It is important to recognize the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis in time to seek qualified medical help 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 primary function of the intervertebral discs is to cushion and prevent damage to the vertebrae during walking, running, and jumping. In addition, they ensure mobility of the entire spine.
With the natural aging of the body and due to the influence of unfavorable factors - stress, injuries, excessive physical activity - the height of the intervertebral discs decreases. The progression of osteochondrosis leads to the following complications:
- The dense fibrous ring of the intervertebral discs is destroyed and cracks appear in it.
- The contours of the intervertebral disc shift beyond the physiological limits and form a protrusion
- Without the help of specialists in the previous stages, the patient is at risk of a rupture of the fibrous ring and an inguinal hernia
- Osteophytes are formed on cartilage and bone tissue - pathological growths that become one of the causes of reduced mobility of the spine and pain.
- The roots of the spinal cord and surrounding tissues are subject to compression and inflammation
Features of cervical osteochondrosis that are not talked about
Many people mistakenly believe that osteochondrosis is exclusively an age-related disease. However, in most cases, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine begins to develop in childhood as a result of birth trauma. For many children, the first clear symptoms appear as soon as they start school. During this period, the need for prolonged sitting in a forced position, physical inactivity and spasms of the neck muscles in response to stress are added to the already existing negative phenomena and factors.
Many birth injuries to the cervical spine are not noticeable on normal visual examination. Although they cause serious problems with the respiratory tract, heart, central nervous system, as well as the sensory and motor functions of the body, especially in children and then in adults.
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 is absorbed through the blood.
The blood supply to the brain comes from the basilar artery. It, in turn, is formed by the fusion of two vertebral arteries that run through the cervical vertebrae.
Deformation and damage to the intervertebral discs leads to instability and displacement of the cervical vertebrae. Compression of one or both vertebral arteries occurs, reducing oxygen supply to the brain and causing it to begin sending commands to increase pressure. This is how chronic non-infectious diseases arise, especially high blood pressure.
Over time, patients experience dysfunction 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
- Cramps and limitation of neck mobility, pain when turning and tilting the head
- Burning, pain, feeling of 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 high blood pressure
- Headache migraine
- Dizziness, fainting
- Noise and ringing in the ears
- Decreased visual acuity, appearance of dots in front of the eyes
- Increased fatigue, weakness, sleepiness, reduced performance
- Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness
- sleep disorders
- Chronic depression
- Panic attacks
- Pain of varying intensity spreading in 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 that you immediately contact specialists in a modern clinic. Professional doctors 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, allows you to stop the development of osteochondrosis and significantly improve the well-being of patients of any age.
At the first appointment, the clinic's specialists conduct a microanatomical ultrasound examination of the neck vessels to measure the speed of blood flow and identify muscle spasms that provoke 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. Based on the diagnosis, the patient's state of health and the presence of acute or chronic diseases, complex exercise therapy is prescribed.
All exercises are performed under the supervision of certified trainers on special simulators, which helps restore muscle tone and strengthen the muscle corset.
Correction of the deep neck and back muscles. Correctorologists of the clinic restore blood supply to the brain through manual manipulation of the deep neck and vertebral muscles. Blood pressure normalizes, cognitive functions – memory, concentration, mental performance – improve.
By reading more detailed materials, you can learn more about the wide range of services and all the features of the treatment of osteochondrosis in a professional clinic.
Prevention of the development of cervical osteochondrosis
You can prevent the occurrence or development of the disease by following the following recommendations:
- Take long walks every day. In total, you need to take at least 6, 000 steps per day.
- Do sports. The load should not be too great. Start with doable exercises and gradually increase the duration and number of repetitions.
- Eat a balanced diet and maintain your normal body weight.
- Perform the neck exercises from Dr. Shishonin through.