Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease associated with the cervical spine.
The first symptoms of this disease usually appear between the ages of 25 and 40. 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 spinal hernia. If you are looking for symptoms of osteochondrosis, methods of treatment - then you have come to the right place.
Symptoms, causes, types of osteochondrosis
Of all the parts of the spine, the cervical, consisting 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 of the cervical spine consist of annular fibrosis with a pulpal nucleus inside. Due to disease, the discs lose their elasticity and strength. Due to the received loads, the fibrous ring protrudes, cracks are formed on it.
There are usually several causes for the disease, among which the most common are: unhealthy diet; a sedentary lifestyle, such as working on a computer or constantly driving a car; salts in the spine; improper exchange of materials; poor or unbalanced diet. Osteochondrosis can occur due to a hereditary predisposition; in connection with injuries to the vertebrae, especially his cervical spine; due to hypothermia or hormonal disorders. The causes of the disease can be systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatism.
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 slight strain on the hand, sneezing, coughing. There is pain in the neck when turning or tilting the head, you may hear a crunch. Burning between the shoulder blades, tingling in the legs or arms, tingling are symptoms of the disease. Often the disease is accompanied by headache, which the patient feels in the nape of the neck, temples, crown. Due to the sharp rotation of the head in patients with osteochondrosis dizziness occurs, there are even seizures. Patients often complain of decreased levels of work, severe fatigue and weakness. Less often there is tinnitus, impaired vision, hearing, there is pain in the heart.
There are several stages of the disease. In stage 1, patients have high instability of the segments of the spine, the manifestation of which is a violation of the disc. The second stage of the disease is characterized by poor fixation of the vertebrae, which is associated with protrusion of the intervertebral discs. The gap between the vertebrae is reduced. Serious deformations of the ridge appear in the third stage. They are associated with the destruction of the structure of annular fibrosis, as well as with the formation of intervertebral hernias. The symptoms and syndromes of pain largely depend on the shape, location and size of the hernia. The last stage is associated with acute pain when moving. Sometimes the painful sensations decrease, in connection with which the patient's condition improves, but this is an obvious relief. In stage 4, the bone tissue grows between the vertebrae, connecting the two vertebrae to each other.
Traditional methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis
As you have seen, cervical osteochondrosis is very dangerous to health. Perhaps you will be interested in treating cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies? In fact, every popular recipe involves warming up the affected area of the spine. Herbal ingredients can also provide extra relief. Wool scarf or plaster with black 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 web for the treatment of the cervical spine, you can find a method according to which the disease is proposed to be treated with horseradish leaves, which must first be immersed in boiling water for a few seconds, then toapply to the affected area wrapped in a scarf until it is noted that the patient will feel burning. It is recommended to perform the procedure at least five times! Is it worth explaining that if a person experiences an unbearable burning sensation, then the heat is no longer "dry". The patient risks getting serious burns and the disease will only get worse.
Warming compresses
A medical compress is a very common way to deal with a disease such as osteochondrosis. It is often possible to find many recipes for warming compresses online. Here is one of them:
dissolve 1 g in 0, 5 l of vodka. propolis, 50 g of aloe extract, mustard powder; soak the bandage with a ready-made solution, put it on the neck, fix it with some warm element of the wardrobe; leave the compress overnight.
There is a good option:
soak in kerosene, squeeze the cloth cloth; rub it with soap, press it to the sore spot with a damp edge; the fabric should be wrapped in polyethylene for several hours; feeling a sharp burning sensation, the process should be stopped, rinse the application site with water.
Oman and sour cream
Of course, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies is not limited to the above compresses for warming. To treat the disease you can use sour cream, oman. Wash the dill under warm running water and cut it with a meat grinder or grater. Mix the root with sour cream in a ratio of 1: 1. The finished mixture should be poured. This usually takes a few hours. Store the finished product in the refrigerator. Apply as a tape up to 3 cm thick. Overlay time - up to 20 minutes. Repeat 3-4 times a day.
Honey
Proponents of traditional medicine may advise compresses with honey to treat osteochondrosis. This method has one very strong point - it is multifunctional. The honey compress acts simultaneously on the painful areas 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 site of pain, the honey must be warm. Wrap the rubbed area with a scarf or towel, pre-covered with plastic. Leave on the neck, lower back for a few hours. To prepare the product, you will need potatoes, two tablespoons of honey.
