Existing methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis are aimed at reducing symptoms, preventing complications, preventing further destruction of cartilage and bone tissue of the spine, and preventing the patient's disability.
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-destructive pathological process that first affects the intervertebral disc, and then the vertebra itself.
- Positive dynamics in 97% of cases.The results of the treatment course are confirmed by control MRI images.
- No side effects.The methods used in the clinic are safe and have no side effects.
- Long-lasting effect.Treatment minimizes the risk of new hernias in other segments, as well as hernia recurrence.
It is necessary to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine immediately after the first signs of the disease appear.
Mechanisms of development of osteochondrosis
The spine consists of vertebrae and intervertebral discs located between them.The intervertebral disc has a gel-like nucleus pulposus in the center, surrounded on the periphery by a dense fibrous ring.The pulpous nucleus is hydrophilic - saturated with moisture and has high elasticity.Due to the elastic properties of the intervertebral discs, shock absorption and mobility of the spine are guaranteed.
In people over 20 years of age, the discs gradually begin to lose elasticity.This is due to obliteration of the vessels feeding the discs, and additional blood supply occurs due to diffusion from adjacent vertebral bodies.In cartilaginous tissue, due to a lack of nutrients, the regeneration processes slow down - the disc begins to “age”.Initially, the nucleus pulposus becomes dehydrated, loses its elasticity and becomes flat, which increases the load on the fibrous ring.Microcracks, stretch zones, ruptures and delamination appear in the ring structure.
The degenerated disc protrudes toward the spinal canal and irritates the nerve endings of pain receptors located in the posterior longitudinal ligament.
Features of the pathological process in cervical osteochondrosis are associated with the anatomical structure of this part of the spine: different structure and size of the cervical vertebrae, denser articulation in the intervertebral joints and underdeveloped muscular structure.With prolonged static load on the cervical spine (working at a computer), weak muscles do not support the head well and the main load falls on the spine.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in a professional clinic is carried out using a unique technology based on a combination of manual therapy, electrophoresis and photodynamic laser therapy.
The main reasons leading to the development of osteochondrosis:
- Congenital or acquired anomalies of the spine.
- Natural aging processes of the body.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Prolonged static and dynamic overloads of the spine: forced posture, physical inactivity.
- Passion for sports that are dangerous for the spine: professional wrestling.
- Smoking.
- Autoimmune diseases that affect connective tissue – collagenosis.
- Inadequate diet with a predominance of carbohydrates and fatty foods, with a deficiency of proteins, vitamins, micro and macro elements.
- Overweight, obesity.
- Injuries and diseases of the spine.
Stages of development of cervical osteochondrosis
In its development, cervical osteochondrosis, as a disease, goes through several stages:
Stage I. The initial period is characterized by local pain in the neck region, which intensifies when turning and tilting the head.There is softness of cervical lordosis and muscle tension.Morphological changes begin in the structure of the intervertebral discs: dryness of the nucleus pulposus, fissures in the fibrous ring.
Stage II.The pain in the neck intensifies and radiates to the arm and shoulder.Severe headaches, weakness and decreased performance occur.The destruction of the fibrous ring continues, signs of pathological mobility and instability of the vertebrae appear.
Stage III.The pain in the neck is intense and constant, radiating to the arms and shoulders.The arm muscles become weak and there is numbness in the upper extremities.Patients experience headaches, dizziness and problems with spatial orientation.At this stage, the fibrous ring is completely destroyed.The nucleus pulposus is not fixed, it extends beyond the vertebrae and enters the spinal canal, forming a hernia.Hernia protrusion compresses nerves and blood vessels, which leads to poor circulation in the cervical spine.
Stage IV.This is the final stage of the disease.The cartilage of the intervertebral discs is replaced by connective tissue and adjacent segments of the spine are involved in the pathological process.The joints grow together and become immobile (ankylosis).The patient's condition is serious: severe pain not only in the neck, but also in the arms, chest, between the shoulder blades, signs of a stroke, sensitivity disorders.This is a life-threatening condition that can result in stroke.
The success of the treatment depends 90% on the doctor's experience and qualifications.
Free consultation and diagnosis with a doctor
- Chiropractor
- Vertebrologist
- Osteopath
- Neurologist
During the consultation, a detailed diagnosis of the entire spine and each segment is carried out.An experienced doctor determines exactly which nerve segments and roots are involved and causing pain symptoms.Based on the results of the consultation, we provide detailed treatment recommendations and, if necessary, prescribe additional diagnostics.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is made on the basis of: patient complaints, characteristic clinical picture, medical history, data from the patient's neurological and orthopedic examination using modern diagnostic methods: radiography, magnetic and computed tomography, results of functional tests.
After making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor decides how to treat osteochondrosis of the neck in a particular patient, which technique should be used in a particular case.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Cervical osteochondrosis is treated symptomatically, mainly by conservative methods, which include:
- Drug therapy, which includes analgesics, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, B vitamins.
- Physiotherapy methods: electrophoresis, laser therapy.
- Manual therapy.
- Acupuncture.
- Therapeutic exercise.
Surgical intervention is used extremely rarely when there is a real threat of stroke, paralysis or when the functioning of internal organs is disturbed.
At this stage of development of medical science, it is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but it is possible to prevent the progress of the pathological process and stabilize the condition of the affected spinal segment.
An integrated approach and the gentleness of the therapeutic methods used make it possible to effectively treat even advanced forms of cervical osteochondrosis.
The main methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis in a modern clinic
Manual therapy and osteopathy.This method of manual impact on problem areas of the spine, the purpose of which is to restore the normal physiological position of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.During the procedure, compressed nerve roots of the spine are eliminated and the neck muscles in the area of pathological changes are relaxed.
Electrophoresis is a method of administering medication directly to the affected segment of the spine.Medicines are prescribed to improve blood circulation, relieve inflammation and muscle spasms.
Photodynamic phototherapy.The method is based on the ability of a photosensitive drug to be activated under the influence of laser radiation.A layer of medicinal substance is applied to the skin in the region of the affected segment, which, penetrating 10 to 13 cm deep into the tissue, has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
The author's three-component technique, including manual therapy, electrophoresis and laser therapy, allows you to quickly relieve pain, remove swelling from surrounding tissues, improve blood supply in the area of inflammation and activate the metabolic processes of the cartilaginous tissue of damaged intervertebral discs.The aim of treatment is not only to reduce pain and improve the patient's condition, but also, by influencing various parts of the pathological process, to prevent further destruction of the intervertebral discs and the destruction of the vertebrae themselves.
The methods used to treat cervical osteochondrosis in a modern clinic have been tested in the best manual therapy centers in Europe and the USA, are safe, effective, have practically no contraindications and are well tolerated by patients even in older age groups.
The patient will receive recommendations on what to do with cervical osteochondrosis after consulting a neurologist, depending on the stage of the disease, the severity of symptoms, concomitant pathologies and test results.