Approximately 80% of people around the world sooner or later recognize a disease such as cervical osteochondrosis.Symptoms and home treatment may vary in each case, so you still 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 - in order to forget about the painful 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 an unhealthy lifestyle, difficult working conditions and lack of proper attention to one'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 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 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 intervertebral cartilage and discs, which exerts additional stress on the vertebral body.The disease provokes degenerative changes in the disc, inhibiting 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 curved.
At first, cervical osteochondrosis does not cause any alarming signs.As the disease progresses, the nerve roots tighten and the space for the spinal cord narrows.The following symptoms appear:
- neck stiffness, aching pain;
- tingling and numbness of the limbs;
- constant and specific headache, which intensifies with every movement and does not go away after taking analgesics;
- dizziness;
- lack of coordination;
- emotional instability;
- memory loss;
- tinnitus and tinnitus.
What else causes neck pain?
The back and neck can be injured not only because of osteochondrosis.This is just one of the reasons.This symptom can be a sign of other diseases that require proper treatment:
- hypothermia;
- severe muscle stress;
- continuous forced stay;
- infections;
- joint pathologies;
- vertebral fracture;
- spinal canal stenosis;
- diseases of internal organs;
- Benign and malignant tumors;
- radiculopathy or nerve root compression.
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 arm and forearm.The pain is acute and often short-lived.Attacks of pressing pain can also occur, which can be relieved by taking analgesics and NSAIDs.
Since all the symptoms in each case can change, and other diseases can be treated absolutely, it is better to leave the diagnosis of osteochondrosis to professionals.Once the diagnosis has been made and the treatment prescribed, the 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 therapy directly depends on the degree of the disease and the severity of the symptoms.Treatment should aim to maintain mobility of the spine, relieve pain and prevent 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;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve inflammation and relieve pain;
- muscle relaxants that quickly relieve neck muscle spasms;
- drugs that relieve seizures and dull pain from nerve damage;
- antidepressants;
- heating ointment;
- anti-inflammatory ointment.
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 with a therapist.The doctor can advise which medications are best to take and, if necessary, refer you to specialized specialists - a neurologist or physiotherapist.The latter will teach the patient special therapeutic exercises that can be done independently at home.The therapy 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 a recurrence of the disease.
Special massage
Often the patient's condition is so serious and the accompanying diseases are so severe that it is impossible to perform physiotherapeutic exercises.In this case, one of the relatives can give the patient a special relaxing massage.
It is advisable to use medicinal oil in the pharmacy or at home in this process.The best effect can be achieved 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 provoke 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 be involved in the massage.
- Do not make sudden movements!All manipulations must be performed without problems.
- Follow the lead!An important rule of massage for osteochondrosis is to follow the direction from the spine, and not towards it.Thus 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 should wait no more than 6-7 minutes.At the end of the procedure, the area is covered with a warm towel to maintain the effect longer.
Traditional medicine suggests using regular bee honey to warm the skin and muscles.Before the procedure, you should warm the neck with a heating pad, then apply a tablespoon of honey to the skin.With light massage movements and stroking, 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 film and a warm towel or wool scarf.White honey is washed only in the morning.After the first such procedure, the patient will feel considerable relief.
Folk medicine
We can not delete simple but effective popular recipes.Alternative medicine advises the use of combinations of poisons, fats, essential oils and various herbs for neck pain.
- Celery medicine.The root vegetable is grated on a fine grater or rubbed through 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 g of dry bay leaves into a small enamel pot and fill with 300 ml of water at room temperature, boiling for 5-7 minutes.After the broth has been infused for 2-3 hours, it should be drained and cooled.Drink in small sips between meals throughout the day.All that remains is to drink before bed.The course lasts 4 days and after a week break it is recommended to repeat the therapy.
- 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 the strained drink one tablespoon 2-3 times a day.The medicine should be stored in the refrigerator.
Effective friction
Special rubs made at home will help increase the effect of therapeutic massage.They contain only natural ingredients - oils and herbs.
- Remedy for red pepper.Finely chop two red chili peppers and place in a tightly sealed 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, as the heating effect will suddenly turn into a burning effect and instead of improving blood circulation, you will get burns.
- Butter cream.Mix an uncooked egg with a tablespoon of flour and the same amount of vinegar.Add 100 g of soft butter.After the complete mixing of 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 oil 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 should be washed with boiling water, wrapped in a cotton cloth and applied to the injured area 10 times a day.After a course of one week, the disease will not bother you.
Special recommendations
Treatment of osteochondrosis using complex therapy quickly brings results.The influence of traditional medicines and traditional medicine has a beneficial effect on the restoration of intervertebral discs and maintaining the integrity of the 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, since improper treatment can lead to the progression of the disease and even disability.
It is worth noting that not all home treatment methods for this disease show positive results.Acupuncture, apitherapy, deep tissue massage and spinal stretching can cause harm.Even if the doctor recommends performing such procedures at home, this will only worsen the situation.Such therapies are performed only by specialists in a clinical setting.