Osteochondrosis in various parts of the spine is familiar to almost every modern person.Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine has become most prevalent.The disease starts with mild symptoms and does not cause any special inconvenience to the patient.At this stage, treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is not required; preventive measures are sufficient.
As we age, cervical osteochondrosis begins to progress and its forms become more severe.In this case, doctors use conservative treatment methods, but surgical intervention may also be performed.Independent attempts to cope with illness may have additional negative consequences.Only an expert can help relieve pain and normalize cervical spine function.
conservative treatment
The main task of cervical osteochondrosis is to prevent further progression of the disease and the occurrence of various complications.To achieve results, a comprehensive approach is required, with the right combination of neck medications and physical activity.
Cervical osteochondrosis is most often treated with conservative methods: medications, exercise therapy, manual therapy, physical therapy and traction.In the first stage, the doctor's actions are aimed at eliminating the pain syndrome with analgesics, followed by measures to activate the blood supply.Only after this can you start physical therapy and various manual techniques.
drug treatment
The initial phase of cervical osteochondrosis treatment is aimed at reducing pain and inflammation.Subsequent treatments aim to restore metabolism and blood circulation to the affected areas of the spine.
The following classes of drugs have different directions of action in cervical osteochondrosis:
- Analgesics – help relieve pain;
- Sedatives (valerian);
- anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs;
- Antispasmodics;
- Medications to reduce vestibular disorders;
- Vasodilators;
- Chondroprotective drugs – designed to improve cartilage metabolism;
- Diuretics help relieve swelling that occurs when tissues are compressed;
- Vitamins, minerals and restoratives.
There are four methods of drug treatment for osteochondrosis: oral administration, topical administration, intravenous injection and intramuscular injection.The most common type is the drug in tablet form, which is used to treat various forms of the disease.For severe pain, your doctor may prescribe an intravenous or intramuscular injection to deliver the medication quickly to the site of inflammation.
Treating cervical osteochondrosis with ointments or gels is only effective for mild inflammation.The popularity of using ointments to treat cervical osteochondrosis is due to their availability, low cost, lack of contraindications, and virtually unlimited number of treatment sessions.
physical therapy
All physiotherapy 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 ultrasonic electrophoresis, or electrophoresis technology, allows drugs to be administered faster and more efficiently than when administered orally or topically.Their effectiveness can be explained by the fact that the action occurs on inflammatory foci, while healthy tissues and organs are not affected.There are virtually no contraindications or side effects to this method.
The main purpose of these surgeries is to relieve pain and inflammation.In addition, physical therapy can help activate atrophic muscles, restore normal blood circulation, and relieve swelling in the affected areas of the cervical spine.Thanks to the use of physical therapy methods, treatment time is accelerated several times.
manual therapy
Special physical techniques such as friction, pressure and vibration are the basis of manual therapy.One of the most common forms of manual therapy is massage, which can only be performed by a specialist.Otherwise, ignorance of anatomy may lead to adverse consequences that may even require surgical intervention to correct.
The purpose of massage is to eliminate muscle spasms, relieve muscle tension and improve blood circulation.This, in turn, helps reduce pain and other manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis.
therapeutic gymnastics
All physical therapy exercises should be performed only after the pain subsides.Regular exercise strengthens the neck muscles, helps increase their plasticity, improves blood flow in the tissues, creates muscle corsets, and significantly reduces the load on the spine.Therapeutic gymnastics consists of a series of exercises that specifically target muscle development without affecting the spinal discs.
Physical therapy exercises are not only an excellent tool for treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Regardless of the first signs of illness, treatment should be given.Additionally, exercise therapy can significantly slow age-related changes in the cervical spine.The main requirement to obtain positive results is to conduct sessions only under the guidance of doctors and trainers, who will help you to perform the exercises correctly and fix the loads.
Traction
One of the effective ways to treat cervical osteochondrosis and eliminate pain is traction.It involves the use of individually selected loads of different intensities.This surgery requires special equipment that increases the space between the vertebrae, restores the correct shape of the spine, and relieves pain.
surgical treatment
If all the above conservative treatments fail, doctors will resort to surgical intervention.It helps prevent the progression of spinal diseases.The degree of surgical intervention depends directly on the symptoms of the disease, the characteristics and extent of the cervical spine injury.
Only comprehensive and timely treatment can not only improve the function of the intervertebral disc, but also restore its normal state.The duration of treatment is determined individually based on the existing inflammatory process and the degree of damage to the cervical spine.Effectiveness in defeating the disease directly depends on the careful implementation of all instructions of the attending physician.