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 is the cause of headaches in 30% of cases. If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is not treated, the disease can lead to a spinal hernia. If you were 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, which consists of seven vertebrae, between which there are intervertebral discs, making the spine flexible, strong and the most mobile at the same time. All intervertebral discs of the cervical spine consist of annular fibrosus with the nucleus pulposus inside. Due to the disease, the discs lose elasticity and strength. Due to the created loads, the fibrous ring protrudes, cracks appear on it.
There are usually several reasons for the appearance of the disease, among which the most common are: unhealthy diet; an inactive lifestyle associated, for example, with working at a computer or constantly driving a car; salts in the spine; incorrect 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. 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 light load on the hand, sneezing, coughing. When turning or tilting the head, there is pain in the neck, it is possible to hear cracking. Burns between the shoulder blades, tingling in the legs or arms, numbness are symptoms of the disease. Often the disease is accompanied by a headache, which the patient feels in the back of the head, temples, crown. Due to the sudden turning of the head in patients with osteochondrosis, dizziness occurs, there is even fainting. Patients often complain of decreased performance levels, severe fatigue, and weakness. Less often you hear noise in the ears, deterioration of vision, hearing, painful pain in the heart.
There are several stages of the disease. In the first phase, patients have high instability of the spinal segments, the manifestation of which is a violation of the disc. The second stage of the disease is expressed by poor fixation of the vertebrae, which is associated with protrusion of the intervertebral discs. The gap between the vertebrae is reduced. In the third phase, serious deformations of the ridge occur. They are associated with the destruction of the ring fiber structure as well as the formation of intervertebral hernias. Symptoms and painful syndromes largely depend on the shape, location, and size of the hernia. The last stage is associated with acute pain in movement. Occasionally the painful feelings decrease, in connection with which the patient's condition improves, however, this is an obvious relief. In stage 4, 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. You may be interested in treating cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies? In fact, every popular recipe is associated with warming up the affected area of the spine. Herbal ingredients can also provide additional relief. A wool scarf or patch with 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 cervical spine for treatment, you may find a method by which the disease is suggested to be treated with horseradish leaves, which should first be dipped in boiling water for a few seconds and then applied to the affected area, wrapped in a scarf, while noting thatthe patient feels a burning sensation. It is proposed to perform the procedure at least five times! Is it worth explaining that if a person feels 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
Medical compresses are a very common way to deal with diseases like osteochondrosis. It is often possible to find many recipes for heating linings online. Here is one of them:
dissolve 1 g in 0, 5 l of vodka. propolis, 50 gr. aloe extract, mustard powder; soak the bandage with the finished solution, put it on the neck, fix it with some warm element of the wardrobe; leave the compress on overnight.
There is a good option:
soak in kerosene, squeeze the linen cloth; rub it with soap, press the damp edge to the sore spot; the fabric should be wrapped in polyethylene for several hours; feeling a sharp burning sensation, the procedure should be stopped, rinse the application site with water.
Comfrey and sour cream
Of course, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis by folk remedies is not limited to the above warming compresses. You can use sour cream, comfrey to treat the disease. Wash the cod under warm running water and chop 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 strip up to 3 centimeters thick. Overlay time - up to 20 minutes. Repeat 3-4 times a day.
Honey
Proponents of traditional medicine may advise honey compresses to treat osteochondrosis. This method has one very strong side - it is multifunctional. The honey compress simultaneously acts on the painful areas in the lower back and neck. Below are the optimal recipes.
- Grate the potatoes on a grater, mix the resulting mass with honey. In order to have the maximum effect on the site of pain, the honey must be warm. Wrap the rubbed area with a scarf or towel, previously 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 the liquid, cook the eucalyptus for 5 minutes. Ready mixture, adding honey to the composition. Apply to 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 the cup or cup. You should put a piece of gauze in the bowl first. The melted wax together with the cloth is applied to the neck. The procedure can be repeated 20 times. This type of treatment is a preventive method, so it is recommended to perform the above procedure for several months. If the job involves lifting weights, you have shoulder pain, you know, maybe this is a symptom of osteochondrosis, which means that this compress is ideal!
Vegetable fats
Gels, ointments are effective in treating cervical osteochondrosis. The products are intended for external use. What to choose, ointment or gel, depends only on personal preferences, because useful medicinal substances can be in any form. It is worth noting, however, that the ointment is somewhat more effective, because it stays on the surface of the epidermis longer and acts gradually.
Ginger ointment
To prepare this product, you will need ginger juice as well as a pharmacy marigold tincture. For sensitive skin, a mixture diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1 is suitable. Rub the sore spots with the resulting product. Marigold extract will reduce inflammation, while ginger will improve local blood circulation. After the procedure, be sure to do a little warm-up to achieve maximum effect.
Butter and egg
You will need 1 tbsp to prepare the medicine. flour and half a pack of butter. Mix butter and flour with egg. Then add 1 tbsp. vinegar. The tool is insisted for several days in a dark place. A film is formed at the top which must be removed and discarded. The finished composition must 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 flower. The drug is known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. It is especially effective for lumbar pain. To prepare the soup, pour 2 tablespoons of yarrow with boiling water. Let it cook for 30-40 minutes. Drink 1 tbsp. 3 times a day.
Broth from common agronia. Take 3 tablespoons. spoons of burdock, chop it, pour boiling water (250 ml). The finished product should be infused for at least two hours, filtered through gauze, it is possible to add a spoonful of honey. Drink 1/4 cup 4 times before meals.
Herbs
In thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis is a very effective complex: mix St. John's wort, sage, burdock root, coltsfoot (1: 1: 2: 1). Pour 1 tablespoon of boiling water. l. mixtures. Put the wrap with the mixture on your neck, wrapping it in a scarf.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with leeches
Hirudotherapy (treatment of leeches) has been known to man since ancient times. 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 of leeches and osteochondrosis is very popular. The use of leeches helps to improve the blood supply to those who suffer from osteochondrosis. Regeneration of intervertebral discs is much faster as a result of improved blood circulation. The substances contained in the saliva of these worms alleviate swelling and congestion, which enables the replacement of the use of pharmacological preparations with hirudotherapy.
Exercise to combat osteochondrosis
If you have searched the web for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis for gymnastics or you may be interested in methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis at home with exercises, then read carefully. There are a number of effective physical exercises that will become reliable companions in the fight against the disease.
"Turtle. "Tilt your head back smoothly. Try to touch the back of the head with your back, pull your head into your shoulders, be in this position. Smoothly lower your head forward, pull it inward. Try squeezing your chin against your chest.
The head is tilted to the hips with straight shoulders. The lesson is performed like this: keep the ridge straight. Lock your shoulders, take care of the smoothness of the movement. Tilt your head alternately to the right and left, try to touch your shoulder with your ear.
"Dog. "Imagine that the nose is connected to the nape of the neck in a straight line. Turn your head around this line. Point your chin to the side.
"Owl. "The head should be level with the back. Take a slow look around. Try to turn your head as much as possible, as if watching what is happening 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, do sports. This will help keep your spine flexible. Beware of injuries.
Properly equip the workplace from a physiological point of view. Visit the pool, do medical gymnastics. Proper nutrition plays an important role in the prevention of osteochondrosis. Consume foods that contain protein, minerals and vitamins. Lose extra pounds. 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 manual therapy courses are recommended.