Approximately 80% of people around the world sooner or later become familiar with a disease such as cervical osteochondrosis.Symptoms and treatment at home may differ in each 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 and traditional medications - in order to forget about the aching 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, affecting the entire spine.However, more often the localization 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 be able to create an effective treatment plan, you need to pay attention to the basic anatomy of the neck.One of the most important and largest vessels, the vertebral artery, passes through this section 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 provokes degenerative changes in the disc, inhibiting physiological functions and reducing its height.As the disease progresses, there is a reaction in the vertebral endplate.As a result of this process, the spinal canal narrows and the spine becomes curved.
At first, 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 of the limbs;
- constant and specific headache, which intensifies with any movement and does not go away after taking analgesics;
- dizziness;
- lack of coordination;
- emotional instability;
- memory loss;
- noise and ringing in the ears.
What else causes neck pain
The 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;
- heavy stress on 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 feature.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 most often 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 may differ, and other diseases can be treated absolutely, it is better to leave the diagnosis of osteochondrosis to professionals.After a diagnosis has been established and treatment has been prescribed, therapy can be supplemented with traditional medicine.However, treatment with homemade ointments and tinctures alone may not produce results.
Traditional medicines
The intensity and duration of therapy directly depends on the extent of the disease and the severity of symptoms.Treatment should be aimed at maintaining spinal mobility, relieving pain, and preventing injury to the 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;
- non-steroidal 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 get rid of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Treatment at home also involves special exercises that warm the muscles and affect damaged tissues.
Home physiotherapy
When visiting a clinic, a patient with osteochondrosis consults a therapist.The doctor can advise which medications are best to take, and if necessary, refer you to specialized specialists - a neurologist or physiotherapist.The latter will teach the patient special therapeutic exercises that can be done independently at home.The therapy helps strengthen and stretch the shoulder and neck muscles.
Regular training under the supervision of a doctor or relatives will quickly put the patient on his feet and prevent a recurrence of the disease.
Special massage
Often the patient’s condition is so severe, 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 special 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 relaxing agent with herbal extracts that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Principles of massage:
- Don't push!The neck muscles are already suffering, and additional intense pressure can provoke another attack of pain.Therefore, you need to work with your hands gently 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 carried out smoothly.
- Follow the direction!An important rule of massage for osteochondrosis is to follow the direction from the spinal column, and not towards it.This is how 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, you need to wait no more than 6-7 minutes.At the end of the procedure, the area is covered with a warm towel to preserve the effect longer.
Traditional medicine suggests using regular bee honey to warm the skin and muscles.Before the procedure, you need to warm your neck with a heating pad, 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 should be covered with film and a warm towel or woolen scarf.White honey is washed off only in the morning.After the first such procedure, the patient will feel significant relief.
Folk medicines
We cannot write off simple but effective folk recipes.Alternative medicine advises using combinations of various poisons, fats, essential oils and herbs for neck pain.
- Medicine with celery.The root of the vegetable is grated on a fine grater or rubbed through a sieve.After this, 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 saucepan and fill it with 300 ml of water at room temperature, boiling for 5-7 minutes.After the broth has been infused for 2 - 3 hours, it needs to be strained and cooled.Drink in small sips between meals throughout the day.All that's 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 root 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 should be stored in the refrigerator.
Effective rubbing
Special homemade rubs will help enhance the effect of therapeutic massage.They contain only natural ingredients - oils and herbs.
- Red pepper remedy.Finely chop two hot red peppers and place in a tightly sealed container.Pepper needs to be poured with a glass of vegetable oil.The medicine should be tightly closed with a rubber cap and left to infuse in a warm, dark place for a week.When the homemade ointment is ready, it should be rubbed 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.
- Butter cream.Mix a raw egg with a tablespoon of flour and the same amount of vinegar.Add 100 g soft butter.After thoroughly mixing all the ingredients, the product should be left for 2 - 3 days in the refrigerator.A film will appear on the surface of the medicine, which must be removed and treatment begun by rubbing the ointment into the skin with a massage.This homemade cream can be stored for no 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 doused with boiling water, wrapped in cotton cloth and applied to the sore spot 10 times a day.After a course of a week, the disease will cease to bother you.
Special Recommendations
Treatment of osteochondrosis using complex therapy quickly brings results.The influence of traditional medicines and traditional medicine has a beneficial effect on the restoration of intervertebral discs and the preservation of the integrity of cartilage.However, only a doctor should make a diagnosis of neck osteochondrosis.
A specialist should also tell you how to treat this disease at home, since improper treatment can lead to progression of the disease and even disability.
It is worth noting that not all methods of home treatment for this disease show positive results.Acupuncture, apitherapy, deep massage and spinal stretching can cause harm.Even if the doctor recommends carrying out such procedures at home, this will only worsen the situation.Such therapies are carried out only by specialists in a clinical setting.