Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease associated with the cervical spine.
The first symptoms of this disease usually appear from 25 to 40 years of age. The disease in 30% of cases is the cause of headaches. If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is not treated, then the disease can lead to a vertebral hernia. If you were looking for osteochondrosis symptoms, treatment methods - then you've come to the right place.
Symptoms, causes, types of osteochondrosis
Of all parts of the spine, the cervical, consisting of seven vertebrae, between which there are intervertebral discs, making the spine simultaneously flexible, strong, and the most mobile. All intervertebral discs of the cervical spine consist of an annulus fibrosus with a nucleus pulposus inside. Due to illness, discs lose their elasticity and strength. Due to the resulting loads, the fibrous ring protrudes, cracks form on it.
Usually, several causes of the onset of the disease are distinguished, among which the most common are: unhealthy diet; a sedentary lifestyle associated, for example, with working at a computer or constantly driving a car; salts in the spine; incorrect material exchange; poor or unbalanced diet. Osteochondrosis may occur due to a hereditary predisposition; in connection with injuries of the vertebra, especially its cervical spine; due to hypothermia or hormonal disruption. 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 load on the hand, sneezing, coughing. When turning or tilting the head, there is a pain in the neck, it is possible to hear a crunch. Burning between the shoulder blades, tingling in the legs or arms, numbness are symptoms of the disease. Often, the ailment is accompanied by a headache, which the patient feels in the back of the head, temples, crown. Due to a sharp turn of the head in patients with osteochondrosis, dizziness occurs, there are even fainting. Patients often complain of a decrease in the level of performance, severe fatigue, and weakness. Less commonly, there is noise in the ears, deterioration of vision, hearing, there are aching pains in the region of the heart.
There are several stages of the disease. At the 1st stage, 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 expressed by poor fixation of the vertebrae, which is associated with protrusion of the intervertebral discs. The gap between the vertebrae is reduced. Serious ridge deformations appear in the third stage. They are associated with the destruction of the structure of the annulus fibrosus, as well as the formation of intervertebral hernias. Symptoms and pain syndromes largely depend on the shape, location and size of the hernia. The last stage is associated with acute pain when moving. Occasionally, the painful sensations decrease, in connection with which the patient's condition improves, however, this is an apparent relief. At the 4th stage, 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 the treatment of 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 woolen scarf or a plaster 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 network for a cervical spine for treatment, you can find a method according to which horseradish leaves are proposed to treat the disease, which should first be dipped in boiling water for a few seconds, then applied to the affected area, wrapped in a scarf, while it is noted that the patientwill feel a burning sensation. It is suggested 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 runs the risk of getting serious burns, and the disease will only worsen.
Warming compresses
A medical compress is a very common way to deal with an ailment like osteochondrosis. It is often possible to find many recipes for warming compresses on the network. 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 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 out the canvas fabric; 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.
Comfrey and sour cream
Of course, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies is not limited to the above warming compresses. For the treatment of the disease, you can use sour cream, comfrey. Wash the comfrey under warm running water and grind using a meat grinder or ordinary grater. Stir the root with sour cream in a 1: 1 ratio. The finished mixture should be infused. This usually takes a couple of 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
Supporters of traditional medicine can advise compresses with honey for the treatment of osteochondrosis. This method has one very strong side - it is multifunctional. The honey compress acts on the painful areas at the same time in the lower back and neck. Below are the optimal recipes.
- Grate potatoes on a grater, mix the resulting mass with honey. In order to have the maximum effect on the site of pain, honey must be warm. Wrap the rubbed place with a scarf or towel, having previously covered with plastic. Leave on the neck, lower back for several hours. To prepare the product, you will need a potato, two tablespoons of honey.
- Pour with liquid, boil eucalyptus for 5 minutes. Ready mixture, adding honey to the composition. Apply to areas of pain, keep on the body for 2 hours. To prepare this product, you will need eucalyptus (1 tablespoon), honey (1 tablespoon), half a glass of water.
Mountain wax (ozokerite)
Heat wax at the bottom of a cup or glass. You should first put a piece of oilcloth in the container. The melted wax together with oilcloth is applied to the neck. The procedure can be repeated 20 times. This type of treatment belongs to preventive methods, therefore, it is recommended to perform the above procedure for several months. If the work is associated with lifting weights, you have pain in your shoulder, you know, perhaps this is a symptom of osteochondrosis, which means this compress is ideal!
Herbal ointments
Gels, ointments are effective in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. The products are intended for external use. What to choose, an ointment or a gel, depends only on personal preference, since useful medicinal substances can be contained in either form. It should be noted, however, that the ointment is slightly more effective, since it stays on the surface of the epidermis longer and works gradually.
Ginger ointment
To prepare this product, you will need ginger juice, as well as a pharmacy tincture of calendula. For sensitive skin, a mixture diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio is suitable. Rub the sore spots with the resulting product. Calendula extract will reduce inflammation, while ginger will improve local blood circulation. After the procedure, be sure 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 pack 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 must be rubbed into the sore spot. The remedy is usually used for acute pain in the event of an exacerbation of the disease.
Decoctions and infusions
A decoction of yarrow flowers. The remedy 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. Let it brew for 30-40 minutes. Drink 1 tbsp. 3 times a day.
Broth from common agrimony. Take 3 tablespoons. tablespoons of 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
For thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis, a complex is very effective: mix St. John's wort, sage, burdock root, coltsfoot (1: 1: 2: 1). Pour boiling water over 1 tbsp. l. mixtures. Put 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 supply of blood to cells in those suffering from osteochondrosis. The regeneration of the intervertebral discs 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 replace the use of pharmacological preparations with hirudotherapy.
Exercise to combat osteochondrosis
If you have searched the network for cervical osteochondrosis treatment for gymnastics or, perhaps, are 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 ailment.
"Turtle". Tilt your head back smoothly. Try to touch your back with the back of your head, pull your head into your shoulders, being in this position. Smoothly lower your head forward, pull it inward. Try to snuggle your chin against your chest.
Head tilts to the sides with straight shoulders. The lesson is performed like this: keep the ridge straight. Lock your shoulders, take care of the smoothness of 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 back of the head by a straight line. Rotate your head around this line. Point your chin up to the side.
"Owl". The head should be level with the back. Look around slowly. 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, therefore, you should walk in the fresh air as often as possible, play sports. This will help keep your spine flexible. Beware of injury.
Equip the workplace correctly 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 proteins, minerals, and vitamins. Lose excess 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.