Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and home treatment are based on a self-healing method. The method consists of the correct actions of the patient and the support of the self-regulating, self-healing functions of the body in order to restore the nervous and vascular disorders of the cervical spine.
In non-advanced and non-severe cases, the patient can naturally relieve spinal pain, muscle cramps, dizziness, and other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis without medication. To do this, however, we must be well acquainted with the structure and natural purpose of the spine, and we must remember that our bodies are self-healing systems that exist according to certain laws of the Universe.
The role of the spine
Before we look at the topic, "Symptoms and treatment of cervical spinal osteochondrosis, " it is logical to think about 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 normally see.
The spine is held by strong connective tissue bands and many large and small muscles that hold our bodies vertically, as well as vital internal organs along the spine in some places.
The normal functioning of our internal organs and all body tissues is ensured by a huge 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 “vagina” of the spinal canal that is well protected from external influences. Through the intervertebral foramens of the vertebrae, the nerve roots of the spine appear. In the initial part, they are covered with discs and bone structures. Intervertebral discs consist of cartilage plates, annulus fibrosus, and nucleus pulposus located above and below. The thickness of the discs of the cervical vertebrae is very small - only 4 mm.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Healthy, intact intervertebral discs serve during various loads on the spine (compression, stretching). If the discs are damaged due to sudden movements, excessive loads, prolonged improper posture, spinal injuries, or inflammatory processes, the vertebral artery passing through the vertebral openings and the nerve brains leaving the spinal cord will be compressed.
The number of electrical impulses from the spinal cord to organs and tissues decreases, and metabolic processes slow down. This causes disease in certain organs as well as aging of the body.
Symptoms
This explains the many symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which include neck, headrest, shoulder girdle, heart, liver and neck stiffness, headrest pain, weakness in the arms, legs, and vascular disorders.
The onset of the disease depends on the location of the disc changes and the displacement of the vertebrae, as well as the area innervated by the compressed neural plexus.
So the health of our body depends on the condition of the spine.
Self-medication
I just want to warn you that the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the neck is made by a neurologist or chiropractor based on the results of a comprehensive medical examination.
If a diagnosis is made and there is no acute period of swelling and inflammation at the site of the intervertebral disc lesion, a self-healing method may be used.
The essence of the method is
- in the correct actions of the patient, the aim of which is to eliminate the symptoms of osteochondrosis - compression and displacement of the nerve and vascular structure of the spinal cord, destructive changes in the intervertebral discs;
- in support of self-regulating, self-healing bodily functions in the repair of nervous and vascular disorders of the cervical spine.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, regardless of the cause of the disease, can be found in the article of the same name.
It is impossible to eliminate the cause of the disease - deformity of the intervertebral discs, at the same time you can learn to relax the cervical spine and gently stretch the cervical vertebrae to relieve pressure on the nerve roots and blood vessels, thereby relieving compression.
The method of self-healing requires personal desire, perseverance, self-discipline, and the ability to gradually change posture, take proper care of the spine, relax and stretch the neck every morning and evening, and develop your own system for treating cervical osteochondrosis.
However, always remember that your body is a highly organized system of self-healing that lives according to natural laws. Failures occur when you break these laws, no matter why, due to ignorance or unwillingness to abide by them.
Principles of the method
Before proceeding with the technique of self-healing through therapeutic practices, it is necessary to note a number of natural principles of this technique.
- It is known that in order to relax a muscle well, you must first stretch it. Therefore, many therapeutic practices developed by manual therapists are based on the principle of tension - relaxation of spasmodic muscles.
- Another principle is the physiological pattern of the combination of tension - muscle relaxation and respiratory phases. Inhalation is tension and exhalation is relaxation. If these principles are followed, the practices performed will contribute to the proper functioning of the circulatory system and will not interfere with the regulation of neural processes.
Personal self-healing system
First, I share my own self-healing system in cervical osteochondrosis.
Relaxation of the "turtle" and shoulder girdle, in addition to sessions ("How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine") exercises that not only relax the muscles of the neck and shoulders, but also awaken the healing power of the body, normalizing all cells andbody energy supply. , I use another position - relaxation of the neck muscles.
However, I want to warn you when you do this pose! Remember - the cervical spine has the vertebral artery and the nerve braids that get into the brain!
