Osteochondrosis of various parts of the spine is familiar to almost every modern person.Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the most common.The disease begins with mild symptoms that do not cause special discomfort to the patient.At this stage, treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is not required;it is enough to take preventive measures.
With age, cervical osteochondrosis begins to progress and its forms become more serious.In this case, doctors use conservative treatment methods, but there may be surgical intervention.Independent attempts to cope with the disease can lead to additional negative consequences.Only specialists will help not only to relieve pain, but also to normalize the work of the cervical spine.
Conservative treatment methods
The main task for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is to prevent the further development of the disease and the appearance of various complications.In order to achieve results, an integrated approach is required that correctly combines medicine and physical activity for the neck.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is most often carried out using conservative methods: drugs, exercise therapy, manual therapy, physiotherapy and stretching.At the first stage, the actions of doctors are aimed at eliminating the pain syndrome with the help of painkillers, and then at activating the blood supply.Only then can you start physical therapy and various manual techniques.
Drug treatment
The initial stage of cervical osteochondrosis treatment is aimed at reducing pain and inflammation.Further treatment is aimed at restoring metabolism and blood circulation in the affected area of the spine.
The following categories of drugs with different directions of action are distinguished for cervical osteochondrosis:
- analgesics - help relieve pain;
- sedatives (valerian);
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- antispasmodics;
- drugs that reduce vestibular disorders;
- vasodilators;
- chondroprotective drugs - aimed at improving cartilage metabolism;
- diuretics, which help to eliminate the swelling that occurs in compressed tissues;
- vitamins, minerals and restoratives.
There are four ways of using drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis: internal, external, intravenous and intramuscular.The most common type are drugs in the form of tablets, which are used for various forms of the disease.For severe pain, the doctor may prescribe an intravenous or intramuscular injection, which quickly delivers the drug to the site of inflammation.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with ointment or gel is effective only with minor inflammation.The popularity of the use of ointments for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is explained by their availability, low price, lack of contraindications and an almost unlimited number of courses.
Physiotherapy treatment
All physiotherapeutic procedures for the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis are based on the use of physical factors: ultrasound, magnetic fields, low-frequency currents, lasers, ultraviolet rays.Using phonophoresis or electrophoresis, drugs are administered faster and more effectively than taking them orally or externally.Their effectiveness is explained by the fact that the effect occurs in the inflammation centers and healthy tissues and organs are not affected.This method has practically no contraindications or side effects.
The main goal of these procedures is to relieve pain and inflammation.In addition, physiotherapy helps activate atrophied muscles, restores normal blood circulation and removes swelling in the affected areas of the cervical spine.Due to the use of physiotherapeutic methods, the treatment period is accelerated several times.
Manual therapy
Special physical techniques such as friction, pressure and vibration form the basis of manual therapy.One of the most common methods of manual therapy is massage, which should only be performed by specialists.Otherwise, not knowing the anatomy can lead to undesirable consequences, their elimination may even require surgical intervention.
Massage aims to relieve muscle spasms, relieve muscle tension and improve blood circulation.This, in turn, helps to reduce the pain and other manifestations of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Therapeutic gymnastics
All physiotherapy exercises are performed only after the pain subsides.Regular training allows you to develop neck muscles, increase their plasticity, improve blood flow in the tissues, form a muscle corset and significantly reduce the load on the spine.Therapeutic gymnastics consists of a series of exercises specifically aimed at muscle development without affecting the intervertebral discs.
Physical therapy exercises are an excellent tool not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of cervical spine osteochondrosis.They should be done regardless of the appearance of the first signs of the disease.In addition, exercise therapy can significantly slow age-related changes in the cervical spine.The main requirement to get a positive result is to conduct the classes only under the guidance of a doctor and trainer who will help to perform the exercises correctly and adjust the load.
Traction
One of the effective methods of pain relief in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is traction.It consists in the use of a load of different power, which is selected individually.The procedure requires special equipment that increases the intervertebral space, restores the correct shape of the spine and relieves pain.
Surgical treatment
In cases where all the above-mentioned conservative treatment methods do not work, doctors resort to surgical intervention.This helps prevent the development of spinal disease.The extent of surgical intervention directly depends on the symptoms of the disease, the level of damage and characteristics of the cervical spine.
Only comprehensive and timely treatment will not only improve the functions of the intervertebral discs, but also restore their normal condition.The duration of treatment is determined individually based on the existing inflammatory process and the degree of damage to the cervical spine.The effectiveness of the elimination of the disease depends on the honest implementation of all the instructions of the attending physician.