How to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home

Osteochondrosis can develop anywhere in the spine, but it usually affects the neck and lower back. This disease is of an inflammatory-dystrophic nature and presents, as a rule, in a chronic form. Cervical osteochondrosis is most often diagnosed in women, while men are more susceptible to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.

Overview

Most people spend the day sitting: at school, college, office, driving a car or at home in front of the computer. Over time, many begin to experience discomfort first and then pain after sitting for a long time. The posture deteriorates, an inclination appears, it is difficult to straighten or turn.

This is how 1 appears, the initial stage of osteochondrosis, when it is easier to deal with the disease. If you do not take action, in the future it risks becoming a chronic form with regular exacerbations. In some cases, the case ends in disability.

REFERENCE: Cervical spine osteochondrosis is responsible for half of all types of pathology.

The clinical picture of cervical chondrosis includes:

• pain syndrome caused by compression of nerve roots. Depending on which vertebrae and discs are damaged, the pain can spread to the shoulder, forearm or the entire arm. Characterized by headaches, pressure spikes;
• sensory disturbance, especially in the hands and fingers. Possibly numbness, burning sensation or crawling chills;
• decreased strength and muscle tone of the affected side, sometimes muscle spasms and cramps;
• increased sweating, skin discoloration - pallor, redness;
• chest pain;
Vertebral artery syndrome
• occurs when one of the two arteries is compressed, which is accompanied by severe headaches, tinnitus, nausea, dizziness, less often - swallowing disorder.

There are no drugs that can completely eliminate the cause of osteochondrosis. But you can get rid of your symptoms and prevent possible relapses using the simplest methods.

How is chondrosis treated?

In the acute phase, someone is rarely without painkillers. The most popular and effective are cheap drugs based on sodium metamizole, as well as NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

For severe pain, the attending physician may prescribe painkillers for injections, but more often they are prescribed in tablets and supplemented with ointments. Complex therapy also includes physical therapy, massage and exercise therapy. Massage sessions and therapeutic exercises are usually started after relief of acute symptoms.

What you can do at home

The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is a prerequisite that most doctors insist on. It is impossible to face the disease with medication and physiotherapy alone, they eliminate the symptoms only temporarily. The remission period can be extended with regular dosed physical activity, the use of self-massage techniques, therapeutic compresses and strengthening infusions.

By following the instructions exactly and following the medical advice, impressive results can be achieved. Self-massage significantly saves finances, the use of herbal decoctions and infusions instead of some medications reduces the negative effect of medications on the body.

Home therapy, like traditional treatment, helps to quickly stop the pain syndrome, normalize brain circulation and improve sleep. With the help of the available products, it is possible to eliminate nervousness and irritability, stabilize blood pressure, restore normal sensitivity in the neck region.

exercise therapy

Therapeutic exercises are included in the main treatment pattern for chondrosis of the neck and are selected by an exercise therapy instructor. The first 1 to 2 sessions are held at a clinic or health center, and then the patient can train alone at home.

Exercise 1. PI (starting position) - standing, feet shoulder-width apart. Tilt your head to the right, left, back and forth. All movements should be slow and smooth, you should take your head back with special care, not throwing it back abruptly.

Exercise 2. From the same PI, turn your head to the sides. At the extreme point, look back. Sometimes, at the beginning, it is not possible to turn your head too much and you should not force events. Over time, the "blocking" limiting movement will disappear.

Exercise 3. Bring your shoulders back, bringing your shoulder blades as close as possible. Hold this position for a few seconds, then move your shoulders forward and back. The movement is similar to that of the famous "cat", but it is done standing up.

