Approximately 80% of people around the world sooner or later become familiar with a disease such as cervical osteochondrosis.Symptoms and home treatment may vary 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 medicines - 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 adequate attention to one's own health.Despite the high incidence, few know how to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
If you ignore the manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis, a generalized form of the disease develops, affecting the entire spine.However, more often the location remains in 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 need to pay attention to the basic anatomy of the neck.One of the largest and most important 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 the intervertebral cartilage and discs, which puts additional pressure on the vertebral body.The disease causes degenerative changes in the disc, inhibiting physiological functions and reducing its height.As the disease progresses, a reaction occurs at 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 alarming signs.As the disease progresses, the nerve roots become compressed and the space for the spinal cord narrows.The following symptoms appear:
- stiff neck, severe pain;
- tingling and numbness in the limbs;
- constant and specific headache, which intensifies with any movement and does not disappear 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 adequate 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 region of the right arm and forearm.The pain is sharp and usually short-lived.There may also be bouts of intense pain, which can be relieved with the use of 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 establishing the diagnosis and prescribing treatment, 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 depend on the extent of the disease and the severity of the symptoms.Treatment should aim to maintain spinal mobility, relieve pain and prevent nerve and spinal cord damage.
Depending on the form and stage of the disease, experts usually prescribe the following medications 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;
- medicines that relieve seizures and dull pain caused by nerve damage;
- antidepressants;
- warming ointments;
- anti-inflammatory ointments.
All these medicines together help eliminate osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Home treatment also involves special exercises that warm up the muscles and affect damaged tissues.
Home physical therapy
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 performed independently at home.The therapy helps to strengthen and stretch the muscles in the shoulders and neck.
Regular training under the supervision of a doctor or relative will quickly get the patient back on their feet and prevent recurrence of the disease.
Special massage
Often the patient's condition is so serious and concomitant diseases are so serious that it is impossible to perform physiotherapeutic exercises.In this case, one of the family members can give the patient a special relaxing massage.
It is advisable to use pharmaceutical 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.
Massage principles:
- Don't push!The neck muscles are already suffering and additional intense pressure can trigger another attack of pain.Therefore, it is necessary to work with your hands carefully so as not to cause discomfort to the patient.Only fingers should be involved in the massage.
- Don't make sudden movements!All manipulations must be carried out without problems.
- Follow the direction!An important rule of massage for osteochondrosis is to follow the direction of the spine, 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 petroleum jelly or massage oil.After the bottle is attached to the body, you will not need to wait more than 6 to 7 minutes.At the end of the procedure, the area is covered with a warm towel to preserve the effect for longer.
Traditional medicine suggests using common bee honey to warm the skin and muscles.Before the procedure, it is necessary to warm the neck with a heating pad, and then apply a tablespoon of honey to the skin.With light massaging and patting movements, the honey is beaten 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 washed off only in the morning.After the first procedure, the patient will feel significant relief.
Popular medicines
We cannot discount simple but effective popular recipes.Alternative medicine advises using combinations of various poisons, fats, essential oils and herbs for neck pain.
- Celery medicine.The root of the vegetable is grated on a fine grater or rubbed through a sieve.After that, squeeze 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.
- Decoction of bay leaves.Pour 15 g of dry bay leaf into a small enamel pan and fill with 300 ml of water at room temperature, boiling for 5-7 minutes.After the broth has infused for 2-3 hours, it needs to be strained and cooled.Drink in small sips between meals throughout the day.All you need to do is drink it before bed.The course lasts 4 days and after a week 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 a dry mixture and leave for 3 days.Take the strained drink one tablespoon 2 to 3 times a day.The medicine must be stored in the refrigerator.
Effective scrubbing
Special home massages help to enhance the effect of therapeutic massage.They contain only natural ingredients - oils and herbs.
- Red pepper remedy.Chop two hot red peppers and place in a tightly sealed container.Pepper must be poured with a glass of vegetable oil.The medicine must be tightly closed with a rubber lid 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 heating effect will suddenly turn into a burning effect and instead of improving blood circulation, you will suffer a burn.
- Butter cream.Mix a raw egg with a tablespoon of flour and the same amount of vinegar.Add 100 g of softened butter.After mixing all the ingredients well, the product should be left in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.A film will appear on the surface of the medicine that must be removed and the treatment started by rubbing the ointment into the skin with a massage.This homemade cream cannot be kept 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 doused with boiling water, wrapped in cheesecloth and applied to the sore spot 10 times a day.After a week, the illness will stop bothering you.
Special Recommendations
Treatment of osteochondrosis with complex therapy quickly brings 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.
The specialist must also advise how to treat the disease at home, as inadequate treatment can lead to disease progression and even disability.
It is important to note that not all home treatment methods for this disease show positive results.Acupuncture, apitherapy, deep tissue massage and spinal stretching can cause harm.Even if the doctor recommends carrying out such procedures at home, this will only make the situation worse.These therapies are only performed by specialists in a clinical setting.