In the human neck there are a large number of nerve bundles and blood vessels that ensure the normal functioning of the brain and sensory organs. The most common cause of their pinching is cervical osteochondrosis, a dangerous degenerative disease of cartilage and bone tissue, which is accompanied by severe pain, deterioration in hearing, vision and perception, numbness in the face and a gradual loss of ability to work.
If you are worried about pain and stiffness when turning your head, frequent dizziness or weakness in your hands, then it's time to think about the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Do not postpone treatment of cervical osteochondrosis until later.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Due to the anatomical structure, cervical osteochondrosis has its own characteristics. The vertebrae of the cervical spine are smaller than the lumbar and even thoracic vertebrae, and they also experience a constant static load (the weight of the head). During the day, stresses can be expressed in the same posture - for example, when reading documents, working at the computer. The neck is also often deprived of rest at night due to an unphysiological sleeping position and an uncomfortable pillow (the head "hangs" on the pillow, or is a reference point and is under pressure). As a result of this pre-pathological condition, the so-called muscle overtraining. Certain muscle groups becomeoverly stressed and therefore require - but do not get - a longer period of rest and recovery because the schedule has not been cancelled.
All this causes constant tension in some muscle groups and dystrophic changes in others, and often leads to the appearance of a "turtle neck" (a person bends down, while the head sticks out and the neck forms a characteristic sag). In this situation, the weight weighs heavilyof the head on the atlas, the first cervical vertebra. It is forced to take on that part of the load that the neck muscles can handle during normal physical development. But the fact is that it is not at all suited for such a task!
Additional factors that can accelerate the wear and tear of the intervertebral cartilage in the cervical spine are common:
- age-related and hormonal changes - most often after 45 years (inorganic substances predominate over organic ones, which reduces the flexibility of bones and causes their mineralization, and the destruction of bone tissue occurs faster than its growth);
- injuries to the neck and other parts of the spine;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- congenital anomalies of the musculoskeletal system and acquired postural disorders;
- hypodynamia (after all, the intervertebral joints of the neck are the most mobile, and a variety of loads are required for their health);
- Smoking and other bad habits.
Stages of cervical osteochondrosis
The stage of cervical osteochondrosis is determined using diagnostic criteria. These include the patient's own sensations, palpation, assessment of neck mobility, as well as the gap between the vertebrae and other indicators on the X-ray. Depending on the stage of the disease, the orthopedist selects the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck, preventive measures and, if necessary, supporting orthoses.
1 degree cervical osteochondrosis
1 degree of cervical osteochondrosis is also called the preclinical stage. Patients, as a rule, ignore the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and treatment is not carried out due to their slight severity. They are credited with fatigue after a day's work, an uncomfortable sleeping position, stress, migraines and various diseases. patients feel:
- Stiffness in the neck, especially in the morning or after staying in the same position for a long time;
- pain with sharp head turns;
- frequent headaches (including weather changes).
It is at this stage of the disease that the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is most likely - after all, its symptoms are more pronounced. This is due both to the specifics of work and physical activity (for example, working in the office during the day and bending over the sink or the child's homework in the evening), as well as hormonal and anatomical specifics (less muscle mass and bone mineral density). In the preclinical stage are especially womencharacterized by pressure surges, numbness and whitening of the skin (especially of the face), fainting and dizziness, nausea and some other symptoms of cerebral hypoxia.
Most often, the symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are found in patients aged 45-65 years, but with chronic fatigue, excessive physical activity and other risk factors, they can appear quite early - from 25 years.
At this stage, the disease can be completely defeated with the help of therapeutic exercises, ointments for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, training in the orthopedic regime and normalization of nutrition.
2nd degree of cervical osteochondrosis
In the 2nd stage of the disease, the height of the intervertebral cartilage begins to decrease, which plays the role of a shock-absorbing insert between the vertebrae. For this reason, microtrauma of the neck often occurs during sharp turns, jumps or excessive loads. Also appear protrusion (bulging) of intervertebral discs, radicular syndrome (compression of nerve endings).
These changes cause severe pain – both in the head and in the neck. The ability to concentrate, the speed of thought, the sensitivity of the face and hands are reduced. Patients complain of increased fatigue, irritability. At this stage, effective drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is already required.
