Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease in which pain occurs not only in the cervical region, but also in the head, shoulder joints, cerebral circulation is disturbed. Contrary to the opinion that this disease is only for the elderly, more and more young people turn to specialists with a sore neck. It's all in the lifestyle that most people lead. Working at the computer, bad posture, slouching, an uncomfortable bed, all of this is what causes cervical osteochondrosis to develop. Treatment at home is possible in the initial stage of the disease, if you know the cause of its occurrence.
Causes and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Sedentary lifestyle, working on a computer;
- Irregular metabolism;
- Accumulation of salt between the vertebrae;
- Unbalanced diet;
- Heredity;
- Cervical injuries;
- Irregular work of hormones.
Before looking for ways to cure osteochondrosis neck, you need to know the symptoms of osteochondrosis pain. In order to correctly determine the symptoms, it is worth knowing that the vertebral artery, one of the largest vital vessels, passes through the cervical region. Through it, the brain is fed with all the necessary substances. The curvature of the intervertebral discs, which at the same time causes strong feelings of pain, is called osteochondrosis. In the beginning, this disease of the joints and spine is almost impossible to detect, because this disease develops gradually, and the pain appears already at the moment when the space between the vertebrae is compressed to the extent that the nerve endings of the spine are affected. . This implies a violation of cerebral circulation. Only at this moment do the first symptoms appear:
- First of all, there is pain in the neck area;
- He is often disturbed by dizziness and headache, especially during movement;
- There is weakness in the arms and legs, movement coordination is disturbed;
- Also, the symptom can be ringing, tinnitus;
- Sudden mood swings;
- Violation of the digestive tract and urinary processes in the body.
If you do not consult a specialist in the early stages of the development of osteochondrosis, there may be more serious problems with the spine, up to curvature.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
There are several ways to treat osteochondrosis of the neck. Each patient suffering from this disease will find a suitable method for pain relief, it all depends on how severe the stage of the disease is. For example, dizziness in osteochondrosis of the cervical region can be cured with compresses according to folk recipes. It is important to remember that any treatment should be carried out comprehensively.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine, with the correct application of prescriptions, can effectively relieve symptoms. Herbal infusions and decoctions, whose action is aimed at relieving inflammation, help you cope with the disease well, here are some of them:
- Decoction of needles. Pour boiling water over the pine needles, let it cook, eat the resulting porridge twice a day or drink the infusion, this will help eliminate the cause of the headache;
- Ginger garlic compress. Mix garlic and ginger root in equal proportions, add a little butter. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected area. If ginger is only in the form of a spice, you can add a spoonful of powder, the effect will be the same;
- Finely grated potatoes mixed with honeyone by one, put the obtained mass on a cloth for a compress, attach it to the focus of pain and leave it overnight;
- horseradish leafdip in boiling water, then attach the plant to the neck, the water can also be used for poultices.
Also, don't forget essential oils and herbs, which in combination with alcohol give excellent warming rubs. Within a week of home treatment, the inflammatory processes should subside, if this does not happen, contact a specialist immediately.
Operation
The operation is a rather long and complex process, so this method of treatment is used in the most extreme cases and only when other methods are ineffective.
The decision on the need for surgery is made by a doctor who treats osteochondrosis - a neurosurgeon. Only after the diagnosis, all tests and examinations, as well as checking the patient's blood vessels, does the preparation for the operation begin. Surgery is often required when the intervertebral disc is destroyed. If possible, it is better to use other methods.
Medical therapy
In this disease, the treatment depends on the severity. The main function of the drug is an analgesic effect. Everything depends on the degree of development of the disease, specialists in medical institutions prescribe certain drugs:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs that effectively fight pain and inflammation;
- Corticosteroid medications also help reduce pain;
- Muscle relaxants are great for relieving muscle spasms;
- Anticonvulsants are taken for pain due to the development of neuroticism;
- Warming and anti-inflammatory ointments, gels.
Physiotherapy
In order to avoid cervical osteochondrosis and ankylosing spondylitis, it is recommended to perform the following exercises:
- Lying on the floor, put one hand on your stomach, the other on your chest, slowly inhale and exhale at least ten times. The essence of the exercise is that the body must be relaxed;
- This exercise is also performed lying on the floor, but now on the stomach. With your hands in front of you, slowly begin to lift your head, then your torso, straining your muscles, while your hands rest on the floor. So you have to stand for a minute and a half. Run 4 approaches;
- Position - sitting on a chair, back straight. Tilt your head forward, trying to reach your chest with your chin. Then throw your head back as far as possible. Repeat 15 times.
A set of exercises is performed very carefully, all movements should be smooth without sudden movements, if an exercise causes discomfort or pain, you do not need to continue its implementation with full force.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy allows patients to strengthen neck and back muscles, correct the position of each vertebra and work on their stretching with the help of special exercises. Working with light weights improves nerve conduction in the spinal canal. A complete course of exercises allows you to recover faster.
Massage for cervical osteochondrosis
Massage is good because even in a severe stage of the disease, it can be performed with gentle movements, you don't even have to go anywhere, you can always invite a specialist to your home. Typically, a chiropractor adheres to the following principles:
- No force is applied, the movements should be soft and not sharp;
- The movements start from the spine;
- Massage is performed only with fingers, without pressure.
Before the massage session, the skin is lubricated with a special oil. Some experts resort to shopping, believing that they improve blood circulation. Massage is prescribed both during remission and during exacerbation, because it is an excellent preventive measure. One hour of daily sessions is enough.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home
It is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home. You can only prevent the progression of the disease and stop painful syndromes. This is due to the fact that osteochondrosis is a chronic disease, in some cases it may worsen, it is impossible to completely get rid of it. Therefore, the question of how to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home is a bit inaccurate.
Therefore, it is possible to implement only preventive measures for the recurrence of the disease. To do this, you must regularly perform exercises, move more, not sit still for a long time, use orthopedic pillows and a mattress. You should also avoid stressful situations and give up bad habits.