How to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home

Osteochondrosis can develop in any part of the spine, but most commonly affects the neck and lower back. This disease is inflammatory-dystrophic in nature and usually passes in a chronic form. Cervical osteochondrosis is more often diagnosed in women, while men are more susceptible to lumbar osteochondrosis.

General Description

Most people spend the day in a sitting position: at school, in college, in the office, driving a car or at home at the computer. Over time, many begin to feel first discomfort and then pain after sitting for a long time. Posture worsens, bending occurs, it is difficult to straighten or turn.

Thus appears 1, the initial stage of osteochondrosis, in which it is easiest to deal with the disease. If you do not take action, in the future it threatens to turn into a chronic form with regular exacerbations. In some cases, the case ends in disability.

REFERENCES: Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine accounts for half of all types of pathology.

The clinical picture of cervical chondrosis includes:

• pain syndrome caused by nerve root compression. Depending on which vertebrae and discs are damaged, the pain can spread to the shoulder, forearm or the entire arm. Characterized by headache, pressure surges;
• sensory disturbance, mainly in hands and fingers. Numbness, a burning sensation, or crawling may occur;
• decrease in muscle strength and tone on the affected side, sometimes muscle twitching and cramps;
• increased sweating, skin discoloration - paleness, redness;
• chest pain;
• Spinal artery syndrome occurs when one of the two arteries is constricted, which is accompanied by severe headaches, tinnitus, nausea, dizziness, rarely - swallowing disorders.

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

How is chondrosis treated?

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

For severe pain, your doctor may prescribe analgesics in injections, but they are more often prescribed in tablets and supplemented with ointments. Complex therapy also includes physiotherapy, massage and exercise therapy. Massages and therapeutic exercises usually begin after the acute symptoms have subsided.

What you can do at home

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is a prerequisite that most doctors insist on. It is impossible to deal with diseases only with drugs and physiotherapy, they only temporarily remove the symptoms. The period of remission can be extended with regular, dosed physical activities, the use of self-massage techniques, therapeutic dressings and strengthening infusions.

By following the instructions exactly and following medical advice, impressive results can be achieved. Self-massage significantly saves finances, the use of decoctions and herbal 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 cerebral circulation and improve sleep. With the help of available products you can eliminate nervousness and irritability, stabilize blood pressure, restore normal sensitivity of the neck region.

exercise therapy

Therapeutic exercises are included in the main standard of treatment of chondrosis of the neck and are selected by the exercise instructor. The first 1-2 sessions are held in a polyclinic or health center, and then the patient can train 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 need to turn your head back especially carefully, not throw it away abruptly.

Exercise 2. From the same PI, turn your head to the sides. At the end, direct your gaze behind your back. Sometimes it is not possible to turn your head too much at first and you should not force events. In time, the restrictive movement of the "block" will disappear.

Exercise 3. Put your shoulders back, bringing your shoulder blades as close as possible. Hold this position for a few seconds, then pull your shoulders forward and round your back. The movement is similar to the famous "cat", but it is performed in a standing position.

Another effective set consists of the following exercises:

• Standing or sitting, place your palms on your forehead and press your head against them, overcoming the resistance of your hands. Hold this position for 15-20 seconds.
• With your hands on the back of your head, press the back of your head and back of your head.
• Place your palm on your right ear and apply pressure to each other, trying to tilt your head toward your right shoulder. Then change sides and tilt your head to your left shoulder, keeping your left hand on your left ear.
• Turns his head to the sides, placing his palm on his 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.
• Grasp the bottom of the head so that the thumbs are on the chin and the others are on the back of the head. Gently pull your head up, swinging from side to side like "pulling cork out of a bottle" is allowed. You cannot turn your head, the spine in the cervical spine must be straightened. The duration of the exercise is 15-20 seconds.
• Spread your arms out to your hips and rotate first left, then right, then both shoulders. This exercise is especially helpful for those who feel tension in the neck and shoulder area.
• 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 in the center point 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 pain and severe discomfort. In agreement with the doctor, you can additionally hang on a horizontal bar or crossbar, engage in swimming, water aerobics and other permitted sports.

Self-massage

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

If you wish, you can visit a massage therapist at the clinic or perform procedures at home. However, it is appropriate to massage the neck yourself, having studied the basic techniques and determined those points that need to be worked out. It is also important to know which zones are best avoided or treated carefully.

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

• the direction of movement is from the center to the periphery, ie from the spine to the shoulders and nape;
• the cervical zone is allowed to be massaged only with the help of fingers, without the use of any devices;
• strong pressure is excluded: you need to act gently and gently;
• The muscles of the back and hips of the neck are rubbed, rubbed and stretched;
• massage is performed in a sitting position;
The
• session begins with stroking, continues with rubbing and kneading, and also ends with stroking;
Duration of the procedure
• - 5-10 minutes.

