Effective drugs for cervical osteochondrosis. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra is a fairly common disease that affects both young and adults. The main reasons for the occurrence of such an ailment are sedentary work in an uncomfortable position. Such a disease is treatable, the main thing is to contact a specialist in time. Pills for cervical osteochondrosis, slept by a doctor, will help you quickly get on the road to recovery.

The neck is the most mobile part of the human body. Part of her spine is made up of 7 separate vertebrae, with elastic discs between them. The mechanism of the development of the disease is that the deformation of these discs begins, the distance between them decreases, which contributes to the pinching of the nerve. The main cause of the disease is a metabolic disorder in the spine.

Osteochondrosis can manifest itself in any person, there are a number of reasons that contribute to the development of this disease:

Sedentary lifestyle / sedentary work;
Metabolic disorders / malnutrition;
Injuries of any part of the cervical vertebrae.

The first manifestations of osteochondrosis may be insignificant, and the problem is that a person may not pay attention to it. After drinking a pill, he thinks that the matter is closed. But the disease will progress until you start the complex treatment prescribed by your doctor. If you notice one of the symptoms, you should immediately contact a specialist: dizziness, headaches and pain in the neck, numbness of the hands, complete weakness and fatigue, possible loss of consciousness, vomiting.

After the examination, the doctor may prescribe treatment for you. To get a good effect from it, you need to approach the solution of the issue comprehensively. The doctor will immediately prescribe pills or injections for you, advise you to do therapeutic exercises and offer to take a course of massage. All this will help the patient to quickly get rid of pain syndromes and relieve inflammation in the affected area. If the patient was struck by a sharp pain, it is worth putting a blockade.

If you do not resolve the issue with the treatment of this type of osteochondrosis, you can suffer greatly. The thing is that in the neck there are arteries and nerve endings that are responsible for feeding the brain. An advanced form of osteochondrosis of the neck can lead to compression of the spinal cord.

What are the treatments for neck pain?

Before prescribing treatment, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis in order to identify the degree of osteochondrosis and its type. The diagnostic process is carried out in different ways, the most effective is ECG, ultrasound, MRI. After that, a course of treatment is prescribed. There are several methods of treatment:

Tablets for osteochondrosis of the cervical region based on analgesics. Such drugs will quickly relieve pain. They also prescribe tablets to relieve inflammation, and chondroprotectors (to improve cartilage tissue);
exercise therapy. This method of treatment should be included at any stage and type of disease. Calm and simple movements will help relieve pain in the affected area. Make muscles more elastic and strengthen the muscle corset;
Folk medicine. Only in combination with other methods of treatment. Folk recipes will help not only relieve pain, but also remove inflammation, and also have a beneficial effect on the entire body;
Physiotherapy. Procedures based on medicines, but in combination with a certain kind of equipment. Such manipulations are carried out only in conjunction with a doctor.

How to stop disc destruction with pills?

The first pills for cervical osteochondrosis that you should start drinking are drugs based on chondroprotectors. It does not matter the stage and type of disease. The sooner you start using these drugs, there are more chances that the intervertebral disc will be preserved. The composition of the drug should be glucosamine and chondroitin.

To date, you can purchase such drugs:, Artra, Chondro. In addition to the fact that the drug has a positive effect on cartilage tissue, they tend to anesthetize. Of course, the result of using these drugs will be noticed only after a couple of months. But gradually the spine becomes mobile, the pain goes away. Most often, the drug is prescribed in the form of tablets or injections.

How to relieve pain syndromes in osteochondrosis?

With osteochondrosis of the cervical region, tablets are also used to relieve pain. Constant pain in the neck and head can also affect the psychological state of a person. Doctors do not advise to endure pain, such a plan, and immediately prescribe the necessary drugs. The best assistant in the field of pain relief is drugs based on Paracetamol. The pain will pass after 15-20 minutes, this will allow the patient to calmly move the neck and head. In the pharmacy you can find such drugs: Panadol, Medipirin500, Daleron and others.

