Cervical osteochondrosis treatment

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will bring good results only if it is regular, consistent and systematic. This disease is on the list of the most frequent complaints from patients of working age who spend half a day at the computer. Often, patients do not want to notice the pain and do not attach importance to it, which leads to complications.

If you do not want to experience constant pain in the neck, head, shoulders, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Diagnosis of the disease includes the following common methods:

• Inspection;
• Radiography;
• Computed tomography;
• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• Ultrasound Dopplerography.

After determining the location of the disease and its stage, treatment of cervical osteochondrosis often begins, the purpose of which is to get rid of the causes of pain.

Review of modern treatment methods

Cervical osteochondrosis is best corrected at the initial stage of formation before the appearance of vertebral artery syndromes and cardialgia, accompanied by chronic headaches and painful sensations in the area of the shoulder blades and heart. OSHOP - this is the abbreviation of this disease, over time leads to a change in the general structure of the spinal column due to the active compensatory proliferation of connective, fibrillar and bone tissues, therefore, treatment of cervical osteochondrosis should be started as early as possible and carried out in a comprehensive manner with an emphasis on neutralizing inflammatory processes and relieving pain. The therapeutic strategy of the first stage is aimed at neutralizing pain, the second stage consists of activating blood supply and metabolic processes in the affected areas of the spine, and physiotherapeutic and manual techniques are indicated at the third stage.

1. If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is in the acute stage, accompanied by severe pain, a drug paravertebral block is indicated using local administration of novocaine, lidocaine, corticosteroids (cortisone, diprospan) in order to relieve muscle tension in the area of the spinal motor segment (SMS) and reduce pain.
2. Combinations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, diclofenac), antispasmodics (mydocalm), analgesics (spazmalgon) and vitamin complexes (group B, nicotinic acid) are effective.
3. As a local therapy, ointments are prescribed - chondroprotectors (Chondroxide) and drugs with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory components) - Voltaren, Ketonal.
4. Reflexotherapy procedures, electrical stimulation, manual therapy, massages, and a set of therapeutic exercises are effective.
5. If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine lasts for years, the disease is in an advanced stage and a herniated disc is diagnosed, surgical intervention is possible.

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Conservative treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is most often carried out using conservative methods. It is also possible to use anti-inflammatory and painkillers, chondroprotectors, as well as drugs that help relieve swelling and muscle tension. However, drugs only help to cope with intense pain. Physiotherapeutic treatment of cervical osteochondrosis helps to get rid of it, if not forever, then at least for a long time. The most commonly used methods include:

• Acupuncture;
• Therapeutic massage;
• Electrophoresis;
• Laser therapy;
• Methods of manual therapy.

Typically, this treatment for cervical osteochondrosis takes about two weeks.

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Drug treatment

Cervical osteochondrosis is treated quite successfully with timely consultation with a doctor and the appointment of a set of measures, which include medication, physiotherapy and preventive methods of therapy, such as exercise therapy, massage, acupuncture. The main tasks of providing medical care are to relieve pain and restore normal functioning of the cervical vertebrae.

Cervical osteochondrosis treatment with medication involves the following:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - diclofenac, indomethacin, ibuprofen or piroxicam;
• Anesthetic drugs - spazmalgon, ketanov, analgin;
• Muscle relaxants - mydocalm, sirdalud, trental;
• Chondroprotectors - aflutop, teraflex;
• Vitamin complex – B vitamins and nicotinic acid;
• External irritants - Finalgon, Apizatron;
• External agents with regenerating, chondroprotective properties - Chondroxide, Traumeel S;
• External agents containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory components - diclofenac, voltaren.

The disease of civilization - osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops asymptomatically at the first stage, which is why it is insidious. However, when neurological and cardiological symptoms appear, such as persistent headache and pain radiating under the shoulder blade to the heart area, osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra requires immediate and effective treatment. First aid can be taking antispasmodics (Spazmalgon, Baralgin) and applying an ointment containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory components (Indomethacin, Diclofenac), ointments with a local irritant effect (Apizatron or Finalgon) will also help. In case of acute pain syndrome, popular methods of therapeutic physical training and massage cannot be performed; it is much more advisable to consult a vertebrologist, who may prescribe an anesthetic paravertebral blockade that relieves pain, and then a drug complex that includes anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen), decongestants, muscle relaxants (Baclofen or Mydocalm), a vitamin complex (B1, B2, B6, B12) and physiotherapy procedures. Only after completing a course of treatment is it possible to perform a complex of therapeutic physical training and preventive massage sessions.

