Cervical osteochondrosis is a malnutrition and gradual destruction of the cervical vertebrae. The disorder is manifested by pain in the neck, which radiates to the shoulders, arms and head. If untreated, cervical osteochondrosis progresses and is accompanied not only by severe spasms, dizziness, numbness of the limbs, tinnitus caused by pinched blood vessels may appear.
We have prepared material for everyone who is faced with the problem of cervical osteochondrosis and wants to cure it at home.
The reasons for the development of pathology
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease of our time. The main reason for its appearance is a sedentary lifestyle. This causes an increased load on the cervical region, under the influence of which a spasm occurs in the muscles, which impairs blood circulation. The nutritional processes, which are associated with the movement of blood in the cervical spine, are disrupted, the structure of the intervertebral discs and joints between the vertebrae changes. Over time, bone growths form on the cervical vertebrae, this reduces the mobility of the cervical spine, causes pain and numbness in the shoulder girdle.
Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis include:
- posture disorders;
- increased body weight;
- constant back strain during work (drivers, office workers);
- increased physical activity;
- spinal injury.
Signs and symptoms
It is possible to detect the presence of cervical osteochondrosis already in the early stages, since with minor changes in the structure of the cervical vertebrae, a person may already feel discomfort. Over time, the influence of degenerative changes increases. As a result, the manifestation of cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into the following stages:
- Slight neck pain, may worsen with head movement.
- The pain intensifies, it can radiate to the shoulders or arms. It is accompanied by weakness, absent-mindedness, headache.
- Painful sensations become permanent, numbness of the hands is added.
- There are attacks of severe dizziness with tinnitus, dark spots before the eyes, impaired coordination, numbness of the tongue, decreased vision.
Violations in the cervical spine are very dangerous, since the nerve root of the spinal cord and the arteries that are responsible for feeding the brain are pinched. If you find signs of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible.
Basics of treatment
Conservative therapy in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis shows high efficiency. All of her activities can be performed at home with the permission of a doctor.
Treatment focuses on:
- removing the load from the spine;
- elimination of pain;
- removal of muscle contractures;
- preventing further changes in the tissues surrounding the cervical vertebrae;
- elimination of numbness;
- normalization of sleep.
To achieve the set goals, the treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is based on three directions: treatment with natural materials and animal components (herbs, eggs, animal fats), massage and physiotherapy.
Home treatment methods
For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home, you can use plant and animal raw materials purchased at a pharmacy or collected on your own. But since a large number of components of natural origin are allergens, it is important to make sure that you have no allergic reaction before using any folk recipe.
Alcohol compress
Mix 300 ml of medical alcohol, 10 ml of iodine, 10 pre-crushed analgesic tablets, 10 ml of camphor alcohol. In the resulting solution, moisten the cloth and apply compresses on the affected area until the pain subsides. If there are wounds or inflammations on the skin, the compress should be discarded.
Potato compress
Grate 1 potato and add 2 tablespoons of liquid honey to it. It is important that there are no crystals in honey, otherwise they can cause tissue burns. Put the gruel in a thin cloth and apply to the cervical region.
Pine infusion
The buds for the preparation of the product are harvested in early May, when their size reaches only 2 cm. Cut the collected buds into rings, cover with sugar in a 1: 2 ratio and leave in a dark place for 2 weeks. As a result, the mixture should get a golden brown color and a rich spruce smell. Take it inside 3 times a day for a teaspoon. You need to hold the mixture in your mouth for 2 minutes. The course of admission is 2-3 weeks.
Horseradish rub
The horseradish root is grated, after which the gruel is squeezed out to obtain juice. It is mixed with alcohol in a 1: 1 ratio. The resulting mixture is rubbed into the cervical zone, where severe pain is felt, but without affecting the areas under which the lymph nodes are located.
Ginger ointment
Grate 50 g of ginger root and 3 cloves of garlic, add 3 tablespoons of butter. Rub into problem areas.
Needle decoction
Take 250 g of pine or spruce needles, pour 1 liter of cold water, cook for half an hour. Take 2 times a day, half an hour after meals, with a break of 8 hours. The course of admission is 1 month.
Dandelion decoction
You will need dried dandelion roots for cooking. They are crushed in an amount of 15 g, filled with 250 ml of hot water and kept in a water bath for 15 minutes. Then the broth is allowed to cool for 50 minutes, filtered, diluted with water to make 250 ml. Take 3 times a day before meals, 75 ml.
Radish compress
It is used to relieve pain, do not use if there is inflammation in the neck. Grate the radish on a fine grater, place it on a piece of cloth and cover it with another piece of cloth. Apply the compress to the neck and secure with cling film. Radish juice causes a warming effect and a burning sensation, hold the compress until the burning sensation is tolerated.
