A common disease is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which manifests itself in people of any age, especially among the able-bodied population of 30 to 50 years. Some people suffer from this disease, sometimes unaware of the cause of the discomfort, because degenerative changes in the cervical spine occur imperceptibly. Timely treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will return the person to excellent health and provide him with health in the future.
Symptoms and signs of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis may not appear at all at the beginning of the disease. The disease is already felt in a neglected form with frequent pains in the head and neck when moving. When there is a violation of cerebral circulation with cervical osteochondrosis, the person has the following symptoms:
- regular headaches;
- violation of facial muscle sensitivity;
- increased fatigue;
- noise in the head;
- ringing in ears;
- high blood pressure;
- loss of coordination;
- frequent dizziness;
- wobbly walk.
If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine takes a chronic form, the pain is permanent and the head movements are difficult due to the tension of the neck muscles. 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, then the person may be accompanied by throat symptoms: difficulty swallowing, a feeling of dryness in the throat, itching and tickling. Over time, this disease can lead to a herniated disc.
Methods for treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes a number of tools and methods aimed at eliminating pain and combating the inflammatory process in the tissues. An effective method is daily exercise for spine flexibility. As a rule, the individual exercise program is selected by the doctor after diagnosis by MRI or computed tomography and assessment of the stage of the disease. Let's see how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated.
Medications: tablets, medications and injections
Drug therapy is prescribed at the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis. If the first pain can be removed with an ordinary anesthetic tablet, it will not help later. Medical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is performed with new generation chondroprotectors - drugs that stimulate the renewal of cartilage tissue in the spine. The combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate provides the best therapeutic effect. The course of treatment with these drugs can be several months of reception, after which the mobility of the cervical spine improves.
But if you need to relieve acute pain in cervical osteochondrosis, then doctors prescribe novocaine blockade or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are ointments, capsules, tablets and injections that quickly improve the general condition of the patient. But if chondroprotectors have no contraindications even with prolonged use, NSAIDs are serious, so their use must be agreed with the doctor.
Local remedies: gels and ointments
For quick anesthesia of the cervical spine in case of osteochondrosis, special gels or ointments that start to work 10 minutes after application will help. There are several types:
- It is regenerated, allowing the repair of damaged cartilage tissue between the vertebrae.
- Anti-inflammatory, based on non-steroidal substances, removes pain.
- Pain relievers that affect nerve endings, quickly dampening pain.
- Massage ointments.
Manual therapy
The oldest, but no less effective method than modern methods of treating osteochondrosis, is manual therapy. Experts have developed many techniques that have a beneficial effect on the vertebrae, tissues and joints of the affected area. Only a chiropractor should be a good expert in his field, so as not to take the patient to a wheelchair. The main methods of manual therapy of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are:
- segmental massage that relieves muscle tension;
- recovery manipulation joint performance, followed by their contraction;
- mobilization, repairing damaged joints by stretching.
Acupuncture
With acupuncture, you can not only eliminate the symptoms of pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but also completely cure them. Needle technique came to Russian medicine from the East. The wise Chinese, guided by the philosophy and knowledge of the human body, learned to regulate the energy in the body using metal needles. Doctors today recognize the acupuncture procedure as an extremely effective method of fighting osteochondrosis.
But before you turn 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;
- skin or blood diseases;
- old age or childhood.
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 herbal extracts, herbal extracts taken from environmentally friendly samples, and most importantly, they are completely natural. The principle of their action in osteochondrosis:
- Activate the immune system.
- Restore cartilage tissue.
- Improves blood circulation in the neck area.
How to cure cervical osteochondrosis at home
Complex treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is now possible. It is quite possible to achieve better health and alleviate the symptoms of pain if you adhere to a proper diet and lead an active lifestyle. The daily diet for cervical osteochondrosis should include foods that promote cartilage tissue regeneration, which includes:
- legumes, cereals, vegetables, fruits;
- containing proteins: nuts, eggs, lean poultry, fish;
- unsaturated fatty acids: flaxseed, fatty sea fish;
- calcium-rich foods: milk, cottage cheese, leafy vegetables.
Massage and self-massage
Successful home treatment is carried out by massage or self-massage. This procedure relieves tension by relaxing the narrow muscles of the neck. After the massage, the blood circulation on the intervertebral discs improves, which provides the patient with quick relief. The self-massage procedure is performed sitting, and is performed by rubbing, stroking and kneading movements in the back of the head. But in order to achieve a greater effect, it is better to call a qualified massage therapist.
Wellness gymnastics
Rehabilitation gymnastics has no less effect than treating osteochondrosis with medication and is the basis of recovery. Exercises will not take you much time, especially since they are easy to do at home. Gymnastics is aimed at relieving pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, stretching the ligaments and relaxing the neck muscles. But you need to do the exercises only after consulting a doctor and very carefully so as not to harm the body.
Recipes of traditional medicine
The question of how to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home, usually refers to folk remedies. Herbal treatment is economical, efficient and most importantly - safe. There is no need to buy expensive pain medications, 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 attach the sheet to the back of the door and fix it overnight. By morning the pain will be gone.
- Potatoes. It should be rubbed with honey in the same ratio so that the mixture resembles fat in consistency. Use the product as a compress at least once a week.
- Vodka compresses (1 l) with the addition of freshly squeezed aloe juice (1 tablespoon), mustard powder (1 tablespoon) and propolis (50 g) are effective. The mixture is impregnated with a cloth and applied to the neck, fixing it with a woolen cloth, the procedure is performed 1-2 times a week at night.
Disease prevention methods
It is easier to prevent osteochondrosis than to treat it for a long time. Prevention includes body posture, fitness exercises, exercise equipment, jogging, yoga, swimming. It is necessary to sit properly at the table and computer, you can not tilt your head for a long time or lean when lifting weights. When writing or reading, it is not recommended to bend low over the table surface, and it is advisable to use an orthopedic pillow during sleep.