Among diseases of joints and bones associated with pathological processes and the formation of osteophytes, most often spondylosis of the cervical spine in combination with osteochondrosis of this area. Usually, this disease affects people after the age of 50, although it is sometimes observed in a young population.
Spondylosis of the cervical spine - symptoms and causes
Early morbidity (up to 50 years) is caused by instability of the considered zone of the spinal column. In other cases, the reasons may be:
- age-related pathological changes;
- prolonged intensive static loads;
- supercooling;
- severe spinal injury;
- osteochondrosis ;
- arthritis and arthrosis;
- inflammatory processes.
At the very beginning of the formation of osteophytes on the body of the vertebrae, clinical symptoms and complaints are almost absent. The progressive spondylosis of the cervical spine has the following symptoms:
- when turning the head, a feeling of discomfort, crisp sounds;
- limitation of mobility of the neck;
- pain in the nape, irrigating in the eyes, ears, shoulders;
- tingling in the hands, numbness of the upper limbs;
- dizziness;
- atrophy of the muscles of the back;
- change gait;
- disruption of the functioning of the intestine and bladder.
Treatment of spondylosis of the cervical spine
As for other areas affected by spondylosis, cervical dysfunction is mainly associated with a reduction in pain intensity and increased mobility of the spine.
First of all, the administration of non-steroid preparations with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic action is prescribed:
- Ibuprom;
- Ketanov;
- Ibuprofen;
- Movalis;
- Diclofenac;
- Voltaren;
- Fastum-gel.
Medications are used both preoral and in the form of injections, as well as locally.
Particularly severe pain syndrome requires the use of opioid medications, which are prescribed individually by the attending physician and are dispensed solely by prescription.
In addition, physiotherapy methods are effective in the therapy of spondylosis:
- massage;
- acupuncture;
- ultrahigh-frequency currents;
- radio wave therapy;
- mud treatment ;
- manual effect.
Spondylosis of the cervical spine - gymnastics
Naturally, to increase the mobility of the joints and the entire vertebral column, one should deal with curative physical culture. It helps improve blood circulation in the cervical region, restores the sensitivity of the nerve endings, reduces the compression effect on the spinal cord, strengthens the muscular corset of the back.
The main complex of gymnastics should be developed for each case separately, since the load varies depending on the degree of disease, the number and size of the osteophytes formed. But there are several ways that are applicable in any situation and are easily performed at home.
Exercises for spinal fusion:
- Standing near the wall and straightening his back, press his right palm to his head. Press the hand on the head, resist the muscles of the neck.
- Do the same for the left side.
- Both hands are placed on the forehead, pressing hard, as if pushing the head into the wall. At the same time, stretch your forehead forward, straining your neck muscles.
- Hands cross at the back of the head, press on the head, directing it forward. In parallel, resist, keeping the head even.
Carrying out the described simple complex of therapeutic gymnastics, you can achieve significant improvements after 2-3 weeks, subject to daily physical education.