Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis: medication, massage, exercise therapy

Treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is a set of procedures aimed at eliminating pain episodes and restoring vertebral tissue. Effective results in therapy can be achieved if you use all techniques regularly and strictly follow the instructions for their implementation.

How the disease manifests

The structure of the spine is complex. The coherence of the work of the whole organism depends on the preservation of each component in a healthy state. The seven cervical vertebrae are near the base of the brain, where all the important centers are concentrated.

Destruction of the segments, changes in the structure of the intervertebral disc lead to the following symptoms:

• Headaches appear in the neck and pass to the occipital area;
• The shoulder girdle muscles gradually atrophy;
• Insomnia, bad mood;
• There are problems of an ophthalmic nature: floating in front of the eye, blurred vision, blurred surrounding objects;
• Slight impairment of motor coordination;
• Painful sensations that spread to the shoulders and forearms, as well as the jaw;
• Violations of sensitivity often occur in the hands, manifesting as numbness and "goose bumps".

Extreme pain syndrome exhausts the patient. Early diagnosis will allow for the timely initiation of therapeutic measures that do not lead to surgical intervention. Conservative treatment is performed in outpatient settings and at home. Changes in lifestyle and nutritional quality, and strict adherence to the recommendations during sleep and wakefulness will stop the pathological process and allow you to live a full life.

Drug therapy for cervical osteochondrosis

The chronic course of osteochondrosis alternates between acute and remission phases. Medications are prescribed throughout the course of the disease, and only the doctor prescribes them. These drugs relieve pain, reduce inflammation, regenerate damaged tissue, and treat the neck area. Depending on the severity of symptoms, in tablet form, injection into muscles, vertebrae, topical exposure ointment, gel.

1. NSAIDs have been shown to be effective anesthetics in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck, while also acting on the inflammatory process. If there are signs of inflammation, NSAIDs are recommended, but they have many side effects, especially negative effects on the gastric mucosa. Therefore, when administered orally, along with NSAIDs, the drug is prescribed to protect the stomach, thereby inhibiting acid formation.
2. Painkillers are mainly used for local neuromuscular blockade. Pain that is not relieved by non-hormonal drugs can be stopped by injecting directly into the active site or vertebral body.
3. Glucocorticoids are steroid drugs, which are synthetic analogs of hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, corticosteroids are used to eliminate severe pain, combat progressive inflammation, improve metabolic processes and have immunomodulatory effects.
4. Tranquilizers to improve sleep and overall health - valerian or peony tincture. Long-term use of weak sedative drugs is not addictive and can be effective against neurological disorders.
5. Chondroprotectants are necessary to stop the destruction of cartilage tissue, followed by the growth of bony prominences. Chondroitin with glucosamine is part of the formulation, which fills the vertebral structure with missing chemicals that improve cellular nutrition, synthesis and self-renewal. In order to achieve a durable therapeutic effect, the drug must be taken for a long period of time, in some cases for a lifetime.
6. Improving cerebral circulation is of great significance for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. These drugs will eliminate dizziness, improve cellular nutrition, reduce nerve root sensitivity, and dilate blood vessels.
7. With vasospasm, blood pressure rises. The antihypertensive drug "ambulance" - is administered when a large number of systolic and diastolic blood pressure indicators are fixed.
8. In the acute course of cervical osteochondrosis, decongestants with a diuretic effect are prescribed. Removing excess fluid will prevent blood pressure from rising, reduce load and improve metabolism.
9. Taking a multivitamin with sufficient minerals and trace elements improves metabolism and ensures the normal course of biochemical processes in the body.

massage therapy

Another way to get rid of neck and upper extremity pain and discomfort is massage. The impact of the hand on the muscles of the collar area can improve local blood microcirculation, relieve muscle tension by increasing the load, and also heal the neck itself. Putting the muscles into a working state improves the excretion of accumulated lactic acid and relaxes the muscle tissue.