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Medicines for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Therapy for cervical osteochondrosis should be as comprehensive as possible, aimed at relieving several symptomatic areas at once. Clearly expressed pain syndrome, neurological symptoms, cardialgia, exacerbation of all symptoms of existing underlying diseases - this pathological "union" requires careful selection of methods, techniques and means that alleviate both the vertebrogenic symptom (dizziness), and pain in the heart area, and edema, and muscle spasms in order to restore the patient's ability to work and increase vital activity. Medicines for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are divided into the following categories:

• Analgesics that can relieve pain are ketanov, analgin, dexalgil, and less commonly tramadol;
• To perform an epidural block, lidocaine, novocaine or its mixture with corticosteroids (hydrocortisone, prednisolone) are prescribed;
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral, injection forms, local use - diclofenac, movalis, ibuprofen, indomethacin;
• Antispasmodics, myelorelaxants – mydocalm, papaverine, no-shpa;
• Agents that reduce vestibular disorders - betaserk;
• Vasodilators – vinpocetine, cavinton;
• Diuretics - diuretic drugs to neutralize swelling in pinched tissues - lasix, furosemide;

Chondroprotective drugs – alflutop, chondroxide, teraflex.

Treatment of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis

Any type of osteochondrosis - cervical, thoracic or lumbar, is treated faster and more effectively in the early stages of the disease. Since osteochondrosis often proceeds asymptomatically and for a long time, it often occurs in a combined form (cervical together with thoracic), therefore it is very important to establish the correct diagnosis for the appointment of a specific set of therapeutic measures. Treatment of cervical thoracic osteochondrosis involves three stages of action:

1. Medication therapy aimed at relieving pain, relaxing damaged, tense muscles, improving blood supply to the brain and spinal column - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen), analgesics, muscle relaxants (Mydocalm, Baclofen), irritant ointments - Finalgon, Apizatron.
2. Physiotherapeutic methods that reinforce drug therapy are microcurrent electrical stimulation, UHF, acupuncture, acupuncture, and manual therapy in courses.
3. Preventive methods that neutralize relapses include a complex of therapeutic physical exercises and therapeutic massage.

It is also recommended to follow a gentle diet, excluding salty and spicy foods, to minimize swelling and improve metabolism.

Treatment of dizziness in cervical osteochondrosis

Vestibular neurological symptoms are characteristic of a complex of signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, this is due to the fact that as a result of compression of the vertebral artery, the main blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most often, dizziness occurs with sudden bends, after sleep, when turning the head, and often among vestibular symptoms there is a decrease in hearing and vision. Treatment of dizziness in cervical osteochondrosis consists, first of all, in restoring normal blood supply and relaxing tense muscles of the cervical spine. Nootropic agents such as oxybral, cinnarizine, fezam are effective as drugs that activate blood flow, betahistine dihydrochloride (Betaserk) is prescribed to improve microcirculation, myelorelaxants that relieve vascular spasms are effective - Sirdalud, Mydocalm. In addition, dizziness caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae requires adherence to a gentle diet, excluding spicy, salty foods and the consumption of strong drinks - coffee, alcohol.

Treatment with folk remedies

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine affects more than 80% of the world's population, so it is rightfully considered a disease of civilization, since degenerative lesions of the articular cartilage of the most vulnerable - the cervical vertebrae - are associated with a sedentary lifestyle. If the disease is at an early stage, then in addition to medication, there are also recipes from our ancestors, which are sometimes more effective and safer than drug therapy.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies involves the following:

Compresses with a distracting, irritating effect, improving blood circulation - from horseradish leaves, anti-inflammatory compresses - from burdock and cabbage leaves, warming compresses - a mixture of propolis and dry mustard.

