About 80% of people in the world sooner or later become familiar with a disease such as cervical osteochondrosis.Symptoms and home treatment may differ in each case, so you always cannot do without medical help.The disease is not fatal, but it is quite difficult to cure, so the best option would be to use all possible methods - both popular and traditional medicines - in order to forget about the painful pain forever.
Causes of disease
Sad statistics show that the number of people affected by this disease is increasing every year.This is due to an unhealthy lifestyle, harsh working conditions and lack of attention to one's own health.Despite the high incidence, few people 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, the location most often remains within the cervical and thoracic vertebrae.
If cervical osteochondrosis is not treated promptly at home, its progression can lead to complete immobilization of the patient.
In order to be able 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, runs through this part of the human body.It is through this blood flow that vital nutrients, including oxygen, circulate to all parts of the brain.
Osteochondrosis is a consequence of deformation of cartilage and intervertebral discs, which puts additional pressure on the vertebral body.The disease causes degenerative changes in the disc, inhibiting physiological functions and reducing its height.As the disease progresses, a reaction occurs at the endplate.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, nerve roots become pinched and the space for the spinal cord narrows.The following symptoms appear:
- stiffness in the neck, aching pain;
- tingling and numbness of the limbs;
- constant and specific headache, which intensifies with any movement and does not disappear after taking painkillers;
- dizziness;
- lack of coordination;
- emotional instability;
- memory loss;
- noise and ringing in the ears.
What other causes of 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 requiring appropriate treatment:
- hypothermia;
- significant 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 peculiarity.The presence of the disease can be determined by pain in the right half of the chest, in the right arm and forearm.The pain is acute and most often short-lived.Attacks of pressing pain may also occur, which can be relieved by taking painkillers and NSAIDs.
Since all symptoms may differ in each case, and other diseases can be treated absolutely, the diagnosis of osteochondrosis is best left to professionals.Once the diagnosis has been established and treatment prescribed, therapy can be supplemented with traditional medicine.However, treatment with homemade ointments and tinctures may not produce results.
Traditional medicines
The intensity and duration of treatment 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 damage 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 medications 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 caused by nerve damage;
- antidepressants;
- warming ointments;
- anti-inflammatory ointments.
All these drugs together help to eliminate osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Home treatment also involves special exercises that warm up the muscles and affect damaged tissues.
Physiotherapy at home
During his visit to a clinic, a patient with osteochondrosis consults a therapist.The doctor can advise you on which medications are best to take and, if necessary, refer you to specialized specialists - a neurologist or physiotherapist.The latter will teach the patient specific therapeutic exercises that can be practiced independently at home.The therapy helps strengthen and stretch the shoulder and neck muscles.
Regular training under the supervision of a doctor or loved ones will quickly get the patient back on his feet and prevent a recurrence of the disease.
Special massage
Often the patient's condition is so serious and accompanying illnesses are so serious that it is impossible to perform physiotherapeutic exercises.In this case, one of the relatives can provide the patient with a special relaxing massage.
It is advisable to use pharmacy or homemade medicinal oil in the process.The best effect can be achieved if you use a relaxing agent containing plant extracts that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Principles of massage:
- Don't push!The neck muscles are already in pain, and additional intense pressure can cause another attack of pain.Therefore, you should work with your hands gently so as not to cause discomfort to the patient.Only the fingers should participate in the massage.
- Don't make sudden movements!All manipulations should be carried out without problems.
- Follow the direction!An important rule of massage for osteochondrosis is to follow the direction from the spine, and not towards it.This is how 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 pot is attached to the body, you should 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 for longer.
Traditional medicine suggests using ordinary bee honey to warm the skin and muscles.Before the procedure, you should warm your neck with a heating pad, then apply a tablespoon 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 must 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.
Popular drugs
We cannot rule out simple but effective folk recipes.Alternative medicine advises using combinations of various poisons, fats, essential oils and herbs to relieve neck pain.
- Celery medicine.The root of the vegetable is grated on a fine grater or passed through a sieve.After that, squeeze the resulting juice.It is recommended to take this medication daily to maintain its freshness and beneficial properties.You need to drink a tablespoon of juice before meals three times a day.
- Bay leaf decoction.Pour 15 g of dry bay leaf into a small enamel 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 throughout 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 should be stored in the refrigerator.
Effective friction
Special homemade frictions will help enhance the effect of therapeutic massage.They contain only natural ingredients – oils and herbs.
- Red pepper remedy.Finely chop two 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 tightly closed with a rubber cap and left to infuse in a warm, 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 product, as the warming effect will suddenly turn into a burning effect and instead of improving blood circulation, you will cause a burn.
- Butter cream.Mix a raw egg with a tablespoon of flour and the same amount of vinegar.Add 100 g of softened butter.After thoroughly 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 must be removed and treatment started by rubbing the ointment into the skin with a massage.This homemade cream can be kept for 3 days maximum.
- Burdock compress.A mixture of horseradish and burdock has proven itself well in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Finely chopped roots should be doused with boiling water, wrapped in a cotton cloth and applied to the sore spot 10 times a day.After a week, the disease will stop bothering you.
Special recommendations
Treatment of osteochondrosis with complex therapy quickly gives 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 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, because improper treatment can lead to disease progression and even disability.
It should be noted that not all methods of home treatment of this disease give positive results.Acupuncture, apitherapy, deep massage and spinal stretching can be harmful.Even if the doctor recommends carrying out such procedures at home, this will only aggravate the situation.These therapies are performed only by specialists in a clinical setting.