In addition, the specialist may suggest non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Their main task is to quickly eliminate pain, improve the general condition of the patient (Voltaren, Ibuprofen, Ketons and others). It should be understood that cervical osteochondrosis tablets of this type can have serious side effects:

Jumps in blood pressure;
Intolerance to the drug (individually);
Serious heart disease.

The course of treatment is prescribed individually. Often it is 1-2 weeks. If the patient does not feel better, injections are prescribed, in extreme cases they put a blockade. In complex treatment, for tablets, the specialist prescribes ointments based on NPP, which must be smeared directly on the painful area of \u200b\u200bthe body.

With pathological damage to the intervertebral discs resulting from dystrophic and degenerative disorders in the cartilaginous joints of the cervical spine, osteochondrosis or intervertebral hernia is formed. This name of the disease comes from ancient Greek roots, osteon - bone and chondrus - cartilage. Consider what this disease is, what are the causes, symptoms of manifestation and.

Drug treatment provides for a whole range of therapeutic measures to influence the tissue structures of the articular segments, due to various symptomatic signs.

Cause and mechanism of development of articular lesions of the cervical spine

Unfortunately, the first symptoms of disruption of the cervical spine begin to appear in a person at school age. An important role in the causal factor of the onset of the disease is played by hereditary predisposition. Further exacerbation of the clinical condition is facilitated by various static and / or dynamic overloads, spinal injuries, a consequence of chronic diseases, and other components. Other reasons include the following factors:

excess body weight;
lack of nutrition of microelements of the vascular beds between the vertebral discs of the cervical region;
weak physical activity or excessive load on the musculoskeletal system;
menopause in women;
body aging;
instability to stressful situations and / or severe nervous strain.

Symptomatic signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:

aching and / or pulling pain in the cervical region;
muscle spasms leading to numbness;
throbbing headache, dizziness and tinnitus;
manifestation of cardiovascular or coronary pathology.

More intense symptomatic signs appear with increased physical exertion, sudden movements, coughing, and so on. To eliminate the reduction of blood vessels and restore tissue structures, it will be effective to undergo a course of drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.

Modern methods of treatment of articular segments

Comprehensive diagnostics allows not only to determine the degree of damage to the segmental areas of the cervical region, but also to identify hidden forms of pathology. This greatly simplifies the treatment of otreochondrosis of the cervical spine. The drugs used in treatment represent a significant arsenal of various pharmacological combinations.

The main task of drug therapy is the elimination of pain syndromes as a result of exposure to the spinal nerve endings, the removal of inflammation in problem areas and the prevention of further processes of structural destruction of the spine.

Used pharmacological agents and drugs for cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into several groups:

If, with cervical osteochondrosis, medication treatment does not bring the desired result, then the joints have to be corrected through surgery.

The indication for surgical treatment is:

the threat of sequestration, or protrusion of a hernia of 7 mm or more;
complete lack of muscle activity associated with its atrophy;
the ineffectiveness of drug therapy for a long period, usually 6-8 months;
mechanical compression by a pathological growth, osteophyte.

Stimulation of recovery processes

After the removal of painful and inflammatory processes by medication or as a result of surgical adjustment of the joints of the cervical vertebra, it is necessary to carry out restorative work in the ligamentous apparatus of the spine and between its discs. For this procedure, a number of pharmacological drugs are provided:

How to treat cervical osteochondrosis: frequently asked questions

To answer questions related to the treatment of osteochondrosis, we asked the head of the Department of Neurosurgery No. 3 of Moscow, vertebrologist, candidate of medical sciences Rudenko Viktor Vadimovich.

Question: How long can non-steroidal drugs be used in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis?

Answer: Most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a side effect that negatively affects the gastric mucosa. Therefore, the long-term use of a pharmacological agent in the treatment of osteochondrosis is highly undesirable.

Question: In what cases is surgical intervention required in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?

Answer: The indications for surgical intervention are the lack of effectiveness of drug treatment for 6-12 months. It all depends on the individual physiological characteristics of the patient and the clinical component of the disease.

