Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease associated with the cervical spine.
The first symptoms of this disease usually appear from 25 to 40 years. The disease in 30% of cases is the cause of headaches. If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is not treated, the disease can lead to a vertebral hernia. If you were looking for symptoms of osteochondrosis, treatment methods - then you have come to the right place.
Symptoms, causes, types of osteochondrosis
All parts of the spine consist of the cervix, which consists of seven vertebrae, between which there are intervertebral discs, which makes the spine at the same time flexible, strong and most mobile. All intervertebral discs in the cervical spine consist of an annulus fibrosus with a nucleus pulposus inside. Due to disease, discs lose their elasticity and strength. Due to the resulting loads, the fibrous ring protrudes, forming cracks on it.
Usually, there are several reasons for the onset of the disease, among which the most common are: unhealthy diet; a sedentary lifestyle associated with, for example, working at a computer or constantly driving a car; salts in the spine incorrect exchange of poor or unbalanced diet. Osteochondrosis can occur due to an inherited predisposition; in connection with damage to the spine, in particular its cervical spine; due to hypothermia or hormonal disorder. The causes of the disease may be systemic lupus erythematosus, arthritis.
The main symptoms of the disease include pain that is localized in the neck, back of the head, arm or shoulder. They increase with a light load on the hand, sneezing, coughing. When you turn or tilt your head, there is pain in the neck, it is possible to hear a crunch. Burning between the shoulder blades, tingling in the legs or arms, numbness are symptoms of the disease. Often the disease is accompanied by a headache that the patient feels on the back of the head, temples, crown. Due to a sharp head turn in patients with osteochondrosis, dizziness occurs, there is even fainting. Patients often complain of a decrease in performance, severe fatigue and weakness. Less often there is noise in the ears, impaired vision, hearing, there is pain in the heart.
There are several stages of the disease. In the first stage, patients have high instability in the segments of the spine, the manifestation of which is a violation of the disc. The second stage of the disease is expressed by poor fixation of the vertebrae, which are associated with protrusions on the intervertebral discs. The gap between the vertebrae is reduced. Severe deformations of the ridge appear in the third stage. They are associated with the destruction of the structure of the annulus fibrosus as well as the formation of intervertebral hernia. Symptoms and pain syndrome largely depend on the shape, location and size of the hernia. The last stage is associated with acute pain when moving. Occasionally the painful sensations decrease, in connection with which the patient's condition improves, but this is an apparent relief. In step 4, bone tissue grows between the vertebrae and connects the two vertebrae with each other.
Traditional methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis
As you have seen, cervical osteochondrosis is very dangerous to health. Maybe you will be interested in treating cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies? In fact, any popular recipe is associated with warming the affected area of the spine. Herbal ingredients can also provide additional relief. A wool scarf or a plaster with pepper works well. This is a very effective method. It is worth noting that the treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies is not always safe. For example, if you search the network for cervical spine for treatment, you can find a method according to which the disease is suggested to be treated with horseradish leaves, which must first be dipped in boiling water for a few seconds and then applied to the affected area, wrapped ina scarf while noting that the patient will feel a burning sensation. It is recommended to perform the procedure at least five times! Is it worth explaining that if a person feels an unbearable burning sensation, the heat is no longer "dry". The patient runs the risk of severe burns and the disease only worsens.
Heating compresses
A medical compress is a very common way to deal with a condition such as osteochondrosis. It is often possible to find many recipes for heating compresses on the network. Here is one of them:
dissolve 1 g in 0, 5 l of vodka. propolis, 50 g aloe extract, mustard powder; soften the bandage with a ready-made solution, put it on the neck, fix it with a warm element in the wardrobe; leave the compress on overnight.
There is a good option:
soft in petroleum, squeeze out the fabric of the canvas; rub it with soap, press it to the sore spot with a damp edge; the fabric must be wrapped in polyethylene for several hours; feel a sharp burning sensation, the process should be stopped, rinse the application site with water.
Comfrey and sour cream
Of course, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies is not limited to the above heating compresses. For the treatment of the disease you can use sour cream, comfrey. Wash comfrey under warm running water and chop it with a meat grinder or grater. Stir the root with sour cream in a ratio of 1: 1. The finished mixture must be infused. This usually takes a few hours. Store the finished product in the refrigerator. Apply as a strip up to 3 inches thick. Overlay time - up to 20 minutes. Repeat 3-4 times a day.
Honey
Adherents of traditional medicine can advise compresses with honey to treat osteochondrosis. This method has a very strong side - it is multifunctional. The honey compress works on the painful areas at the same time in the lower back and neck. Below are the optimal recipes.
