How to cure cervical osteochondrosis?This question is the first that comes to mind when we suddenly have pain in the neck and subsequently problems begin in the cervical collar area.A reasonable decision is to go to an appointment with a doctor, get examined and strictly follow the prescribed treatment.But most people don't have time for this.Therefore, first the patient goes to the pharmacy and buys all kinds of gels and ointments, and then resorts to traditional treatment methods.And all to be able to treat yourself at home, contrary to common sense.
Causes and symptoms
Neck pain is a sign of problems with the spine.To find out how to treat cervical osteochondrosis on your own, it is necessary to understand how the disease process begins and what symptoms indicate it.
The neck contains the smallest and most fragile vertebrae.The intervertebral discs in this part of the spine are also small.Any degenerative process in them progresses quite quickly.If in the lumbar area the destruction of the intervertebral disc can last several years, in the neck it significantly decreases in size in six months.As a result, nerve roots become trapped by the vertebrae, causing pain, stiffness, and decreased flexibility.Additionally, the range of motion of the neck is limited.
Causes of degenerative changes in the spine:
- Lack of daily sports activity.
- Poor nutrition and excess weight.
- Injuries.
- Excessive physical activity.
- Stress.
- Hypothermia.
- infectious diseases.
The pain can be caused by intervertebral hernias.In the cervical spine they are quite rare, but to avoid complications from rash and independent actions, visit a doctor and have an MRI.If there is a hernia, not all traditional methods can be used for self-treatment.
Characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Regular headaches.
- Frequent dizziness, loss of orientation in space.
- Impaired vision and hearing.
- Voice change, snoring.
- Sensation that a nerve has been pinched (pain on one side, radiating to the shoulder blade, jaw).
Pain directly in the neck and shoulders is also a symptom of cervical osteochondrosis.
home treatments
Traditional medicine in the case of osteochondrosis of the neck largely coincides with traditional medicine.Recommends mandatory and feasible physical activity, light massages with homemade pain relievers or pharmacy-bought ointments and rubs, and taking anti-inflammatory medications that reduce swelling in the area of the pinched nerve.
What to do if you have neck pain and there is no possibility of seeing a doctor in the near future;The following home methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis will help alleviate the condition:
- Medicines that relieve pain and muscle spasms (pills, gels, and ointments).
- Charger.
- Apitherapy.
- Clay treatment.
- Physiotherapy.
Medications
The first thing to do in case of an acute attack of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is to quickly alleviate the patient's condition by eliminating pain syndrome.To do this, you can use pharmaceutical drugs classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (self-administration is prohibited in case of stomach bleeding and gastrointestinal diseases).
One of the drugs from the NSAID group should be in your home medicine cabinet.Additionally, muscle relaxants can be used.When taking medications, remember that they should only be prescribed by a doctor!Any of the drugs has a large list of contraindications and side effects.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are used not only orally (orally), but also externally in the form of gels and ointments.Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home continues by rubbing products prescribed by a specialist into the painful area.
When the pain has significantly attenuated, you can start doing physical exercise.
Charger
Before choosing physical exercises, consult a specialist and undergo an examination.With an intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine, any sudden movements are prohibited.
The following 5 exercises can help with pain, pinched nerve roots, and muscle spasms:
- Exercise 1.Relaxation.Stand up straight, lower your arms along your body.Spread your feet shoulder-width apart and relax completely.Breathe evenly.Slowly and with a small amplitude, start moving your head: to the right and to the left, back and forth, moving smoothly with minimal rotational movements.The duration of the lessons is several minutes.
- Exercise 2.Extension.Lower your head forward, trying to touch the jugular fossa with your chin.Slowly stretch the crown of your head, feeling the vertebrae stretch and the nerves release.Return your head to an upright position.Repeat the exercise 5 times.
- Exercise 3.Let's get the ball rolling.Tilt your head back, as if placing the back of your head on your shoulder blades.Relax, breathe evenly.Start turning your head from left to right and vice versa.Repeat 5 times.During exercise it is better to hold on to something stable.
- Exercise 4.We reach the shoulders with the ears.Take the starting position of the first exercise.Tilt your head towards your right shoulder, stretch the top of your head, feel the muscles and vertebrae stretch.Try touching your shoulder with your ear.Repeat on the other side.You should tilt your head towards each shoulder at least 5 times.