3rd degree of cervical osteochondrosis
Severe and acute pain is permanent and can appear in the arms, upper back and neck. One or both of the patient's arms tire quickly. The process begins to move to neighboring joints due to a violation of the natural compensatory functions of the spine. It is difficult or impossible for the patient to turn his head due to the formed bone growths - osteophytes, as well as the fact that the cartilage is replaced by connective tissue. If possible, every movement is accompanied by a rough crunch. The neck loses mobility, its muscles atrophy. Hernias often form, cracks appear on the vertebrae. Noises can be heard in the ears.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out comprehensively, taking into account the patient's age, physique, profession, physical fitness, lifestyle and the presence of concomitant diseases. Therefore, the adequacy of specific therapeutic measures in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women and men should be determined by the attending physician.
For effective treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck, an integrated approach and the implementation of doctor's prescriptions are required.
Physiotherapy for cervical osteochondrosis
To reduce pain, reduce inflammation, improve nerve conduction and nourish the brain, the following physiotherapeutic methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis are used:
- Ultrasound therapy and phonophoresis - have a warming effect, enhance the effect of external drugs;
- Electrophoresis - enhances the effect of administered drugs, has a stimulating and warming effect;
- Shock wave therapy (SWT) - activates blood circulation, reduces inflammation and improves the regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue;
- Electromyostimulation - improves mobility and endurance of the neck and arms, relieves pain;
- Cold and ozone therapy - relieves pain and inflammation, helps reduce the dosage of corticosteroid drugs;
- Physiotherapy and exercise therapy - strengthens the neck muscles, improves blood circulation and metabolism, maintains neck mobility;
- manual therapy and mechanical traction (traction) - helps to get rid of clamps and pain;
- Acupuncture - helps maintain mobility and nervous sensitivity;
- Paraffin applications - stimulate metabolic processes, relieve pain.
Sanatorium methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis are effective and beneficial - for example, balneotherapy (hydrogen sulfide, radon and turpentine baths) hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches).
Massage in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck
Therapeutic lymph drainage massage and physiotherapy have a positive effect on intervertebral discs, bone tissue, muscles and ligaments of the cervical spine. Some movements can be performed independently - for example, rubbing the cervical collar, parotid gland and shoulders, washing the nape of the neck with your fingers and the edge of the palm, tapping, stroking and moving up along the nape of the neck. Not superfluous in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a circular massage of the back of the head, as well as a warming massage for the collarbone region, shoulders and upper back. Massage is especially effective before exercise therapy. You can combine it with the use of an ointment for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
With osteochondrosis of the neck, hydromassage is also recommended - a physiotherapeutic technique that improves metabolism, inhibits fibrous growth, eliminates headaches and improves nerve conduction.
Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis
The lack of sufficient physical activity of the muscles of the neck and back is the main reason for the emergence and further progression of cervical osteochondrosis. Therefore, daily gymnastics is used both for the prevention and for the treatment of this disease (but not for the treatment of exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis! ). Remember that the exercises should be performed at least 3-5 times a day (including 1 time in the morning after waking up). All movements should be smooth and without jerks. If you feel pain during exercise, stop, and if the whole complex is painful for you, consult an orthopedist for medical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, and also visit an exercise therapist.
You can do the following exercises daily (5-7 repetitions):
- Press your palm to your forehead and strain your neck by trying to move your palm with your forehead. Repeat this exercise for the back of the head and then for the right and left temple in turn.
- Tilt your head back and then slowly lower it while pressing your chin to your chest.
- Stand up straight and turn your head to the left as far as possible. Repeat the exercise on the right side.
- Tilt your head back and try to touch your shoulder with your ear. Repeat on both sides.
- Lower your chin to the jugular notch and rotate your head first to one side (starting at 5 turns) and then similarly to the other.
Warming-up exercises for the shoulders, such as the "mill", will not be superfluous. Daily exercises in the early stages of the disease will help to abandon pills for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Please note: If you have already been diagnosed with osteochondrosis, you should not make a full circle with your head, because. it can be traumatic.
Diet in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region can be classified as so-called. "Diseases of the whole organism. "Therefore, in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, the diet has two goals: saturating the body with nutrients and limiting substances that contribute to dehydration, mineralization of the joints and their destruction.
Therefore, in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, a special place in the diet should be occupied by:
- Poultry, lean beef, venison, liver and offal. .
- Seafood - fish, shellfish, crustaceans, edible seaweed.
- eggs and dairy products.
- Whole grains and legumes - oats, wheat (including sprouted), brown rice, beans, peas.
- Vegetables - carrots, spinach, peppers, broccoli, lettuce and others.
- Fruits - apricots, bananas, citrus, plums, apples, avocados, peaches, pomegranates.
- Nuts.
- All berries (fresh, dried, frozen) and dried fruits.
