Existing methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis are aimed at reducing symptoms, preventing complications, stopping further destruction of cartilage and bone tissue of the spine, and preventing patient 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 treatment results are confirmed by control MRI images.
- No side effects.The methods used in the clinic are safe and cause no side effects.
- Long-lasting effect.The 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 is made up of the vertebrae and the intervertebral discs located between them.The intervertebral disc has a gel-shaped nucleus pulposus in the center, surrounded at the periphery by a dense fibrous ring.The pulpy core is hydrophilic – saturated with moisture and has great elasticity.Thanks to the elastic properties of the intervertebral discs, shock absorption and mobility of the spine are ensured.
In people over the age of 20, the discs begin to gradually lose their elasticity.This is due to obliteration of the vessels that supplied the discs, and additional blood supply occurs due to diffusion from adjacent vertebral bodies.In cartilage tissue, due to the lack of nutrients, regeneration processes slow down - the disc begins to “age”.Initially, the nucleus pulposus becomes dehydrated, loses elasticity and becomes flat, which increases the load on the annulus fibrosus.Microcracks, stretching zones, breaks and delaminations appear in the ring structure.
The degenerated disc protrudes toward the spinal canal and irritates the nerve endings of pain receptors located on the posterior longitudinal ligament.
The features of the pathological process of 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 an underdeveloped muscle framework.With prolonged static load on the cervical spine (computer work), 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.
- Long-term static and dynamic overloads of the spine: forced posture, physical inactivity.
- Passion for sports dangerous for the spine: professional wrestling.
- Smoking.
- Autoimmune diseases affecting connective tissue – collagenosis.
- Poor diet with a predominance of carbohydrate and fatty foods, with a deficiency in proteins, vitamins, micro- and macroelements.
- Overweight, obesity.
- Spinal injuries and diseases.
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 mildness of the cervical lordosis and muscular tension.Morphological changes begin in the structure of the intervertebral discs: drying of the nucleus pulposus, cracks in the annulus fibrosus.
Stage II.Neck pain intensifies and radiates to the arm and shoulder.Severe headaches, weakness and decreased performance occur.The destruction of the annulus fibrosus continues, signs of pathological mobility and instability of the vertebrae appear.
Stage III.Neck pain is intense and constant, radiating to the arms and shoulders.Arm muscles weaken and upper limbs become numb.Patients experience headaches, dizziness and problems with spatial orientation.At this stage, the annulus fibrosus is completely destroyed.The nucleus pulposus is not fixed, extends beyond the vertebrae and enters the spinal canal, forming a herniation.The hernial protrusion compresses nerves and blood vessels, leading 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 bunch up 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 stroke, sensitivity disorders.It is a life-threatening condition that can lead to stroke.
The success of treatment depends 90% on the experience and qualifications of the doctor.
Free consultation and diagnosis with a doctor
- Chiropractor
- Vertebrologist
- Osteopath
- Neurologist
During the consultation, a thorough 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 painful 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: the patient's complaints, the characteristic clinical picture, medical history, data from a neurological and orthopedic examination of the patient using modern diagnostic methods: x-ray, computed tomography, functional test results.
Having made an accurate diagnosis, the doctor decides how to treat osteochondrosis of the neck in a given 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, including:
- Drug therapy, which includes pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants and B vitamins.
- Physiotherapy methods: electrophoresis, laser therapy.
- Manual therapy.
- Acupuncture.
- Therapeutic exercise.
Surgical intervention is extremely rarely used when there is a real risk of stroke, paralysis or when the functioning of internal organs is disrupted.
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 further progression of the pathological process and stabilize the condition of the affected spinal segment.
An integrated approach and the gentle nature 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 is a 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, pinched nerve roots of the spine are removed and the neck muscles in the area of pathological changes are relaxed.
Electrophoresis is a method of delivering medications directly to the affected segment of the spine.Medications 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 at the affected segment, which, penetrating 10-13 cm deep into the tissues, 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, eliminate swelling of surrounding tissues, improve blood supply to the area of inflammation and activate metabolic processes in the cartilaginous tissue of damaged intervertebral discs.The goal 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 stop the further destruction of the intervertebral discs and the destruction of the vertebrae themselves.
The methods used for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck in a modern clinic have been tested in the best centers of manual therapy in Europe and the United States, are safe, effective, have practically no contraindications and are well tolerated by patients even in older groups.
The patient will receive recommendations on what measures to take in case of cervical osteochondrosis after consultation with a neurologist, depending on the stage of the disease, the severity of symptoms, concomitant pathologies and the results of the examination.