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 not treated, the disease can lead to a vertebral hernia. If you were looking for osteochondrosis symptoms, treatment methods, then you have come to the right place.
Symptoms, causes, types of osteochondrosis.
Of all the parts of the spine, the cervical one, which consists of seven vertebrae, between which there are intervertebral discs, which makes the spine simultaneously flexible, strong and the most mobile. All the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine consist of an annulus fibrosus with a nucleus pulposus inside. Due to disease, discs lose their elasticity and strength. Due to the resulting loads, the fibrous ring protrudes and cracks form in it.
In general, there are several reasons for the appearance of the disease, among which the most common are: unhealthy diet; a sedentary lifestyle associated, for example, with working on a computer or constantly driving a car; salts in the spine; incorrect material exchange; Poor or unbalanced diet. Osteochondrosis can occur due to a hereditary predisposition; in relation to injuries of 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 pain that is localized to the neck, the back of the head, the arm or the 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 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 and crown. Due to a sharp turn of the head in patients with osteochondrosis, dizziness, even fainting occurs. Patients often complain of a decrease in the level of performance, severe fatigue and weakness. Less often, there is noise in the ears, impaired vision, hearing, pain in the heart region.
There are several stages of the disease. At the first stage, patients have a 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 a poor fixation of the vertebrae, which is associated with the 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 fibrous ring, as well as the formation of intervertebral hernias. Symptoms and pain syndromes are highly dependent on the shape, location, and size of the hernia. The last stage is associated with a sharp pain when moving. Sometimes the painful sensations subside, in connection with which the patient's condition improves, however, this is an apparent relief. In the fourth stage, bone tissue grows between the vertebrae, connecting the two vertebrae to each other.
Traditional methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
As you have seen, cervical osteochondrosis is very dangerous to health. Perhaps you are interested in treating cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies? In fact, all popular recipes are associated with warming the affected area of the spine. Herbal ingredients can also provide additional relief. A woolen scarf or pepper cast 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 net for the cervical spine for treatment, you can find a method according to which it is proposed to treat the disease with horseradish leaves, which must first be soaked in boiling water for a few seconds, 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! It is worth explaining that if a person feels an unbearable burning sensation, then the heat is no longer "dry". The patient is at risk of severe burns, and the disease will only get worse.
Hot compresses
A medical compress is a very common way to treat an ailment such as osteochondrosis. It is often possible to find many recipes for warming compresses on the net. 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 item from the wardrobe; leave the compress overnight.
There is a good option:
soak in kerosene, squeeze the canvas fabric; rub it with soap, press it to the sore spot with a wet edge; the fabric must be wrapped in polyethylene for several hours; feeling a strong burning sensation, the process should stop, 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 slice it with a meat grinder or grater. Stir the root with sour cream in a ratio of 1: 1. The finished mixture should be infused. This usually takes a couple of hours. Store the finished product in the refrigerator. Apply in the form of a strip up to 3 centimeters thick. Overlap time: up to 20 minutes. Repeat 3-4 times a day.
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Supporters of traditional medicine may recommend compresses with honey for the treatment of osteochondrosis. This method has a very strong side: it is multifunctional. The honey compress acts on painful areas at the same time in the lower back and neck. The optimal recipes are shown below.
- Grate the potatoes on a grater, mix the resulting mass with honey. To have the maximum effect on the pain site, the 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 the liquid, boil the eucalyptus for 5 minutes. Ready mix, adding honey to the composition. Apply to areas of pain, keep 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 in the bottom of a cup or glass. You must first put a piece of rubber in the container. The melted wax along with rubber is applied to the neck. The procedure can be repeated 20 times. This type of treatment belongs to the preventive methods, therefore it is recommended to carry out the above procedure for several months. If work is associated with weight lifting, you have shoulder pain, you know, maybe this is a symptom of osteochondrosis, which means that 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 preferences, since useful medicinal substances can be contained in any of the forms. However, it is worth noting that the ointment is slightly more effective, as it remains on the surface of the epidermis longer and acts gradually.
Ginger salve
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. 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 on the sore spot. The remedy is generally used for acute pain in case of an exacerbation of the disease.
Decoctions and infusions
A decoction of yarrow 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 yarrow with boiling water. Let it sit for 30-40 minutes. Drink 1 tablespoon. 3 times a day.
Common agrimony broth. Take 3 tablespoons. tablespoons of burdock, chop it, pour boiling water (250 ml). The finished product must be infused for at least two hours, filtered through cheesecloth, it is possible to add a tablespoon 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, crow's foot (1: 1: 2: 1). Pour boiling water over 1 tablespoon. 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 blood supply to cells in those suffering from osteochondrosis. Regeneration of the intervertebral discs is much faster as a result of better 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 net for cervical osteochondrosis treatment for gymnastics, or perhaps you are interested in methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis at home with exercises, please read carefully. There are a number of effective physical exercises that will become reliable companions in the fight against ailments.
"Turtle". Tilt your head back gently. Try to touch the back of the head with your back, put your head on the shoulders, being in this position. Gently lower your head forward, pull it inward. Try snuggling your chin against your chest.
The head is tilted sideways with the shoulders straight. The lesson goes like this: keep the crest straight. Lock the shoulders, take care of the smoothness of the movements. 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. Turn your head around this line. Point your chin to the side.
"Owl". The head should be level with the back. Look around you 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 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. Be careful of injuries.
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. Eat foods that contain protein, 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 years old. Consultations with a specialist and courses in manual therapy are recommended.