Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine symptoms and home treatment are based on a self-healing method. The method consists in the correct actions of the patient and the support of the self-regulatory and self-healing functions of the body to restore the nervous and vascular disorders of the cervical spine.
In non-advanced and non-severe cases, the patient can naturally relieve spine pain, muscle spasm, dizziness and other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in a natural way without medication. However, for this it is necessary to have a good knowledge of the structure and natural purpose of the spine and to remember that our body is a self-healing system that exists according to certain laws of the Universe.
The role of the spine
Before tackling the subject: "Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and home treatment", it makes sense to dwell on the question: "What role does the spine play in our life? "
The spine is the backbone of our skeleton. The head, torso, upper and lower limbs are supported there. In other words, it is the spine that gives our body the shape that we usually see.
Attached to the spine are strong connective tissue ligaments and many small and large muscles that keep our bodies erect and vital internal organs in places along the spine.
The normal functions of our internal organs and all body tissues are carried out by a large number of nerve fibers through the transmission of nerve impulses from the lateral parts of the spinal cord.
The spinal cord is located in a flexible and well-protected “sheath” of the spinal canal from external influences. The spinal nerve roots emerge through the intervertebral foramen of the vertebrae. In the initial part, they are covered with discs and bone structures. Intervertebral discs are made up of cartilaginous plates located above and below, a fibrous ring and a nucleus pulposus. The thickness of the discs in the cervical vertebrae is very small - only 4 mm.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Healthy and intact intervertebral discs serve as shock absorbers for various loads on the spine (compression, stretching). If, as a result of sudden movements, excessive loads, prolonged bad posture, spinal damage or inflammatory processes, the discs are damaged, the vertebral artery is compressed, which passes through the openings of the vertebrae and thenerve plexuses that leave the spinal cord.
The number of electrical impulses going from the spinal cord to organs and tissues decreases, metabolic processes slow down. It becomes the cause of disease of certain organs, as well as the cause of aging of the body.
Symptoms
This explains the many symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which include pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder girdle, heart, liver, and stiff neck, the back of the head, weakness of the arms, legs and vascular disorders.
The manifestation of the disease depends on the location of the disc lesion and the displacement of the vertebrae, as well as the area innervated by the compressed nerve plexus.
So the health of our body depends on the health of the spine.
Self-healing treatment
I just want to warn you that the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is made by a neurologist or chiropractor on the basis of the results of a complete medical examination.
When the diagnosis is made and there is no acute period with edema and inflammation at the site of the injury to the intervertebral disc, a self-healing method can be applied.
Essence of the method:
- in the correct actions of the patient, aimed at eliminating the cause of the symptoms of osteochondrosis - compression, displacement of the nerve and vascular structures of the spinal cord in connection with destructive changes in the intervertebral discs;
- to support self-regulating and self-healing bodily functions to restore nervous and vascular disorders of the cervical spine.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, independently acting on the cause of the disease, you can read in the article of the same name.
It is impossible to eliminate the cause of the disease - the deformation of the intervertebral discs, however, you can learn to relax the cervical spine and gently stretch the neck vertebrae to relieve the pressure on the nerve roots and vesselsblood, thus relieving the symptoms of compression.
The Self-Healing Method requires personal desire, persistence, self-discipline and the willingness to gradually change your posture, take care of your spine, relax and stretch your neckevery morning and evening, and develop your own cervical osteochondrosis treatment system.
At the same time, always remember that your body is a highly organized self-healing system that lives by natural laws. Failures happen when you break these laws, no matter why, because of their ignorance or refusal to comply with them.
Principles of the method
Before moving on to the self-healing method with the help of therapeutic exercises, there are several natural principles of this method that should be noted.
- We know that to relax a muscle, it must first be tightened. Therefore, many therapeutic exercises developed by specialists in manual therapy are based on the principle of tension - relaxation of spasmodic muscles.
- Another principle is the physiological scheme of the combination of tension - muscle relaxation with respiratory phases. Inhale is tension and exhale is relaxation. If these principles are observed, the exercises performed will contribute to the proper functioning of the circulatory system and will not interfere with the regulation of nervous processes.
Personal Self-Healing System
First of all, I'm going to share my own self-healing system for cervical osteochondrosis.
In addition to the "turtle" and shoulder girdle relaxation exercises, sitting ("How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine"), which not only relax the muscles of the neck and shoulders, but also awaken the powershealing of the body, normalizing the energy supply of all cells and organs, I use another position - the relaxation of the muscles of the neck.
However, I would like to warn you to be careful with this pose! Remember - in the cervical column are the spinal artery and the nerve plexuses that go to the brain!