Question: What is the effectiveness of chondroprotectors in the treatment of osteochondrosis?

Answer: Chondroprotectors are included in complex therapy. Evidence of the inappropriate use of these medicinal components does not yet exist.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - a condition that has many consequences, affects the work of the heart, internal organs, the health of the lower back and limbs. Degenerative changes affect cartilage, intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies, disrupting the biomechanics of movements. As a result, the mobility of the spine changes, the roots of the spinal nerves are compressed, hypotension and muscle spasms develop. The joints of the cervical spine cease to receive sufficient blood supply.

Medication always comes first, because it requires the removal of an acute condition: pain, inflammation.

The neurologist chooses what, focusing on the clinical picture and the results of examinations. The spasm of the anterior scalene muscle, characteristic of the disease, is associated with compression of the neurovascular bundle, pulling pains in the forearm and elbow. Shoulder-scapular periarthrosis and thoracic outlet syndrome are the results of neglected asymptomatic disorders in the cervical region.

Reading the reviews of other patients, it is difficult to choose which pills will help in a particular case. The disease has a wide range of symptoms that are not always associated with the neck. Patients turn to surgeons and neuropathologists with the following complaints:

pain in the neck and shoulders;
decreased mobility in the neck;
the appearance of a crunch;
headache;
hand numbness;
respiratory disorders;
vision problems.

The cervical spine will primarily deal with symptoms, and the most common of these is pain.

Acute pain syndrome and severe muscle spasm are the most common reasons for visiting a doctor. At an early stage of treatment, it is advisable to act on medications that will eliminate inflammation and spasm.

The prescribed drug will work for a certain period, then the recovery phase for the joints and muscles begins.

To reduce pain, various anti-inflammatory pills for cervical osteochondrosis are used:

If the tablets are ineffective, paravertebral blockades are performed with novocaine or a steroid mixture.

Epidural steroid injections are indicated when prolonged pain is caused by inflammation of the joints. Drugs for chronic cervical osteochondrosis are injected into the epidural space, which surrounds the membrane that covers the back of the brain and nerve roots. The nerves pass through the connective tissue, branching out throughout the rest of the body. Sometimes, when they are pinched, radiculopathy is observed, which can disrupt the work of the hands, provoke pain in the shoulder. After injection, steroid drugs relieve inflammation from the nerve root, restore its impulses.

Injections into the facet joints at the level of the neck are rarely required when their function is impaired due to spondylosis. It is the joints that are responsible for the mobility of the neck, ensure the stability of the vertebrae. Inflammation of the articular surface can cause pain when rotating the head.

The attending physician prescribes a complex, phased treatment, consisting of a complex of drugs for internal and external action. The treatment regimen for osteochondrosis of the neck is always individual, has several stages.

Local funds

Ointments help relieve mild pain syndrome, among which there are three types depending on the active substances:

About what drugs to use in the acute and chronic phase of the disease, as well as in osteochondrosis, aggravated by whiplash or instability of the cervical region, it is better to ask a neurologist or surgeon.

Vitamin Support

Medical treatment of the spine is supplemented with vitamin intake:

The most affordable remedies for chronic cervical osteochondrosis are diets filled with vegetables and fruits.

Chondroprotectors

Diseases of the cervical spine are manifested by damage to the vertebral body and intervertebral disc. The activity of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid in the restoration of the nucleus pulposus and cartilage has been confirmed by clinical experiments. Doctors prescribe chondroprotectors in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs, and independent experts compare their action with the placebo effect.

For a severe degree, supportive drugs are useless because:

chondroitin sulfate restores the mineralization of the joint fluid, but is not justified in the restoration of intervertebral discs, where it is absent;
glucosaminoglycans and chondroitin have a high molecular weight, do not penetrate into the joints in the form of ointments. In case of inflammation, their dosage should be ten times higher than the proposed one;
chondroprotector, taken for pain and limited mobility, does not bring relief.

