The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and treatment at home are based on a method of self-medication. The method consists in the correct actions of the patient and the support of the self-regulating, self-healing functions of the body for the restoration of nervous and vascular disorders in the cervical vertebrae.
In mild and mild cases, the patient can naturally relieve back pain, muscle spasms, dizziness, and other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis without medication. For this, however, 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, which exists according to certain laws of the universe.
The role of the spine
Before we look at the topic: "Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment at home", it is logical to focus on 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 are supported on it. In other words, the spine gives our body the shape we usually see.
Attached to the spine are powerful connective tissue connections 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 provided 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 "shell" of the spinal canal from external influences. The roots of the spinal nerve protrude through the intervertebral foramina. In the initial part they are covered with discs and bone structures. The intervertebral discs consist of cartilaginous plates located above and below, annular fibrosis and a pulpal nucleus. The thickness of the discs in the cervical vertebrae is very small - only 4 mm.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Sturdy, 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 passing through the openings of the vertebrae and the nerve plexuses leaving the spinal cord are compressed.
The number of electrical impulses passing 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 aging of the body.
Symptoms
This explains the numerous symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which include pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder girdle, heart, liver and stiff neck, back of the head, weakness of the arms, legs and vascular disorders.
The onset of the disease depends on the location of the disc lesions and the displacement 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-medication
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.
When the diagnosis is established and there is no acute period with swelling and inflammation at the site of the intervertebral disc lesion, a self-medication method may be used.Nature of the method:
- in the correct actions of the patient aimed at eliminating the cause of the symptoms of osteochondrosis - compression, displacement of the nervous and vascular structures of the spinal cord in connection with destructive changes in the intervertebral discs;
- in support of self-regulating, self-healing functions of the body to restore nerve and vascular disorders in the cervical spine.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, independently acting on the cause of the disease, you can read in the article of the same name.
It is impossible to eliminate the cause of the disease - deformity of the intervertebral discs, but you can learn to relax the cervical vertebrae and gently stretch the vertebrae of the neck to relieve pressure on nerve roots and blood vessels, thus relievingsymptoms of compression.
The method of self-treatment requires personal desire, perseverance, self-discipline and willingness to gradually change your posture, take good care of your spine, relax and stretch your neck every morning and evening and develop your own system for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. .
At the same time, always remember that your body is a highly organized system of self-healing that lives by the laws of nature. Failures in it occur when you violate these laws, no matter why, due to their ignorance or unwillingness to comply.
Principles of the method
Before embarking on the method of self-treatment with the help of therapeutic exercises, several natural principles of this method should be noted.
- It is known that in order to relax a muscle well, you must first tense it. That is why many therapeutic exercises developed by chiropractors are based on the principle of tension - relaxation of spasmodic muscles.
- Another principle is the physiological model of the combination of tension - muscle relaxation with respiratory phases. Inhalation is tension and exhalation is relaxation. If these principles are followed, the exercises performed will contribute to the proper functioning of the circulatory system and will not disrupt the regulation of nervous processes.
Personal self-medication system
First, I will share my own self-medication system for 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 energy supply ofall cells and organs, I use 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 are the spinal artery 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 area, as well as headache, ringing in the ears, I resort to the following posture:
- I lie on my back, on the bed with my head towards the end of my leg (which is without my back). I slowly lower my head as I exhale so that my seventh cervical vertebra is on the edge of the mattress. So my head hangs under its weight, my neck bends and relaxes, my chin is raised. This hanging position of the head should be short - just a few seconds from 5 to 10.
Feeling uncomfortable or counting to 10, I slowly start crawling on the bed as I inhale, without lifting my back from the bed, holding on to the edges with my hands.
You should not lift your head abruptly from such a "hanging" position!
Only the slow "crawling" of the head on the bed and at the same time stretching the neck releases the pinched vessels and nerves, relieves pain in the neck and head.
After this position you should lie down for a few minutes.
This stretching of the cervical vertebrae helps with deformities of the lower cervical vertebrae.
Relieve headaches and other symptoms
If the symptoms are dominated by a headache that appears abruptly in one half of the head, sometimes with nausea, this indicates a disturbance in the articulation of the skull with the 1st cervical vertebra at the base of the occipital nerve, which innervates half of the head. each side. Therefore, when the occipital nerve is compressed on one side, there is pain in that particular side of the head.
Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders on the background of headache are observed due to a violation of the nerve fibers passing from the spinal node of the 2nd cervical vertebra to the brainstem.
In cases of disorders of the first and second vertebrae, therapeutic postures for muscle relaxation are also effective. Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Honored Physician of the Russian Federation Anatoly Boleslavovich Sitel in his book "Solo for the spine" offers the following pose 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 its weight. So hold your head for about 10 seconds. Then, while inhaling, 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 neck muscles in case of spasm 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 posture is relaxed, breathing is calm.
Inhale and lower your head, touching your 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 5-7 of these therapeutic exercises.
The starting position for the second exercise is the same as for the first. From a sitting position, lie down with your body on your feet, with your head on your knees. As you inhale, slowly raise your head as you exhale, lower it. Repeat 5-7 times.
During the exercise, the neck muscles first tense up, then relax more easily and quickly.
All exercises should be performed slowly and smoothly, ie you should not make sudden movements, do not rush, do not feel strong tension or pain. As soon as you feel uncomfortable, stop training and try to relax and unwind.
Local Remedies
At home, in addition to therapeutic exercises to relax and stretch the cervical spine, you can eliminate tension and mild pain in the neck with manual massage or with the help of massagers (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, as they increase arterial blood flow and slow venous outflow, causing exacerbation of symptoms, increase pain and swelling of tissues.
For topical application to spasmodic muscles, the following freshly prepared solution is used: 15 ml of dimexid, 15 ml of 0. 5-1% novocaine solution and 4-6 ml of 50% analgin solution are poured into a glass where gauze is dipped. napkins folded in 4 layers. The size of the wipes should correspond to the painful area.
The wet napkin is applied to the appropriate place (the skin is pre-treated with alcohol), covered with cellophane and fixed. The procedure takes 1-1, 5 hours.
Compresses are made daily for 4-6 days. If redness occurs, it is advisable to replace the compress 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.
Take care of your spine! Don't jump out of bed! First turn to the side and, leaning on your elbow, carefully rise.
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 have to lift the load by sitting for a while.
Don't do housework or dacha work with your head down! Washing the floor and weeding the beds can be done on your knees or with the help of long tools.