Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis – how to deal with pain?

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 entrapment is cervical osteochondrosis - a dangerous degenerative disease of cartilage and bone tissue, which is accompanied by severe pain, deterioration of hearing, vision and cognitive functions, facial numbness and gradual loss of ability to work.

If you feel pain and stiffness when turning your head, frequent dizziness or weakness in your arms, it's time to think about treatment for cervical osteochondrosis.

Pain due to osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis has its own characteristics due to its anatomical structure.The vertebrae of the cervical spine are smaller than the lumbar spine and even the thoracic spine and are also subject to constant static load (the weight of the head).During the day, stress can manifest itself in maintaining the same posture - for example when reading documents or working on the computer.At night, the neck often lacks rest due to an unphysiological sleeping position and an uncomfortable pillow (the head either “hangs” on the pillow or is a support and experiences pressure).As a result of this pre-pathological condition, so-called muscle overtraining occurs.Certain muscle groups experience excessive stress and therefore require a longer period of rest and recovery, but do not receive it - after all, no one canceled the schedule.

All this leads to constant tension in some muscle groups and dystrophic changes in others and often leads to the appearance of a “turtle neck” (a person bends forward while the head protrudes forward and the neck forms a characteristic bend).In such a situation, the weight of the head rests on the atlas, the first cervical vertebra.He is forced to take on the part of the load that the neck muscles carry during normal physical development.But the fact is that it is not at all suitable for such a task!

Other factors that can accelerate the wear of the intervertebral cartilage in the cervical spine often include:

  • 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;
  • physical inactivity (after all, the intervertebral joints of the neck are the most mobile and a variety of loads are necessary for their health);
  • Smoking and other bad habits.

Stages of cervical osteochondrosis

The stage of cervical osteochondrosis is determined using diagnostic criteria.This includes the patient's own sensations, palpation, assessment of the mobility of the neck, as well as the release of the joint space between the vertebrae and other indicators on an X-ray.Depending on the stage of the disease, the orthopedist selects the treatment of neck osteochondrosis, preventive measures and, if necessary, supportive orthoses.

1st degree of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis grade 1 is also called the preclinical stage.Patients usually ignore the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and treatment is not carried out due to its mild severity.They are attributed to fatigue after a day's work, uncomfortable sleeping position, stress, migraines and various illnesses.Patients feel:

  • Stiffness in the neck, especially in the morning or after remaining in the same position for a long time;
  • pain when turning the head sharply;
  • frequent headaches (even when the weather changes).

At this stage of the disease, treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is most likely, since its symptoms are more pronounced.This is due to both the specifics of work and physical activity (for example, working in the office during the day and bending over the sink in the evening or doing the child's homework) and hormonal and anatomical peculiarities (lower muscle mass and bone mineral density).In particular, in the preclinical stage, pressure surges, numbness and pallor of the skin (especially of the face), a tendency to faint and dizziness, nausea and some other symptoms of cerebral hypoxia are observed in women.

Most often, the symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis occur in patients aged 45 to 65 years, but with chronic fatigue, excessive physical activity and other risk factors, they can appear quite early - from the age of 25.

At this stage, the disease can be completely defeated with the help of therapeutic exercises, ointments for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, training in an orthopedic regimen and normalization of nutrition.

2nd degree of cervical osteochondrosis

In stage 2 of the disease, the height of the intervertebral cartilage, which acts as a shock-absorbing lining between the vertebrae, begins to decrease.For this reason, microtraumas in the neck area often occur during sharp turns, jumps or excessive stress.Protrusions (bulging) of the intervertebral discs and radicular syndrome (compression of nerve endings) also occur.
These changes cause severe pain – both in the head and neck.The ability to concentrate, the speed of thinking and the sensitivity of the face and hands decrease.Patients complain of increased fatigue and irritability.At this stage, effective drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is already required.

3rd degree of cervical osteochondrosis

Severe and acute pain occurs constantly and may radiate to the arms, upper back, or back of the head.One or both of the patient's arms tire quickly.By disrupting the natural compensatory functions of the spine, the process begins to spread to neighboring joints.Due to the formation of bone growths - osteophytes - as well as the fact that the cartilage is replaced by connective tissue, the patient has difficulty or cannot turn his head at all.Every movement is accompanied, if possible, by a rough crunching sound.The neck loses mobility and its muscles atrophy.Hernias often form and cracks appear in the vertebrae.There is a noise 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, his lifestyle and the presence of concomitant diseases.Therefore, the appropriateness of specific therapeutic measures in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women and men should be determined by the attending physician.

