Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease of the cervical spine.
The first symptoms of this disease usually appear around the age of 25 to 40 years. The disease is the cause of headaches in 30% of cases. If left untreated, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can lead to a vertebral fracture. If you have been looking for osteochondrosis symptoms and treatments, you've come to the right place.
Symptoms, causes, types of osteochondrosis
Of all parts of the spine, the cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae, between which there are intervertebral discs, which makes the spine flexible, strong and mobile at the same time. All intervertebral discs of the cervical spine consist of an annulus fibrosus with a nucleus pulposus inside. Disks lose their elasticity and strength due to illness. Due to the resulting loads, the fiber ring protrudes and cracks form on it.
Usually there are several reasons behind the onset of the disease, the most common of which are: unhealthy diet; a sedentary lifestyle associated with, for example, computer work or constant driving; Salts in the spine; wrong material exchange; 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 imbalance. The causes of the disease can be systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatism.
The main symptoms of the disease are pain localized in the neck, back of the head, arm or shoulder. They gain weight with a slight load on the hand, sneeze, cough. When turning or tilting the head, there is pain in the neck, it is possible to hear a crunch. Burning sensation between the shoulder blades, tingling in the legs or arms, numbness are symptoms of the disease. Often the disease is accompanied by a headache that 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 occurs, there is even fainting. Patients often complain of a drop in performance, severe fatigue and weakness. Less common are noises in the ears, visual disturbances, hearing disturbances and pain in the heart area.
There are several stages of the disease. In the 1st stage, patients have high instability of the spinal segments, the manifestation of which is an injury to the intervertebral disc. The second stage of the disease is manifested by poor fixation of the vertebrae, which is associated with a protrusion of the intervertebral discs. The distance between the vertebrae is reduced. In the third stage, severe deformation of the crest occurs. 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 depend largely on the shape, location, and size of the hernia. The last stage is associated with acute pain when moving. Occasionally, the painful sensations decrease, as a result of which the patient's condition improves. However, this is an obvious relief. In the 4th stage, bone tissue grows between the vertebrae and connects the two vertebrae with each other.
Traditional methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis
As you have seen, cervical osteochondrosis is very harmful to health. Perhaps you are interested in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies? In fact, every popular recipe involves warming up the affected area of the spine. Herbal ingredients can also provide additional relief. A woolen scarf or plaster with pepper will work 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, searching the network for the cervical spine to be treated, you can find a method of treating the disease with horseradish leaves, which should first be soaked in boiling water for a few seconds, and then applied to the affected area, wrapped in a scarfwhile the patient is found to have a burning sensation. It is recommended to carry out the process at least five times! Is it worth explaining that when a person experiences an unbearable burning sensation, the heat is no longer "dry"? The patient is at risk of severe burns and the disease will only get worse.
Warming compressed
A medical compress is a very common way to deal with a condition such as osteochondrosis. It is often possible to find a lot of 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 and fix it with a warm element of the wardrobe. Leave the compress on overnight.
There is a good option:
soak in kerosene, squeeze out the linen 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. If you feel a sharp burning sensation, you should stop the process and 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. To treat the disease, you can use sour cream, comfrey. Wash the comfrey under warm running water and chop 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 few hours. Store the finished product in the refrigerator. Apply as strips up to 3 centimeters thick. Overlay time - up to 20 minutes. Repeat 3-4 times a day.
honey
Traditional medicine followers may recommend compresses with honey as a treatment for osteochondrosis. This method has a very strong side - it is multifunctional. The honey compress acts simultaneously on the painful areas in the lower back and neck. You will find the optimal recipes below.
- Grate potatoes on a grater, mix the resulting mass with honey. Honey needs to be warm to get the maximum effect on the pain area. Wrap the rubbed area with a scarf or towel after covering it with plastic. Leave the neck in the lower back for a few hours. To prepare the product you will need a potato, two tablespoons of honey.
