Does the presence of cervical osteochondrosis strongly affect mental abilities?

There is no direct influence on mental and cognitive processes in cervical osteochondrosis. However, one must remember that there are centers in the cerebellum involved in cognitive processes, and they feed on the cerebellar arteries, branches of the main artery. But, this is a separate topic for scientific study.

Is it possible to recover from this on your own? According to Tatyana Kostina, physical exercises can help, but a doctor should prescribe them.

“For prevention, you can do exercises, you can do yoga or swimming. But for medicinal purposes, specially selected exercises are prescribed. Amateur performance is useless here, - says Kostina. - The elderly usually already have arthrosis, disorders in the spine. Many people complain of dizziness. In this case, we exclude exercises for sharp turns of the head, so that the patient does not feel bad and he does not lose consciousness. The load must be adequate. ”

In addition to physiotherapy exercises in the physiotherapy department for cervical osteochondrosis, massage of the head and neck-collar zone, laser therapy, magnetotherapy, ultraphonophoresis with drugs can be prescribed. The method of treatment depends on the patient's condition.

“We rarely prescribe phonophoresis to elderly patients with high blood pressure, but the laser and magnet, on the contrary, lower the pressure,” explains the physiotherapist. “Magnetotherapy has almost no contraindications, has an anti-inflammatory, anti-edema effect, relieves spasms, improves blood circulation and microcirculation in tissues.”

Medicines prescribed by other specialists do not interfere with physical procedures. You can go for a massage during the day, and use anti-inflammatory ointments or muscle relaxants in the evening. Physiotherapy, as the doctor emphasizes, prolongs the effect of drugs and makes it more "targeted". The main thing to remember: in each specific case, you need to consult a specialist.

My personal experience. The back in the lower back was very painful. I came to the hospital - they did an MRI, they said: “You have a hernia and osteochondrosis of the 4th degree. Get ready for the operation ”… I almost fainted there! Horrible! What operation, I'm only 38? It turns out that at this age you can get 4 degree osteochondrosis. But it all started with the usual pain in the lower back, which then became chronic, aching, then a lumbar hernia formed! She interfered with sleep and walking. I refused the operation because I was afraid of anesthesia: suddenly I would fall asleep and would not wake up anymore. I also have heart problems. As a result, they prescribed me a bunch of useless medications, and when I returned, the doctors simply shrugged their shoulders, saying what do you want, the operation should be done ... A couple of months ago, on the Internet, I came across one article that literally saved me. I regained my health and the pain is gone! I am so grateful to fate, the chance that led me to this article! Finally my spine is healthy, thanks to this article! Everyone who has pain in the back and joints - it is MANDATORY to read to everyone! Now there is NO PAIN, I sleep normally, I walk and work in the country. For anyone interested, you can read in detail an interesting article at this link

Osteochondrosis can be accompanied by complications in the form of rotations, lists in the neck (rotation, displacement of the vertebrae). The anatomy of the cervical spine is such that large vessels pass through the vertebrae, which feed the brain. With this problem, the vertebrae squeeze these vessels, after which blood flow is disturbed and it is quite possible that you can face a problem. The brain must be blood-robbed and actively feed. With difficulties with normal blood supply, the brain is starving, changes will not be long in coming. To minimize harm, you should fight osteochondrosis, blood flow disorders in the neck and head. Neurologist, physiotherapy doctor, exercise therapy doctor to help. Reflexology, chiropractor if necessary. Undergo physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy, balneotherapy. If necessary, connect related specialists

No, osteochondrosis does not affect mental abilities. They are influenced by many factors and very often, these factors (such as "wrong" lifestyle) negatively affect the whole body. That is, osteochondrosis and degenerative changes in the brain run in parallel. Compression of the vertebral arteries, even with severe osteochondrosis, is not hemodynamically significant for noticeable impairments of the cognitive functions of the brain. Train your brain like any other organ, and then the chances of maintaining a sober mind will increase.

Good morning.

The brain receives blood from the carotid arteries up to 90% and from the vertebral arteries - approx. ten%. Even with complete clamping of the vertebral arteries, the blood flow will be maintained by the carotid.

Although it is often believed that "clamping" of the vertebral arteries leads to complaints from the central nervous system: weakness, dizziness, memory loss. Previously, this was proved by the fact that when a person threw his head back, he got severe dizziness.

Then it turned out that when throwing his head back, dizziness occurs for a completely different reason (BPPV).

Therefore, , I do not see the connection between cervical osteochondrosis and mental abilities at the moment.

Since mental activity is an integrative function that requires the coordinated work of many systems, its reduction requires examinations, of course.

It is also important to understand the age of the person and what you mean by "mental ability". If a person is elderly, this is one thing, if a young person is quite another. Also, inability to concentrate and fatigue are often confused with a decrease in mental activity. The last two examples affect the performance of the brain, but are not a measure of mental ability.