How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?This question is the first that comes to mind when we suddenly have neck pain and subsequently problems with the cervical area begin.A reasonable decision is to go to a doctor's appointment, get yourself examined and strictly follow the prescribed treatment.But most people don't have time for that.Therefore, first the patient goes to the pharmacy and buys all kinds of gels and ointments, and then turns to traditional methods of treatment.And all this to treat yourself at home, contrary to common sense.
Causes and symptoms
Neck pain is a signal of spine problems.In order to understand how to treat cervical osteochondrosis yourself, you need to understand how the disease process begins and what symptoms indicate it.
The neck contains the smallest and most fragile vertebrae.The intervertebral discs in this part of the spine are also small.Any degenerative process in them proceeds quite quickly.If in the lower back the destruction of the intervertebral disc can last several years, then in the neck it significantly decreases in size within six months.As a result, the nerve roots are compressed by the vertebrae, causing pain, stiffness and reduced flexibility.In addition, the range of motion of the neck is limited.
Causes of degenerative changes in the spine:
- Lack of daily sports activity.
- Poor nutrition and overweight.
- Injuries.
- Excessive physical activity.
- stress.
- Hypothermia.
- Infectious diseases.
The pain can be caused by intervertebral hernias.In the cervical spine, they are quite rare, but to avoid complications from thoughtless independent actions, visit a doctor and get an MRI.If there is a hernia, not all traditional methods can be used for self-treatment.
Characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae:
- Regular headache.
- Frequent dizziness, loss of orientation in space.
- Deterioration of vision and hearing.
- Voice change, snoring.
- Sensation of pinching a nerve (pain on one side, radiating to the scapula, jaw).
Pain directly in the neck and shoulders is also a symptom of cervical osteochondrosis.
Home treatments
Traditional medicine in the case of neck osteochondrosis largely agrees with traditional medicine.She recommends mandatory vigorous physical activity, light massage with home-made pain relievers or store-bought ointments and rubs, and taking anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce swelling in the area of the pinched nerve.
What to do if you have neck pain and there is no way to go to the doctor in the near future, the following home methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will help relieve the condition:
- Medicines that relieve pain and muscle spasms (tablets, gels and ointments).
- Charger.
- Apitherapy.
- Clay treatment.
- Physiotherapy.
Medicines
The first thing to do in the case of an acute attack of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is to quickly relieve the patient's condition by eliminating the pain syndrome.To do this, you can use pharmaceutical drugs classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (self-administration is prohibited for gastric bleeding and gastrointestinal diseases).
One of the drugs from the NSAID group should be in your home medicine cabinet.In addition, muscle relaxants can be used.When taking medications, remember that they should only be prescribed by a doctor!Each of the drugs has a long list of contraindications and side effects.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are used not only orally (orally), but also externally in the form of gels and ointments.Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home continues with rubbing the products prescribed by a specialist into the painful area.
When the pain significantly subsides, you can start physical exercises.
Charger
Before choosing physical exercises, consult a specialist and undergo an examination.With an intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine, any sudden movements are prohibited.
The following 5 exercises can help with pain, pinched nerve roots and muscle spasms:
- Exercise 1.Relaxation.Stand up straight, lower your arms along the body.Place your feet shoulder-width apart and relax completely.Breathe evenly.Slowly and with a small amplitude, begin to move your head - right and left, forward and backward, smoothly moving to minimal rotational movements.The duration of the lessons is a few minutes.
- Exercise 2.Stretching.Lower your head forward, trying to touch your chin to the jugular fossa.Slowly stretch the top of your head, feeling the vertebrae stretch and the nerves release.Return your head to an upright position.Repeat the exercise 5 times.
- Exercise 3.Let's get the ball rolling.Tilt your head back as if you are placing the back of your head on your shoulder blades.Relax, breathe evenly.Start turning your head from left to right and back.Repeat 5 times.During the exercise, it is better to hold on to something stable.
- Exercise 4.With the ears we reach the shoulders.Take the starting position from the first exercise.Tilt your head to the right shoulder, stretch the top of your head, feel the muscles and vertebrae stretch.Try to touch your ear to your shoulder.Repeat on the other side.You should bend your head to each shoulder at least 5 times.
- Exercise 5.Private massage.Raise your arms and place your palms on the back of your neck.Begin massaging gently.Gradually increase the pressure, carefully working the vertebrae.There shouldn't be any pain.It can be combined with the use of medical ointment.
