Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease associated with the cervical spine.
The first symptoms of the disease usually appear between 25 and 40 years. The disease in 30% of cases is the cause of headaches. If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is not treated, the disease can cause a vertebral hernia. If you were looking for symptoms of osteochondrosis, treatment methods - then you've come to the right place.
Symptoms, causes, types of osteochondrosis
Of all parts of the spine, the cervical one, composed of seven vertebrae, among which there are intervertebral discs, making the spine simultaneously flexible, strong and the most mobile. All intervertebral discs in the cervical spine consist of a fibrous ring with a pulpy nucleus inside. Due to the disease, the discs lose their elasticity and resistance. Due to the resulting loads, the fibrous ring protrudes and cracks are formed.
Usually, the reasons for the onset of the disease are diverse, among which the most common are: unhealthy eating; a sedentary lifestyle associated, for example, with working on a computer or driving a car constantly; salts in the spine; incorrect exchange of materials; poor or unbalanced diet. Osteochondrosis can occur due to an inherited predisposition; in connection with injuries of the vertebra, especially its cervical spine; due to hypothermia or hormonal disorder. The causes of the disease can be systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatism.
The main symptoms of the disease include pain located in the neck, neck, arm or shoulder. They increase with a light load in their hand, sneezing, coughing. When you turn or tilt your head, there is a pain in your neck, you can hear a snap. 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 at the back of the head, temples, crown. Due to an abrupt turn of the head in patients with osteochondrosis, dizziness occurs and may even pass out. Patients often complain of decreased performance, severe fatigue and weakness. Less often, there is noise in the ears, deterioration of vision, hearing, sharp pains in the heart region.
There are several stages of the disease. In the 1st phase, the patients present with high instability of the spinal segments, whose manifestation is the 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 deformations of the crest appear in the third stage. They are associated with the destruction of the fibrous ring structure, as well as the formation of intervertebral hernias. Symptoms and painful syndromes depend largely on the shape, location and size of the hernia. The last stage is associated with acute pain when moving. Occasionally, painful sensations diminish, in connection with which the patient's condition improves, however, this is an apparent relief. In the 4th stage, the bone tissue grows between the vertebrae, connecting the two vertebrae to each other.
Traditional methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis
As you saw, cervical osteochondrosis is very dangerous for your health. Perhaps you are interested in treating cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies? In fact, every popular recipe is associated with heating 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 mentioning that the treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies is not always safe. For example, if you search the network for the cervical spine for treatment, you can find a method according to which the disease is proposed to be treated with horseradish leaves, which must first be dipped in boiling water for a few seconds, then appliedin the affected area, wrapped in a tissue, while noting that the patient will feel a burning sensation. It is suggested to perform the procedure at least five times! It is worth explaining that if the person feels an unbearable burning sensation, then the heat is no longer "dry". The patient is at risk of serious burns and the disease will only get worse.
Heating compresses
A medical compress is a very common way of treating diseases such as osteochondrosis. Often, it is possible to find many recipes for heating packs 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 dressing with a ready-made solution, place 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 the canvas fabric; rub it with soap, press it on the sore point with the damp tip; the fabric must be wrapped in polyethylene for several hours; feeling a strong burning sensation, the process must be stopped, rinse the application site with water.
Comfrey and sour cream
Obviously, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies is not limited to the heating pads above. For the treatment of the disease, you can use sour cream, I comfrey. Wash the comfrey in warm running water and chop it with a meat grinder or grater. Mix the root with the cream in a 1: 1 ratio. The finished mixture should be infused. This usually takes a few hours. Store the finished product in the refrigerator. Apply in a range up to 3 centimeters thick. Overlap time - up to 20 minutes. Repeat 3-4 times a day.
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Adherents of traditional medicine can recommend compresses with honey for the treatment of osteochondrosis. This method has a very strong side - it is multifunctional. The honey compress works on the painful areas at the same time in the lumbar region and in the neck. Below are the ideal recipes.
- Grate the potatoes on a grater, mix the resulting dough with the honey. To have the maximum effect at the site of the pain, the honey must be hot. Wrap the rubbed area with a tissue or towel, 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 the liquid, boil the eucalyptus for 5 minutes. Ready mix, adding honey to the composition. Apply to areas of pain, keep on the body for 2 hours. To prepare this remedy, you will need eucalyptus (1 tablespoon), honey (1 tablespoon), half a glass of water.
Mountain wax (ozokerite)
Heat the wax at the bottom of a cup or glass. You must first place a piece of oilcloth in the container. The wax melted with the oilcloth is applied to the neck. The procedure can be repeated 20 times. This type of treatment belongs to preventive methods, so it is recommended to perform the above procedure for several months. If work is associated with weight lifting, you have shoulder pain, you know, it may be a symptom of osteochondrosis, which means that this compress is ideal!
Herbal Ointments
Gels and 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 any of the forms. It is worth mentioning, however, that the ointment is a little more effective, as it stays on the surface of the epidermis for a longer time and acts gradually.
Ginger ointment
To prepare this product, you will need ginger juice and a pharmacy marigold tincture. For sensitive skin, a mixture diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio is suitable. Rub the wounds with the resulting product. Marigold extract reduces inflammation, while ginger improves local blood circulation. After the procedure, be sure to do a little warm-up to get the maximum effect.
Butter and egg
To prepare the medicine, you will need 1 tablespoon. flour and half a packet of butter. Mix the butter and flour with the egg. Then add 1 tbsp. vinegar. The tool is kept in a dark place for several days. At the top a film is formed that must be removed and discarded. The finished composition must be rubbed in the painful place. The remedy is usually used for acute pain in the event of an exacerbation of the disease.
Decoctions and infusions
A decoction of thousand-leaf flowers. The remedy is known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. It is especially effective for low back pain. To prepare the broth, pour 2 tablespoons of millefeuille with boiling water. Let it ferment for 30-40 minutes. Drink 1 tbsp. 3 times a day.
Common agrimony broth. Take 3 tablespoons. tablespoons of burdock, chop, pour boiling water (250 ml). The finished product must be infused for at least two hours, filtered through gauze, and a spoon of honey can be added. 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, wooden foot (1: 1: 2: 1). Pour boiling water over 1 tbsp. me. mixtures. Place the compress with the mixture on the neck, wrapping in a tissue.
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 at 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 suffering from osteochondrosis. The regeneration of 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 medications with hirudotherapy.
Exercise to fight osteochondrosis
If you searched the net for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis for gymnastics, or perhaps you are interested in methods to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home with exercise, read carefully. There are several effective physical exercises that will become trusted companions in the fight against disease.
"Turtle". Gently tilt your head back. Try to touch the back of the neck, pull the head to the shoulders, being in this position. Gently lower your head forward and pull it inward. Try to snuggle your chin against your chest.
Head tilted sideways with straight shoulders. The lesson goes like this: keep the crest straight. Lock the shoulders, take care of the smooth movements. 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. Rotate your head around this line. Point your chin to the side.
"Owl". The head must be level with the back. Look around slowly. Try to turn your head as much as possible, as if you are watching what is happening from behind.
Prevention of the development of cervical osteochondrosis
One of the main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis is sedentary lifestyle, therefore, you should walk outdoors as soon as possible, play sports. This will help to keep your spine flexible. Watch out for injuries.
Equip the workplace correctly from a physiological point of view. Visit the pool, do medical gymnastics. Proper nutrition plays an important role in preventing 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 for those who are over 40 years old. Consultations with a specialist and manual therapy courses are recommended.