Another effective set consists of the following exercises:

• Standing or sitting, place your palms on your forehead and press your head over them, overcoming the resistance of your hands. Hold this position for 15-20 seconds.
• Put your hands on the back of your neck, press the back of your neck with your hands and, with your hands, on the back of your neck.
• Place your palm on your right ear and apply mutual pressure, trying to tilt your head towards your right shoulder. Then switch sides and tilt your head to your left shoulder, keeping your left hand on your left ear.
• Turn your head sideways, placing your palm on the left or right cheekbone. First, the hand rests on the right cheekbone and the head tries to turn to the right, overcoming the resistance of the hand. Then the palm rests on the left cheek and the head turns to the left. The pressure time is 15-20 seconds.
• Hold the bottom of the head so that the thumbs are on the chin and the rest on the back of the head. Gently pull your head up, it can swing from side to side, like "pulling the cork out of the bottle". You cannot turn your head, the spine on the cervical spine must be straightened. The duration of the exercise is 15-20 seconds.
• Open your arms to your sides and turn first with the left, then with the right and then with the shoulders. This exercise is especially useful for those who feel tension in the neck and shoulders.
• Standing or sitting with your back straight, "roll" your head from left to right and in the opposite direction, tilting it as far as possible at the midpoint and trying to reach your chest with your chin. The number of repetitions is 10-12.

It is not necessary to complete the above complex if some exercises cause severe pain and discomfort. According to the doctor, you can additionally hang from a horizontal bar or platter, practice swimming, aqua aerobics and other allowed sports.

Self-massage

Self-massage helps to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home. Thanks to gentle pressure on the neck, salt deposits are avoided, blood supply and tissue nutrition are improved and pain intensity is reduced. During the procedure, the muscles relax, the metabolic processes are accelerated and the blood pressure stabilizes.

If you wish, you can visit a massage therapist at the clinic or do the procedures at home. However, it is convenient to massage the neck on your own, having studied the basic techniques and determined the points that need to be worked on. It is also important to know which areas are best to avoid or to act with caution.

The massage technique is quite simple and it is perfectly possible to master it. The basic rules are:

• direction of movement - from the center to the periphery, that is, from the spine to the shoulders and back of the head;
• it is allowed to massage the cervical region only with the aid of the fingers, without the use of devices;
• strong pressure is excluded: you need to act with delicacy and delicacy;
• the muscles of the back and the side of the neck are stroked, rubbed and stretched;
• the massage is performed in a sitting position;
• the session begins with caresses, continues with rubbing and kneading movements, also ends with caresses;
• duration of the procedure - 5-10 minutes.

In the absence of contraindications and approval from the attending physician, you can use the Kuznetsov applicator. This affordable and effective device is a cylinder made of fabric or oiled with raised elements - pointed round or square plates.

The applicator is easy to use - just place it under your head and lie on it. Gentle needles penetrate the skin, increasing blood flow and acting on biologically active points in the neck. The duration of the procedure starts in a few minutes and increases gradually.

First aid for exacerbation

If a cervical lumbago suddenly occurs, a visit to the doctor or calling a specialist at home is the ideal solution. If help is delayed, several measures must be taken to relieve pain and protect the vertebral structures from possible injury.

CONVENIENT POSITION

First of all, you need to secure the cervical spine and restrict physical activity as much as possible (it is better to exclude completely). You should lie on a flat, moderately hard bed or a thick blanket on the floor. A very hard floor, such as a bare plank floor or an airy feather bed, will not work.

In case of acute neck pain caused by osteochondrosis, it is recommended to use a Shants collar, which will prevent the neck from moving or turning freely. This will reduce the load on the cervical muscles and improve local blood circulation.

If there is no Shants collar, you can make a homemade tire out of cardboard and cotton, fixing the neck with it.

REFERENCE: before consulting the doctor, you should not use warming rubbers and ointments, massage your neck. In some cases, such actions can cause very unpleasant complications.

LOCAL FUNDS

In the first hours of attack, ice or cold compress can be applied, but there must be a layer of cloth or gauze between it and the body. This will prevent hypothermia and increased pain.

The use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments and gels based on diclofenac, ibuprofen, nimesulide and indomethacin is permitted. The use of products such as Finalgon, Viprosal, Capsicam and other preparations with combustion components in the composition is prohibited.

