About 80% of people around the world sooner or later become familiar with such a disease as cervical osteochondrosis.Symptoms and treatment at home may differ in each case, so you still can't do without medical help.The disease is not fatal, but it is rather difficult to cure, so the best option would be to use all possible methods - both folk and traditional - to forget about the aching pain forever.
Causes of the disease
The sad statistics show that the number of people affected by this disease is growing every year.This is due to an unhealthy lifestyle, difficult working conditions and a lack of adequate attention to one's health.Despite the high incidence, few know how to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
If you ignore the manifestations of osteochondrosis of the neck, a generalized form of the disease develops, affecting the entire spine.However, more often the localization remains within the cervical and thoracic vertebrae.
If cervical osteochondrosis is not treated quickly at home, progression can lead to complete immobilization of the patient.
In order to create an effective treatment plan you must pay attention to the basic anatomy of the neck.One of the most important and largest vessels, the vertebral artery, passes through this section of the human body.It is through this bloodstream that vital nutrients, including oxygen, flow to all parts of the brain.
Osteochondrosis is a consequence of deformation of the cartilage and intervertebral discs, which subjects the vertebral body to additional stress.The disease causes degenerative changes in the disc, inhibiting physiological functions and reducing its height.As the disease progresses, a reaction occurs in the spinal plate.As a result of this process, the spinal canal narrows and the spine curves.
Initially, cervical osteochondrosis does not cause any alarming signs.As the disease progresses, the nerve roots narrow and the space for the spinal cord narrows.The following symptoms appear:
- neck stiffness, aching pain;
- tingling and numbness in the limbs;
- constant and specific headache, which intensifies with any movement and does not disappear after taking analgesics;
- dizziness;
- lack of coordination;
- emotional instability;
- memory loss;
- noise and ringing in the ears.
What else causes neck pain
The back and neck can hurt not only because of osteochondrosis.This is just one of the reasons.This symptom may be a sign of other diseases that require appropriate treatment:
- hypothermia;
- strong stress on the muscles;
- constant forced posture;
- infections;
- joint pathologies;
- vertebral fracture;
- spinal canal stenosis;
- diseases of internal organs;
- benign and malignant tumors;
- radiculopathy or compression of the nerve roots.
Osteochondrosis has a distinctive feature.The presence of the disease can be determined by pain in the right half of the chest, in the area of \u200b\u200bthe right arm and forearm.The pain is sharp and very often short-lived.Pressing pain attacks may also occur, which can be relieved by taking analgesics and NSAIDs.
Since all the symptoms in each case may differ, and other diseases can be treated absolutely, it is better to leave the diagnosis of osteochondrosis to professionals.After establishing the diagnosis and prescribing treatment, therapy can be supplemented with traditional medicine.However, treatment with homemade ointments and tinctures alone may not produce results.
Traditional medicines
The intensity and duration of therapy directly depend on the extent of the disease and the severity of the symptoms.Treatment should be aimed at maintaining spinal mobility, relieving pain, and preventing injury to the nerves and spinal cord.
Depending on the form and stage of the disease, specialists usually prescribe the following drugs for cervical osteochondrosis:
- hormonal drugs that help relieve pain and inflammation;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve inflammation and relieve pain;
- muscle relaxants that quickly relieve neck muscle spasms;
- medications that relieve seizures and dull pain due to nerve damage;
- antidepressants;
- warming ointments;
- anti-inflammatory ointments.
All these drugs together help get rid of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Home treatment also involves special exercises that warm up the muscles and affect the damaged tissues.
Home physiotherapy
When visiting a clinic, a patient with osteochondrosis consults a therapist.The doctor can advise you which drugs are best to take and, if necessary, refer you to specialized specialists: a neurologist or physiotherapist.The latter will teach the patient special therapeutic exercises that can be performed independently at home.The therapy helps strengthen and lengthen the shoulder and neck muscles.
Regular training under the supervision of a doctor or relatives will quickly get the patient back on his feet and prevent recurrence of the disease.
Special massage
Often the patient's condition is so serious and concomitant diseases are so severe that it is impossible to perform physiotherapeutic exercises.In this case, one of the relatives can give the patient a special relaxing massage.