Two techniques are used to eliminate the consequences of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. The massage of the collar area is carried out by a specialist following the exact instructions for the allowable load. These movements include stroking, kneading, and intense massage movements. Pain relief and improved motor activity of the upper shoulder girdle confirmed the correct execution of the procedure.
2. A less popular but effective method is the effect of stress exercise on active points. The performance of this technique requires special training from a massage therapist.

After the treatment, the neck muscles should not be overworked, so it is recommended to wear an orthopaedic collar of medium hardness for three hours. This measure will consolidate the effect of the masseuse's efforts.

Not always massage sessions can lead to positive results for the treatment of the neck area, there are contraindications, ignoring this can lead to sad consequences:

• Various localized tumor diseases;
• The active form of the infected Koch's wand;
• Systemic blood disease;
• Decompensated hypertension;
• Dermatological lesions of the skin of the collar and neck;
• aortic aneurysm;
• Necrotic processes and formation of suppuration in bones.

Physical Therapy Procedures for Cervical Osteochondrosis

Additional treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with the help of physiotherapy is always included in the treatment complex for cervical osteochondrosis. Using this approach allows the attending physician to reduce the dose of the drug to minimize the possibility of complications and allergic reactions. Carrying out a complete course guarantees a normalization of metabolism, an increase in the circulatory capacity of the blood vessels and the elimination of pain.

Types of physical therapy for cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Electrical stimulation - uses high frequency electrical current to affect the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle. During the session, the thermal heating effect of the neck appears, blood circulation is improved, and unpleasant sensations are eliminated.
2. Magnetic Therapy - Exposure to a pulsed magnetic field in the affected area. The waves penetrate to a depth of 7 cm, providing a cumulative healing effect. Pain and inflammation were eliminated, and stable therapeutic effects were observed until the next magnetic therapy session. The procedure can be performed in outpatient clinics and at home, for which special equipment is used.
3. Laser therapy is an alternative medicine method based on low-intensity laser radiation. The beam is directed to the cervical region and along the nerve root. The laser eliminates pain and inflammation and promotes tissue regeneration.
4. Stretching therapy is used to stretch the vertebrae and relax the muscles and connective tissue of the back. Under its own body weight, the spinal segment is gently "straightened", metabolic processes are improved, and the structure of the spine is restored as muscle spasms disappear.
5. Balneotherapy - The healing properties of mineral water are most commonly used in sanatoriums.

The treatment of the neck area by bathing has the following goals:

• Muscles relax, pain disappears, blood microcirculation improves;
• The metabolic process is accelerated and the toxins are excreted from the body;
• Iodide ions and bromide ions react, together with hydrogen sulfide, the oxygen in the water penetrates into the body, improving cell nutrition.

physiotherapy

Significant improvement in the condition of cervical osteochondrosis and a reduction in the number of pain episodes will help with regular specific exercises. Instructors of physical therapy exercises work on the recommendation and drafting of medical complexes. An expert will teach you proper practice techniques and plan your training schedule and number of exercises.

It is necessary to start classes only during the inactive phase of the disease. Exercise therapy relaxes muscles, regulates metabolism, and lets you forget about acute pain attacks, dizziness, and poor health. After consulting with a specialist, you can perform therapeutic exercises at home.

To get the most benefit from your exercise therapy exercises, you must follow a few rules:

• You need to make sure you are in good health before the course starts;
• Movements should be slow and smooth, without jerking;
• Advice on the number of exercises must be done exactly as instructed by the coach;
• If severe pain occurs during class, you must stop class immediately;
• Notify the physical therapist of these changes.

An approximate list of exercises to treat cervical osteochondrosis:

• Sit, turn your head steadily in different directions;
• Lower the head forward and downward by touching the lower jaw of the body;
• The jaw is not raised, and the neck is tilted back;
• Put your head on the inside of your hands, keep your arms in a flexed position, focus on a hard surface, tilt your head, create resistance with your hands, repeat with each hand;
• Bow your head while creating resistance with your hands;
• Lower your arms and do a static exercise, keeping your shoulders raised.

