How is cervical osteochondrosis treated? Treatment methods and physical therapy

Many people who have encountered cervical osteochondrosis are concerned about one question: "How to treat cervical osteochondrosis? " I suggest you investigate this.

How is cervical osteochondrosis treated?

Unfortunately, cervical osteochondrosis, like osteochondrosis elsewhere in the spine, is a progressive and incurable disease.Therefore, the disease is very difficult to treat today.The main goal that doctors set for themselves when starting treatment for osteochondrosis is to arrest the progression of the degenerative process and not harm the patient, since the neck borders important brain centers.Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis should be prescribed by a neurologist or chiropractor, but in no case by the patient himself.Not only does self-medication fail to bring relief, it is often harmful to your health.For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, a combination of conservative methods such as medication, acupuncture, manual therapy, massage and various physiotherapy procedures are widely used.

important!In extreme cases, when conservative methods fail or dangerous complications arise, surgical intervention is resorted to.

Properly chosen treatment for cervical osteochondrosis can halt the disease and ensure remission for decades.

Drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The drug prescriptions for cervical osteochondrosis are as followsTarget:

• anaesthetization;
• Relax spasmodic neck muscles;
• Relieves inflammatory processes in the spine and paravertebral tissues;
• Relieve tissue swelling;
• Improve cervical microcirculation and metabolism;
• Improve blood supply to the brain;
• Restores and protects the bone and cartilage tissue of the spine.

The prescriptions for patients with cervical osteochondrosis are as follows:Drug group:

1. NSAIDs(NSAIDs) Perfect for relieving pain and inflammation. During the acute phase of the disease, NSAIDs are used in the form of injections. When patients improve, they switch to oral medications. The course of treatment for these drugs is 7-10 days. NSAIDs can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines, leading to erosions and ulcers. To eliminate negative effects on the digestive tract, proton pump inhibitors are used concurrently with NSAIDs.
2. Hormone agents.A group of corticosteroids are used to relieve inflammation and swelling in radicular syndrome. Glucocorticoids are most commonly used as perineural and paravertebral injections.
3. AnestheticUsed in the form of neuromuscular paravertebral block. With this method of administration, the drug acts directly on the spinal nerve roots, thereby relieving pain. To enhance the blocking effect, anesthetics are combined with glucocorticoids. The course of treatment consists of 5-6 blocks.
4. Chondroprotectant.This set of preparations contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, components of the cartilage tissue of the spine. Chondroprotectants protect the intervertebral disc cartilage from negative factors and help restore its structure, thus restoring the lost function of the spinal joints and reducing the manifestations of osteochondrosis.
5. Drugs to improve metabolism and microcirculationIn spinal tissue and nerves.
6. vitamins.Vitamin preparations such as ascorbic acid, retinol acetate, tocopheryl acetate, calciferol, thiamine, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin improve nerve conduction, reduce the severity of hearing and vision impairment, strengthen blood vessels, and have antioxidant propertieseffect.
7. topical preparations– Ointments, creams, gels and patches can help relieve pain and improve blood flow to the affected area.

In addition, for cervical osteochondrosis, diuretics can be taken to relieve swelling of paravertebral tissues and nerves, muscle relaxants can be used to relax spastic neck muscles, and calcium supplements can be taken.

Treatment exercises for cervical osteochondrosis

How is osteochondrosis treated? Therapeutic exercise (cervical osteochondrosis physical therapy) is a set of exercises specially designed based on physiological body movements, which can relieve spinal pain, improve blood flow and metabolism within the tissue, and restore the normal shape and mobility of the spine.

interesting!Therapeutic exercise is an effective means of treating and preventing cervical osteochondrosis.

Physiotherapy exercises and gymnastics should only be performed by a physiotherapist after studying the spinal examination results and only after acute pain relief.Contraindications to physical therapy and gymnastics may include:

• The disease is in the acute phase;
• acute infectious diseases;
• acute myocardial infarction;
• malignant and benign tumors;
• aortic aneurysm;
• cardiac aneurysm;
• coagulopathy;
• heart rhythm disturbance;
• hypertension;
• Myopia;
• Severe forms of diabetes.

Physical therapy methods for treating cervical osteochondrosis

1. electrotherapyRepresents the local effect of electric field on cervical spine and paravertebral tissues.This method has a positive effect on the blood circulation and metabolism of the affected area. Electrotherapy is contraindicated in people with pacemakers and other metal implants.

2. Laser TreatmentInvolves the use of helium-neon rays, which have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and regenerative effects by activating biological processes in nervous system tissue.
3. Treat with ultraviolet light.UV rays have significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic, regenerative and bactericidal effects.In addition, under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the synthesis of calciferol (vitamin D) in the body is activated.This method is not suitable for people with malignant diseases of the blood and internal organs.
4. Balneotherapy– is the use of mineral water and mud in the form of baths, showers, smudges and wraps. The chemicals and minerals in mineral water and mud can improve microcirculation in the spine and affected tissues.
5. vibration therapy- This uses mechanical vibrations targeted at the cervical spine to reduce muscle spasms and pain.Some resistance band trainers can be used both in a hospital setting and at home.

   important!Vibration therapy is contraindicated in patients with pustular dermatoses of the neck and vibration sickness.

6. sonic shockwave therapy,This affects the cervical spine. As a result, pain is reduced and metabolism and blood flow in the neck tissues are improved.

There are many more methods of physical therapy. In order to eliminate the negative effects of physical therapy factors on the body, a physical therapist should prescribe and supervise the implementation of the program.

How to treat cervical osteochondrosis through manual massage?

manual therapyThis is called manual delivery of doses of localized impact to spinal elements to restore normal mobility to the spine and eliminate displacement of the vertebrae and discs.To avoid spinal injury, only refer your body to a qualified chiropractor.Manual therapy includes gentle, gentle regulating movements, neck massage and traction, using the head and extremities as leverage.With manual therapy, you can reduce neck pain, activate the autonomic nervous system, and increase spinal mobility.Manual therapy cannot be performed in patients with cervical osteochondrosis who also suffer from spinal inflammatory disease, tumor pathology, or spinal injury.Massage for cervical osteochondrosis can be performed by a massage therapist or by the patient himself (self-massage).

interesting!There are acupressure and segmented massages for the cervical spine.

Segmental massage is the massage of the paravertebral area, while acupressure is the massage of the special "vital" points responsible for each segment of the spine.

Acupuncture or acupuncture

acupunctureIt is a method of treating cervical osteochondrosis by acupuncture at the active points of the spine.When needles stimulate these points, the body activates the production of cortisol and endogenous painkillers, which help deal with inflammation and pain.cervical osteochondrosisIt is a progressive, incurable disease. With the help of comprehensive, timely and correctly chosen treatment, the process of destruction and fixation of the spine can be stopped.