It is recommended to use pharmacy or homemade medicinal oil in the process.The best effect can be achieved if you use a relaxing agent with herbal extracts that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Principles of massage:
- Don't push!Your neck muscles are already in pain, and further intense pressure can result in another attack of pain.Therefore it is necessary to work with your hands delicately so as not to cause discomfort to the patient.Only the fingers should be involved in the massage.
- Don't make sudden movements!All manipulations must be performed smoothly.
- Follow the direction!An important rule of massage for osteochondrosis is to follow the direction of the spine, and not towards it.This way the blood will saturate the right areas.
Many experts recommend the use of massage cups to improve blood circulation.Before the procedure, the skin should be lubricated with petroleum jelly or massage oil.After the jar is attached to the body, you need to wait no more than 6-7 minutes.At the end of the procedure, the area is covered with a warm towel to preserve the effect longer.
Traditional medicine suggests using ordinary bee honey to warm the skin and muscles.Before the procedure, you need to warm your neck with a heating pad, then apply a spoonful of honey to the skin.With light massaging and tapping movements, honey is whipped into a white mass directly on the affected area.At the end of the procedure the skin will be red and sensitive;it should be covered with film and a warm towel or woolen scarf.White honey is washed off only in the morning.After the first such procedure, the patient will feel noticeable relief.
Folk medicines
We cannot cancel simple but effective folk recipes.Alternative medicine recommends using combinations of various poisons, fats, essential oils and herbs for neck pain.
- Medicine with celery.The root of the vegetable is grated on a fine grater or rubbed through a sieve.After that, squeeze the resulting juice.It is recommended to take this medicine every day to maintain its freshness and beneficial properties.You should drink a spoonful of juice before meals three times a day.
- Decoction of bay leaves.Pour 15 g of dried bay leaves into an enameled saucepan and fill it with 300 ml of water at room temperature, boiling for 5-7 minutes.After the broth has infused for 2-3 hours, it must be filtered and cooled.Drink in small sips between meals during the day.All that remains is to drink before going to bed.The course lasts 4 days and after a week's break it is recommended to repeat the therapy.
- Collection of medicinal herbs.Mix parsley, chamomile, oregano, hops, nettle and burdock root in equal proportions, 100 g each.Pour 1.5 liters of boiling water into a thermos with the dry mixture and leave for 3 days.Take the filtered drink one tablespoon 2-3 times a day.The medicine must be stored in the refrigerator.
Effective rubbing
Special homemade rubs will help improve the effect of therapeutic massage.They contain only natural ingredients: oils and herbs.
- Chili pepper remedy.Finely chop two hot red chili peppers and place them in a tightly closed container.Pepper should be poured with a glass of vegetable oil.The medicine should be closed hermetically with a rubber stopper and left to infuse in a warm, dark place for a week.When the homemade ointment is ready, it should be massaged into the collar area with light movements twice a day.It is not recommended to apply a large amount of the product, as the warming effect will suddenly turn into a burning effect and instead of improving blood circulation, you will get a burn.
- Butter cream.Mix one raw egg with a spoonful of flour and the same amount of vinegar.Add 100 g of soft butter.After carefully mixing all the ingredients, the product should be left in the refrigerator for 2 - 3 days.A film will appear on the surface of the medicine, which will need to be removed and the treatment will begin by rubbing the ointment into the skin with a massage.This homemade cream can be stored for no more than 3 days.
- Burdock compress.A mixture of horseradish and burdock has proven itself in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Finely chopped roots should be doused with boiling water, wrapped in cotton cloth and applied to the sore spot 10 times a day.After a one-week cycle, the disease will cease to bother you.
Special recommendations
Treatment of osteochondrosis by complex therapy quickly brings results.The influence of traditional medicines and traditional medicine has a beneficial effect on the restoration of intervertebral discs and the preservation of the integrity of the cartilage.However, only a doctor should make a diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the neck.
A specialist should also tell you how to treat this disease at home, since improper treatment can lead to disease progression and even disability.
It is worth noting that not all home treatment methods for this disease show positive results.Acupuncture, apitherapy, deep massage and spinal stretching can cause harm.Even if the doctor recommends carrying out such procedures at home, this will only make the situation worse.These therapies are performed only by specialists in a clinical setting.