Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and treatment at home are based on the method of self-healing. The method consists in the proper functioning of the patient and the support of self-regulating, self-healing functions of the body to restore nervous and vascular disorders in the cervical spine.
In non-advanced and non-severe cases, the patient can naturally relieve back pain, muscle cramps, dizziness, and other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis without medication. However, for that, it is necessary to know well the structure and natural purpose of the spine and to remember that our body is a system of self-healing that exists according to certain laws of the Universe.
The role of the spine
Before considering the topic: "Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment at home", it is logical to stop at the question: "What role does the spine play in our lives? "
The spine is the skeleton of our skeleton. The head, torso, upper and lower limbs rest on it. In other words, it is the spine that gives our body the shape we normally see.
Attached to the spine are powerful ligaments of connective tissue and many large and small muscles that keep our body upright, and vital internal organs in certain places along the spine.
The normal functions of our internal organs and all body tissues are ensured by a huge number of nerve fibers by transmitting nerve impulses from the lateral parts of the spinal cord.
The spinal cord is located in a well-protected, flexible "sheath" of the spinal canal from external influences. The roots of the spinal nerve exit through the intervertebral foramen of the vertebrae. In the initial part, they are covered with discs and bone structures. The intervertebral discs consist of cartilaginous plates located above and below, the annular fibrosus, and the nucleus pulposus. The thickness of the discs on the cervical vertebrae is very small - only 4 mm.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Healthy, intact intervertebral discs serve as shock absorbers for various loads on the spine (compression, stretching). If due to sudden movements, excessive exertion, prolonged improper posture, spinal injuries or inflammatory processes, the discs are damaged, the vertebral artery is compressed, which passes through the openings of the vertebrae and nerve plexuses coming out of the spinal cord.
The number of electrical impulses going from the spinal cord to the organs and tissues decreases, metabolic processes slow down. It becomes a cause of disease of certain organs as well as a cause of aging of the body.
Symptoms
This explains a number of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which include pain in the neck, occiput, shoulder girdle, heart, liver and stiff neck, occiput, weakness of the arms, legs and vascular disorders.
The manifestation of the disease depends on the location of the disc lesion and the movement of the vertebrae, as well as on 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 based on the results of a comprehensive medical examination.
Once a diagnosis has been made and there is no acute period with edema and inflammation at the site of the intervertebral disc lesion, a self-healing method may be applied.
Method essence:
- in the correct actions of the patient, aimed at eliminating the causes of symptoms of osteochondrosis - compression, displacement of nerve and vascular structures of the spinal cord in connection with destructive changes in the intervertebral discs;
- in support of self-regulating, self-healing bodily functions to restore nerve and vascular disorders in the cervical spine.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, regardless of the cause of the disease, you can read in the article of the same name.
It is impossible to remove the cause of the disease - deformation of the intervertebral discs, however, you can learn to relax the cervical spine and gently stretch the cervical spine to relieve pressure on nerve roots and blood vessels, thereby relieving the symptoms of compression.
The method of self-healing requires personal desire, perseverance, self-discipline and a willingness to gradually change posture, take good care of your spine, relax and stretch your neck every morning and evening, and develop your own system for treating cervical osteochondrosis.
At the same time, always keep in mind that your body is a highly organized system of self-healing that lives according to natural laws. Malfunctions in it occur when you violate these laws, regardless of whether they are ignorant or unwilling to comply with them.
Principles of the method
Before moving on to the method of self-healing with the help of therapeutic exercises, several natural principles of this method should be highlighted.
- It is known that in order to relax a muscle well, you must first tense it. Therefore, many therapeutic exercises developed by manual therapists are based on the principle of tension - relaxation of spasmodic muscles.
- The second principle is the physiological pattern of the combination of tension - muscle relaxation with the phases of breathing. The inhale is tension and the exhale is relaxation. If these principles are followed, the performed exercises will contribute to the proper functioning of the vascular system and will not disturb the regulation of nervous processes.
Personal self-healing system
I will first share my own system of self-healing cervical osteochondrosis.
In addition to "turtle" exercises and relaxation of the shoulder girdle, sitting ("How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine"), which not only relaxes the muscles of the neck and shoulders, but also awakens the healing powers of the body, normalizing the supply of all cells and organs with energy. another position - relaxation of the neck muscles.
