About 80% of people around the world sooner or later get acquainted with a disease such as cervical osteochondrosis.Symptoms and treatment at home may differ in each case, so you still cannot do without medical help.The disease is not fatal, but it is quite difficult to cure it, so the best option would be to use all possible methods - both folk and traditional medicines - to forget about the pain forever.
Causes of disease
Sad statistics show that the number of people suffering from this disease is increasing every year.This is due to an unhealthy lifestyle, difficult working conditions and lack of proper attention to one's own health.Despite the high frequency, few know how to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
If you ignore the manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis, a generalized form of the disease develops that affects 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 need to pay attention to the basic anatomy of the neck.One of the most important and largest vessels, the vertebral artery, passes through this part of the human body.Through this blood flow, vital nutrients, including oxygen, reach all parts of the brain.
Osteochondrosis is a consequence of the deformation of the intervertebral cartilage and discs, which additionally burdens the body of the vertebrae.The disease causes degenerative changes in the disc, inhibits physiological functions and reduces its height.As the disease progresses, there is a reaction in the end plate of the vertebra.As a result of this process, the spinal canal narrows and the spine becomes curved.
Initially, cervical osteochondrosis does not cause any alarming signs.As the disease progresses, the nerve roots are compressed and the space for the spinal cord narrows.The following symptoms occur:
- neck stiffness, pain;
- tingling and numbness of the limbs;
- constant and specific headache, which increases with every 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 can 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 nerve root compression.
Osteochondrosis has a characteristic feature.The presence of the disease can be determined by pain in the right half of the chest, in the area of the right arm and forearm.The pain is acute and usually short-lived.Attacks of pressure pain may also occur, which can be alleviated by taking analgesics and NSAIDs.
Since all symptoms can be different in each case, and other diseases can be completely treated, it is better to leave the diagnosis of osteochondrosis to professionals.After diagnosis and prescribed treatment, therapy can be supplemented with traditional medicine.However, only treatment with homemade ointments and tinctures may not give results.
Traditional medicine
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 mobility of the spine, alleviating pain and preventing injuries to the nerves and spinal cord.
Depending on the form and stage of the disease, experts usually prescribe the following drugs for cervical osteochondrosis:
- hormonal drugs that help relieve pain and inflammation;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve inflammation and pain;
- muscle relaxants that quickly relieve neck muscle spasms;
- drugs that relieve attacks and dull pain from nerve damage;
- antidepressants;
- heating grease;
- anti-inflammatory ointments.
All these drugs together help to solve osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Treatment at home includes special exercises that warm up muscles and work on damaged tissues.
Home physiotherapy
During a visit to the clinic, a patient with osteochondrosis consults with a therapist.The doctor can advise which medicines are best to take, and if necessary, refer to a specialist - a neurologist or physiotherapist.The latter will teach the patient special therapeutic exercises that can be performed independently at home.The therapy helps to strengthen and stretch the shoulder and neck muscles.
Regular training under the supervision of a doctor or relative will quickly put the patient on his feet and prevent the recurrence of the disease.
Special massage
Often, the patient's condition is so difficult, and accompanying diseases so serious, that it is impossible to perform physical therapy exercises.In this case, one of the relatives can give the patient a special relaxing massage.
It is recommended to use pharmacy or domestic medicinal oil in the process.You can achieve the best effect if you use a relaxing agent with plant extracts that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Principles of massage:
- Don't push!The neck muscles are already suffering, and additional intense pressure can cause another bout of pain.Therefore, you must work gently with your hands so as not to cause discomfort to the patient.Only fingers should be included in the massage.
- Do not make sudden movements!All manipulations must be performed smoothly.
- Follow the direction!An important rule of massage in osteochondrosis is to follow the direction from the spinal column, and not towards it.This way the blood will saturate the right areas.
Many experts recommend using 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 don't have to wait more than 6-7 minutes.At the end of the procedure, the area is covered with a warm towel to keep the effect longer.
Traditional medicine suggests using plain honey to warm the skin and muscles.Before the procedure, it is necessary to warm the neck with a heating pad, and then apply a spoonful of honey to the skin.With light massage movements and tapping, the 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 a 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 significant relief.
Folk remedies
We cannot write off simple but effective folk recipes.Alternative medicine advises the use of 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 out the resulting juice.It is recommended to take this medicine every day to maintain its freshness and beneficial properties.One tablespoon of juice should be drunk three times a day before meals.
- Bay leaf decoction.Pour 15 g of dry bay leaves into a small enamel pot and fill it with 300 ml of room temperature water, cook for 5-7 minutes.After the soup has stood for 2-3 hours, it should be strained and cooled.Drink in small sips between meals throughout the day.All you have to do is drink it before going to bed.The course lasts 4 days, and after a week's break it is recommended to repeat the therapy.
- A collection of medicinal plants.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 one tablespoon of the strained drink 2-3 times a day.The medicine should be stored in the refrigerator.
Effective rubbing
Special home rubs will help enhance the effect of therapeutic massage.They contain only natural ingredients - oils and herbs.
- Red pepper medicine.Finely chop two hot red peppers and put them in a tightly closed container.It is necessary to cover the pepper with a glass of vegetable oil.The medicine should be tightly closed with a rubber cap and left to stand in a warm and dark place for a week.When the homemade ointment is ready, it should be rubbed into the collar area with light movements twice a day.It is not recommended to apply a large amount of the product, because the heating effect will suddenly turn into a burning effect and instead of improving circulation, you will get burns.
- Butter cream.Mix a raw egg with a spoonful of flour and the same amount of vinegar.Add 100 g of soft butter.After mixing all the ingredients well, the product should be left in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.A film will appear on the surface of the medicine, which must be removed and the treatment started by rubbing the ointment into the skin with the help of massage.This homemade cream can be stored for a maximum of 3 days.
- Thistle compress.A mixture of horseradish and burdock has proven itself well in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Pour boiling water over finely chopped roots, wrap in a cotton cloth and apply to the painful area 10 times a day.After a course of one week, the disease will stop bothering you.
Special recommendations
Treatment of osteochondrosis with complex therapy quickly brings results.The influence of traditional medicine and traditional medicine has a beneficial effect on the restoration of intervertebral discs and the preservation of cartilage integrity.However, only a doctor should diagnose neck osteochondrosis.
A specialist should also tell you how to treat this disease at home, because improper treatment can lead to disease progression and even disability.
It is worth noting that not all methods of home treatment of this disease show positive results.Acupuncture, apitherapy, deep tissue massage and spinal stretching can cause damage.Even if the doctor recommends carrying out such procedures at home, it will only worsen the situation.Such therapies are carried out only by specialists in a clinical setting.