A common disease is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which manifests itself in people of any age, and especially in the working population aged 30-50 years. Some people suffer from this disease, sometimes they are not aware of the cause of the diseases because degenerative changes in the cervical spine occur unnoticed. Timely treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will bring health to excellent condition and provide health in the future.
Symptoms and Signs of Cervical Osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis should not appear at all at the onset of the disease. The disease already has a negligible effect, with frequent headaches and neck pain when moving. When the cerebral circulation is damaged by osteochondrosis of the cervix, a person develops the following symptoms:
- regular headache;
- Violation of facial muscle sensitivity;
- increased fatigue;
- noise in the head;
- ringing in the ears;
- hypertension;
- loss of coordination;
- frequent dizziness;
- wobbly gait.
If osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae has a chronic form, the pain is persistent and any movement of the head is difficult due to tension in 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 osteochondrosis of the cervix is not treated in time, the person may be accompanied by throat symptoms: difficulty swallowing, feeling of dry throat, itching and tickling. Over time, this disease can lead to a disc herniation.
Methods for treating cervical spine osteochondrosis
Treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine involves a number of tools and methods designed to relieve pain and combat the inflammatory process in the tissues. An effective method is daily exercise of spinal flexibility. As a general rule, the doctor selects an individual exercise program 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.
Medicine: tablets, medications and injections
Drug therapy is prescribed as early as the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis. If the first pain can be eliminated with a standard anesthetic pill, it will no longer help later. Medical treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is performed with a new generation of chondroprotectors - drugs that stimulate the repair of spinal cartilage tissue. The best therapeutic effect is provided by the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. With these drugs, the treatment process can take several months, after which the mobility of the cervical spine improves.
But if acute pain in cervical osteochondrosis is to be relieved, doctors will 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 are not contraindicated even with prolonged resistance, NSAIDs are severe and their use should be discussed with your doctor.
Topical remedies: gels and ointments
For rapid anesthesia of the cervical spine in osteochondrosis, special gels or ointments help, which take effect 10 minutes after application. There are several ways:
- Regenerating, allowing the repair of damaged cartilage tissue between the vertebrae.
- Anti-inflammatory, based on non-steroidal substances, eliminates pain.
- Painkillers that affect nerve endings quickly soothe pain.
- Massage ointments.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is the oldest but no less effective method of treating osteochondrosis. Specialists have developed a number of 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 your field so as not to lead the patient to a wheelchair. The main methods of manual therapy for cervical spinal osteochondrosis are as follows:
- segmental massage that relieves muscle tension;
- recovery manipulation joint action, accompanied by their squeaking;
- mobilization, repair of damaged joints by stretching.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can not only remove the symptoms of pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but also completely cure it. Needle technology came to Russian medicine from the east. The wise Chinese, led by the philosophy and knowledge of the human body, learned to regulate the energy in the body using metal needles. The acupuncture procedure is now recognized by doctors as an extremely effective method in the fight against osteochondrosis.
However, 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 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 remedies contain plant extracts, plant extracts that come from environmentally friendly samples and, most importantly, are completely natural. Principle of their effect in osteochondrosis:
- Activates the immune system.
- Replace the cartilage tissue.
- Improves blood circulation in the neck.
How to cure osteochondrosis of the neck at home
Complex treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is now possible. It is entirely possible to achieve better health and alleviate 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 include foods that promote cartilage tissue regeneration, as follows:
- legumes, grains, vegetables, fruits;
- contains proteins: nuts, eggs, lean poultry, fish;
- unsaturated fatty acids: flaxseed, oily sea fish;
- calcium-rich foods: milk, cottage cheese, leafy vegetables.
Massage and self-massage
Successful home treatments are done with a massage or self-massage. This procedure relieves tension by relaxing tight neck muscles. After the massage, the blood circulation in the intervertebral discs improves, which is a quick relief for the patient. The self-massage procedure is performed while sitting and moves on the back of the head by rubbing, stroking and kneading. But to achieve a greater effect, it is better to call a qualified massage therapist.
Wellness Gymnastics
Physiotherapy has no less of an effect than medication for osteochondrosis and is the foundation of healing. The exercises don’t last long, especially because they are easy to do at home. The goal of the exercise in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is to relieve pain, stretch the ligaments, and relax the neck muscles. But you should only do the exercises if you see a doctor and very carefully so as not to harm your body.
Recipes for Traditional Medicine
The question of how to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home is usually understood by folk remedies. Herbal treatment is economical, effective and most importantly - safe. There is no need to buy expensive painkillers that 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 strengthen it overnight. In the morning the pain goes away.
- Potatoes. Rub in the same proportions with honey to make the mixture look like an ointment of consistency. Use the product as a compress at least once a week.
- Compressors made from freshly squeezed aloe juice (1 tablespoon), mustard powder (1 tablespoon) and propolis (50 g) made from vodka (1 L) are effective. The mixture is impregnated with a cloth and smeared on the neck, fastened with a woolen cloth, the procedure is performed 1-2 times a week at night.
Methods of disease prevention
It is easier to prevent osteochondrosis than to treat it for a long time. Prevention includes adherence to posture, fitness exercises, training equipment, competitive walking, yoga, swimming. You need to sit properly at the table and the computer, you can’t throw your head back and tilt for a long time when lifting weights. It is not recommended to bend low on the table surface while writing or reading, and it is advisable to use an orthopedic pillow while sleeping.