
• trituration;
• kneading;
• playing

Ending a self-massage session should also be caressing. It is important that there is no severe pain during the procedure.

Reference.In addition to 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 on 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 muscles of the neck 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 neck muscles. This will help therapeutic exercises. To get tangible results, you need to 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 closer to your ears, and then lower them to their original position. Then alternately one shoulder down and the other up. The total duration is 2 minutes.
• Exercise number 4.Join the palms of the hands above the head, separating the 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.Make gentle tilts of the head forward - on exhalation, back - on inhalation (3 times).

The gymnastic complex ends with a self-massage - rub the neck with circular movements of rotation.

Do a small set of exercises every day and you'll soon feel much better.

Manual therapy

It is a set of non-pharmacological therapeutic and diagnostic techniques aimed at eliminating certain diseases of the spine.

Reference.In general, about 10 sessions are carried out with an interval of 2 days. After the first few procedures, the patient may experience mild pain, which is considered normal. But if the pain does not go away in the future, you need to stop the course. Constant pain indicates a low professionalism of a specialist or an incorrect diagnosis.

At the first visit, an experienced osteopath always performs a 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 a warm-up of 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 crunch, but this is considered normal. At the end of the session, the chiropractor performs a relaxing massage.

Immediately after the session, sudden head movements, tilts and deviations should be avoided. If possible, it is better to lie down for half an hour.

Manual therapy can restore neck mobility the next day. If you feel any stiffness and limitation in movement, try contacting a chiropractor.

Important!A doctor who uses manual therapy techniques must master them perfectly 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.

Therapy is effective for cervical osteochondrosis. Under the influence of the procedure, the blood vessels in 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 blood stream disappears. sanguine. increases

Chinese medicine specialists claim that they can treat more than 250 different types of diseases, including those associated with osteochondrosis.

Home remedies

Traditional medicine has many recipes that can relieve pain and unpleasant symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. However, although these recipes relieve 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 the muscles, improve blood circulation, relieve pain.

Recipe 1.A blend of lard, horse chestnut, turpentine, agave and vodka. Cooking method:

• 3 tablespoons of horse chestnut;
• 100 g of American agave;
• camphor oil - 50 ml;
• purified turpentine - 30 ml;
• vodka - 200 ml;
• lard without salt - 50 grams.

Grind and mix the ingredients, then put in a dark place for 9 days. To use, apply a thin layer to whole grain bread and apply to a sore spot. If a burning sensation occurs, the compress is removed. After the discomfort disappears, you can repeat the procedure.

Recipe 2.Calendula tincture.

It is necessary to take a glass bottle, pour 50 g of calendula and pour a cup of camphor alcohol. Then add a glass of cologne and a glass of vodka. Put the closed bottle in a dark place and let it sit 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 weight. This can again lead to pathologies of the intervertebral discs and exacerbation of osteochondrosis.