It should be understood that it is impossible to treat osteochondrosis of the neck with cartilage-supporting drugs alone. It has been proven that there is no deficiency of chondroitin and glucosamine in the human body.

Substances can be administered simultaneously with anti-inflammatory therapy. In the early stages of degenerative changes, cracks and erosions appear in the vertebrae. Over time, they lead to the formation of a hernia.

Chondroitin sulfate and
Glucosamine helps to stop early inflammation, prevent the development of the disease, but it must be taken for 3-6 months. After operations to remove intervertebral hernias, they must be drunk without fail to stimulate the restoration of cartilage tissue. The most popular drugs for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis from the group of chondroprotectors: dona, teraflex, structum.

Additional drugs

Choosing, as in a particular patient, an experienced doctor also looks at the constitution of the body, and asks about the lifestyle, quality of sleep, features of work. Therefore, he will recommend the use of sedatives and antidepressants if he sees a tendency to hypochondria, a characteristic posture, or complaints of depression and chronic fatigue. Pain in the cervical region often depresses a person, which slows down the healing process, adding psychosomatic dysfunctions.

In case of disorders at the level of the brain, you will need to drink vasodilators that will relieve spasm of small muscles and improve blood flow in the vertebral arteries. Sometimes anticonvulsants are prescribed. Assumes complicated cervical osteochondrosis treatment of concomitant diseases associated with dizziness, hypertension, tachycardia, which is part of the complex of vegetative-vascular dystonia and is the result of compression of the nerve roots.

The action of drugs and muscle spasms

Any drug therapy does not allow, but only removes the complaints with which the person himself comes. The main emphasis is erroneously placed on getting rid of the pain that prevents the patient from living.

Pain medication for
cervical osteochondrosis act temporarily, and the cause of the pathology does not go anywhere. There is a hypothesis of muscle spasms that provoke a violation of the position and function of the vertebrae. However, muscle relaxants used to relax muscles by increasing blood flow and stabilizing cell membranes still provide a temporary effect. It is believed that it is osteoarthritis that gives rise to a tendency to spasm, since the attachment of muscles to the vertebrae is disturbed. On the other hand, the biomechanics of the body changes if one of the muscles relaxes, while the other contracts in a compensatory manner. Because muscle relaxants and massages give a temporary effect. When a vertebra is well stabilized, it receives enough blood supply and is involved in movement.

The cause of muscle weakness can be prolonged static loads, poor posture and muscle imbalances, lack of vitamins and minerals. Neck problems are closely related to breathing, since many spasmodic muscles (scalenus, sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis minor) are auxiliary during inspiration. Rejecting the medicinal approach, many patients cope with the disease with the help of breathing practices and yoga.

Medicines for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are the first step to return the fullness of movement. To maintain the result, therapeutic massage, individual gymnastics are necessary.

Medical treatment of osteochondrosis - video

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs due to a number of reasons and requires complex treatment, including drug therapy, physiotherapy, massage, physiotherapy exercises. Pills for cervical osteochondrosis affect the affected area from the inside, so this type of treatment is considered very effective.

Cervical osteochondrosis requires mandatory treatment, and it must be started at the earliest stages of the disease, when the first symptoms occur. The earlier treatment is started, the faster the general condition of the patient improves, and the higher the chances of restoring the damaged structure of the vertebrae. In complicated cases, this dosage form can be used in complex therapy, as a symptomatic treatment. Drinking pills for cervical osteochondrosis should be in the presence of a number of indications:

pronounced pain syndrome;
spasm and muscle tension caused by pinched nerve endings in the cervical spine;
decreased sensitivity and numbness of tissues in the affected area;
violation of motor activity;
drops in blood pressure;
frequent headaches, dizziness, nausea;
the process of destruction of the cartilaginous tissue of the vertebrae, confirmed by x-ray examination.

Pills from cervical osteochondrosis can be started in the presence of any of the listed symptoms and when the initial stage of the disease is identified.