Massage session for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Physiotherapy for cervical osteochondrosis

To relieve pain, relieve inflammation, improve nerve conduction and nourish the brain, the following physiotherapeutic methods are used to treat cervical osteochondrosis:

  • Ultrasound therapy and phonophoresis – have a warming effect, improve the effect of external medications;
  • Electrophoresis – enhances the effect of administered medications, has a stimulating and warming effect;
  • Shock wave therapy (SWT) – activates blood supply, relieves inflammation and improves the regeneration processes 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 and helps reduce the dosage of corticosteroid medications;
  • Physiotherapy and exercise therapy – strengthens the neck muscles, improves blood circulation and metabolism, maintains neck mobility;
  • manual therapy and mechanical traction (traction) – helps eliminate tension and pain;
  • Acupuncture – helps maintain mobility and nerve sensitivity;
  • Paraffin applications - stimulate metabolic processes, relieve pain.

Sanatorium methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are effective and beneficial - for example, balneotherapy (hydrogen sulfide, radon and turpentine baths), hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches).

Massage for the treatment of neck osteochondrosis

Therapeutic lymphatic 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, kneading the neck with the fingers and the edge of the palm, patting, stroking and upward movements along the neck.In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, a circular massage of the back of the head, as well as a warming massage of the clavicle area, shoulders and upper back would be useful.A massage before exercise therapy exercises is particularly effective.You can combine it with applying an ointment for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.

For osteochondrosis of the neck, hydromassage is also recommended - a physiotherapeutic technique that improves metabolism, inhibits fiber growth, relieves headaches and improves nerve conduction.

Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis

Lack of physical activity of the neck and back muscles is the main reason for the development and further progression of cervical osteochondrosis.Therefore, daily exercises are used both for the prevention and treatment of this disease (but not for the treatment of exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis!).Remember that the exercises must be performed at least 3-5 times a day (1 time in the morning after waking up).All movements should be smooth and without jerking.If you feel pain while performing the exercise, stop it.If the execution of the entire complex is painful for you, contact an orthopedist for drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, and also seek out a physiotherapy instructor.

You can do the following exercises daily (5-7 repetitions):

  1. Press your palm to your forehead and tense your neck, trying to move your palm with your forehead.Repeat this exercise for the back of your head and then alternately for your right and left temples.
  2. Tilt your head back and then slowly lower it, tucking your chin into your chest.
  3. Stand upright and turn your head as far to the left as possible.Repeat the exercise on the right side.
  4. Tilt your head back and try to touch your ear to your shoulder.Repeat on both sides.
  5. Lower your chin to the carotid artery and turn your head first in one direction (five times or more), and then in the same way in the other.

Shoulder warm-up exercises such as the “mill” are also helpful.Daily exercises in the early stages of the disease will help avoid taking pills for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.

Please note: if you have already been diagnosed with osteochondrosis, you should not describe your head in circles, as it can be traumatic.

Medicines and preparations for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

From the 2nd stage of the disease, drugs are used to treat exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis.However, with the help of pharmacotherapy alone it will not be possible to bring the disease under control - therefore, it is important to combine the medications and drugs listed below for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with therapeutic exercises, physiotherapy and wearing orthoses (for example, the Shants collar).

Chondroprotectors for cervical osteochondrosis

Chondroprotectors activate the regeneration processes of cartilage and bone tissue and are therefore ideal for supporting the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck.They are taken for 3 to 6 months.They are produced both in the form of tablets for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, and in the form of sachets, injections and capsules.

To consolidate remission and treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, doctors recommend chondroprotective drugs.

Anti-inflammatory drugs for cervical osteochondrosis

Anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat cervical osteochondrosis are divided into non-steroidal (NSAIDs) and steroidal (hormonal) drugs.Both groups are taken in short courses as prescribed by a doctor - in the form of tablets for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis or intramuscular injections.Steroids are used in later stages of the disease when pain cannot be eliminated by other means.

Antispasmodics and angioprotectors

When treating cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to protect the central nervous system, which is at risk in this disease.Therefore, for effective drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, doctors recommend taking:

  1. Antispasmodics.
  2. Angioprotectors.
  3. Nootropics, amino acid and vitamin complexes for the brain.

External heating means

Warming gels, creams and ointments for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis improve blood circulation, relieve inflammation and distract the patient from pain.

Diet for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be classified as so-called osteochondrosis.“Diseases of the entire body.”Therefore, nutrition in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis has two goals: saturating the body with nutrients and limiting substances that contribute to dehydration, mineralization of joints and their destruction.

Therefore, in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, a special place in the diet should be given:

  1. Poultry, lean beef, game, liver and offal.
  2. Seafood – fish, shellfish, crustaceans, edible seaweed.
  3. Eggs and dairy products.
  4. Whole grains and legumes – oats, wheat (including sprouted wheat), brown rice, beans, peas.
  5. Vegetables – carrots, spinach, peppers, broccoli, lettuce and others.
  6. Fruits – apricots, bananas, citrus fruits, plums, apples, avocados, peaches, pomegranates.
  7. Nuts.
  8. All berries (fresh, dried, frozen) and dried fruits.

But it is better to completely exclude marinades, salty dishes, fast food, semi-finished products and sausages.It is also important to reduce white bread, potatoes, sweets (except dark chocolate and dried fruits), carbonated drinks and coffee “from bags” in the menu - this will reduce the need for drug treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.