How to cure cervical osteochondrosis?This is the first question that comes to mind when we suddenly have pain in the neck and as a result problems arise in the neck and collar area.A sensible decision is to make an appointment with the doctor, undergo an examination and strictly follow the prescribed treatment.But most people don't have time for that.Therefore, the patient first goes to the pharmacy, buys all kinds of gels and ointments, and then resorts to traditional methods of treatment.And all in order to do something good for 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 yourself, you need to understand how the disease process begins and what symptoms indicate it.
The neck contains the smallest and most fragile vertebrae.The discs in this part of the spine are also small.Any degenerative process in them occurs quite quickly.While the destruction of the intervertebral disc in the lower back can last for several years, it decreases significantly in the neck within six months.This causes the nerve roots to be pinched by the vertebrae, causing pain, stiffness and reduced flexibility.In addition, the mobility of the neck is restricted.
Causes of degenerative changes in the spine:
- Lack of daily physical activity.
- Poor diet and obesity.
- Injuries.
- Excessive physical activity.
- Stress.
- Hypothermia.
- Infectious diseases.
Pain can be caused by intervertebral hernias.In the cervical spine they are quite rare, but in order to avoid complications from rash actions, you should consult a doctor and have an MRI done.If you have an inguinal hernia, not all conventional self-treatment methods can be used.
Characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Regular headaches.
- Frequent dizziness, loss of orientation in space.
- Deterioration of vision and hearing.
- Voice change, snoring.
- A feeling that a nerve has been pinched (unilateral pain radiating to the shoulder blade and jaw).
Pain directly in the neck and shoulder area is also a symptom of cervical osteochondrosis.
Home treatments
Traditional medicine for neck osteochondrosis largely coincides with traditional medicine.She strongly recommends feasible physical activity, light massages with homemade painkillers or ointments and rubs purchased at the pharmacy, as well as taking anti-inflammatory medications that reduce swelling in the area of the pinched nerve.
What to do if you have neck pain and have no opportunity to see a doctor in the near future?The following home methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis will help alleviate the disease:
- Medicines that relieve pain and muscle spasms (tablets, gels and ointments).
- Charger.
- Apitherapy.
- Clay treatment.
- Physiotherapy.
Medication
The first thing to do in an acute attack of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is to quickly relieve the patient's condition by eliminating the pain syndrome.For this purpose, you can use drugs classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (self-administration is prohibited for stomach bleeding and gastrointestinal diseases).
One of the drugs from the NSAID group must be in your home medicine cabinet.Additionally, muscle relaxants can be used.When taking medication, remember that it can only be prescribed by a doctor!Each 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 the products prescribed by a specialist into the painful area.
When the pain has subsided significantly, you can begin physical exercise.
charger
Before deciding on physical exercises, consult a specialist and undergo an examination.If there is an intervertebral fracture in 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 tall and lower your arms along your body.Place your feet shoulder-width apart and relax completely.Breathe evenly.Start moving your head slowly and with a small amplitude - right and left, forward and backward, moving smoothly to minimal rotational movements.The lesson lasts several minutes.
- Exercise 2.Stretch.Lower your head forward and try to touch the pit of your neck with your chin.Slowly stretch the top of your head and feel the vertebrae stretch and the nerves release.Bring your head back to an upright position.Repeat the exercise 5 times.
- Exercise 3.Let's roll the ball.Tilt your head back as if you were resting the back of your head on your shoulder blades.Relax, breathe evenly.Start rolling your head from left to right and vice versa.Repeat 5 times.During the exercise, it is better to hold on to something stable.
- Exercise 4.We reach our shoulders with our ears.Take the starting position of the first exercise.Tilt your head towards your right shoulder, stretch the top of your head and feel the muscles and vertebrae stretch.Try touching your ear to your shoulder.Repeat on the other side.You need to bend your head to each shoulder at least five times.
- Exercise 5.Self-massage.Raise your hands and place your palms on the back of your neck.Start with a light massage.Increase the pressure gradually, carefully working the vertebrae.There shouldn't be any pain.Can be combined with the use of a medicinal ointment.
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.
Alcoholic and aqueous solutions of propolis and podmora, as well as honey, are used for the preparation of compresses and for oral administration.Pollen, both types of milk and bee bread are used internally.Features of receiving bee products:
- Since they are very nutritious, there is no need to consume pollen, milk, bee bread and honey in large quantities.1 teaspoon 2 times a day is enough.
- Before using bee medicine, 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 sleep, 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 useful substances immediately enter the bloodstream and begin to work.You can eat after half an hour or later.
All bee products have pronounced anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties.Taking it has an immunomodulatory effect and mobilizes the body's own 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 compress site and improves metabolism.The optimal treatment option for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is therefore a combination of bee products and blue clay.
Recipe number 1
Rubbing – blue clay and alcohol infusion of propolis.Instructions for step-by-step preparation of the product:
- 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 an amount that a solution is obtained that is not very thick, but not watery either.To do this, the clay is poured into the liquid in portions, stirring thoroughly each time.
- When the rubbing is finished, ask your family to help you.Lie face down on a flat, hard surface.The assistant should take the rubbing cloth in his hands and treat your neck and shoulder girdle with light massage movements.The procedure takes 5-7 minutes.After that, you need to lie down for another 10 minutes.Then take a warm shower.
The duration of treatment is one week, then a break and repeat for the same period of time.Periods of rubbing can be alternated with periods of rest throughout the year.
Recipe number 2
Compress with blue clay and water infusion of propolis.The ingredients are the same except for propolis.This is where you need the water infusion.You can prepare it yourself:
- Freeze 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.
- Let simmer for about an hour.At this point, the color of the solution becomes dark brown and the smell becomes more intense.
- Allow the mixture to cool and strain through several layers of cheesecloth.If used externally, you can omit this item.
Mix the clay with the prepared propolis solution.The consistency of the composition should be quite thick, but at the same time it should be easy to spread on the canvas.Place the compress on your neck and secure it.Get into a comfortable position (sitting or lying down) and relax.After an hour, remove the compress and dry your neck with a clean towel.Take one tablespoon of propolis internally (on an empty stomach and without eating for half an hour).
The duration of treatment is 3 weeks, then a week break and repetition.
Physiotherapy at home
Home physiotherapeutic devices are a good addition to treatment with clay and bee products and enhance the effect of anti-inflammatory gels and ointments.One of these is a must in your medicine cabinet.
The classic area of application of all therapy devices is the pain zone.In one device, vibraphones are attached to the sides of the neck with adhesive tape.The mode is selected according to the instructions.Another device is placed on the back of the neck and held for 30-40 minutes.An additional effect is the thermal effect, which is noticeable about 20 minutes after the start of the procedure.
Despite the home purpose of medical equipment, you should not get involved in amateur activities!Each of them has a specific list of contraindications and exact treatment regimens according to the symptoms.
Physiotherapeutic methods should under no circumstances be used during an exacerbation;Please contact your doctor for further information.
Now you have an idea on how to cure neck osteochondrosis at home.However, in order not to suffer and feel pain, take preventive measures for the health of your spine.Then you don't have to buy expensive equipment and waste valuable time on treatment.Remember that the health of the spine determines the condition of the internal organs and the body as a whole.