About 80% of people around the world sooner or later get acquainted with a disease such as cervical osteochondrosis.Symptoms and home treatment may vary in each case, so you 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 folk and traditional medicines - to forget the aching pain forever.
Causes of the disease
The sad statistics show that the number of people affected by this disease is increasing every year.This is due to the unhealthy lifestyle, the difficult working conditions and the lack of proper attention to the individual'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 in the cervical and thoracic vertebrae.
If cervical osteochondrosis is not treated quickly at home, the progression can lead to complete immobilization of the patient.
Before you can 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.It is through this blood flow that vital nutrients, including oxygen, flow to all parts of the brain.
Osteochondrosis is a consequence of the deformation of the intervertebral cartilage and discs, which puts additional pressure on the vertebral body.The disease causes degenerative changes in the disc, inhibiting normal functions and reducing its height.As the disease progresses, there is a reaction to the vertebral endplate.As a result of this process, the spinal canal narrows and the spine curves.
Initially, cervical osteochondrosis does not cause alarming signs.As the disease progresses, the nerve roots pinch and the space for the spinal cord narrows.The following symptoms appear:
- neck stiffness, pain pain;
- tingling and numbness of the extremities;
- constant and specific headache, which intensifies with any movement and does not subside 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;
- severe muscle stress.
- fixed 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 special 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 sharp and most often short-lived.Attacks of pressure pain may also occur, which can be relieved by taking analgesics and NSAIDs.
Since all the symptoms in each case can be different and other diseases can be treated absolutely, it is better to leave the diagnosis of osteochondrosis to the professionals.Once the diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed, treatment can be supplemented with traditional medicine.However, treatment with homemade ointments and tinctures alone may not work.
Traditional medicines
The intensity and duration of treatment directly depends on the extent of the disease and the severity of the symptoms.Treatment should aim to maintain spinal mobility, relieve pain, and prevent nerve and spinal cord injury.
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 muscle spasms in the neck.
- drugs that relieve seizures and dull pain from nerve damage.
- antidepressants;
- warming ointments;
- anti-inflammatory ointments.
All these drugs together help to get rid of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Home treatment also includes special exercises that warm up the muscles and affect the damaged tissues.
Physiotherapy at home
When visiting a clinic, a patient with osteochondrosis consults a therapist.The doctor can advise you on which drugs are best to take and, if necessary, refer you to specialized specialists - a neurologist or a physiotherapist.The latter will teach the patient special therapeutic exercises that can be done independently at home.The treatment helps to strengthen and stretch the shoulder and neck muscles.
Regular training under the supervision of a doctor or relatives will quickly put the patient on his feet and prevent the recurrence of the disease.
Special massage
Often the patient's condition is so serious and the accompanying diseases so serious, that it is impossible to carry out physical therapy exercises.In this case, one of the relatives can give the patient a special relaxing massage.
It is recommended to use drugstore or homemade medicated oil in the process.The best result can be achieved if you use a relaxing agent with herbal extracts that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Principles of massage:
- Don't push!The muscles of the neck are already suffering, and the added intense pressure can cause another attack of pain.Therefore, you must work with your hands gently so as not to cause discomfort to the patient.Only the fingers should be involved in the massage.
- Do not make sudden movements!All manipulations must be carried out smoothly.
- Follow the direction!An important rule of massage for osteochondrosis is to follow the direction from the spine and not towards it.So 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 need to wait no 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 regular honey to warm the skin and muscles.Before the procedure, you need to warm your neck with a heating pad, and then apply a tablespoon of honey to the skin.With light massage movements and strokes, the honey is beaten 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 significant relief.
Folk remedies
We cannot write off simple but effective folk recipes.Alternative medicine advises using combinations of various poisons, oils, essential oils and herbs for neck pain.
- Celery medicine.The root of the vegetable is grated on a fine grater or rubbed with 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 tablespoon of juice before meals three times a day.
- Decoction of bay leaves.Pour 15 grams of dry bay leaves into a small enamel pot and fill it with 300 ml of water at room temperature, boiling for 5-7 minutes.After the broth is infused for 2 - 3 hours, it must be drained and cooled.Drink in small sips between meals throughout the day.All that's left is to drink before bed.The course lasts 4 days and after a break of one week it is recommended to repeat the treatment.
- Collection of medicinal herbs.Mix parsley, chamomile, oregano, hops, nettle and burdock root in equal proportions, 100 g.Pour 1.5 liters of boiling water into a thermos with the dry mixture and leave it for 3 days.Take the strained drink one tablespoon 2-3 times a day.The medicine should be stored in the refrigerator.
Effective scrubbing
Special homemade rubs will help enhance the effect of therapeutic massage.They contain only natural ingredients - oils and herbs.
- Red pepper treatment.Chop two hot red peppers and put them in a tightly closed container.Pepper should be poured with a glass of vegetable oil.The medicine should be tightly closed with an elastic 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 the product, as the heating effect will suddenly turn into burning, and instead of improving blood circulation, you will get a burn.
- Butter cream.Mix a raw egg with a tablespoon of flour and the same amount of vinegar.Add 100 grams of soft butter.After mixing all the ingredients well, the product should be kept for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.A film will appear on the surface of the drug, which must be removed and the treatment started by rubbing the ointment into the skin with a massage.This homemade cream can be stored for no more than 3 days.
- Kolitsida compress.A mixture of horseradish and burdock has proven itself well in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Chopped roots should be poured with boiling water, wrapped in cotton cloth and applied to the sore spot 10 times a day.After a course of one week, the disease will stop bothering you.
Special recommendations
Treatment of osteochondrosis using complex therapy brings quick results.The effect of traditional medicines and traditional medicine has a beneficial effect on the restoration of the intervertebral discs and the maintenance of the integrity of the cartilage.However, only a doctor should make the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the neck.
A specialist should also tell you how to treat this disease at home, as 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, acupressure, deep tissue massage and spinal stretching can all cause damage.Even if the doctor recommends carrying out such procedures at home, this will only worsen the situation.Such treatments are only performed by specialists in a clinical setting.