Approximately 80% of people in 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 treat, so the best option would be to use all possible methods - both folk and traditional medicines - to forget about the painful pain forever.
Causes of the disease
Sad statistics show that the number of people affected by 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 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.More often, however, the localization remains within the cervical and thoracic vertebrae.
If cervical osteochondrosis is not treated quickly at home, the progression can lead to complete immobilization of the patient.
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 large vessels, the vertebral artery, passes through this part of the human body.Through this blood flow, vital nutrients, including oxygen, pass to all parts of the brain.
Osteochondrosis is a consequence of deformation of the intervertebral cartilages and discs, which further burdens the body of the vertebrae.The disease provokes degenerative changes in the disc, suppressing physiological functions and reducing its height.As the disease progresses, there is a reaction in the vertebral endplate.As a result of this process, the spinal canal narrows and the spine becomes crooked.
At the beginning, 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 appear:
- neck stiffness, aching pain;
- numbness and tingling in the limbs;
- constant and specific headache that worsens with every movement and does not disappear after taking analgesics;
- vertigo;
- 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.That's just one of the reasons.This symptom may 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 compression of nerve roots.
Osteochondrosis has a distinctive feature.The presence of the disease can be determined by pain in the right half of the chest, in the area of the right hand and forearm.The pain is sharp and usually short-lived.Attacks of pressing pain can also occur, which can be relieved by taking analgesics and NSAIDs.
Since all symptoms in each individual case can differ, and other diseases can be treated absolutely, it is better to leave the diagnosis of osteochondrosis to professionals.After establishing the diagnosis and prescribing treatment, therapy can be supplemented with traditional medicine.However, treatment with homemade ointments and tinctures alone may not produce results.
Traditional medicines
The intensity and duration of the therapy depends directly on the degree of the disease and the severity of the symptoms.Treatment should be aimed at maintaining mobility of the spine, 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 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.Treatment at home also includes special exercises that warm up the muscles and affect the damaged tissues.
Home physiotherapy
When visiting a clinic, a patient with osteochondrosis consults with a therapist.The doctor can advise on the best medicines to take and, if necessary, refer you to specialized specialists - a neurologist or a kinesitherapist.The latter will teach the patient special therapeutic exercises that can be done independently at home.The therapy helps 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 a relapse of the disease.
Special massage
Often, the patient's condition is so severe, and the accompanying diseases are 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 home healing oil in the process.The best effect 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 additional strong pressure can provoke a new attack of pain.Therefore, you should carefully work with your hands 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 done smoothly.
- Follow the direction!An important rule in osteochondrosis massage is to follow the direction from the spine, 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 smeared with petroleum jelly or massage oil.After the jar is attached to the body, you should wait no more than 6-7 minutes.At the end of the procedure, the place is covered with a warm towel to keep the effect longer.
Traditional medicine suggests the use of ordinary 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 patting, the honey is whipped into a white mass directly on the sore spot.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 the simple but effective folk recipes.Alternative medicine advises using combinations of various poisons, fats, essential oils and herbs for neck pain.
- Light with celery.The root of the vegetable is grated on a fine grater or rubbed through a sieve.Then squeeze the resulting juice.It is recommended to take this medicine every day to preserve its freshness and beneficial properties.You should drink one tablespoon of juice before meals three times a day.
- Bay leaf decoction.15 g of dry bay leaves are poured into a small enamel pot and poured with 300 ml of water at room temperature, boiling for 5-7 minutes.After the broth is infused for 2-3 hours, it should be strained and cooled.Drink in small sips between meals throughout the day.It remains only to drink before going to bed.The course is 4 days, and after a week's rest it is recommended to repeat the therapy.
- Collecting medicinal herbs.Mix parsley, chamomile, oregano, hops, nettles and burdock root in equal proportions of 100 g each. Pour 1.5 liters of boiling water into a thermos with the dry mixture and let it stand for 3 days.The strained drink is taken one tablespoon 2-3 times a day.The medicine should be stored in a refrigerator.
Effective rubbing
Special homemade rubs will help improve the effect of the therapeutic massage.They contain only natural ingredients - oils and herbs.
- Red pepper remedy.Finely chop two hot red peppers and place 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 the product, because the warming effect will suddenly turn into a burning one, and instead of improving blood circulation, you will get a burn.
- Butter cream.Mix one raw egg with a tablespoon of flour and the same amount of vinegar.Add 100g of soft butter.After thoroughly mixing all the ingredients, the product should be left for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.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 a massage.This homemade cream can be stored for no more than 3 days.
- Burdock compress.A mixture of horseradish and burdock has proven itself well in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Finely chopped roots are poured with boiling water, wrapped in cotton cloth and applied to the affected area 10 times a day.After a course of one week, the disease will stop bothering you.
Special recommendations
Treatment of osteochondrosis with the help of complex therapy quickly gives results.The influence of traditional medicine and traditional medicine has a beneficial effect on the restoration of the intervertebral discs and the preservation of the integrity of the cartilage.However, only a doctor should make a diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the neck.
The specialist should also tell you how to treat this disease at home, since 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 massage and spinal stretching can cause harm.Even if the doctor recommends performing such procedures at home, it will only worsen the situation.Such therapies are performed only by specialists in clinical settings.