However, I want to warn you to be careful when doing this pose! Remember - in the cervical spine there are vertebral arteries and 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 headaches, ringing in the ears, I resort to the following position:
- I am lying on my back, on the bed with my head towards the end of my leg (which is without a back). I slowly lower my head down as I exhale so that my seventh cervical spine is on the edge of the mattress. So my head hangs under the weight, my neck bends and relaxes, my chin is raised. This hanging position of the head should be short-lived - just a few seconds from 5 to 10.
Feeling uncomfortable or counting to 10, I slowly start “crawling” around the bed inhaling, not lifting the back of my head off the bed, holding on to its edges with my hands.
You must not lift your head abruptly from such a "hanging" position!
Just a slow "creep" of the head on the bed and at the same time stretching the neck releases constricted veins and nerves, relieves pain in the neck and head.
After this position you should lie in a relaxed state for a few minutes.
This stretching of the cervical spine helps with deformity of the lower cervical spine.
Relieve headaches and other symptoms
If the symptoms are dominated by a headache that appears sharply in one half of the head, sometimes with nausea, this indicates a disorder in the articulation of the skull with the 1st cervical vertebra at the exit site of the occipital nerve innervating half of the head on each side. Therefore, when the occipital nerve is tightened on one side, there is pain on that side of the head.
Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders have been observed in the background of headache due to injury of nerve fibers going from the spinal node of the 2nd cervical spine to the brainstem.
In cases of disorders in the area of the first and second vertebrae, therapeutic positions for muscle relaxation are also effective. Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation Anatoly Boleslavovich Sitel in his book "Solo for the spine" suggests the following position for relieving headaches.
- Sit in a relaxed chair. But at the same time keep your torso upright. 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, inhale, lift it and rest for half a minute. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Gentle exercise
For osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment at home, you can use the following two gentle exercises to relax the cervical muscles in case of cramps 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, breathing calm.
Inhale and lower your head, touching your sternum with your chin, pulling the back of your head up. Hold for a few seconds in this position. Then exhale slowly raising your head and shoulders. Do 5-7 of these therapeutic exercises.
The starting position for the second exercise is the same as in the first exercise. From a sitting position, lie with your body on your feet, your head on your knees. While inhaling, slowly raise your head and exhale, lower it. Repeat 5-7 times.
During exercise, the neck muscles first tense and then relax more easily and quickly.
All exercises should be done slowly and smoothly, that is, you should not make sudden movements, you should not rush, you should not feel strong tension or pain. As soon as you feel uncomfortable, stop exercising and try to relax and rest.
Local Remedies
At home, in addition to therapeutic exercises to relax and stretch the cervical spine, tension and mild neck pain can be removed by hand massage or with the help of a massager (after consulting a doctor), as well as local means - thermal procedures, tinctures, rubbing, compresses, bath).
However, it is important to know that thermal procedures can be harmful in case of severe pain and inflammation in the affected area of the spine, because they increase arterial blood flow and slow down venous outflow, thus causing worsening of symptoms, increased pain and swelling of tissues.
The following freshly prepared solution is used for topical application to spasmodic muscles: 15 ml of Dimexid, 15 ml of 0. 5-1% novocaine solution and 4-6 ml of 50% analgin solution are poured into a cup, where gauze napkins are dipped. , folded in 4 layers. The size of the napkin should match the painful area.
The moistened towel is applied to the appropriate area (the skin is pre-treated with alcohol), covered with cellophane and fixed. The procedure takes 1-1, 5 hours.
Compresses are done daily for 4-6 days. If redness occurs, it is recommended to replace the dressing with Dimexid with liniment or Dimexid ointment.
Adherence to a proper diet is of great importance in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Prevention
Dear readers, remember that our body is a self-regulating biological system that, if our posture is wrong, signals pain or discomfort.
Watch your spine! Don't jump out of bed! First turn on your side and, resting on your elbow, lift slightly.
Do not lift weights in front of you and do not carry weights 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 need to lift the load, sitting down a bit.
Don't do housework or dacha chores, bending upside down! Washing the floor and weeding the bed can be done on your knees or with the help of long tools.