Benefits of using tablets

Available in various forms - these are numerous ointments, gels, patches, preparations for intramuscular and intravenous injections. Preparations for external use do not always have an effective effect, due to shallow penetration into the skin. Also, for any damage to the skin, the use of such funds is not recommended. To receive an injection of the drug, you need to visit the treatment room in the clinic, or have a medical education in order to independently give injections at home. The tablet form of the drug is convenient in that it can be used at home, in the dosages prescribed by the doctor and subject to all recommendations.

Varieties of drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis

Many medicines for the treatment of diseases of the spine are freely available in pharmacies. And only a doctor can determine which pills to take in each case. Drugs are classified into the following categories:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

This group of drugs is prescribed to reduce tissue swelling in cervical osteochondrosis, eliminate severe excruciating pain, and relieve inflammation in the muscles.

Diclofenac sodium, Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Naproxen showed themselves to be the most effective.

Muscle relaxants

This drug group is designed to relieve muscle fibers from spasm and eliminate pain. In severe forms of cervical osteochondrosis, when complex treatment includes massage and manual therapy, it is almost impossible to do without muscle relaxants. This is explained by the fact that the muscles must first be relaxed and warmed up, and then proceed to the above procedures. If muscle relaxants are not taken at this stage of treatment, the massage procedure will not be possible due to pronounced pain and spasms.

This group of drugs should be taken only under the supervision of a physician, since an incorrectly calculated dosage of the drug taken can adversely affect the diaphragm and lead to respiratory arrest. Also, while taking these pills, you need to stop driving a car.

Effectively affects the body, achieving its goals, the drug Mydocalm.

Analgesics

Painkillers in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in medical practice are prescribed most often. With a slightly pronounced pain syndrome, many patients think that they can take analgesics on their own, but this cannot be done, because only a doctor can choose the right dose of the drug and decide which pills to drink in each case. The most effective drugs for pain relief are Amidopyrine, Analgin, Baralgin. When pain is pronounced, that is, in complicated cases of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to use narcotic analgesics, such as Tramal. The drug is released strictly according to the prescription and is taken under the supervision of medical personnel.

Preparations for the blood supply to the brain

An important point in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical region is the establishment of blood circulation in the brain. It is necessary to drink pills that improve the functioning of the central nervous system, improve the nutrition of the spinal column, reduce the symptoms of dizziness and pain. These properties are possessed by drugs Actovegin and Trental.

To relieve swelling of tissues in the affected area, venotonics are used. For the effective outflow of excess fluid from the tissues, Detralex is prescribed.

Auxiliary drugs for the complex therapy of osteochondrosis

Pills for cervical osteochondrosis must necessarily include a group of drugs that restore the cartilaginous tissue of the spine, maintain the general condition of the nervous system and provide full vitamin support for the body.

These drugs include:

Chondroprotectors

The purpose of this group of medicines in the treatment of osteochondrosis is due to the need to restore deformed cartilage tissue. Reception of chondroprotectors should be carried out in courses, the first course is at least 2-3 months. Such terms are obligatory for achievement of the first positive results of therapy.

The most common drugs that are included in the treatment of osteochondrosis are Chondroxide, Kartilag Vitrum, Structum.

Vitamin complexes

Which pills to choose for the best elimination of vitamin deficiency in the body, only a doctor can decide, based on the entire clinical picture of the patient. Vitamin preparations, which are most often prescribed in the treatment of osteochondrosis, usually contain:

retinol - to strengthen the tissues of the spinal cord;
thiamine - to stimulate regenerative processes in bones and cartilage;
pyridoxine - to improve the nutrition of all vital organs;
cyanocobalamin - to relieve inflammation and restore damaged tissues and cells;
ascorbic acid - to normalize brain functions.

You can continue taking vitamins even after the symptoms of the disease have been eliminated, to maintain a good therapeutic effect.

Antidepressants and sedatives

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis includes the use of psychotic drugs, such as Afobazole, Amitriptyline, as well as herbal sedatives - Motherwort, Valerian. They are prescribed to improve the general condition of the patient, relieve feelings of anxiety and stress.