- Pour liquid, boil eucalyptus for 5 minutes. Ready mixture, adding honey to the composition. Apply on areas of pain, hold on the body for 2 hours. To prepare this medicine, you will need eucalyptus (1 tablespoon), honey (1 tablespoon), half a glass of water.
Mountain wax (ozokerite)
Heat the wax on the bottom of a glass or cup. First you need to put a piece of tarpaulin in the container. The melted wax together with tarpaulin is applied to the neck. The procedure can be repeated 20 times. This type of treatment belongs to the preventive methods, which is why it is recommended to perform the above procedure for several months. If the work involves lifting weights, you have shoulder pain, you know, maybe it's a symptom of osteochondrosis, which means this compress is perfect!
Herbal ointments
Gels, ointments are effective in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. The products are intended for external use. What to choose, ointment or gel, depends only on personal preferences, as useful medicinal substances can be contained in any form. It is worth noting, however, that the ointment is a little more effective, as it stays longer on the surface of the epidermis and acts gradually.
Ginger ointment
To prepare this product, you will need ginger juice and a pharmacy tincture of calendula. For sensitive skin, a mixture diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1 is suitable. Rub the inflamed areas with the resulting product. Marigold extract will reduce inflammation, while ginger will improve local blood circulation. After the procedure, do not forget to do a little warm-up for maximum effect.
Butter and egg
To prepare the medicine, you will need 1 tbsp. flour and half a packet of butter. Mix the butter and flour with the egg. Then add 1 tbsp vinegar. The tool is insisted for several days in a dark place. A film forms 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 exacerbation of the disease.
Decoctions and infusions
Decoction of yarrow flowers. The drug is known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, sedative properties. It is especially effective for lumbar pain. To prepare the broth, pour 2 tablespoons of yarrow with boiling water. Allow to boil for 30-40 minutes. Drink 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.
Broth from general agrimony. Take 3 tbsp. tablespoons burdock, chop it, pour boiling water (250 ml). The finished product should be infused for at least two hours, filtered through cheesecloth, it is possible to add a spoonful of honey. Drink 1/4 cup 4 times before meals.
Herbs
In thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis the complex is very effective: mix St. John's wort, sage, burdock root, coltsfoot (1: 1: 2: 1). Pour 1 tablespoon of boiling water. l. mixtures. Place the compress with the mixture on the neck, wrapping it in a scarf.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with leeches
Hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) has been known to man 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 suffering from osteochondrosis. Intervertebral disc regeneration is much faster as a result of improved blood circulation. The substances contained in the saliva of these worms relieve swelling and congestion, which makes it possible to use pharmacological preparations with hirudotherapy.
Exercise to combat osteochondrosis
If you have searched the web for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis for gymnastics or, perhaps, you are interested in methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis at home with exercise, then read carefully. There are a number of effective physical exercises that will become reliable companions in the fight against malaise.
"Turtle". Tilt your head back smoothly. Try to touch the back of your head with your back, pull your head into your shoulders while in this position. Smoothly lower your head forward, pull it in. Try to press your chin to your chestyou are.
The head is tilted to the side with straight shoulders. The lesson is as follows: keep the ridge upright. Lock your shoulders, make sure the movement is smooth. Tilt your head alternately right and left, try to touch your shoulder with your ear.
"Dog. " Imagine that the nose is connected to the back of the head in a straight line. Rotate your head around this line. Aim your chin to the side.
"Owl. "The head should be at the level of the back. Look around slowly. Try to turn your head as much as possible, as if watching from behind.
Prevention of the development of cervical osteochondrosis
One of the main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis is a sedentary lifestyle, so you should walk in the fresh air as often as possible, to exercise. This will help keep your spine flexible. Beware of injury.
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. Eat foods that contain protein, minerals and vitamins. Lose weight. Regular preventive examinations by a vertebrologist will not be superfluous, which is especially important for those who have a hereditary predisposition to osteochondrosis or those who are already over 40. Consultations with a specialist and courses of manual therapy are recommended.