- Pour the liquid and cook the eucalyptus for 5 minutes. Ready mixture that adds honey to the composition. Apply to painful areas, hold on body for 2 hours. To prepare this remedy, you will need eucalyptus (1 tablespoon), honey (1 tablespoon) and half a glass of water.
Mountain wax (ozokerite)
Heat the wax at the bottom of a cup or glass. You should first put a piece of oilcloth in the container. The melted wax is applied to the neck along with the oilcloth. The process can be repeated 20 times. This type of treatment belongs to the preventive methods, so it is recommended to carry out the procedure described above for several months. If work involves lifting weights, then you have shoulder pain, you know, maybe this is a symptom of osteochondrosis, which means this compress is ideal!
Herbal ointments
Gels, ointments are effective in treating cervical osteochondrosis. The products are intended for external use. What to choose, an ointment or a gel, depends only on personal preference, since useful medicines can be included in both forms. But it is worth noting that the ointment is slightly more effective, since it stays on the surface of the epidermis for a longer period and acts gradually.
Ginger ointment
To make this product, you will need ginger juice as well as a calendula tincture from the pharmacy. A mixture diluted 1: 1 with water is suitable for sensitive skin. Rub the sore spots with the resulting product. Marigold extract reduces inflammation, while ginger improves local blood circulation. After the procedure, make sure to warm up a little for maximum effect.
Butter and egg
To prepare the drug, 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 kept in a dark place for several days. A film forms at the top that must be removed and discarded. The finished composition needs to be rubbed into the sore spot. The remedy is usually used for acute pain in case the disease worsens.
Decoctions and infusions
A brew made from yarrow flowers. The remedy is known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties. It is especially effective for loin pain. To prepare the broth, pour 2 tablespoons of yarrow with boiling water. Let it steep for 30-40 minutes. Drink 1 tbsp. 3 times a day.
Ordinary farming broth. Take 3 tablespoons. Tablespoons of burdock, chop, pour boiling water (250 ml). The finished product should be infused and filtered through a cheesecloth for at least two hours. It is possible to add a spoonful of honey. Drink 1/4 cup 4 times before meals.
Herbs
With 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 your neck and wrap it in a scarf.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with leeches
Hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) has always been known to man. 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 diseases. Treatment with leeches and osteochondrosis is very popular. The use of leeches helps improve the blood supply to cells in patients with osteochondrosis. The regeneration of the intervertebral discs is much faster due to the improved blood flow. The substances contained in the saliva of these worms relieve swelling and congestion, which means that the use of pharmacological preparations can be replaced by hirudotherapy.
Exercise to fight osteochondrosis
If you have searched the network for a treatment for cervical osteochondrosis for gymnastics, or perhaps you are interested in methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis at home with exercises, read them carefully. There are a number of effective physical exercises that will become reliable companions in the fight against disease.
"Turtle". Gently tilt your head back. Try to touch the back of your head with your back, pull your head into your shoulders and find yourself in this position. Gently lower your head forward and pull it inward. Try to snuggle your chin against your chest.
The head tilts to one side with straight shoulders. The lesson is carried out as follows: Keep the ridge straight. Lock your shoulders, making sure that the movement is smooth. Alternately tilt your head to the right and left and try to touch your shoulder with your ear.
"Dog". Imagine the nose is connected to the back of the head by a straight line. Turn your head around that line. Straighten your chin to one side.
"Owl". Your head should be level with your back. Look around slowly. Try to turn your head as far as possible, as if you were watching what is happening from behind.
Prevention of the development of cervical osteochondrosis
One of the main reasons for developing osteochondrosis is a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, you should go for walks and exercise in the fresh air as often as possible. This helps keep your spine flexible. Beware of injuries.
Equip the workplace correctly from a physiological point of view. Visit the pool, do medical gymnastics. Proper diet plays an important role in preventing osteochondrosis. Consume foods that contain proteins, minerals, and vitamins. Lose excess weight. Regular checkups by a vertebrate are not unnecessary, which is especially important for those who have a hereditary predisposition to osteochondrosis or are over 40 years old. Consultations with a specialist and courses in manual therapy are recommended.