In the absence of contraindications and approval of the attending physician, you can use the Kuznetsov applicator. This affordable and efficient device is a roller made of fabric or canvas with raised elements - round or square tiles with pointed tiles.

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

First aid for deterioration

If cervical lumbago suddenly appears, a visit to the doctor or a specialist home call is the ideal solution. If help is delayed, a number of measures must be taken to relieve pain and protect spinal structures from possible injury.

FAVORABLE POSITION

First of all, you need to secure your cervical spine and limit (as much as possible) physical activity as much as possible. You should lie on a flat and moderately hard bed or on a thick blanket on the floor. A hard floor, like a bare plank floor or an airy feather bed, won’t work.

In case of acute neck pain caused by osteochondrosis, it is recommended to wear a Shants necklace that will prevent free movement or rotation of the neck. This will reduce the load on the cervical muscles and improve local blood circulation.

If there is no Shants collar, you can make homemade rubber from cardboard and cotton wool, attaching the neck with it.

REFERENCE: before visiting the doctor you must not use heating tires and ointments, massage the neck. Such actions in some cases can cause very unpleasant complications.

LOCAL FUNDS

In the first hours of the attack it is allowed to put ice or a cold compress, but between it and the body there must be a layer of cloth or gauze. This will avoid hypothermia and increased pain.

The use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments and gels based on diclofenac, ibuprofen, nimesulide and indomethacin is allowed. It is forbidden to use such products as Finalgon, Viprosal, Kapsikam and other preparations with flammable components in the composition.

Warming and rubbing ointment have a local irritant effect, increase blood flow in the neck, which can increase swelling and compression of nerve endings. Special care is needed in the cervical spine, because improper actions are met with a sudden rise in blood pressure.

In case of worsening osteochondrosis, massage is not performed due to the risk of increased pain and reflex muscle spasms. In addition, the cervical vertebrae are hypermobile and any inaccurate movement can worsen the condition.

MEDICINES

Pain can be treated with medication, but keep in mind that pain is a defense mechanism. When forcibly eliminated, nothing will stop you from making a sharp head movement, which will make the condition worse. Therefore, after taking analgesics, you should observe a gentle, preferably bed rest for at least 2-3 days.

Severe pain, which cannot be stopped by tablets and intramuscular injections, is removed with the help of novocaine blockade. This procedure is done strictly in a hospital setting: a local anesthetic is injected next to the damaged spine and blocks the pain. Blockades are carried out only according to the indications 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 medical consultation and a comprehensive examination. Only after establishing an accurate diagnosis, 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, try to correct the displaced spine yourself or seek such help from a friend who is not a specialist. Do not take uncontrolled large doses of painkillers. Even folk remedies can be harmful if the diagnosis is not yet known.

The correct mode of movement is very important: if in the phase of deterioration the movements should be as limited as possible, then after a few days the physical activity should be expanded. Exercising from an exercise therapy complex will help improve blood circulation, reduce the intensity of pain and alleviate the inflammatory process. In addition, properly selected exercises will help strengthen the muscular corset that supports the spine.

How to cure osteochondrosis forever

Complex drug treatment consists of several groups of drugs:

• NSAIDs and analgesics during exacerbations; muscle relaxants for muscle relaxation;
• chondroprotectors, restoring the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs;
• vitamin and mineral complexes containing B vitamins

Various ointments, gels and patches - for example, the Nanoplast patch - effectively complement the treatment. Today, pharmacies have a wide range of topical medications that can be used both during exacerbations and in the recovery phase:

• anti-inflammatory;
• chondroprotective;
• homeopathic.

When acute symptoms subside, warming agents may be used.

Traditional methods

The honey potato wrap is made from raw grated potatoes and honey. Both components are taken in equal amounts, mixed and laid 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 should be dissolved and applied to the painful area, avoiding contact with the spine itself. It is recommended to submit such requests once every two days.

Knead the dough from the water and rye flour to a medium density, roll out the cake and attach it to the neck. Lubricate the skin with turpentine before application. Cover the wrap with polyethylene and a warm cloth, hold until a burning sensation occurs, but no more than 15 minutes. You can perform the procedure every other day.

An 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.

2. l. cook the mixture in a thermos, pouring it over a liter of boiling water. Take 3 times daily before meals by the glass.

So, a lot can be done at home to get rid of such an unpleasant disease as osteochondrosis. When performing all medical examinations, including taking medication, attending physical and massage procedures, performing therapeutic exercises, there is every chance to avoid its progression and prevent recurrences.

What to do now

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

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