What to do with cervical osteochondrosis in the acute stage

During exacerbation of cervical degenerative disc disease patient is prescribed bed rest and analgesics. Analgesic with cervical osteochondrosis - a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the form of injections, tablets or capsules for oral administration, ointments, gels or creams for topical use. Assign also novocaine blockade, various kinds of application to the skin at the site of intense pain (eg, Dimexidum or honey). Painkillers (such as Novocain Novocaine - why it is so popular in medicine?   hydrocortisone) may be administered by electrophoresis.

To relieve tension from the neck muscles, which increases pain, muscle relaxants are assigned, for example, Mydocalmum Mydocalm: drug from muscle spasms .

To reduce the load on the spine, prescribe the wearing of orthoses (cervical collar), but too long to wear them is not recommended - the neck muscles lose their strength, become lethargic, unable to support the spine.

Cervical osteochondrosis and exercise

Once the pain subsides a little, it appointed a complex physiotherapy (physical therapy). Exercises are done with the first state of lying, but after the pain subside, - in a state of sitting or standing.

Exercise therapy in cervical osteochondrosis is one of the main methods of treatment. The main objective of physical therapy is to strengthen the muscles of the neck and back, supporting the creation of the muscular system, which will take the weight off the spine. If we draw a set of physical exercises for the neck on a regular basis, it may suspend the degenerative-dystrophic changes in intervertebral discs, that is their destruction.

Each patient set of exercises is chosen individually, taking into account changes in the spine, the patient's complaints and his general condition. Start classes can perform three exercises but 3 - 5 times. Then gradually, under the supervision of a doctor LFK load increases. All exercises are performed, trying to avoid pain. When will be fully matched set of exercises, they can do at home. The most important thing - it's regular classes.

But the people of young age classes exercise therapy is sometimes not enough, they want to play sports. Cervical osteochondrosis and sports - as is consistent? The best sport in this disease is considered to be swimming. Swimming with cervical osteochondrosis offloads the neck muscles, while strengthening them.

Contraindications for cervical osteochondrosis apply to all sports associated with weight lifting, jumping and sudden movements - weightlifting, high jump, wrestling, tennis, badminton, etc.

Cervical osteochondrosis in pregnancy

During pregnancy, cervical osteochondrosis Osteochondrosis - learn how to properly distribute the weight   It exacerbated not as often as lumbosacral. Nevertheless, exacerbation possible. To prevent possible aggravation should be daily, several times a day to perform complex physical therapy. If the aggravation began, the treatment can be carried out only on prescription, since pregnant women can be applied not all drugs, including pain relievers.

How to sleep at cervical osteochondrosis

Of great importance in cervical osteochondrosis has a comfortable bed, the corresponding physiological curvature of the spine. She has to have a rigid base on which is placed a soft mattress. The degree of softness and thickness of the top of the mattress depends on body weight: overweight people is better to choose a hard mattress and thin - softer. Very comfortable latex mattresses of different degrees of softness.

No less important is the cushion in the cervical osteochondrosis. It should be small. Pillows with cervical osteochondrosis may be different depending on the posture that the patient receives during sleep Dreams: how to understand our dreams If he sleeps mostly on his side, he should have a tough cushion on the back - moderately hard on the stomach - soft to relieve tension of the neck muscles.

Orthopedic pillow with cervical osteochondrosis is an ideal option. It has a roller at the level of the neck, allowing the neck located above the head - it provides relaxation of the muscles of the neck and the normal cerebral blood flow.

It is important to quickly identify cervical osteochondrosis and prevent its spread.

Galina Romanenko

What is a herniated spine

Our spine is vertically connected vertebrae. It allows a person to fold, unfold and take different positions. In order not to injure the vertebrae against each other, between nature has provided special padding Feminine pads - talk about wings   - Intervertebral discs. The disc is a dense fibrous (of elastic connective tissue) ring, inside of which is the nucleus pulposus. Discs allow the spine to feel enough stress without damaging while.

Hernia spine or correct - herniated disc - a protrusion of intervertebral disc beyond the spine. The result is a compression of the spinal nerves, which extend from the spine, which causes the appearance of certain signs of the disease.

When herniated disc patients can be confusing pain in the back, and in the course of the injured spinal nerve. Arise and sensory disturbances in the form of paresthesias - "chills" through the body, numbness certain parts of the body, weakness in the limbs and the like.

The diagnosis is confirmed by a hernia of the spine X-ray examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Conservative treatment

Treatment of spinal hernias generally conservative. The goal of treatment is to eliminate or reduce pain and sensory disturbances caused by compression of the spinal released outside the intervertebral disc spinal nerves. The criterion for the effectiveness of treatment is to return the patient to normal life. The aim of conservative treatment is the prevention of re-injury of the spine and reduce the risk of a herniated disk.

Conservative treatment starts with the fact that the patient relieve pain by administering painkillers. It may be non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, movalis Movalis - relieve symptoms of inflammation , Ketorol, indomethacin), katadolon, lyrics and other analgesics. For anesthesia is very important relaxation of the muscles of the back, to that end, appoint drugs such as Mydocalmum Mydocalm: drug from muscle spasms . Swelling of injured disc herniation of soft tissues (it can greatly enhance the pain that will stay until until after swelling) relieve appointing decongestants and glucocorticoid hormones. The patient was also prescribed anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills. Used to relieve pain physiotherapy analgesic effect (for example, electrophoresis with novocaine).

In order to help the patient cope with daily exercise, it teaches cautious movements, warning further injury of the spine. The patient is also taught to control pain and, if necessary, to take certain measures. After severe pain will pass, as soon as the patient begins to engage in therapeutic exercises that strengthen the back muscles that support the spine in an upright position. At the same time teach the patient the optimal combination of physical activity and recreation.

If conservative treatment fails

Most often conservative treatment is quite effective, but one in ten patients is still a need for surgery. In this case, after a thorough examination and further clarify the location and nature of hernia surgery the patient is recommended.

Spine surgery for hernia shows:

• if within two months of active treatment in the conservative stored patient severe pain not only back, but also in the foot;
• if there are sensory disturbances in the form of weakness and numbness in the limbs, which are not only held by conservative treatment, but also increase.

The main type of surgery - diskectomy - complete or partial removal of the intervertebral disc amended. Surgery to remove the intervertebral disc - is a necessary measure, and it does not guarantee that in the future herniated disc will not arise again in another section of the spine. Therefore, surgery should not exclude such methods to strengthen the muscles of the spine, as a therapeutic exercise (especially swimming illustrated) and massage.