The application of physical factors for the rehabilitative treatment of vertebrogenic cerebral dyscirculation

Abstract

The present study included 65 patients presenting with vertebrogenic cerebral dyscirculation and degenerative change within the cervical spine in the absence of hemodynamically and/or morphologically significant lesions in brachiocephalic arteries. During the first phase of the study, 39 randomly selected patients underwent traction of the cervical spine following collar zone massage. Moreover, they were instructed to simultaneously wear a soft cervical collar. The analysis of the results of this treatment showed that a combination of physiotherapeutic procedures produces the beneficial effect in the patients with the early manifestation of degenerative processes in the form of cerebral instability. Those suffering more severe anatomical changes in the vertebral column (spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis, spinal disk dislocation) are much less likely to benefit from the proposed treatment. The patients for the second group (n=26) were selected based on the results X-ray examination; they presented with vertebral instability requiring combined physiotherapeutic treatment including collar zone massage, orthotraction therapy, and simultaneous wearing a soft cervical collar. The results of the treatment were assessed from dynamics of clinical manifestations and the results of radioisotope studies of cerebral blood flow. No complications of combined physiotherapy were documented. The effectiveness of orthotraction therapy after preliminary collar zone massage in the patients of group 2 was estimated at 88.5%. Moreover, arterial pressure in the patients with concomitant arterial hypertension was reduced in conjunction with the improvement of venous outflow characteristics.