Osteochondrosis is one of the most insidious diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Its symptoms are often disguised as other diseases and bring a lot of uncomfortable and painful sensations. The appearance of pathological changes in the cervical spine is associated with the influence of various factors.
Symptoms
Cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by a wide variety of symptoms. Headache, tingling in the center of the chest or chronic fatigue - all these signs accompany dystrophic disorders of the cervical spine.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- Dizziness, which sometimes leads to loss of consciousness or fainting.
- Crunching when trying to turn or turn your head.
- Attracting pain and tingling in the shoulders, elbows or neck.
- Numbness in the hands and feet, from the tips of the fingers and down the entire limb.
- Unreasonable appearance of apathy and drowsiness. The feeling of accumulated fatigue continues even after a long sleep or passive rest.
- Tinnitus (tinnitus for no apparent reason).
- Hearing loss or blurred vision.
- Pain in the sternum, with tingling in the arms or legs.
Important: the neck is one of the most important parts of the spine due to the accumulation of a large number of nerve trunks. Even a slight displacement of the vertebrae by 1-3 mm leads to a violation of blood circulation to the brain and can cause hypertension, migraine. Less often to cerebral hypoxia, stroke.
In the last 2 decades, doctors have noted the appearance of osteochondrosis in young people. If earlier in the risk group were middle-aged and older people, now the disease is more common in people aged only 20-30 years.
The danger of any symptoms of osteochondrosis lies in the fact that they are attributed to other diseases and the call to specialists is delayed. This makes it possible for the disease to become chronic and lead to irreversible damage to the anatomical structures of the cervical spine.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Each segment of the spine is built on a single principle: the soft pulp inside the vertebrae absorbs all the structures of the segment, loses its elasticity and ossifies. The pathological process affects the nerves and blood vessels.
To understand the causes of osteochondrosis, look at the problem from a medical point of view.
> zxtable border = "1" cellpadding = "0" >Pathological changes in the vertebrae are accompanied by:
- Deposition of salts in the pulpal nucleus.
- Penetration of vertebral structures into adjacent segments (hernia formation).
- Abrasion and wear of segments of the cervical spine.
- Ossification of the soft tissues of the joints.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- Autoimmune - diseases lead to degenerative processes in cartilage.
- Infectious - the presence of pathogenic microorganisms leads to metabolic disorders in tissues and can cause pathological processes in the joints.
- Involutional - natural aging processes of the body.
- Traumatic - the development of pathologies as a result of injuries.
- Endocrine - hormonal disorders.
- Metabolic disorders - degenerative processes as a result of metabolic failures.
- Heredity - congenital pathologies of the development of joints, cartilage. anatomical disorders.
- To stay in one position for a long time.
- Overweight - increases the load on the cervical region and can cause metabolic disorders.
- Nervous tension and prolonged exposure to stress.
- Rheumatism.
Folk methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Along with conservative medical methods, folk methods are very effective in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Herbal treatment
Phytotherapy is widely used in osteochondrosis of the neck for many reasons: a small number of contraindications, availability, high efficiency, cumulative effect of the use of tinctures and decoctions.
Preparation of decoctions
1 liter of water should be brought into an enameled vessel and add 5-6 tablespoons of the collection. Put the broth on low heat and cook for about 15 minutes.
Tinctures of alcohol from such herbs as wild rosemary, burdock, mountaineer, elecampane, sage, yarrow are used for both external use and oral consumption. The principle of preparation of tinctures is as follows:
- 2-3 tablespoons of crushed plants are placed in a container of 250 ml and add medical alcohol
- the infusion stays in a dark cool place for at least 14 days. All of the above herbs are suitable for cooking.
Preparation of infusion: pour 4-6 tablespoons of crushed vegetable raw materials in a jar of 1 liter and pour boiling water over it. Cover the jar and leave for 24 hours in a dark place.
Compresses
The simplest method of treatment is the use of compresses of bischofite, saline. the high efficiency of the method has been tested over time, the main principle of treatment is regularity and long-term impact. Bandages made of a soft cloth or bandage are applied to the neck for a long time.
Salt compress: prepare 10-11% saline solution (100 g per 1000 ml of water). Moisten folded in several layers of gauze in the resulting solution and apply on the neck. Place polyethylene on top and wrap with a warm scarf. The compress should be done daily for about 10-14 days 1-2 times a day.
Ointments
You can fight cervical osteochondrosis with home-made ointments. For their preparation are used: herbs, plant roots, vegetable oils and animal products - fats, poisons, bile, eggs.
Ointment recipe:
- In equal proportions mix yarrow, lavender, horsetail, dandelion roots (pre-crushed).