But marinades, salty dishes, fast food, semi-finished products and sausage should be completely excluded. It is also important to reduce white bread, potatoes, sweets (except for dark chocolate and dried fruit), carbonated drinks and "bag" coffee in the menu - this will reduce the need for drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Preparations for osteochondrosis
The conservative treatment of osteochondrosis includes various therapeutic measures - from massage and diet to remedial and physiotherapy. All of them help to improve the patient's condition and prevent the development of complications. But the leading method was and is the use of drugs for osteochondrosis.
Preparations for osteochondrosis - the main way to combat the disease.
Goals of medical treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis with drugs is so effective in the early stages of the disease that, with the right treatment regimen, it can completely cure osteochondrosis or permanently get rid of its most unpleasant symptoms. In later stages, the disease can be controlled with medication.
Drugs for osteochondrosis are designed not only to affect the disease symptomatically, but also to eliminate its causes systemically. Therefore, therapy is carried out in the following directions:
- anesthesia of the affected areas;
- removal of inflammation and alleviation of the acute phase of the disease;
- restoration of microcirculation in the affected tissues;
- Improvement of metabolic processes and protection of cartilage from further destruction (e. g. by free radicals);
- regeneration of cartilage tissue in the intervertebral discs;
- Restoration of mobility in the vertebral joints.
In cases where the disease is accompanied by depression or emotional stress, therapy is also aimed at restoring a normal mental state.
During the period of remission, patients can do without drugs or take them in courses in prophylactic dosages.
Drugs for the effective treatment of osteochondrosis: release form
For the treatment of osteochondrosis, funds for external and internal use are used. The choice of the form of release of the drug depends on the patient's habits and lifestyle, concomitant diagnoses and the stage of the disease.
tablets and capsules
Tablets and capsules for osteochondrosis are the most popular form of release. They have high bioavailability and systemic effects on the body.
Tablets should be taken directly with meals, usually 2 times a day.
The main disadvantage of tablets (especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) is that they act directly on the mucous membrane of the digestive system. Such drugs are not recommended for long-term use due to the risk of inflammation and stomach ulcers. They must be taken under medical supervision.
Treatment with drugs for osteochondrosis can be started only after consulting a doctor.
Ointments, gels, creams and solutions for compresses
Topical products are great for local anesthesia, inflammation, and swelling. They are considered much safer for the body than tablets, since they do not come into contact with mucous membranes and are absorbed into the blood in small quantities. Topical preparations do not have a cumulative effect, are easy to use and usually do not require a prescription. They can be used throughout, not in courses. Among the external forms of release, patches are worth noting - they are simply attached to the affected area of \u200b\u200bthe spine and can be worn under clothes all day.
Ointments, gels and creams are the best drugs for osteochondrosis for patients who have contraindications to taking pills (with steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory components) from the heart and endocrine system.
solutions for injections
Drugs for intravenous and intramuscular administration have maximum bioavailability and a reduced effect on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, since the active substances enter the blood directly.
Injectable drugs for osteochondrosis can quickly stop the aggravation of the disease, relieve pain and swelling, restore sensitivity of nerve endings. Injections are an excellent alternative to oral medication for patients with lactose intolerance. Finally, most NSAIDs in tablets are lactose-containing drugs.
In the case of particularly severe back pain, the drug is administered as a blockage – directly into the nerve. The effect of such an injection lasts up to 3-4 weeks, but due to the proximity of the blockage to the spine, a qualified medical worker should perform the procedure.
What drugs to take for osteochondrosis?
Drugs for osteochondrosis differ not only in the form of release. They are also classified into the following pharmacological groups.
Anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat osteochondrosis
The action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in osteochondrosis is based on suppressing the production of prostaglandins - hormone-like substances that cause inflammation and pain in the affected areas. Nonsteroidal drugs for osteochondrosis can quickly eliminate pain and heat sensation of the skin, restore local metabolism, relieve swelling, discomfort and deterioration of sensitivity, and reduce pressure on the nerve roots of the spine.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis are produced in various dosage forms - capsules and tablets, gels and creams, solutions for intramuscular, intravenous or s / c administration. Treatment of NSAIDs with drugs for osteochondrosis usually involves a combination of different forms. For example, tablets are used as the main therapy, gels and ointments "extinguish" residual inflammation, and injections are necessary to relieve pain. The patches help to relieve inflammation at all stages of treatment.
