A common disease is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which manifests itself in people of any age, especially in the active population aged 30 to 50 years. Some people suffer from this disease, sometimes without knowing the cause of the illness, because the degenerative changes in the cervical spine occur imperceptibly. Timely treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will ensure that the person is in excellent health and will bring health in the future.
Symptoms and signs of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis at the onset of the disease may not even appear. The disease is already felt neglected, with frequent head and neck pain when moving. When there is a violation of brain circulation with cervical osteochondrosis, a person has the following symptoms:
- regular headaches;
- violation of sensitivity of facial muscles;
- increased fatigue;
- noise in the head;
- ringing in the ears;
- high blood pressure;
- loss of coordination;
- frequent dizziness;
- wobbly march.
If the osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae takes on a chronic form, the pain will be permanent and any movement of the head will be difficult due to the tension in the neck muscles. The patient begins to suffer from cervical migraines, 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 experience pharyngeal symptoms: difficulty swallowing, feeling dry, itchy and tickling. Over time, this disease can cause herniated discs.
Methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes a whole range of means and methods that aim to eliminate pain and fight the inflammatory process in the tissues. An effective method is daily exercise for spine flexibility. As a rule, an individual exercise program is selected by the doctor after diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography and assessment of the stage of the disease. Let's see how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated.
Medication: pills, medications and injections
Drug therapy is prescribed at the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis. If the first pain can be eliminated with a regular anesthetic pill, later it will not help anymore. The medical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out with new generation chondroprotectors - drugs that stimulate the restoration of the cartilaginous tissue of the spine. The best therapeutic effect is provided by a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. The course of treatment with these drugs can last for several months after hospitalization, after which the mobility of the cervical spine improves.
But if you need to relieve acute pain in cervical osteochondrosis, doctors prescribe a blockade of novocaine or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are ointments, capsules, pills and injections that quickly improve the general condition of the patient. But if chondroprotectors are not contraindicated even with prolonged use, then NSAIDs are serious, so their use must necessarily be agreed with the attending physician.
Local remedies: gels and ointments
To quickly anesthetize the cervical spine in the case of osteochondrosis, special gels or ointments that start to act 10 minutes after application can help. There are several types of them:
- Regenerating, allowing to restore damaged cartilage tissue between the vertebrae.
- Anti-inflammatory, based on non-steroidal substances, eliminates pain.
- Painkillers 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. Experts have developed many techniques that have a beneficial effect on the vertebrae, tissues and joints in the affected area. Only the chiropractor should be a good specialist in his field, so as not to take the patient to a wheelchair. The main methods of manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are:
- segmental massage that relieves muscle tension; recovery manipulation
- joint action, accompanied by its crisis;
- mobilization, restoring damaged joints, stretching them.
Acupuncture
With the help of acupuncture, you can not only remove the symptoms of pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but also cure it completely. The needle technique reached Russian medicine in the East. Chinese sages, guided by philosophy and knowledge of the human body, learned to regulate the body's energy using metal needles. The acupuncture procedure is now recognized by doctors as an extremely effective method of fighting osteochondrosis.
But before resorting to acupuncture, you need to consult a doctor, as this procedure is not suitable for everyone. You cannot use this technique:
- in the presence of infectious diseases;
- pregnancy;
- any tumor;
- skin or blood disorders;
- 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 plant extracts, herbal extracts taken from ecological samples and, most importantly, are completely natural. The principle of its action in osteochondrosis:
- Activates the immune system.
- Restores the 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 perfectly possible to achieve better health and relieve pain symptoms on your own, if you stick to the right diet and lead an active lifestyle. The daily diet for cervical osteochondrosis should contain foods that promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue, which include:
- vegetables, grains, vegetables, fruits;
- containing proteins: nuts, eggs, lean poultry, fish;
- unsaturated fatty acids: flax seed, oily marine fish;
- calcium-rich foods: milk, cottage cheese, leafy vegetables.
Massage and self-massage
Successful home treatments are performed with massage or self-massage. This procedure releases tension by relaxing the tight neck muscles. After the massage, blood circulation in the intervertebral discs improves, which provides quick relief to the patient. The self-massage procedure is performed sitting down and is performed with movements of friction, caress and kneading on the back of the head. But for a greater effect, it is better to invite a qualified massage therapist.
Wellness gym
Corrective gymnastics has no less effect than drug treatment of osteochondrosis and is the basis for recovery. Exercises do not take long, mainly because they are easy to do at home. Gymnastics aims to relieve pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, stretching the ligaments and relaxing the neck muscles. But you only need to do the exercises after consulting the doctor and being very careful not to harm the body.
Prescriptions for traditional medicines
When asked how to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home, they usually refer to folk remedies. Herbal treatment is economical, effective and, most importantly - safe. There is no need to buy expensive pain relief 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 neck and fix it overnight. In the morning, the pain will be gone.
- Potatoes. It should be rubbed with honey in the same proportion so that the mixture has the consistency of an ointment. Use the product as a compress at least once a week.
- Compresses made from vodka (1 l) with the addition of freshly squeezed aloe juice (1 tablespoon), powdered mustard (1 tablespoon) and propolis (50 g) are effective. The mixture is impregnated with a tissue and applied to the neck, fixing 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 adherence to posture, physical exercise, fitness equipment, athletic walking, yoga, swimming. It is necessary to sit correctly at the table and the computer, you cannot throw your head back for a long time or bend over when lifting weights. When writing or reading, it is not recommended to bend over the table surface and it is advisable to use an orthopedic pillow while sleeping.