- Pour 2-3 tablespoons of the collection with boiling water and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- After cooling, mix the resulting mixture with 75 g of any vegetable oil and 75 g of animal fat until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Rub in the neck for 4-5 minutes 2-3 times a day.
Friction
Rubbing will help relieve neck pain with osteochondrosis. The effectiveness of this method lies in the fact that it has a complex effect. Rubbing the neck with tinctures and ointments is effective in exacerbations and complex therapy. Biologically active substances easily penetrate the tissues due to the mechanical effect on the skin.
Rubbing the ointment (the recipe is given above): take a small amount of ointment and rub it in the palms. Then, with intense stroking movements, rub the ointment into the neck, after which it is necessary to insulate with a woolen scarf. Perform the procedure at least two weeks in a row 1-2 times a day.
I'm warming up
This method of exposure is used in cervical osteochondrosis to get rid of toxins accumulated in cartilage tissue, to improve microcirculation of blood and lymph. Herbal baths, sauna, special heating pads, baked or boiled potatoes (in the form of mashed potatoes and honey cakes), bags of salt or sand are suitable for warming. After heating the application of tinctures, ointments and compresses is more effective.
To keep warm, you will need sea salt and a bag made of thick natural fabric - better than linen. The salt should be heated in a pan and the bag should be poured. Apply on the affected area 2-3 times a day. After the procedure, wrap your neck with a warm scarf and do not go out, especially in the cold season.
Massage
This method is used only in remission - in the absence of acute pain and other acute symptoms of osteochondrosis.
The healing properties of massage have long been known and are one of the best ways to remove osteochondrosis of the neck. Various massage techniques allow you to relieve muscle spasms around the segments of the spine:
- acupressure;
- classic;
- I can;
- vacuum;
- Thai;
- self-massage.
Such an effect leads to improvement of local blood circulation, relief of edema, elimination of pain in the cervical region, improvement of tissue metabolism, restoration of mobility of the cervical region and resuscitation of atrophied muscles.
Self-massage for osteochondrosis is performed sitting or standing, back straight, legs shoulder-width apart. You can use one or two hands for the following techniques:
- Rub the neck area and collar with your palms to warm up.
- Hold your neck with your hands so that your thumbs are in front and the rest are behind. In this position, hold four fingers from the spine to the periphery of the entire neck and collar area for 2-3 minutes.
- Circular movements with your fingers with pressure, while covering as much of the surface of the neck as possible. Continue for 1-3 minutes.
- Vertical rubbing on the spine with your fingertips - 1-2 minutes.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
It is almost impossible to cure osteochondrosis quickly, but special exercises will help speed up the recovery process.
The set of exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes:
- Rotate the head left and right - do 5-6 repetitions in both directions, gradually increasing the amplitude.
- Raising and lowering the shoulders - 10-15 times.
- Tilt your head left and right - 10-12 times in both directions.
- Stretching the head in front - in an upright position, stretch the head as far as possible, then return to its original position. Do 10-15 reps.
- Cobra: Stand on all fours and stretch your head slightly forward, aligning your legs and lifting your head up. Try to lower your hips to the floor. Hold in this position for a few seconds and slowly return. Repeat 4-9 times.
The latter exercise helps to relax the muscles of the cervical region, restore blood supply and eliminate pinching of blood vessels and nerve endings.
All exercises are performed slowly, smoothly and with ever-increasing amplitude. The number of repetitions and approaches is determined individually.
Nutrition in cervical osteochondrosis
In case of joint damage, the diet should be balanced and fractional - 5-6 times a day in small portions.
Limit your intake of salt, simple carbohydrates, spicy and fried foods.
The diet should include foods high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus - these are vegetables, fish, meat, vegetables in stewed or baked form.
To fight cervical osteochondrosis effectively, increase your intake of clean water (at least two liters a day).
Prevention
The disease is easier to prevent than to cure. To reduce the risk of osteochondrosis, take the following preventative measures:
- use a comfortable sleeping place - orthopedic mattresses and pillows;
- participate in regular physical activity;
- work in a properly organized place under the condition of sedentary work;
- with a static body position, take breaks for gymnastics;
- do not overeat;
- do not carry bags on one shoulder.
Contraindications
The main contraindications are:
- physical overload from a long stay in a static position;
- intentional crunching of the joints of the neck;
- consumption of a large number of sweet and starchy foods;
- weightlifting;
- sleeps on a soft mattress and a large pillow;
- hypothermia of the cervical region.
The treatment of osteochondrosis should be comprehensive. The combination of different means and methods of therapy, in compliance with the recommendations for diet and physical activity, can relieve chondrosis of the neck. Despite the effectiveness of alternative therapies, seek help from an orthopedist or osteopath in a timely manner, as self-medication can pose a health risk.