Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and treatment at home are based on the self-healing method. The method consists of the patient's correct actions and the support of the body's self-regulating and self-healing functions to restore nervous and vascular disorders of the cervical spine.
In non-advanced and non-severe cases, the patient can naturally relieve back pain, muscle spasms, dizziness and other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis naturally and without medication. However, for this it is necessary to know well the structure and the natural purpose of the spine and remember that our body is a self-healing system that exists according to certain laws of the Universe.
The role of the spine
Before considering the theme: "Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment at home", it is logical to insist on the question: "What is the role of the spine in our life? "
The spine is the skeleton of our skeleton. The head, torso, upper and lower limbs are supported on it. In other words, it is the spine that gives our body the shape we normally see.
Attached to the spine are powerful connective tissue ligaments and many large and small muscles that keep our bodies upright and vital internal organs at certain points along the spine.
The normal functions of our internal organs and all tissues in the body are provided 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 against external influences. Spinal nerve roots emerge through the intervertebral foramen of the vertebrae. In the initial part, they are covered by disks and bone structures. Intervertebral discs consist of cartilaginous plaques located above and below, a fibrous ring and a pulpal nucleus. 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 incorrect posture, spinal injuries or inflammatory processes, the discs are damaged, the vertebral artery is compressed, which passes through the openings of the vertebrae and the nervous plexuses that come out of the spinal cord.
The number of electrical impulses that go from the spinal cord to organs and tissues decreases, metabolic processes slow down. This becomes the cause of the disease of certain organs, as well as the cause of the aging of the body.
Symptoms
This is what explains the many symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which include pain in the neck, neck, shoulder girdle, heart, liver and stiff neck, neck, weakness in 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 nervous plexus.
Therefore, the health of our body depends on the health of the spine.
Self-healing treatment
I would just like to warn you that the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is established by a neurologist or chiropractor based on the results of a comprehensive medical examination.
When the diagnosis is established and there is no acute period with edema and inflammation at the site of the intervertebral disc injury, a self-healing method can be applied.
Essence of the method:
- in the patient's correct actions, aiming to eliminate the cause of osteochondrosis symptoms - compression, displacement of the nerve and vascular structures of the spinal cord in connection with destructive changes in the intervertebral discs;
- in supporting the body's self-regulating and self-healing functions to restore nervous and vascular disorders in the cervical spine.
How to treat cervical spine osteochondrosis, acting independently in the cause of the disease, is found in the article of the same name.
It is impossible to eliminate the cause of the disease - deformation of the intervertebral discs; however, you can learn to relax the cervical spine and gently stretch the neck vertebrae to relieve pressure on nerve roots and blood vessels, thereby alleviating the symptoms of compression.
The self-healing method requires personal desire, perseverance, self-discipline and a readiness to gradually change your posture, take good care of your spine, relax and stretch your neck every morning and night and develop your own system to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
At the same time, always remember that your body is a highly organized self-healing system that lives according to natural laws. Failures in it occur when you break these laws, no matter what the reason, either by ignoring them or by not wanting to comply with them.
Principles of the method
Before proceeding with the self-healing method with the help of therapeutic exercises, one must observe several natural principles of this method.
- It is known that to relax a muscle well, it is necessary to first tension it. Therefore, many therapeutic exercises developed by manual therapists are based on the principle of tension - relaxation of spasmodic muscles.
- Another principle is the physiological pattern of the tension-muscle relaxation combination with respiratory phases. Breathing in is tension and breathing out is relaxation. If these principles are observed, the exercises performed will contribute to the proper functioning of the circulatory system and will not interrupt the regulation of nervous processes.
Personal self-healing system
First, I'm going to share my own self-healing system for cervical osteochondrosis.
In addition to the exercises "turtle" and relaxation of the shoulder girdle, sit ("How to treat cervical spine osteochondrosis"), which not only relax the muscles of the neck and shoulders, but also awaken the healing powers of the body, normalizing theenergy supply of all cells and organs, I use one more position - relaxation of the neck muscles.