Since in my case the discs of the 5th, 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae are deformed, I use the following posture in case of neck pain and tension, as well as headaches and tinnitus:
- I lie on my back, on the bed, with my head towards the tip of my foot (which is without my back). As I exhale, I slowly lower my head down so that my seventh cervical vertebra is at the edge of the mattress. So my head hangs down under its weight, my neck bends and relaxes, the state is up. This suspended position of the head should be for a short time - only a few seconds from 5 to 10.
Feeling uncomfortable, or counting to 10, I slowly begin to “crawl” on the bed as I inhale without lifting the back of my head off the bed and keeping my hands on the edge.
Don't suddenly lift your head out of such a "hanging" position!
Only the slow "sliding" of the head onto the bed and the stretching of the neck simultaneously releases the pinched blood vessels and nerves, relieving neck and head pain.
After this situation, you should lie still for a few minutes.
Such elongation of the cervical vertebrae helps to deform the lower cervical vertebrae.
Relieve headaches and other symptoms
If the symptoms are dominated by a headache that occurs sharply in one half of the head, sometimes with nausea, this indicates that the articulation of the skull and 1st cervical vertebra is disturbed at the exit of the occipital nerve, which innervates half of the head on both sides. Therefore, when the occipital nerve is tightened on one side, there are pains on that side of the head.
Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders have been observed in the background of the headache due to damage to the nerve fibers running from the spinal cord of the 2nd cervical vertebra to the brainstem.
In the case of disorders in the region of the first and second vertebrae, the therapeutic posture of muscle relaxation is also effective. In his book "Alone for the Spine", Anatoly Boleslavovich, Doctor of Medicine, Honorary Doctor of the Russian Federation, suggests the following pose for relieving headaches.
- Sit in a quiet chair. But at the same time keep your torso straight. As you exhale, tilt your head forward to "freeze" due to its weight. So hold your head for about 10 seconds, then lift and rest for half a minute while inhaling. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Gentle exercise
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms, and home treatment, you can use the following two gentle exercises to relax your neck muscles in case of cramps and pain.
You have to sit in a chair, adjust your torso. Put your hands on your knees. The legs are parallel to each other. The pose is calm, the breathing is calm.
Inhale and lower your head, touch your sternum with your chin while pulling the back of your head up. Hold this position for a few seconds. Then exhale slowly, lift your head and shoulders. Perform 5-7 such therapeutic exercises.
The starting position of the second exercise is the same as the first. From a sitting position, lie down with your body on your feet and your head on your knees. While inhaling, slowly raise your head, exhale while exhaling. Repeat 5-7 times.
During exercise, the neck muscles first tense and then relax more easily and quickly.
All exercises should be performed slowly and smoothly, meaning you should not perform sudden movements, do not rush, do not feel strong tension or pain. As soon as you feel uncomfortable, stop exercising and try to relax and unwind.
Local remedies
At home, in addition to therapeutic exercises for the relaxation and stretching of the cervical vertebrae, with the help of a hand massage or massagers (after consultation with a doctor) and local means - thermal procedures (tinctures, rubbing, compresses, bathtub).
However, it should be noted that thermal procedures can be detrimental to pain and inflammation in the affected area of the spine, as they increase arterial blood flow and slow venous outflow, thus aggravating symptoms, increasing pain and swelling of tissues.
For topical application of spasmodic muscles, the following freshly prepared solution is used: 15 ml of Dimexide, 15 ml of 0. 5-1% novocaine solution and 4-6 ml of 50% analgin solution are poured into a cup where gauze napkins are dipped, folded in 4 layers. The size of the napkins should match the painful area.
The moistened napkin is applied to the appropriate place (the skin is pretreated with alcohol) and fixed with cellophane. The procedure takes 1-1, 5 hours.
Compressions are performed for 4-6 days per day. If redness occurs, it is advisable to replace the compress with Dimexide linimentes or Dimexide ointment.
Adherence to a proper diet is of great importance in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Prevention
Dear readers, keep in mind that our bodies are a self-regulating biological system that indicates pain or discomfort if our posture is poor.
Watch your spine! Don't jump out of bed! First, turn to your side and lean gently to get up.
Do not lift weights in front of you or carry the weights in one hand. It is better to carry a symmetrical load on both sides (for women - up to 5 kg for both hands, for men - up to 12 kg for both hands). And you have to lift the load, sit down a little.
Do not do housework or dacha work, leaning upside down! The floor can be washed and the beds weeded out on the knees or with long tools.