Since in my case the discs of the 5th, 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae are deformed, in case of pain and tension in the neck, as well as headache, ringing in the ears, I resort to the following pose:
- I lie on my back, on the bed, head towards the end of the leg (which is backless). I slowly lower my head as I exhale so that my seventh cervical vertebra is located on the edge of the mattress. Thus, my head hangs under its weight, my neck bends and relaxes, my chin is raised. This head hanging position should be short term - only 5-10 seconds.
Feeling some discomfort, or counting to 10, I slowly begin to 'crawl' on the bed inhaling, without lifting the back of the head of the bed, holding onto its edges with my hands.
You should not lift your head suddenly from such a "hanging" position!
Only a slow "crawl" of the head on the bed and stretching the neck at the same time releases the pinched blood vessels and nerves, relieves pain in the neck and head.
After this position, you should lie down in a relaxed state for several minutes.
This stretching of the cervical vertebrae contributes to the deformation of the lower cervical vertebrae.
Relief of headaches and other symptoms
If the symptoms are dominated by a headache that appears suddenly in one half of the head, sometimes with nausea, this indicates a disturbance of the skull joint with the 1st cervical vertebra at the site of the occipital nerve exitwhich innervates half of the head on each side. Therefore, when the occipital nerve is pinched on one side, there is pain in that particular side of the head.
Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders on the background of headaches are observed due to damage to nerve fibers from the spinal node of the 2nd cervical vertebra to the brainstem.
In the event of disorders in the region of the first and second vertebrae, therapeutic muscle relaxation postures are also effective. Doctor of medical sciences, professor, emeritus doctor of the Russian Federation Anatoly Boleslavovich Sitel in his book "Solo for the Spine" suggests the following posture to relieve headaches.
- Sit in a relaxed chair. But at the same time, keep your torso straight. Tilt your head forward as you exhale so that it “hangs” under the influence of its weight. So hold your head for about 10 seconds, then, while inhaling, lift it up and rest for half a minute. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Gentle exercise
For osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and home treatment, you can use the following two gentle exercises to relax the cervical muscles in case of spasm and pain.
You have to sit on a chair, straighten your torso. Put your hands on your knees. The legs are parallel to each other. The pose is relaxed, the breathing is calm.
Inhale and lower the head, touch the sternum with the chin, while pulling the back of the head up. Hold for a few seconds in this position. Then breathe out slowly, lifting your head and shoulders. Do 5-7 of these therapeutic exercises.
The starting position of the second exercise is the same as for the first. In a seated position, lie down with your body on your feet, head on your knees. While inhaling, slowly raise your head, while exhaling, lower it. Repeat 5-7 times.
During exercise, the neck muscles first contract, then relax more easily and quickly.
All exercises should be done slowly and smoothly, that is, you should not make any sudden movements, rush, feel great tension or pain. As soon as you feel uncomfortable, stop exercising and try to relax and unwind.
Internal remedies
At home, in addition to therapeutic exercises to relax and stretch the cervical vertebrae, you can eliminate tension and slight pain in the neck with manual massage or with the help of massagers (after consultation with'a doctor), as well as topical means - thermal procedures (tinctures, rubbing, compresses, a bathtub).
However, it is necessary to know that thermal procedures can be harmful in severe pain and inflammation in the affected area of the spine, as they increase arterial blood flow and slow venous outflow, for exampletherefore, they cause exacerbation of symptoms, increased pain and swelling of tissues.
For local application to spastic muscles, the following freshly prepared solution is used: 15 ml of Dimexide, 15 ml of 0. 5-1% solution of novocaine and 4-6 ml of 50% solution ofanalgin are poured into a cup, where gauze napkins are soaked, folded in 4 layers. The size of the towels should match the painful area.
The wet towel is applied to the appropriate area (the skin is pretreated with alcohol), covered with cellophane and fixed. The procedure takes 1 to 1. 5 hours.
Compresses are done daily for 4-6 days. In case of redness, it is advisable to replace the compress with Dimexide by liniment or Dimexide ointment.
Adherence to an appropriate diet is of great importance in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Prevention
Dear readers, remember that our body is a self-regulating biological system which, if our posture is wrong, signals pain or discomfort.
Take care of your spine! Don't jump out of bed! Turn onto your side first and, leaning on your elbow, slowly stand up.
Do not lift weight in front of you and do not carry weight in one hand! It is better to carry the load with a symmetrical load on both hands (for women - no more than 5 kg in each hand, for men - no more than 12 kg in each hand). And you got to lift the load, sit down a little bit.
Don't do housework or dacha work by leaning upside down! You can wash the floor and weed the beds on your knees or using long tools.