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 in 30% of cases is the cause of headaches. If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is left untreated, the disease can lead to spinal hernia. If you are looking for Osteochondrosis Symptoms Treatment Methods, you have come to the right place.
Symptoms, causes, types of osteochondrosis
Of all the parts of the spine, the cervical column, which is made up of seven vertebrae, between which there are intervertebral discs, which makes the spine flexible, strong and at the same time the most mobile. All intervertebral discs in the cervical spine consist of a fibrous ring with a nucleus pulposus inside. Due to diseases, the discs lose their elasticity and strength. Due to the resulting loads, the fibrous ring protrudes, cracks are formed on it.
There are usually several reasons for the onset of the disease, the most common of which are: poor diet; a sedentary lifestyle associated with, for example, working at a computer or constantly driving a car; salts in the spine; exchange of incorrect material; poor or unbalanced diet. Osteochondrosis can occur due to a hereditary predisposition; in connection with injuries to the vertebra, especially its cervical spine; due to hypothermia or hormonal disturbance. The causes of the disease can be systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatism.
The main symptoms of the disease include localized pain 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 a cracking sound. Burning 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 on the back of the head, temples, crown. Due to a sharp turn of the head in patients with osteochondrosis, dizziness occurs, there is even fainting. Patients often complain of decreased level of performance, severe fatigue and weakness. Less often 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 a strong instability of the segments of the spine, the manifestation of which is a violation of the disc. The second stage of the disease is manifested by poor fixation of the vertebrae, associated with protrusion of the intervertebral discs. The gap between the vertebrae is reduced. Severe ridge deformities appear in the third stage. They are associated with the destruction of the structure of the fibrous ring, 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 sharp pain when moving. Sometimes the painful sensations decrease, which leads to an improvement in the patient's condition. However, this is an apparent relief. In 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 for your health. Maybe you will be interested in treating cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies? In fact, every popular recipe is associated with warming the affected area of the spine. Herbal ingredients can also provide additional relief. A woolen scarf or a plaster with pepper works well. It 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 are looking for the network of the cervical spine to be treated, you can find a method in which the disease is proposed to be treated with horseradish leaves, which must first be soaked in boiling water for a fewseconds, and then applied to the affected area, wrapped in a scarf, while it is noted that the patient will feel a burning sensation. It is suggested to perform the procedure at least five times! Is it worth explaining that if a person experiences an unbearable burning sensation, the heat is no longer "dry". The patient runs the risk of severe burns and the disease will only worsen.
Heating pads
A medical compress is a very common way to treat a disease 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 a warm element of the wardrobe; leave the compress overnight.
There is a good option:
soak in kerosene, squeeze the canvas fabric; rub it with soap, press it on the sore spot with a wet edge; the fabric should be wrapped in polyethylene for several hours; feeling a strong 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 heating compresses. For the treatment of the disease, you can use sour cream, comfrey. Wash the comfrey under lukewarm running water and chop it using a meat grinder or grater. Stir the root with sour cream in a 1: 1 ratio. The finished mixture should be infused. It usually takes a few hours. Store the finished product in the refrigerator. Apply in bands up to 3 centimeters thick. Layering 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 a very strong side: it is multifunctional. The honey compress works on both painful areas of the lower back and neck. Here 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 pain site, the honey should be warm. Wrap the rubbed area with a scarf or towel, after covering it 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 the liquid, boil the eucalyptus for 5 minutes. Ready mixture, adding honey to the composition. Apply to painful areas, keep on the body for 2 hours. To prepare this remedy you will need eucalyptus (1 tbsp), honey (1 tbsp), half a glass of water.
Mountain wax (ozokerite)
Heat wax in the bottom of a cup or glass. First you need to put a piece of oilcloth in the container. The melted wax with the 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 carry out the above procedure for several months. If the work is associated with lifting weights, your shoulder hurts, you know, maybe it 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. The choice, ointment or gel, depends only on your personal preferences, since useful medicinal substances can be contained in either form. It is worth noting, however, that the ointment is slightly more effective, as 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 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 packet of butter. Mix the butter and flour with the egg. Then add 1 tbsp. the 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 should be rubbed into the sore spot. The remedy is usually used for acute pain when the disease is exacerbated.
Decoctions and infusions
A decoction of yarrow flowers. The remedy is known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. It is particularly effective for lower back pain. To prepare the broth, pour 2 tablespoons of yarrow with boiling water. Let it steep for 30 to 40 minutes. Drink 1 tbsp. 3 times a day.
Common agrimony broth. Take 3 tbsp. 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. It is the oldest branch of medicine. Many are disgusted by the mention of these creatures. This type of therapy is effective in treating many illnesses. Treatment with leeches and osteochondrosis is very popular. The use of leeches helps to improve the blood supply to cells in people with osteochondrosis. The regeneration of the intervertebral discs is much faster thanks to better blood circulation. The substances 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 fight osteochondrosis
If you have consulted the Cervical Osteochondrosis Treatment Network for Gymnastics, or, perhaps, are interested in methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis at home with exercises, read carefully. There are a number of effective physical exercises that will become reliable companions in the fight against the disease.
"Tortoise". Gently tilt your head back. Try to touch the back of your head with your back, bring your head back to your shoulders, being in this position. Gently lower your head forward, pull it inward. Try to nestle your chin against your chest.
The head tilts to the sides with straight shoulders. The lesson goes 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 to the 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. Turn your head around this line. Point your chin 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 you are looking at 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 need to walk in the fresh air as often as possible, play sports. This will help keep your spine flexible. Beware of injuries.
Correctly equipping the workplace from a physiological point of view. Visit the swimming pool, do medical gymnastics. Good nutrition plays an important role in preventing osteochondrosis. Eat foods that contain protein, minerals, and vitamins. Lose your excess weight. Regular preventive examinations by a vertebrologist will not be superfluous, which is especially important for those with a hereditary predisposition to osteochondrosis or those who are already over 40 years of age. Consultations with a specialist and manual therapy courses are recommended.