Heated ointments and friction have a local irritating effect, increase blood flow to the neck, which can increase the swelling and compression of nerve endings. In the cervical spine, special care is necessary, since inappropriate actions imply a marked increase in blood pressure.

In case of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, massage is not performed due to the risk of increased pain and reflex muscle spasms. In addition, the cervical vertebrae have hypermobility and any careless movement can aggravate the condition.

MEDICINES

Medicines can help fight pain, but remember that pain is a defense mechanism. With its forced elimination, nothing will stop you from making a sudden movement with your head, which will worsen the picture. Therefore, after taking a pain reliever, you should observe a gentle rest, preferably in bed, for at least 2-3 days.

The intense pain, which cannot be stopped with pills and intramuscular injections, is removed with the help of novocaine block. This procedure is done strictly in a hospital environment: a local anesthetic is injected close to the injured vertebra and blocks the pain. Blockages are made only as directed and can cause side effects in the form of allergic reactions and infectious complications.

Prohibited actions

Acute neck pain is a good reason for a doctor's appointment and a thorough examination. Only after an accurate diagnosis has been established, treatment tactics and the most effective methods in a particular case are determined.

It is categorically impossible to remove the pain in any way - for example, trying to independently correct a dislocated vertebra or seek similar help from a non-specialist friend. Do not take large doses of painkillers uncontrollably. Even folk remedies can be harmful if the diagnosis is not yet known.

The correct movement regime is very important: if the movement should be as limited in the exacerbation phase as possible, after a few days the physical activity must be expanded. Performing exercises in the exercise therapy complex will help to improve blood circulation, reduce pain intensity and decrease the inflammatory process. In addition, properly selected exercises will help to strengthen the muscle corset that supports the spine.

How to cure osteochondrosis forever

Treatment with complex drugs consists of several groups of drugs:

• NSAIDs and painkillers during an exacerbation; muscle relaxants to relax your muscles;
• chondroprotectors, restoring the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs;
• vitamin and mineral complexes containing B vitamins

Various ointments, gels and plasters - for example, the Nanoplast plaster - effectively complement the treatment. Today, pharmacies have a wide variety of local remedies that can be used during exacerbations and in the recovery phase:

• anti-inflammatory;
• chondroprotective;
homeopathic
• .

When the acute symptoms disappear, warming agents can be used.

Traditional methods

The potato wrap with honey is made with raw grated potatoes and honey. Both components are taken in equal amounts, mixed and placed on a cloth or gauze. The compress is applied to the neck for about 45 minutes. The procedure is performed twice a week.

Wax or paraffin must be melted and applied to the painful spot, avoiding contact with the spine itself. It is recommended to do these applications once every two days.

Knead the dough with the water and the rye flour until it has a medium thickness, open the cake and secure it to the neck. Lubricate the skin with turpentine before applying. Cover the compress with polyethylene and a warm cloth, hold until a burning sensation appears, but not more than 15 minutes. You can perform the procedure on alternate days.

The herbal preparation for oral administration is prepared from the following ingredients, taken in equal proportions:

• chamomile;
yarrow;
• St. John's wort;
• marigold;
• thyme;
• dandelion leaves.

2nd. I. brew the mixture in a thermos, pouring it with a liter of boiling water. Take 3 times a day before meals for ¼ cup.

So, at home, you can do a lot to get rid of a disease as unpleasant as osteochondrosis. When carrying out all medical consultations, including taking medication, visiting physical procedures and massages, performing therapeutic exercises, there is every chance to prevent their progression and prevent relapses.

What to do now

Statistics show that over 45% of people over 35 have joint disease! It all starts small: somewhere they tried too hard, somewhere they lifted weights, somewhere they just broke their necks. The joint is designed in such a way that the main problems start with the inflammation of the joint fluid, then the softening of the cartilage and, as a result, the deficiency.

One important thing to keep in mind: joint disease will get you into a wheelchair in less than 3 years! The disease progresses many times faster if you are overweight, as in this case there is a double load on the joints.