Honey compress
Mix 15 g each honey and coarse salt. Place on a soft, natural fabric. Apply the compress to the neck, cover with paper and secure with a scarf. Repeat daily at bedtime until the pain subsides.
Also, for the effective treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is worth organizing the correct sleeping place. The surface should be moderately hard, put a small, soft pillow under your head, and a sandbag or a special roller under your neck.
It is important to stretch the cervical vertebrae and neck muscles, so hang on the horizontal bar 2 times a day.
Include in your diet foods rich in vitamin B. It is found in pineapples, dried fruits, cranberries, potatoes, spinach, green peas, garlic, almost all meat products, but especially in beef and chicken offal. There is a lot of vitamin B in tuna, pink salmon, pollock roe and sturgeon. Eggs, seeds and nuts contain vitamin B. You can also take pharmacy B vitamins, but only after consulting a doctor.
Massage
Independent kneading of the neck will help to increase blood circulation and thereby provide the necessary tissue nutrition, and massage also prevents the deposition of salts, relieves pain, and relaxes the muscles.
Self-massage for cervical osteochondrosis:
- Sit on a chair or other moderately hard surface to be able to keep your back straight.
- Cross one leg over the other. Place your elbow on your feet so that your fingers touch the back of your neck.
- Place the fingers of your other hand on the back of your head.
- Perform smooth, light rubbing, kneading and finally stroking movements with the pads of your fingers on the back of the head, back and sides of the neck. All movements are performed slowly and without strong pressure. Duration 8-10 minutes.
Exercise therapy
Performing physiotherapy exercises is a prerequisite in the effective treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. The main goal of exercise therapy is to increase the mobility of the patient's cervical vertebrae, enhance the hydration of the intervertebral discs, which makes it possible to facilitate neck movements and relieve pain. Before exercising, consult your doctor, he will help you choose the optimal regimen and timing.
It is forbidden during exercise therapy to strongly bend the neck or do active rotations of the head, only a slight hint of such movements will be correct. Despite the apparent simplicity, this method of treating cervical osteochondrosis has proven to be effective. All exercises are painless, do not cause dizziness and help to activate the nutrition of the damaged area.
Needle applicator
This simple device for performing acupuncture at home has been shown to be highly effective in treating and relieving the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. Due to the action of the smallest needles of the applicator, blood circulation at the site of exposure is activated, and pain is relieved. To treat cervical osteochondrosis, you need a roller-shaped applicator. It is placed under the neck and pressed for 30 minutes or fixed with a strap. At this time, you will feel warm, and after that the pain will disappear. The procedure is performed every day for 30 minutes for 3 weeks, followed by a break of 1 week.
Such a remedy also has contraindications. The applicator is not used in pregnancy, oncology, epilepsy, skin diseases at the site of exposure, hemophilia, severe cardiovascular insufficiency.
Training apparatus
Cervical osteochondrosis is a gradual destruction of the spine. This problem has irreversible consequences and does not allow you to live your usual life. Therefore, it is necessary to devote time to its treatment, and it is important to do this in different directions. Massage, exercise therapy, acupuncture - all this allows you to remove the clamps from the muscles, increase the blood supply in the cervical spine, stretch the intervertebral discs so that they do not deform, but stretch and fill with moisture. A home trainer has been developed specifically to achieve all of these goals.
It is a frame system with handles and rollers. All rollers have different diameters, the largest of which - the active roller has a targeted effect on problem areas. You simply install it in the place where the greatest impact is required, in this case in the neck, lie down on the simulator with your back, fix your hands on the handles and perform swaying movements back and forth. Enough 10 minutes a day to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. Especially for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, a roller with wooden spikes has been added to the set of the simulator, which perform an acupuncture function.
When exercising on the simulator, the entire spine is gently stretched, blood circulation in the cervical spine is enhanced, and muscle clamps are removed. Together with the cervical spine, the entire spine and occipital zone are massaged.
Natural oak and ash wood is used for the manufacture of the simulator, the design can withstand high loads and is suitable for people with a large body weight. The length of different models also varies so that you can buy a simulator for your height.
Depending on the degree of cervical osteochondrosis, on average, it will take 2 months to recover. As a result, pains will disappear, normal blood circulation will be restored, dizziness will go away and, in general, the physical condition of the whole organism will improve.
Briefly about the advantages of the simulator:
- massage, acupuncture and exercise therapy with one simulator;
- suitable for the treatment of all back problems;
- made of durable wood, lightweight and compact;
- easy to use;
- suitable for the whole family.
The spine is the inner core of the body, on which the condition of your body depends. Pay attention to his health with an exercise machine to keep him well and mobile for years to come.