A common disease is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which occurs in people of all ages, and especially among the working population from 30 to 50 years. Some people suffer from this disease, sometimes unaware of the cause of the disorder, as degenerative changes in the cervical spine occur imperceptibly. Timely treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will return the person to excellent health and give him 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 pain in the head and neck when moving. When there is a violation of cerebral circulation in cervical osteochondrosis, a person develops the following symptoms:
- regular headache;
- impaired sensitivity of the facial muscles;
- increased fatigue;
- noise in the head;
- ringing in the ears;
- high blood pressure;
- loss of coordination;
- frequent dizziness;
- hesitant gait.
If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine takes a chronic form, then the pain is constant and any 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 pharyngeal 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
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes a range of tools and methods that are aimed at eliminating pain and combating the inflammatory process in the tissues. An effective method is daily exercises for flexibility of the spine. As a rule, an individual exercise program is selected by a doctor after diagnosis using MRI or computed tomography and assessment of the stage of the disease. Let's see how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Medicines: pills, medicines and injections
Drug therapy is prescribed at the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis. If the first pain can be eliminated with a simple anesthetic pill, then it will not help later. Medical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is performed with a new generation of chondroprotectors - drugs that stimulate the recovery of cartilage in the spine. The best therapeutic effect is provided by a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. 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, then NSAIDs are serious, so their use should be agreed with your doctor.
Topical remedies: gels and ointments
Special gels or ointments that start to work 10 minutes after application will help to quickly relieve pain in the cervical spine in case of osteochondrosis. There are several types:
- Regenerating, allowing the restoration of damaged cartilage between the vertebrae.
- Anti-inflammatory, non-steroidal, pain relieving.
- Painkillers that affect the nerve endings, quickly dulling the pain.
- Massage ointments.
Manual therapy
The most ancient, but no less effective method than modern methods of treating osteochondrosis, is manual therapy. Specialists have developed many techniques that have a beneficial effect on the vertebrae, tissues and joints of the affected area. Only the chiropractor should be a good specialist in his field so as not to lead the patient to a wheelchair. The main methods of manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are:
- segmental massage that relieves muscle tension;
- manipulation to restore joint implementation, accompanied by their crisis;
- mobilization, repair of damaged joints by stretching them.
Acupuncture
With the help of acupuncture you can not only eliminate the symptoms of pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but also cure it completely. The needle technique came to Russian medicine from the East. The wise Chinese, guided by the philosophy and knowledge of the human body, have learned to regulate the energy in the body with the help of metal needles. The acupuncture procedure is today recognized by doctors as an extremely effective method to combat osteochondrosis.
But before resorting to acupuncture, you should 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 diseases;
- old age or infancy.
Homeopathic medicines
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 ecologically clean samples and most importantly, they are completely natural. The principle of their action in osteochondrosis:
- Activate the immune system.
- Restoration of cartilage tissue.
- Improves blood circulation in the neck.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home
Complex treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is now possible. It is quite possible to achieve better health and relieve the symptoms of pain on your own if you follow a proper diet and lead an active lifestyle. The daily diet for cervical osteochondrosis should contain foods that promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue, they include:
- legumes, cereals, vegetables, fruits;
- containing proteins: nuts, eggs, lean poultry, fish;
- unsaturated fatty acids: flaxseed, oily sea fish;
- foods rich in calcium: milk, cottage cheese, leafy vegetables.
Massage and self-massage
Successful home treatment is done with massage or self-massage. This procedure releases tension by relaxing tight muscles in the neck. After the massage, the blood circulation in the intervertebral discs improves, which gives quick relief to the patient. The self-massage procedure is performed in a sitting position and is performed by rubbing, stroking and kneading the movements in the back of the head. But to achieve a greater effect, it is better to invite a qualified masseur.
wellness gymnastics
Therapeutic gymnastics has no less effect than the medical treatment of osteochondrosis and is the basis of recovery. The exercises will not take much time, especially since they are easy to do at home. Gymnastics is aimed at relieving the pain of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, stretching the ligaments and relaxing the muscles of the neck. But you should do the exercises only after consulting a doctor and very carefully so as not to harm the body.
Recipes of traditional medicine
When asked about how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home, as a rule, folk remedies are considered. Herbal treatment is economical, effective and most importantly - safe. You do not 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 your neck and fix it overnight. By morning, the pain will be gone.
- Potatoes. It should be rubbed with honey in the same proportion so that the mixture resembles an ointment in consistency. Use the product as a compress at least once a week.
- Compresses made from vodka (1 liter) with the addition of freshly squeezed aloe juice (1 tbsp. ), mustard powder (1 tbsp. ) and propolis (50 g) are effective. The mixture is impregnated with a cloth and applied to the neck, fixed 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 posture, fitness exercises, training equipment, competitive walking, yoga, swimming. You need to sit properly at the table and computer, you can not throw your head back for a long time or tilt when lifting weights. When writing or reading, it is not recommended to bend low over the table surface and it is recommended to use an orthopedic pillow during sleep.