Tablets for the prevention of the development of osteochondrosis

It is always better and easier to prevent the development of the disease than to cure the disease that has arisen. An important role in the prevention of osteochondrosis is played by a healthy lifestyle, proper and regular physical activity (but not excessive), nutrition that provides the body with full saturation with vital vitamins and microelements. The only pills that can act as a prophylactic drug to prevent osteochondrosis are vitamins B 12 and Calcium. These tablets will help maintain a healthy state of the spinal column and provide a complete strengthening of the bone and cartilage system.

Also, it is important to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol and monitor body weight.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is one of the most dangerous types of neurological diseases. What is this disease, how does it manifest itself? What measures help prevent it? How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine? You will find answers to these questions in this article.

Characteristics of the disease

Osteochondrosis in the general concept is a degenerative modification of the intervertebral cartilage discs, which subsequently affects the bone tissue and the nervous system. What happens with this disease? In the cartilaginous disk, which performs a shock-absorbing function in the structure of the spinal column, due to a metabolic failure, dehydration begins, or simply dehydration. The nucleus begins to put pressure on the ring surrounding it, and the disc extends beyond the vertebrae. This phenomenon is called protrusion. If the shell is torn, then an intervertebral hernia appears, which is even more dangerous.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that brings a lot of pain and discomfort to a person's life. Unlike the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, the cervical vertebrae are more mobile, they are the smallest and are constantly under load. The disease most often affects these segments of the spine. A large number of nerve and blood ramifications are concentrated in the cervical region. An important large vertebral artery passes here, carrying nutrients to the brain. The state of compression of this vessel is dangerous for the development of ischemia of the spinal cord or brain, as well as a stroke. If this artery and nerve fibers passing in the cervical region are affected, then the person loses precise coordination of movements, his hearing and vision weaken, frequent dizziness and various neurological disorders are observed, which will be discussed below.

The reasons

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs even at a young age. What causes the development of the disease? What causes contribute to the onset of the disease even in people under 30 years of age? Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the treatment of which requires a lot of time and patience, occurs due to two main factors:

physical inactivity, or a sedentary lifestyle;
improper nutrition.

As a result, there is a violation of metabolism (metabolism) throughout the body, in particular in bone and cartilage tissues, the level of salts in the blood rises, and they, not finding a way out of the bloodstream, find "refuge" in the tissues of the kidneys, liver and cervical spine . An unbalanced diet leads to a lack of nutrients in the cartilage, as a result of which pathological changes in the intervertebral discs begin. Osteochondrosis is especially susceptible to people at risk.

Let's name the factors, the presence of which increases the likelihood of developing the disease:

heredity;
age after 40 years;
overweight;
frequent hypothermia (no wonder they say - "do not chill your neck!");
malfunctions of the endocrine system that disrupt metabolism;
spinal injury;
systemic lupus erythematosus;
rheumatism;
the nature of the activity - drivers, office workers, cashiers, athletes, people engaged in heavy physical labor.

Symptoms

How does osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifest itself? The symptoms of the disease and the nature of the resulting pain depend on which particular segments have been damaged. As a result, the following conditions may develop:

vertebral artery syndrome;
hypertension syndrome;
radicular syndrome;
cervical migraine syndrome.

Let's consider each of them. With the syndrome of the vertebral artery, the appearance of severe headaches is observed already in the early stages. A person often feels dizzy, the gait becomes shaky, and the clarity of vision decreases. Sudden head movements can lead to loss of consciousness. Radicular syndrome is characterized by a variety of manifestations. These include:

cervicalgia, or severe pain in the neck;
crunching when turning the head;
weakness and tinnitus;
numbness and pain in the arm;
disorder of auditory and visual functions;
noise in ears;
cervicobrachialgia, or pain that radiates from the neck to the arms;
feeling of swelling and numbness of the tongue.