Infusions taken orally 3 times a day (1 tablespoon) for two to three weeks - 50 g of chopped celery root, infuse for 12 hours in a liter of hot water or 50 g of chopped sunflower roots, boil in a liter of water for 5 minutes.

Gymnastics

Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease typical for those people who spend 8-10 hours a day sitting at an office desk or computer. The main cause of cervical osteochondrosis, according to the WHO (World Health Organization), is a sedentary lifestyle, which causes constant static tension, stress on the vertebrae of the lower neck. If the disease has already developed and been diagnosed, the first step to relieve pain and neurological symptoms is drug therapy, but a course of therapeutic exercise is an integral part of complex treatment. Reasonable stress on the neck muscles during remission allows you to strengthen and form a muscle corset to support the intervertebral discs. Gymnastics only consolidates any treatment for cervical osteochondrosis, in addition, it effectively prevents relapses. A therapeutic exercise complex is prescribed two to three weeks after completing the main course of medication and includes isometric (without turns, static) muscle stretching exercises and exercises with turns, head rotations, and arm swings.

Treatment of exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis rarely begins with obvious clinical symptoms, the course of the disease is most often hidden, latent, therefore medical care is usually provided when osteochondrosis is accompanied by unbearable pain. Exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis requires complex and intensive treatment, since it should be aimed at quickly relieving pain and neurological symptoms. Most often, during an exacerbation, blockades are prescribed in the form of paravertebral injections of novocaine or its mixture with hydrocortisone, and the introduction of diprospan is also effective. Fixation of the cervicothoracic region with special corsets or orthoses (orthopedic collars) is effective. After stopping the exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, both orally (inside) and in the form of ointments, gels; manual therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures - myostimulation with microcurrents, electrophoresis, acupuncture, as well as performing a set of therapeutic exercises - give a good fixing effect.

How to make treatment of cervical osteochondrosis more effective?

Let's take a closer look at therapeutic massage, which, if done correctly, you can do at home to get rid of unpleasant sensations. In order not to harm yourself, you need to follow a few simple rules:

• Do not press too hard on your neck and back;
• All movements should be from top to bottom;

The massage process itself may include the following components:

• With your hand on your knee, run your fingers from the back of your head to your shoulder;
• Do the same with the edge of your palm;
• Make light circular movements along the same path;
• Knead the bumps behind your ears;
• Run your fingers along the side of your neck.

This treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is complemented by cupping massage, used for any type of osteochondrosis, as well as radiculitis. This well-known folk method helps improve blood circulation and muscle condition. In the case of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to make smooth movements from the back of the head to the shoulders, however, without touching the vertebra itself.

All these movements will help you stretch and relax your neck muscles. Their daily use is good to combine with active recreation and going to the pool or gym. However, if you do not have this opportunity, treatment of cervical osteochondrosis can be carried out at home, performing some of the following exercises:

• Nodding your head;
• Tilts left and right;
• Moving the head forward and backward without tilting;
• Lying on your stomach, bring your shoulder blades together, raising your head and shoulders;
• The starting position is the same. Make successive movements with your arms: forward – to the sides – to the shoulders.
• Perform vertical shoulder movements from a sitting position.

Therapeutic exercises should be as relaxing as possible, careful, without any forceful techniques or painful sensations. Only then will they be useful, and the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will be enhanced if you combine all these exercises with proper nutrition - consuming all the necessary vitamins and minerals, and avoiding too salty and spicy foods in your diet.

In order for the problem of osteochondrosis to be familiar to you only by hearsay, it is necessary to remember the following:

• The back of your chair should be firm enough;
• Whether you are working or relaxing in front of the TV or computer, do not stay in one position for too long. Get up periodically and walk around the room;
• Don't tilt your head too close to the book or monitor. Remember the optimal distance of 30-35 cm.
• The bed should not be too soft;
• Even when working and driving, stay calm and do not overexert yourself.

With proper understanding and implementation of all the doctor's recommendations, treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a painless and useful activity. After all, by doing all the exercises, you will contribute to improving the general condition of the body. And an active lifestyle has never harmed anyone!

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