Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis - expert advice

pain in the cervical region with osteochondrosis

The neck is considered one of the most vulnerable places in the spine. This is due to the anatomical features of the structure of the vertebrae of the neck. After all, the vertebrae of the neck have increased mobility, they are very easily displaced due to increased loads or injuries. In addition, they quickly undergo dystrophic and degenerative changes. And this is osteochondrosis. Usually, an exacerbation of the disease occurs in the mobile part of the lower neck. And a bump forms between the collarbone and the neck.

reasons

To date, the exact causes of osteochondrosis (ICD code M42) are not known. Any doctor will tell you a number of factors, including:

  • disturbed metabolic processes in the body;
  • predisposition;
  • poor physical development, scoliosis, flat feet and exacerbation of other bone and muscle diseases;
  • poisoning and infection;
  • microdamages of the spine as a result of blows, falls, sudden movements, increased loads, as well as monotonous asymmetric movements;
  • increased blood pressure (BP);
  • microdamages of the spine as a result of fractures and bruises;
  • violation of the diet, overweight, sedentary lifestyle, which leads to a lack of fluids, vitamins, micro- and macroelements;
  • uncomfortable position during sleep or sleep disorder;
  • stress, bad habits can also cause exacerbation.

In addition, any doctor will tell you that there are many more different reasons for the appearance of osteochondrosis, ICD code M42 (for example, "lightning" appears in the eyes, a bulge is formed in the neck, or there is a sharp increase in blood pressure). on this, the pressure changes and vertebral artery syndrome appears, as well as derealization.

Symptoms

The first symptoms that appear when the disease occurs are constant pain during turns or after sleep, as well as vertebral artery syndrome, which provokes an increase in blood pressure. There is a "hardening" of the neck. The muscles become numb and the pain syndrome lasts long enough. Fingers begin to tingle.

There is a severe headache in the occipital region (vertebral artery syndrome) and there is an increase in pressure. As a result, derealization begins - a sick person has an unsteady gait, dizziness and tinnitus appear, "lightning" may appear in the eyes. After hypothermia or if the sleeping position is uncomfortable, the muscles become inflamed and the patient loses the ability to turn his head. In addition, patients may complain that when the head is tilted forward, there is a sharp pain syndrome in the area of the shoulder blades, derealization, etc.

If you feel an exacerbation and similar symptoms, consult a doctor immediately so that your life does not become a living hell.

Treatment

For everyone who suffers from this disease, the only question arises: how to treat cervical osteochondrosis (ICD code M42) and vertebral artery syndrome?

Treatment is of two types:

  • conservative;
  • operative.
damage to the cervical spine in osteochondrosis

A disease treatment scheme (ICD code M42) is chosen depending on the severity of the disease, the desire and possibilities of recovery, as well as other indications and contraindications for each specific case. The decision on the method of treatment is made by the doctor.

Answer the question of patients: is it possible to cure cervical osteochondrosis and vertebral artery syndrome? The answer is only one - yes. But the duration and method directly depend on the severity of the disease.

Conservative treatment and rehabilitation should be carried out in a complex that uses many different methods. Modern medicine reduces treatment and recovery after surgery to two main things:

  • drug therapy;
  • hardware treatment (for example, patients use a special apparatus for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis);
  • Exercise therapy (eg horizontal band).

But during the treatment of the neck, the doctor may observe an underestimation of the body's resources, for example, an increase in blood pressure. The procedures are carried out as if "in the absence" of the patient, as if the active participation of the patient in the treatment cannot or should not be there. Such a passive method of treatment and rehabilitation can be very long, and in some cases even electrophoresis does not help. As a result, the disease progresses, the blood pressure does not stabilize and the vertebral artery syndrome does not disappear. And the patient continues to be tormented by derealization and "lightning" in the eyes.

neck pain with osteochondrosis

Therefore, during conservative treatment and rehabilitation of the neck and after surgery, the doctor should include techniques such as:

  • Exercise therapy (and the right sleeping position).
  • Pilates for cervical osteochondrosis.
  • Horizontal bar.
  • Electrophoresis.
  • Aqua aerobics.
  • Unloading treatment based on spinal traction.
  • Magnetic, electrical and vibrational stimulation.
  • Ultrasound, laser and mobilization-vacuum therapy.
  • Therapeutic diet.
  • Psychotherapy.
  • Drug therapy (analgesics, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc. ).

Prevention

The best prevention of the disease is proper nutrition and physical education (aqua aerobics and horizontal bar)

In addition, it will not be superfluous to massage the muscles of the back, lower back and limbs. You should also do exercises with swinging movements of the arms and legs, turning the head and kneading the neck, jumping in place, pulling the horizontal bar. And then the vertebral artery syndrome and derealization will not endanger you.

gymnastics for the neck with osteochondrosis

Treatment at home

There are many legends about the dangers of home therapy and the use of folk remedies. At the same time, the doctor even recommends treatment of the disease (ICD code M42) and vertebral artery syndrome at home, since the duration of treatment depends on the patient's behavior and the use of various treatment methods (for example, a horizontal bar) at home.

The horizontal self-healing bar is an excellent simulator. If you are going to include a horizontal bar in a set of exercises, then be very careful. After all, any sudden movement can cause harm, and then the horizontal bar will not be a helper, but a "pest". Do not abuse home treatment if you do not know what to do.

Do not treat yourself at home, but go to a doctor!

However, do not rush to start treatment at home: a qualified doctor will give useful recommendations for self-treatment. He will not only prescribe medication, but also tell you what to do so that there is no exacerbation. He will explain how to behave so that derealization does not occur and "lightning" does not appear in the eyes. He will also show a set of exercises, thanks to which the bulge between the neck and collarbone will disappear.

Remember that at home it is impossible to do electrophoresis, which is so necessary for this disease.

The main error of therapy is considered to be an insufficient look in depth: the elimination of symptoms at home (for example, "lightning" in the eyes stopped appearing and derealization disappeared) does not mean that there was get rid of the disease. And this creates only a temporary appearance of comfort with a further attack of malaise, as well as an exacerbation of pain. Exacerbation of this disease can harm the patient.

Therefore, the use of pain medication in the process of treating the disease at home is only a small part of what you can do. It is best not to self-medicate, consult a specialist and attend the prescribed procedures.

Doctors usually give advice, full compliance with which is a guarantee of quality treatment. Among them are: diet, exercise therapy, use of drugs, lifestyle changes, sleep and rest, choice of bedding.

In the treatment of osteochondrosis (ICD code M42) a systematic approach is necessary, therefore the prescriptions that the doctor gave you must be followed not partially, but completely.