Cervical migraine syndrome is characterized primarily by impaired blood circulation in the tissues of the brain, which causes hypertension and the development of symptoms such as noise and ringing in the ears, their congestion, dizziness, rapid pulse. The danger of this condition is the possibility of developing a spinal stroke. Hypertensive syndrome is accompanied by headaches, aggravated by head movements, nausea and vomiting (especially in the morning), nervousness, sudden changes in pressure, the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, and fainting. Hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the brain develops. Cervical osteochondrosis is often manifested by cardiac arrhythmia, in which the uniform rhythm of the heart is lost. Due to pinching of the lateral vertebral arteries, vegetative-vascular dystonia develops.

Diagnostics

The first step in diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis is to examine the patient. A neuropathologist visually examines the condition of the spinal column, back muscles and posture, by probing determines the presence of protruding spinous processes. On palpation, the doctor, according to the patient's reaction, will be able to understand which departments are affected by the pain. Of the hardware diagnostic methods used:

radiography;
CT scan;
Magnetic resonance imaging;
dopplerography.

The first method often uses the introduction of a contrast agent into a particular tissue (discography, angiography, etc.). This is necessary to obtain more accurate information about the features of the course of the disease.

Treatment

The attending physician will tell you how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical region and not harm the body. Below are the basic rules and recommendations for dealing with this unpleasant disease, but the beginning of successful treatment is a visit to a neurologist. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical region is carried out using a whole range of methods. Among them:

drug therapy;
physiotherapy;
traditional medicine;
exercises.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the most dangerous, because important arteries that carry blood to the brain tissues pass through the processes of the vertebrae in this place. Therefore, taking medications and following the doctor's prescriptions must be approached with all responsibility.

Medical therapy

How to treat cervical osteochondrosis using medications? Drug therapy of the disease includes the following drugs:

painkillers;
anti-inflammatory;
vitamins;
chondroprotectors.

Analgesics help relieve the manifestations of pain during an exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis and are used for a short time. As painkillers, the attending physician may prescribe medications "Tramadol", "Mikodalm", "Arcoxia" or "Spasmalgon". With very severe pain, it is possible to use injections of Lidocaine, Milgamma.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are designed to reduce inflammation, among them are the drugs Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Piroxicam. Such funds are also used externally. These are various ointments and gels: Diclofenac, Voltaren. Of the vitamins, the most valuable in terms of maintenance therapy for osteochondrosis are the B vitamins, which can reduce the sensitivity of tissues and weaken the neurological manifestations of the disease.

Chondroprotectors

They are developed by pharmacologists to restore cartilage tissue. There are two active substances that make up these drugs - it's glucosamine and chondroitin. Both compounds can be part of the same drug or used separately each. Examples of chondroprotectors: patches with glucosamine, the drug "Elastanga", ointment "Chondroxide", means "Artra", "Teraflex". The latter is also available in the form of a combination with the drug "Ibuprofen" and more actively reduces inflammation in the cartilage. The French-made "Struktum" chondroprotector has proven itself well. These funds should be used for a long time, at least 3-6 months, otherwise you may not achieve the desired result.

Blockade

With severe pain, injections of drugs directly into the lesion site help to alleviate the patient's condition. Such an injection is called a blockade. A mixture of drugs is usually used as a medicine. One of them has an analgesic effect, the other is designed to relieve inflammation. Blockade can only be done by a highly qualified physician, in no case do this procedure yourself! This can not only harm the health of the patient, but also become a threat to his life. This injection is carried out in two ways:

injection of the drug into the ligaments and tissues surrounding the joint;
injection directly into the intervertebral disc.

Physiotherapy

With cervical osteochondrosis, physiotherapy procedures are very effective. They accelerate recovery, act favorably on the whole organism as a whole. Before talking about them, we list the contraindications for physiotherapy:

tumors, oncological diseases;
blood diseases;
dermatological diseases in acute form;
taking medications that can enhance the effect of physiotherapy.