However, I want to warn you about the care when doing this pose! Remember - in the cervical spine are the vertebral artery and the nerve plexuses that go to the brain!
As in my case, the disks of the 5th, 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae are deformed, in case of pain and tension in the neck, in addition to headache, ringing in the ears, I use the following posture:
- I lie on my back, in bed, with my head turned towards the tip of my leg (which has no back). I slowly lower my head as I exhale so that my seventh cervical vertebra is located on the edge of the mattress. So my head hangs under its weight, my neck bends and relaxes, my chin is raised. This overhead position should be short-term - just 5 to 10 seconds.
Feeling uncomfortable, or counting to 10, I slowly start to "crawl" on the bed while inhaling, without lifting the back of the bed, holding the ends with my hands.
You must not raise your head sharply from this "hanging" position!
Just a slow “crawling” from the head to the bed and stretching the neck, at the same time, releases blood vessels and pinched nerves, relieves pain in the neck and head.
After this position, you need to lie down relaxed for several minutes.
This elongation of the neck vertebrae helps with deformities of the lower cervical vertebrae.
Relief of headaches and other symptoms
If the symptoms are dominated by a headache that arises sharply in one half of the head, sometimes with nausea, this indicates a disturbance in the skull joint with the 1st cervical vertebra at the exit site of the occipital nerve that innervates halfof the head on each side. Therefore, when the occipital nerve is compressed on one side, there is pain on that specific side of the head.
Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders in the context of headache are observed due to the violation of nerve fibers that go from the spinal node of the 2nd cervical vertebra to the brain stem.
In cases of disorders in the region of the first and second vertebrae, therapeutic muscle relaxation postures 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 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 your weight. So, hold your head for about 10 seconds. Then, while breathing in, lift it up and rest for half a minute. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Gentle exercise
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment at home, you can use the following two gentle exercises to relax your cervical muscles in case of spasm and pain.
You need to sit in a chair, straighten your torso. Place your hands on your knees. The legs are parallel to each other. The posture is relaxed, the breathing is calm.
Inhale and lower your head, touch the sternum with your chin, while pulling the back of your head up. Hold for a few seconds in this position. Then exhale slowly, lifting your head and shoulders. Do 5 to 7 of these therapeutic exercises.
The starting position for the second exercise is the same as the first. While seated, lie with your body on your feet and your head on your knees. As you inhale, slowly raise your head, while exhaling, lower it. Repeat 5-7 times.
During exercise, the neck muscles first become tense, 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 be in a hurry, you should not feel too much tension or pain. As soon as you feel uncomfortable, stop exercising and try to relax and unwind.
Local resources
At home, in addition to therapeutic exercises to relax and stretch the cervical vertebrae, tension and mild pain in the neck can be eliminated with manual massage or with the help of massagers (after consulting the doctor), as well astopical means - thermal procedures (dyes, friction, compresses, bath).
However, it is necessary to know that thermal procedures can harm in case of severe pain and inflammation in the affected area of the spine, as they increase the flow of arterial blood and delay the venous flow, therefore, cause exacerbation of symptoms, increasethe pain and swelling of the tissues.
For topical application to spasmodic muscles, the following freshly prepared solution is used: 15 ml of Dimexide, 15 ml of a solution of 0, 5-1% novocaine and 4-6 ml of a solution of analgin at 50% are poured into a glass where gauze napkins are dipped, folded into 4 layers. The size of the napkins should match the painful area.
The moistened napkin is applied to the appropriate area (the skin is pre-treated with alcohol), covered with cellophane and fixed. The procedure takes 1 to 1. 5 hours.
Compressions are done daily for 4-6 days. If redness occurs, it is advisable to replace the compress with Dimexide with liniment or ointment Dimexide.
Adherence to an adequate 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 column! Don't jump out of bed! First, turn on your side and, supporting yourself on your elbow, lift yourself up gently.
Do not lift weights in front of you and do not carry weights in one hand! It is best to carry the load with a symmetrical load in 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, sit for a while.
Do not do household chores or dacha jobs by bending upside down! Washing the floor and weeding the beds can be done on your knees or with the help of long tools.