- Exercise 5.Self-massage.Raise your hands and place your palms on the back of your head.Start massaging lightly.Gradually increase the pressure, carefully working the vertebrae.There shouldn't be any pain.It can be combined with the use of medicinal ointments.
apitherapy
Bee products and blue clay have a good effect on osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae.Bee products include the bees themselves, which are placed on biologically active points to relieve pain and swelling (bee stings), and the products they produce:
- bee bread;
- pollen;
- death;
- propolis;
- drone jelly;
- royal jelly;
- Honey.
To prepare compresses and for oral administration, alcohol and aqueous solutions of propolis and podmora, as well as honey, are used.Internally, pollen, both types of milk and bee bread are used.Features of receiving bee products:
- They are very nutritious, so it is not necessary to consume pollen, milk, bee bread and honey in large quantities.1 teaspoon 2 times a day is enough.
- Before using the medicine for bees, you should not eat or drink water for several hours.The optimal time to take it is in the morning on an empty stomach, immediately after sleeping, and in the evening, three hours after a light dinner, just before going to bed.
- A teaspoon of bee bread, milk, pollen or honey is placed under the tongue.Keep until completely dissolved, do not chew!In this way all the beneficial substances immediately enter the bloodstream and begin to act.You can eat after half an hour or more.
All bee products have pronounced anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties.Its intake has an immunomodulatory effect, mobilizing the body's defenses.
Do not use apitherapy to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home if you are allergic to honey!
Clay treatment
Blue clay has a similar effect to bee products.It effectively relieves inflammation, increases blood supply to the tissues at the site of the compress and improves metabolism.Therefore, the optimal treatment option for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is considered to be a combination of bee products and blue clay.
Recipe number 1
Rub – blue clay and alcohol infused with propolis.Instructions to prepare the product step by step:
- Prepare glassware, a wooden spoon, clay, propolis and clean water.Pour 1 glass of purified water into a container, add 3 teaspoons of propolis and pour blue clay powder.The last ingredient is taken in such a quantity that a solution is obtained that is not very thick, but not watery either.Therefore, the clay is poured into the liquid in portions, stirring thoroughly each time.
- When the tracing is ready, ask your family for help.Lie face down on a flat, hard surface.The assistant should take the rubbing cloth in his hands and use light massage movements to treat the neck and shoulder girdle.The procedure lasts between 5 and 7 minutes.After that, you should lie down for another 10 minutes.After that, take a warm shower.
The course of treatment is one week, then a break and repeat for the same time.Rubbing periods can be alternated with rest periods throughout the year.
Recipe number 2
Compress with blue clay and propolis-infused water.The ingredients are the same, except the propolis.Here you will need your infused water.You can prepare it yourself:
- Freeze the propolis in the freezer.
- Grind it into powder.
- Take 100 grams of water and 20 grams of propolis.
- Mix the ingredients in a glass or porcelain bowl and place in a water bath.
- Simmer for about an hour.At this time, the color of the solution will turn dark brown and the smell will intensify.
- Cool the mixture and strain through several layers of cheesecloth.For external use, you can skip this item.
Mix the clay with the prepared propolis solution.The consistency of the composition should be quite thick, but at the same time spread well on the canvas.Place the compress on the back of your neck and secure it.Take a comfortable position (sitting or lying down) and relax.Remove the compress after an hour and dry your neck with a clean cloth.Take a tablespoon of propolis internally (on an empty stomach and do not eat anything for half an hour).
The course of treatment is 3 weeks, then a break for a week and repeat.
Physiotherapy at home
Homemade physiotherapy devices will be a good addition to treatment with clay and bee products, and will enhance the effect of anti-inflammatory gels and ointments.One of them is essential in your home medicine cabinet.
The classic application of any of the therapeutic devices is the area of pain.In one device, vibraphones are taped to the sides of the neck.The mode is selected according to the instructions.Another device is placed on the back of the neck and kept on for 30 to 40 minutes.An additional effect is thermal, which is felt approximately 20 minutes after the start of the procedure.
Despite the home use of medical devices, do not engage in amateur activities!Each of them has a specific list of contraindications and precise treatment regimens according to the symptoms.
During an exacerbation, it is absolutely impossible to use physiotherapeutic methods;Your doctor will provide you with more detailed information.
Now you have an idea how to cure osteochondrosis of the neck at home.But in order not to suffer or experience pain, take preventive measures for the health of your spine.Then you will not have to buy expensive devices or waste precious time on treatment.Remember, the health of the spine determines the state of the internal organs and the body as a whole.