How to treat cervical osteochondrosis with the help of physiotherapy? In this regard, the use of many methods gives a good effect. For example, shock wave therapy is the effect of acoustic waves on the affected area. It reduces inflammation, swelling, pain, stimulates collagen synthesis, improves tissue metabolism. Laser therapy, magnetotherapy, ultrasound treatment, vibration therapy are also used. Exposure to a sore spot with pulsed low-voltage currents, or diadynamic therapy, reduces the severity of pain. Electrophoresis with the drug "Novocaine" gives an analgesic effect during the period of exacerbation. Additional methods of physiotherapy are ultraviolet irradiation of the diseased area and spinal traction, or detensor therapy.

Physiotherapy

Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the cervical region allows you to achieve tangible results. It is important that it is used only at the final stage of treatment, since active movements in the neck are strictly prohibited at the first and intermediate stages. Gymnastics is performed with a supporting cotton-gauze collar worn on the cervical region. Resistance exercises are carried out with the help of a doctor who tries to tilt the patient's head with his palm, and he, in turn, makes an effort to overcome the doctor's actions. This strengthens the muscular corset of the neck. The head hold exercise is also helpful. It consists in the following. The patient, lying on the couch, raises his head and holds it in this position for 5 seconds. This time increases to 40-60 seconds if the pain and neurological syndrome has already been overcome. Therapeutic gymnastics involves performing each exercise no more than 5 times in one approach.

Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is designed to:

improve the blood supply to the affected area;
strengthen the muscles of the back and neck;
reduce the load on the vertebrae;
normalize joint mobility;
accelerate glucose metabolism for active nutrition of intervertebral cartilage discs.

With a disease such as osteochondrosis of the cervical region, massage is mandatory. It refers to the methods of manual therapy and is aimed at relaxing muscles, improving blood circulation and lymph movement at the site of injury.

ethnoscience

The treatment of such an ailment as osteochondrosis of the cervical region is considered by folk remedies as an auxiliary measure and in no case as the main therapy. The number of recipes using various herbs and products is very large. They widely use products such as lemon, garlic, burdock or horseradish leaves (as a compress), dandelion root, St. John's wort, yarrow, lavender and many others. The patient himself is responsible for his health when using traditional medicine.

Nutrition Features

How to cure cervical osteochondrosis? Many people ask this question. But how to eat with this disease, what foods will be useful? Let's list them:

dairy;
lean meat and fish;
aspic;
marmalade;
jelly;
fresh fruits and vegetables;
sources of vitamin B - liver, walnuts, brown rice, broccoli, buckwheat porridge, brewer's yeast, green vegetables, kidneys;
complex carbohydrates - whole grain bread, cereals, vegetables;
vegetable fats - olive, sunflower, linseed oil.

Do not forget about products that can harm in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Do not abuse sweets, rich pastries, alcohol, smoked and salty foods, spicy foods, animal fats, coffee and strong tea. Remove sugar, potatoes and white bread from the menu.

Prevention

Do not neglect morning exercises, as well as neck warm-ups during the working day. This helps to improve blood circulation, thereby ensuring the supply of nutrients to the cartilage tissue, and relax the muscles. Move more - regular jogging, fitness classes are considered an important measure for the prevention of osteochondrosis. Excess weight often provokes the development of the disease, so try to follow the arrow on the scales. Do not overeat, do not abuse high-calorie foods, fatty and sweet foods. Eliminate all chronic infections in your body. Particular attention should be paid to the correct position of the body during sleep and rest - the neck muscles should not be squeezed. For example, every patient should have an orthopedic pillow for osteochondrosis of the cervical region, and its use is also useful in the prevention of the disease. Resting on it relaxes the muscles of the neck, and the blood vessels do not experience strong pressure.

Cartilage health and diet

Separately, I would like to mention the tendency of girls and women to experience various diets, which are sometimes so cruel and low in calories that the body begins to use the substances of its own tissues as an energy source. Remember that any diet should be balanced, contain the necessary minimum of nutrients, primarily protein, and be accompanied by the intake of vitamins and minerals. Otherwise, you risk not only becoming the owner of worn cartilage, which is very difficult and expensive to restore in the future, but also getting a number of unpleasant diseases. And remember that the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will be successful only if the patient follows all the recommendations and prescriptions of the attending physician.