A common disease is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which manifests itself in people of all ages, and especially among the working population aged 30 to 50. Some people suffer from this disease, sometimes oblivious to the cause of the ailments, since degenerative changes in the cervical spine occur imperceptibly. Timely treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will bring the person back to excellent health and restore him to health in the future.
Symptoms and signs of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis at the onset of the disease may not appear at all. The disease is already felt in a neglected form with frequent pain in the head and neck when moving. When there is a violation of cerebral circulation in cervical osteochondrosis, a person has the following symptoms:
- regular headaches;
- violation of the sensitivity of the facial muscles;
- increased fatigue;
- noise in the head;
- ringing in the ears;
- high blood pressure;
- loss of coordination;
- frequent dizziness;
- wobbly gait.
If osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae takes a chronic form, the pain is permanent and head movements are difficult due to tension in the muscles of the neck. The patient begins to suffer from cervical migraine, and the headache is sometimes accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and even loss of consciousness. If cervical osteochondrosis is not treated in time, the person may be accompanied by pharyngeal symptoms: difficulty swallowing, a feeling of dry throat, itching and tickling. Over time, this disease can lead to a herniated disc.
Methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes a whole range of tools and methods aimed at eliminating pain and combating the inflammatory process in the tissues. One effective method is daily exercise for flexibility in the spine. As a rule, an individual exercise program is selected by the doctor after diagnosis by MRI or CT scan and evaluation of the stage of the disease. Let's see how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated.
Drugs: pills, drugs and injections
Drug treatment is already prescribed at the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis. If the first pain can be taken away with a regular anesthetic pill, later it won't help. Medical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out with new generation chondroprotectors - drugs that stimulate the restoration of cartilage tissue in the spine. The best therapeutic effect is provided by a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Treatment with these drugs can last for several months after admission, after which the mobility of the cervical spine improves.
But if you need acute pain relief from cervical osteochondrosis, doctors will prescribe novocaine blockage or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are ointments, capsules, tablets and injections that quickly improve the general condition of the patient. But if chondroprotectors do not have contraindications even with prolonged use, NSAIDs have serious ones, so their use should be agreed with the attending physician.
Local remedies: gels and ointments
To quickly anesthetize the cervical spine with osteochondrosis, special gels or ointments will help, which will begin to act 10 minutes after application. There are several types:
- Regenerating, helping to restore damaged cartilage tissue between vertebrae.
- Anti-inflammatory, based on non-steroidal substances, eliminating pain.
- Analgesics that affect nerve endings, quickly reducing pain.
- Massage ointments.
Manual therapy
The oldest method, but no less effective than modern methods of treating osteochondrosis, is manual therapy. Specialists have developed many techniques that have a beneficial effect on the vertebrae, tissues and joints in the affected area. Only a chiropractor should be a good specialist in his field, so as not to lead the patient to a wheelchair. The main methods of manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are:
segmental massage- which relieves muscle tension;
- manipulation of joint performance recovery, accompanied by their tightening; Mobilization
- , restoration of damaged joints by stretching them.
Acupuncture
With the help of acupuncture, you can not only eliminate the symptoms of pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but also cure it completely. The needle technique came to Russian medicine from the East. Chinese sages, guided by philosophy and knowledge of the human body, learned to regulate the energy of the body with the help of metal needles. The acupuncture procedure is now recognized by doctors as an extremely effective method of combating osteochondrosis.
But before resorting to acupuncture, you should consult a doctor, because this procedure is not suitable for everyone. You cannot use this technique:
- in the presence of infectious diseases;
- pregnancy;
- any tumor;
- diseases of the skin or blood;
- old age or infancy.
Homeopathic remedies
Cervical osteochondrosis is successfully treated with homeopathy. Homeopathic preparations contain useful trace elements and biologically active substances. They fully correspond to the concentration of vitamins and minerals in the human body. Homeopathic preparations contain plant extracts, herbal extracts taken from environmentally friendly samples and most importantly, they are completely natural. The principle of their action in osteochondrosis:
- Activates the immune system.
- Restore cartilage tissue.
- Improves blood circulation in the neck area.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home
A complex treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is now possible. It is quite possible to improve health and relieve pain symptoms on your own if you adhere to a proper diet and lead an active lifestyle. The daily diet for cervical osteochondrosis should contain foods that promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue, including:
- legumes, cereals, vegetables, fruits;
- containing proteins: nuts, eggs, lean poultry, fish;
- unsaturated fatty acids: linseed, fatty sea fish;
- foods rich in calcium: milk, cottage cheese, leafy vegetables.
Massage and self-massage
Successful home treatment is carried out with massage or self-massage. This procedure releases tension by relaxing the tight muscles in the neck. After the massage, blood circulation in the intervertebral discs improves, which quickly relieves the patient. The self-massage procedure is performed while seated and is carried out by rubbing, stroking and kneading movements on the back of the head. But to get a better effect, it is better to invite a qualified massage therapist.
Wellness gymnastics
Restorative gymnastics has no less effect than drug treatment of osteochondrosis and is the basis for healing. The exercises won't take long, especially since they are easy to do at home. Gymnastics are aimed at relieving pain associated with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, stretching ligaments and relaxing the muscles of the neck. But you should do the exercises only after consulting a doctor and very carefully so as not to harm the body.
Recipes of traditional medicine
When asked how to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home, as a rule, folk remedies are intended. Herbal treatment is economical, effective and, most importantly, safe. It is not necessary to buy expensive pain relievers, which can also have negative side effects. Natural remedies for traditional medicine that help with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine include:
- Horseradish leaves. You need to tie the sheet to the back of your neck and fix it overnight. By morning, the pain will be gone.
- Potatoes. It should be rubbed with honey in the same proportion so that the mixture looks like an ointment in consistency. Use the product as a compress at least once a week.
- Vodka-based compresses (1 l) with the addition of freshly squeezed aloe juice (1 tbsp), mustard powder (1 tbsp) and propolis (50 g) are effective. The mixture is impregnated with a fabric and applied to the neck, fixing with a woolen cloth, the procedure is carried out 1-2 times a week at night.
Methods of disease prevention
It is easier to prevent osteochondrosis than to treat it for a long time. Prevention includes maintaining posture, fitness exercises, exercise equipment, running walking, yoga, swimming. It is necessary to sit correctly at the table and at the computer, you can not tilt your head back for a long time or tilt it when lifting weights. When writing or reading, it is not recommended to lean low on the surface of the table, and it is advisable to use an orthopedic pillow while sleeping.