- Grate potatoes on a grater, mix the resulting mass with honey. To have the maximum effect on the pain site, the honey must be warm. Wrap the rubbed area with a scarf or towel previously covered with plastic. Leave on the neck, lower back for several hours. To prepare the product, use a potato, two tablespoons of honey.
- Pour liquid, cook eucalyptus for 5 minutes. Ready mixture, add honey to the composition. Apply on pain areas, hold the body for 2 hours. To prepare this remedy, use eucalyptus (1 tbsp), honey (1 tbsp), half a glass of water.
Mountain wax (ozokerite)
Warm wax in the bottom of a cup or glass. You must first put a piece of tea towel in the container. The molten wax is applied together with a tea towel to the neck. The procedure can be repeated 20 times. This type of treatment belongs to preventive methods, therefore it is recommended to perform the above procedure for several months. If the work is associated with lifting weights, you have pain in your shoulder, you know, maybe this is a symptom of osteochondrosis, which means this compression is ideal!
Herbal ointments
Gels, ointments are effective in treating cervical osteochondrosis. The products are intended for external use. What to choose, an ointment or a gel, depends only on personal preference, as useful medicinal substances may be contained in both forms. However, it is worth noting that the ointment is a little more effective as it stays longer on the surface of the epidermis and works gradually.
Ginger ointment
To prepare this product, use ginger juice as well as a pharmacy tincture of calendula. For sensitive skin, a mixture diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1 is suitable. Rub the sore spots with the resulting product. Calendula extract reduces inflammation, while ginger improves local blood circulation. After the procedure, be sure to warm up a bit to achieve maximum effect.
Butter and eggs
To prepare the medicine, use 1 tbsp. flour and a half packet of butter. Mix butter and flour with the egg. Then add 1 tbsp. vinegar. The tool is insisted for several days in a dark place. A film is formed on top, which must be removed and discarded. The finished composition should be rubbed into the sore spot. The drug is usually used for acute pain in case of an exacerbation of the disease.
Decoctions and infusions
A decoction of yarrow-like flowers. The drug is known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, sedative properties. It is especially effective for low back pain. To prepare the broth, pour 2 tablespoons of yarrow with boiling water. Let it brew for 30-40 minutes. Drink 1 tbsp. 3 times a day.
Broth from ordinary agrimonium. Take 3 tablespoons. tablespoons burdock, chop it, pour boiling water (250 ml). The finished product must be infused for at least two hours, filtered through a cheesecloth, it is possible to add a spoonful of honey. Drink 1/4 cup 4 times before meals.
Herbs
For thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis, a complex is very effective: mix St. John's wort, sage, burdock, coltsfoot (1: 1: 2: 1). Pour boiling water over 1 tbsp. l. mixtures. Put the compress with the mixture on the neck and wrap it in a scarf.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with leeches
Hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) has been known to humans since time immemorial. This is the oldest branch of medicine. Many are disgusted by the mention of these creatures. This type of therapy is effective in treating many diseases. Treatment with leeches and osteochondrosis is very popular. The use of leeches helps to improve the blood supply to cells in those suffering from osteochondrosis. Regeneration of the intervertebral discs is much faster as a result of improved blood circulation. The substances in the saliva of these worms relieve swelling and congestion, making it possible to replace the use of pharmacological preparations with hirudotherapy.
Training to combat osteochondrosis
If you have searched the network for treatment with cervical osteochondrosis for gymnastics or perhaps are interested in methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis at home with exercises, then read carefully. There are a number of effective physical exercises that become reliable companions in the fight against suffering.
"Turtle". Tilt your head back smoothly. Try to touch the back of your head with your back, pull your head into your shoulders, and be in this position. Lower your head smoothly forward, pull it inwards. Try sniffing your chin against your chest.
The head is tilted to the sides with straight shoulders. The lesson is as follows: keep your back straight. Lock your shoulders, watch the smoothness of the movement. Tilt your head alternately to the right and left, try to touch your shoulder with your ear.
"Dog". Imagine that the nose is connected to the back of the head by a straight line. Turn your head around this line. Point your chin up to the side.
"Owl". The head should be level with the back. Look around slowly. Try to turn your head as much as possible, as if you see what is happening from behind.
Prevention of the development of cervical osteochondrosis
One of the main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis is a sedentary lifestyle, therefore you should go in the fresh air as often as possible, practice sports. This helps keep your spine flexible. Beware of injuries.
Equip the workplace properly from a physiological point of view. Visit the pool, do medical gymnastics. Proper nutrition plays an important role in the prevention of osteochondrosis. Use foods that contain proteins, minerals and vitamins. Lose weight. Regular preventive examinations performed by a vertebrologist will not be superfluous, which is especially important for those who have an inherited predisposition to osteochondrosis or those who are already over 40. It is recommended to consult a specialist and courses in manual therapy.