All exercises are performed in a seated position with the back straight. Perform each movement 8-10 times.

self massage therapy

Self-massage is an effective treatment. The advantage of this procedure is that it can be operated at any time. The patient feels a firm pressure on the neck area, resulting in a pleasant warmth rather than soreness.

Self-massage tips:

• You can perform massage movements with one and two hands;
• You need to capture the entire surface of the neck;
• You need to start the session with a smooth stroke, gently pressing against the skin;
• The next step is to rub the muscles with the edge of the palm or thumb;
• Seizures with muscle activity by pulling the muscles to the sides with the palms of the hands;
• Tap lightly on the collar area;
• You need to complete the stroking motion.

Do each movement for 30 seconds, and the total time for self-massage should be around three minutes. All operations are performed at a slow pace, with each individual determining the pressure individually.

Orthopedic Pattern

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is inseparable from medical devices designed to unload the vertebrae and surrounding tissue:

1. The Shants collar is one of the most commonly used medical devices for unloading and treating the neck. The neck brace is suitable for use during waking hours when the neck muscles may be tense: working in front of the computer for long periods of time, cooking, etc.
2. Orthopedic pillow for a good rest during sleep. Products are selected individually considering the length of the shoulder straps. When using the therapeutic pillow, the spine is not deflected unnaturally, the blood supply is not disturbed, and the person feels rested.
3. Orthopedic mattresses are used in the treatment of spinal disorders: osteochondrosis, herniation, intervertebral hernia. The therapeutic effect is based on the principle of stretching the spinal segment in a vertical position.

diet therapy for neck

The treatment of osteochondrosis must follow the principles of proper nutrition. Nutrition should be low in calories and contain adequate vitamins and minerals.

What not to include in your daily diet:

• Pickle;
• sausages and bacon;
• high-fat mayonnaise and sour cream;
• sugar and confectionery;
• sweet carbonated beverages;
• Alcohol.

Allowed Products:

• calcium-rich dairy products;
• fish or beef jelly;
• natural fruit juice;
• low-fat fish and meat varieties;
• Fresh fruits and vegetables.

Alternative Approaches to Treating Cervical Osteochondrosis

The therapist's ancient recipes are a great addition to neck therapy. The experience gained over the years allows us to use only the most effective products, which are prepared independently of the natural ingredients available. Herbs, medicinal alcohol and animal derivatives can be used as medicinal bases.

Popular healing recipes:

1. Three medium lemons, unpeeled, twisted in a meat grinder. To the resulting mass, add five chopped garlic cloves and half a cup of honey. Pour boiling water over the mixture and let it brew for two hours. Drink 100ml every morning on an empty stomach.
2. Prepare 200 grams of pine sprouts and grind them with 2 cups of granulated sugar. Take the therapeutic substance daily, 1 tablespoon.
3. Mix a small amount of honey with aloe vera juice and add a little alcohol. The resulting solution was used to rub the cervical spine.
4. Mash boiled potatoes and add honey. Apply the resulting composition to the painful area, secure it with plastic wrap, and wrap it in a warm blanket. It is fashionable to leave the compress on for 3 hours.
5. The ground ingredients from the hop cones are mixed with the butter to the consistency of an ointment. Rub into painful areas to reduce pain and inflammation.

Although the ingredients of traditional medicines are derived from plants, their use can be harmful.

Therefore, before using this method, it is necessary to exclude possible contraindications:

• Tendency to allergic reactions;
• Causes damage to the skin in the area of intended use;
• Personal intolerance of components;
• acute phase inflammation;
• Pathology of the stomach, liver, and kidneys during oral administration.

prevention

The health of the entire organism depends on the state of the spine. To prevent degenerative dystrophic changes in individual segments, simple rules will help:

• Live a healthy lifestyle without bad habits;
• exercise regularly;
• Eat right to avoid being overweight;
• If you have persistent neck pain, contact your orthopaedic surgeon for medical advice.

The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a long process that requires patience and strict adherence to the doctor's prescription. A positive outcome depends on the quality of the treatment procedure and the patient's own attitude.