It is important to recognize the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis in time, to seek qualified medical help and to prevent the negative consequences of the disease - chronic high blood pressure, 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 the vertebrae and prevent damage during walking, running and jumping. They also ensure the mobility of the entire spine.
As the body ages naturally and as a result of unfavorable factors – stress, injury, 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, cracks appear in it.
- The contours of the intervertebral disc are pushed beyond the physiological limits, forming a protrusion
- Without the help of the specialists in the previous stage, the patient faces rupture and herniation of the annulus fibrosus.
- Osteophytes form on cartilage and bone tissue - pathological growths, which are one of the causes of reduced spinal mobility and pain.
- The roots of the spinal cord and the surrounding tissues are subject to compression and inflammation
Features of cervical osteochondrosis that are not discussed
Many people mistakenly believe that osteochondrosis is only 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 clear symptoms appear already when they start school. In this period, sitting in a forced position for a long time, physical inactivity, and neck muscle spasms occurring as a reaction to stress are added to the already existing negative phenomena and factors.
Many birth injuries of the cervical spine are not noticeable during a normal visual examination. Although because of these, children and then adults experience serious respiratory, cardiac, central nervous system, sensory and motor problems.
What threatens the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
The brain is responsible for controlling the entire body. It is also the main consumer of oxygen coming from the blood.
The brain is supplied with blood by the basilar artery. This, in turn, is formed by the fusion of two vertebral arteries that pass through the cervical vertebrae.
Deformation and damage of the intervertebral discs leads to instability and displacement of the cervical vertebrae. Compression of one or both vertebral arteries occurs, causing the brain's oxygen supply to decrease and the brain to begin sending commands to increase pressure. This is how chronic, non-infectious diseases develop, especially high blood pressure.
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
- Spasm and restriction of movement of the neck, pain when turning and tilting the head
- Burning sensation, pain, feeling of a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing
- Numbness and coldness of the hands or just the fingers
- Pain and burning sensation in the chest
- Lack of air
- Chronic high blood pressure
- Headache, migraine
- Dizziness, fainting
- Noise and ringing in the ears
- Reduced visual acuity, appearance of dots in front of the eyes
- Increased fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, reduced performance
- Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness
- Sleep disorders
- Chronic depression
- Panic attacks
- Pain of varying intensity in the neck, shoulders, collarbones, upper back and 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 consult a specialist in a modern clinic. Professional doctors perform 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 microanatomical ultrasound of the neck vessels to measure the speed of blood flow and to identify muscle spasms that cause compression of the vertebral arteries.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes:
Physiotherapy. Physical inactivity is one of the main causes of osteochondrosis. Therefore, individual physical exercises are developed for each patient. Based on the diagnosis, the patient's state of health and the presence of acute or chronic diseases, an exercise therapy complex is prescribed.
All exercises are performed under the supervision of qualified instructors on special simulators, which helps to restore muscle tone and strengthen the ligaments.
Correction of the deep muscles of the neck and back. The clinic's correctional specialists restore blood supply to the brain by manually manipulating the deep muscles of the neck and vertebrae. Blood pressure normalizes, cognitive functions - memory, concentration, mental performance - improve.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
You can prevent the occurrence or development of the disease by following the following recommendations:
- Take long daily walks. You should take a total of at least 6, 000 steps per day.
- To exercise. The load must not be excessive. Start with doable exercises, gradually increasing the duration of the exercise and the number of repetitions.
- Balance your diet and maintain a normal weight.
- Do Dr. Shishonin's neck exercises.