Cervical osteochondrosis: treatment

Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease in which pain occurs not only in the cervical region, but also in the head, shoulder joints, cerebral circulation is impaired. Contrary to the opinion that this disease is exclusive to the elderly, more and more young people are turning to specialists with neck pain. It all depends on the lifestyle that most people lead. Working at the computer, bad posture, slouching, uncomfortable bed, all this is due to the development of cervical osteochondrosis. Treatment at home is possible in the initial stage of the disease, if you know the cause of its appearance.

Causes and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

The main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae:

• Sedentary lifestyle, working with a computer;
• Improper metabolism;
• Accumulation of salts between the vertebrae;
• Unbalanced diet;
• Heredity;
• Injuries to the cervix;
• Improper functioning of hormones.

Before looking for ways to cure the neck from osteochondrosis, you need to know the symptoms of pain in osteochondrosis. In order to correctly determine the symptoms, it is worth knowing that the vertebral artery, one of the largest vital vessels, passes through the cervical region. It is through it that the brain is fed with all the necessary substances. The distortion of the intervertebral discs, which at the same time causes strong sensations of pain, is called osteochondrosis. Initially, this disease of the joints and the spine is almost impossible to detect, because this disease develops gradually and the pain appears already at the moment when the space between the vertebrae is compressed to such an extent that the nerve endings of the spine are affected. . This leads to a violation of cerebral blood circulation. Only at this moment do the first symptoms appear:

• First of all, pain appears in the neck area;
• He is often troubled by dizziness and headache, especially during movement;
• There is weakness in the arms and legs, movement coordination is impaired;
• Also, a symptom can be ringing, tinnitus;
• Sudden changes in mood;
• Disturbance of the digestive tract and urinary processes in the body.

If you do not consult a specialist at an early stage of the development of osteochondrosis, then more serious problems with the spine may occur, up to distortion.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

There are several ways to treat osteochondrosis of the neck. Each patient suffering from this disease will find a suitable method of pain relief, it all depends on how severe the stage of the disease is. For example, dizziness with osteochondrosis of the cervical region can be cured with compresses according to folk recipes. It is important to remember that any treatment should be done comprehensively.

People's funds

Traditional medicine, with the correct application of recipes, can effectively relieve symptoms. Herbal infusions and decoctions, whose action is aimed at relieving inflammation, help to cope with the disease well, here are some of them:

• A decoction of needles. Pour boiling water over pine needles, let it brew, eat the resulting porridge twice a day or drink an infusion, this will help eliminate the cause of headache;
• Compress with garlic and ginger. Mix garlic and ginger root in equal proportions, add a little oil. The resulting mixture is smeared on the sore spot. If the ginger is only in the form of a spice, you can add a spoonful of powder, the effect will be the same;
• Finely grated potatoes mixed with honeyone to one, put the resulting mass on a compress cloth, attach it to the focus of pain and leave it overnight;
• horseradish leafimmerse in boiling water, then attach the plant to the neck, the water can also be used for compresses.

Also, don't forget about essential oils and herbs, which in combination with alcohol make excellent warming rubs. Within a week of home treatment, the inflammatory processes should subside, if this does not happen, you should immediately contact a specialist.

Surgery

Surgery is a rather time-consuming and complex process, so this method of treatment is used in the most extreme cases and only when other methods are ineffective.

The decision on the need for surgery is made by a doctor who treats osteochondrosis - a neurosurgeon. Only after the diagnosis has been made, all tests and examinations have been carried out, as well as the patient's cerebral vessels have been checked, does the preparation for surgery begin. Surgery is often required when the intervertebral disc is destroyed. If possible, it is better to use other methods.

Medical therapy

In this disease, the treatment depends on its severity. The main function of the drug is an analgesic effect. Everything depends on the degree of development of the disease, specialists in medical institutions prescribe certain drugs:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs that effectively fight pain and inflammation;
• Corticosteroid drugs also help reduce the sensation of pain;
• Muscle relaxants are great for relieving muscle spasms;
• Anticonvulsants are taken for pain due to the development of neuroticism;
• Warming and anti-inflammatory ointments, gels.

Physiotherapy

In order not to suffer from cervical osteochondrosis and ankylosing spondylitis, it is recommended to perform the following exercises:

• Lie on the floor, place one hand on your stomach, the other on your chest, slowly inhale and exhale at least ten times. The essence of the exercise is that the body should be relaxed;
• This exercise is also performed lying on the floor, but already on the stomach. Hands in front of you, slowly begin to lift your head, then your torso, tensing your muscles until your hands rest on the floor. So you need to stand for a minute and a half. Perform 4 approaches;
• Position - sitting on a chair, back straight. Tilt your head forward, trying to reach your chest with your chin. Then tilt your head back as far as possible. Repeat 15 times.

A set of exercises is performed very carefully, all movements should be smooth, without sudden movements, if any exercise causes discomfort or pain, you do not need to continue performing it with full force.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy allows patients to strengthen their neck and back muscles, correct the position of each vertebra and work on stretching them using special exercises. Working with light weights improves nerve conduction in the spinal canal. A full course of exercise allows you to recover faster.

Massage for cervical osteochondrosis

Massage is good, because even with a severe stage of the disease, it can be performed with gentle movements, for this you do not even need to go anywhere, you can always invite a specialist to your home. Typically, a chiropractor adheres to the following principles:

• No force is applied, movements should be soft, not sharp;
• Movements start from the spine;
• The massage is performed only with fingers, without pressure.

Before the massage, the skin is smeared with a special oil. Some experts resort to suction cups, believing that they improve blood circulation. Massage is prescribed both during remission and during exacerbation, as it is an excellent prevention. One hour of daily sessions is enough.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae at home

It is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine on your own at home. You can only prevent the progression of the disease and stop the pain syndromes. This is due to the fact that osteochondrosis is a chronic disease, in some cases exacerbations may occur, it is impossible to completely get rid of it. Therefore, the question of how to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home is somewhat imprecise.

In this way, it is only possible to take preventive measures for the recurrence of the disease. To do this, you should regularly do exercises, move more, do not sit still for a long time, use orthopedic pillows and a mattress. You should also avoid stressful situations and give up bad habits.