Approximately 80% of people worldwide sooner or later become familiar with a disease such as cervical osteochondrosis.Symptoms and treatment at home can vary in each individual 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 medicine and traditional medicine - to forget the agonizing pain forever.
Causes of the disease
Sad statistics show that the number of people affected by this disease is growing every year.This is due to an unhealthy lifestyle, difficult working conditions and a 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 neck osteochondrosis, a generalized form of the disease develops that affects the entire spine.However, the localization more often remains within the cervical and thoracic vertebrae.
If cervical osteochondrosis is not treated quickly at home, progression can lead to complete immobilization of the patient.
In order to create an effective treatment plan, you must be aware of 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 deformation of intervertebral cartilage and discs, which puts additional stress on the vertebral body.The disease causes degenerative changes in the disc, inhibits physiological functions and reduces its height.As the disease progresses, a reaction occurs in the vertebral endplate.As a result of this process, the spinal canal narrows and the spine becomes curved.
Initially, cervical osteochondrosis does not cause any alarming signs.As the disease progresses, the nerve roots become pinched and the space for the spinal cord narrows.The following symptoms appear:
- stiffness in the neck, aching pain;
- tingling and numbness in the limbs;
- constant and specific headache, which intensifies with any movement and does not go away after taking painkillers;
- dizziness;
- lack of coordination;
- emotional instability;
- memory loss;
- noise and ringing in the ears.
What else causes neck pain
Back and neck can hurt not only because of osteochondrosis.This is 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 nerve root compression.
Osteochondrosis has a distinctive character.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 usually short-lived.Attacks of pressing 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 professionals.After a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed, the therapy can be supplemented with traditional medicine.But treatment with homemade ointments and tinctures alone may not bring results.
Traditional medicine
The intensity and duration of treatment depends directly on the extent of the disease and the severity of symptoms.The treatment should be aimed at maintaining spinal cord mobility, relieving pain and preventing damage to 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;
- nonsteroidal 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;
- warming ointments;
- anti-inflammatory ointments.
All these drugs together help to get rid of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Treatment at home also involves special exercises that warm up the muscles and affect damaged tissue.
Home physiotherapy
When visiting a clinic, a patient with osteochondrosis consults a therapist.The doctor can advise which medicine is best to take and, if necessary, refer you to specialist specialists - a neurologist or physiotherapist.The latter will teach the patient special therapeutic exercises that can be performed independently at home.The therapy helps to strengthen and stretch the shoulder and neck muscles.
Regular exercise under the supervision of a doctor or relative 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 concomitant diseases are so serious, that it is impossible to perform physiotherapeutic exercises.In this case, one of the relatives can give the patient a particularly relaxing massage.
It is advisable to use pharmacy or homemade medicinal oil in the process.The best effect can be achieved if you use a relaxant with herbal extracts that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Principles of massage:
- Do not press!The neck muscles are already suffering, and further intense pressure can provoke another bout of pain.Therefore, you must work carefully 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 performed smoothly.
- Follow the direction!An important rule of massage for osteochondrosis is to follow the direction from the spine and not against 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 must be lubricated with vaseline or massage oil.After the jar is attached to the body, do not wait more than 6-7 minutes.At the end of the procedure, cover the area with a warm towel to preserve the effect longer.
Traditional medicine suggests using plain bee honey to warm the skin and muscles.Before the procedure, warm the neck with a heating pad and 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 affected area.At the end of the procedure, the skin will be red and sensitive;it must be covered with film and a warm towel or woolen scarf.White honey is only washed off in the morning.After the first such procedure, the patient will feel significant relief.
Folk medicine
We cannot write off simple but effective folk recipes.Alternative medicine advises using combinations of different toxins, fats, essential oils and herbs for neck pain.
- Medicine with celery.The vegetable root is grated on a fine grater or rubbed through a sieve.After that, squeeze out 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.
- Bay leaf decoction.Pour 15 g of dry bay leaf into a small enamel pot and fill it with 300 ml of water at room temperature, boil for 5-7 minutes.After the broth has been infused for 2 - 3 hours, it must be strained and cooled.Drink in small sips between meals throughout the day.The only thing left is to drink before bed.The course lasts 4 days, and after a week's break it is recommended to repeat the therapy.
- Collection of medicinal herbs.Mix parsley, chamomile, oregano, hops, nettle and burdock 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 must be stored in the refrigerator.
Effective rubbing
Special homemade rubs help improve the effect of therapeutic massage.They contain only natural ingredients – oils and herbs.
- Red pepper medium.Finely chop two hot red peppers and place them in a tightly closed container.Pepper should be poured with a glass of vegetable oil.The medicine must be closed tightly with a rubber cap and left to infuse in a warm, dark place for a week.When the homemade ointment is ready, rub it into the collar area with light movements twice a day.It is not recommended to apply a large amount of the product, as the warming effect will suddenly turn into a burning effect and instead of improving blood circulation, you will get a burn.
- Buttercream.Mix a raw egg with a tablespoon of flour and the same amount of vinegar.Add 100 g of soft butter.After thoroughly mixing all the ingredients, the product must stand for 2 - 3 days in the refrigerator.A film forms on the surface of the medicine, which must be removed and treatment begins by rubbing the ointment into the skin with a massage.This homemade cream cannot be stored for 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 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 gives quick results.The influence of traditional medicine and traditional medicine has a beneficial effect on the restoration of intervertebral discs and the preservation of cartilage integrity.However, only a doctor should diagnose cervical osteochondrosis.
A specialist should also tell you how to treat this disease at home, as incorrect treatment can lead to progression of the disease 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 injury.Although the doctor recommends performing such procedures at home, this will only worsen the situation.Such therapies are only performed by specialists in a clinical setting.