Apitherapy
Bee products and blue clay have a good effect in osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae.Bee products include the bees themselves, which are placed on biologically active points to relieve pain and swelling (bee stings), as well as the products that produce:
- honeycomb;
- pollen;
- death;
- propolis;
- drone jelly;
- royal jelly;
- honey
Alcohol and aqueous solutions of propolis and sea buckthorn, as well as honey, are used to prepare compresses and for oral administration.Pollen, both types of milk and bread are used internally.Features of obtaining bee products:
- They are very nutritious, so it is not necessary to consume pollen, milk, bread and honey in large quantities.1 teaspoon 2 times a day is enough.
- Before using bee medicine, you should not eat or drink water for several hours.The optimal time for reception is in the morning on an empty stomach, immediately after sleep and in the evening, three hours after a light dinner, just before going to bed.
- A teaspoon of bread, milk, pollen or honey is placed under the tongue.Store until completely dissolved, do not chew!Thus, all useful substances immediately enter the blood and begin to work.You can eat after half an hour or later.
All bee products have pronounced anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties.Their intake has an immunomodulating effect, mobilizing the body's defenses.
Do not use apitherapy to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home if you are allergic to honey!
Clay treatment
Blue clay has an effect similar to bee products.It effectively relieves inflammation, increases blood supply to tissues at the compress site and improves metabolism.Therefore, the optimal option for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is considered to be a combination of bee products and blue clay.
Recipe No. 1
Rubs - blue clay and alcohol tincture of propolis.Instructions for preparing the product step by step:
- Prepare glassware, a wooden spoon, clay, propolis and clean water.Pour 1 cup of purified water into a container, add 3 tablespoons of propolis, pour blue clay powder.The last ingredient is taken in such a quantity that a solution is obtained that is not very thick, but not watery.Therefore, the clay is poured into the liquid in portions, stirring thoroughly each time.
- When the rub is ready, ask your family to help you.Lie face down on a flat, firm surface.The assistant should take the towel in his hands and with light massage movements treat the neck and shoulder girdle.The procedure lasts 5-7 minutes.Then you need to lie down for another 10 minutes.Then take a warm shower.
The course of treatment is one week, after which a break is made and repeated for the same period of time.Periods of friction may alternate with periods of rest throughout the year.
Recipe No. 2
Compress with blue clay and water infusion of propolis.The ingredients are the same, except for the propolis.You'll need his water infusion here.You can prepare it yourself:
- Freeze the propolis in the freezer.
- Grind it into powder.
- Take 100 grams of water and 20 grams of propolis.
- Mix the ingredients in a glass or porcelain bowl and place in a water bath.
- Let it simmer for about an hour.At this time, the color of the solution will turn dark brown and the smell will intensify.
- Cool the mixture and strain through several layers of cheesecloth.For external use, you can omit this element.
Mix the clay with the prepared propolis solution.The consistency of the composition should be quite thick, but at the same time spread well on the canvas.Place the compress on the back of your neck and secure it.Take a comfortable position (sitting or lying down) and relax.Remove the compress after an hour and dry your neck with a clean towel.Take a tablespoon of propolis internally (on an empty stomach and do not eat anything for half an hour).
The course of treatment is 3 weeks, after which a break is made for a week and it is repeated.
Home physiotherapy
Home physiotherapy devices will be a good addition to treatment with clay and bee products and will enhance the effect of anti-inflammatory gels and ointments.You should have one of them in your home first aid kit.
The classic application of each of the therapeutic devices is the area of pain.In one device, the vibraphones are attached with adhesive tape to the side of the neck.The mode is selected in accordance with the instructions.Another device is placed on the back of the head and held for 30-40 minutes.An additional effect is the heat, which is felt about 20 minutes after the start of the procedure.
Despite the domestic purpose of medical devices, do not engage in amateur activity!Each of them has a specific list of contraindications and exact treatment regimens based on the symptoms.
Physiotherapy methods should absolutely not be used during an exacerbation;Your doctor will provide more detailed information.
Now you have an idea how to cure osteochondrosis of the neck at home.But in order not to suffer and experience pain, take preventive measures for the health of the spine.Then you will not have to buy expensive devices and waste valuable time for treatment.Remember that the health of the spine determines the state of the internal organs and the body as a whole.