It is important to recognize the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis in time in order to consult a qualified doctor and prevent the negative consequences of the disease - chronic hypertension, heart attack, stroke, partial or complete limitation of motor activity, disability.
Why is osteochondrosis dangerous?
The main function of the intervertebral discs is to cushion and prevent damage to the vertebrae when walking, running and jumping. In addition, they ensure mobility of the entire spine.
As the body ages naturally and under the influence of adverse factors - stress, injuries, excessive physical activity - the height of the intervertebral discs decreases. The progression of osteochondrosis causes the following complications:
- The dense fibrous ring of the intervertebral discs is destroyed and cracks appear in it.
- The contours of the intervertebral disc move beyond physiological limits, forming a protrusion
- Without the help of specialists at earlier stages, the patient faces rupture of the annulus fibrosus and hernia
- Osteophytes are formed on cartilage and bone tissue - pathological growths that become one of the causes of reduced spinal mobility and pain.
- The roots of the spinal cord and surrounding tissues are subject to compression and inflammation.
Characteristics of cervical osteochondrosis that we don't talk about
Many people mistakenly believe that osteochondrosis is exclusively an age-related disease. But, in most cases, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine begins to develop in childhood as a result of birth trauma. For many children, the first obvious symptoms appear as soon as they enter school. It is during this period that the need for prolonged sitting in a forced position, physical inactivity and spasms of the neck muscles in response to stress join the already existing negative phenomena and factors.
Many birth injuries to the cervical spine are not visible during a normal visual examination. Even if it is because of them that children, and then adults, experience serious problems in the respiratory, cardiac, central nervous, sensory and motor systems of the body.
What threatens the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
The brain is responsible for regulating the entire body. It is also the main consumer of oxygen, which passes through the blood.
Blood supply to the brain is provided by the basilar artery. It is in turn formed from the fusion of two vertebral arteries which cross the cervical vertebrae.
Deformity and damage to the intervertebral discs leads to instability and displacement of the cervical vertebrae. Compression of one or both vertebral arteries occurs, which causes a reduction in oxygen supply to the brain and it begins to send commands to increase pressure. This is how chronic non-infectious diseases develop, including hypertension.
Over time, patients experience disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The risk of stroke, heart attack and coronary heart disease increases significantly. In men - impotence.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
- Spasms and limitation of neck mobility, pain when turning and tilting the head
- Burning, pain, feeling of a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing
- Numbness and coldness of the hands or just the fingers
- Pain and burning in the chest
- Lack of air
- Chronic hypertension
- Headaches, migraine
- Dizziness, fainting
- Noise and ringing in the ears
- Decreased visual acuity, appearance of spots in front of the eyes
- Increased fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, decreased performance
- Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness
- Sleep disorders
- Chronic depression
- Panic attacks
- Pain of varying intensity, spreading to the neck, shoulders, collarbones, upper back and the entire surface of the head, from the back of the head to the forehead
If you notice any of the listed symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, we recommend immediately contacting the specialists of a modern clinic. Professional doctors will carry out comprehensive diagnostics and develop individual treatment procedures.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in men and women in the clinic
The patented technique of the candidate of medical sciences Dr. Alexander Yuryevich Shishonin makes it possible to stop the development of osteochondrosis and significantly improve the well-being of patients of all ages.
During the first appointment, the clinic's specialists perform a microanatomic ultrasound of the neck vessels to measure the speed of blood flow and identify muscle spasms causing compression of the vertebral arteries.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes:
Physical therapy. Physical inactivity is one of the main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis. Therefore, an individual set of physical exercises is developed for each patient. A complex of exercise therapy is prescribed depending on the diagnosis, the patient's health status and the presence of acute or chronic diseases.
All exercises are performed under the supervision of certified instructors on special simulators, this helps restore muscle tone and strengthen the muscle corset.
Correction of the deep muscles of the neck and back. The clinic's correctologists restore blood supply to the brain through manual manipulation of the deep muscles of the neck and vertebrae. Blood pressure is normalized, cognitive functions - memory, concentration, mental performance - improve.
You can learn about the wide range of services and all the features of osteochondrosis treatment in a professional clinic by reading more detailed materials.
Prevention of the development of cervical osteochondrosis
You can prevent the appearance or development of the disease by adhering to the following recommendations:
- Take long daily walks. In total, you should take at least 6, 000 steps per day.
- Play sports. The load should not be excessive. Start with achievable exercises, gradually increasing the duration of the exercise and the number of repetitions.
- Balance your diet and maintain a normal body weight.
- Perform Dr. Shishonin's neck exercises.