Steroidal (hormonal) anti-inflammatory drugs for osteochondrosis are rarely used - mainly in the most advanced cases, when other treatments have not shown results.
chondroprotectors
With osteochondrosis, the spring function of the intervertebral discs deteriorates, which directly depends on the volume of cartilage tissue and its elasticity. In order to maintain sufficient cartilage thickness, the body must regenerate cartilage cells (chondrocytes) at a rate roughly equal to their destruction. But with dehydration, an unbalanced diet, stress, metabolic or anatomical disorders, the chondrocyte decay rate increases and new cells either grow more slowly or have an insufficient safety margin. To protect the cartilage and restore its normal growth rate, it is worth taking special products based on glucosamine and chondroitin - chondroprotectors. Chondroprotective drugs for the effective treatment of osteochondrosis can stabilize the condition of the cartilage, prevent its further destruction and, subject to all medical recommendations, even help restore lost chondrocytes.
For a lasting effect, chondroprotectors (in the form of tablets, injections or external means) must be taken in courses of 3-6 months for life.
warming preparations
To eliminate discomfort in osteochondrosis, the so-called. warming medicines. They are:
- dilate the blood vessels of the skin, which inhibits the transmission of pain impulses to the brain;
- improvement of blood microcirculation in connective tissue;
- distract the patient from symptoms.
When using stimulants, the peak effect is observed after half an hour, and the analgesic effect lasts 2-4 hours. A local increase in skin temperature is normal.
The list of drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis includes ointments, creams, gels and tinctures based on:
- camphor (camphor ointment);
- Turpentine;
- benzyl nicotinate;
- nonivamide;
- capsaicin (tincture of paprika);
- bee and snake venom.
Most of these drugs have a combined composition - for example, bee venom and NSAIDs, or snake venom, salicylic acid and turpentine. Therefore, before use, you need to make sure that there is no allergy to the individual components.
Local and general analgesics
Painkillers for osteochondrosis are most often used in the form of tablets and injections. With an average pain syndrome, the usual medicines in the first-aid kit can help.
In the later stages of osteochondrosis, opioids are prescribed - powerful drugs with a number of contraindications.
For complex anesthesia (e. g. blockade), so-called "cocktails", which simultaneously have a pain-relieving, decongestant, anti-inflammatory, local anesthetic and allergen-reducing effect.
Important! Analgesics only relieve pain without affecting its cause. Therefore, without proper treatment, osteochondrosis continues to progress, requiring a transition to increasingly stronger painkillers.
vasodilators
Vasodilator drugs for osteochondrosis, or vasodilators, help restore normal blood supply to the tissues around the affected intervertebral joints.
Pain and muscle tension constrict the blood vessels. This worsens tissue nutrition, causes oxygen starvation in the brain, and accelerates the progression of the disease. Therefore, with cervical osteochondrosis, drugs to normalize blood circulation are especially important.
Vascular drugs for osteochondrosis improve peripheral blood circulation and cellular metabolism, relieve pain.
antispasmodics and muscle relaxants
To eliminate spasms and tension, antispasmodics and muscle relaxants are used. They normalize blood circulation, reduce pain and restore mobility.
To enhance the effects of muscle relaxants in osteochondrosis, they can be prescribed along with clonazepam or diazepam (prescription drugs).
These drugs can be addictive, so use with caution.
tranquilizers
Symptoms of osteochondrosis and drug treatment often provoke chronic stress, emotional stress, depression and other disorders of the psycho-emotional spectrum in patients.
For general calming and combating insomnia, you can use herbal preparations - for example, tincture of valerian, motherwort, peony.
For more serious illnesses, antidepressants are recommended.
vitamin and mineral complexes
Since osteochondrosis is considered a disease of the whole organism, complex vitamin and mineral therapy is of great importance. Vitamins A, groups B, C, D, E, calcium and phosphorus preparations help to significantly improve the condition.
Vitamin Aa natural antioxidant that stimulates collagen production and reduces chondrocyte destruction, promotes joint tissue renewal.
B vitaminsrelieves pain, inflammation and numbness of the hands, improves the sensitivity of nerve fibers.
Vitamin Dis responsible for absorbing calcium and helps restore bone tissue lost due to osteochondrosis.
vitamin Enecessary for the normalization of blood circulation, protection against free radicals and cartilage regeneration.
prevention
If attention is paid to the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis, then even with existing changes, its progression will slow down significantly. Doctors recommend:
- lead an active lifestyle, avoid hypodynamia;
- minimize or eliminate heavy lifting;
- sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow;
- Do regular warm-up exercises if you have to work at the computer for a long time.
The ideal sport for osteochondrosis is swimming. Water relieves the spine and active movements contribute to the formation of the muscular frame.