How to cure cervical osteochondrosis?This question is the first one that comes to mind when we suddenly have pain in the neck, and subsequently problems begin with the cervical-collar area.A reasonable decision is to go to an appointment with a doctor, get examined and strictly follow the prescribed treatment.But most people don’t have time for this.Therefore, first the patient goes to the pharmacy and buys all kinds of gels and ointments, and then turns to traditional methods of treatment.And all in order to treat yourself at home, contrary to common sense.
Causes and symptoms
Neck pain is a signal of problems with the spine.To figure out how to treat cervical osteochondrosis on your own, you need to understand how the disease process starts and what symptoms indicate it.
The neck contains the smallest and most fragile vertebrae.The intervertebral discs in this part of the spine are also small.Any degenerative process in them proceeds quite quickly.If in the lower back the destruction of the intervertebral disc can last for several years, then in the neck it significantly decreases in size within six months.As a result, the nerve roots are pinched by the vertebrae, causing pain, stiffness, and decreased flexibility.Additionally, the range of motion of the neck is limited.
Causes of degenerative changes in the spine:
- Lack of daily sports activity.
- Poor nutrition and excess weight.
- Injuries.
- Excessive physical activity.
- Stress.
- Hypothermia.
- Infectious diseases.
Pain can be caused by intervertebral hernias.In the cervical spine they are quite rare, but to avoid complications from rash independent actions, visit a doctor and get an MRI.If there is a hernia, not all traditional methods can be used for self-treatment.
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 (pain on one side, radiating to the shoulder blade, jaw).
Pain directly in the neck and shoulder area is also a symptom of cervical osteochondrosis.
Home treatments
Traditional medicine in the case of neck osteochondrosis is largely in agreement with traditional medicine.She recommends mandatory feasible physical activity, light massage using homemade painkillers or ointments and rubs purchased at the pharmacy, and taking anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce swelling in the area of the pinched nerve.
What to do if you have neck pain, and there is no way to see a doctor in the near future, the following home methods for treating cervical osteochondrosis will help alleviate the condition:
- Medicines that relieve pain and muscle spasms (tablets, gels and ointments).
- Charger.
- Apitherapy.
- Clay treatment.
- Physiotherapy.
Medicines
The first thing that needs to be done in case of an acute attack of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is to quickly alleviate the patient’s condition by eliminating the pain syndrome.To do this, you can use pharmaceutical drugs classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (self-administration is prohibited for stomach bleeding and gastrointestinal diseases).
One of the drugs in the NSAID group must be in your home medicine cabinet.Additionally, muscle relaxants can be used.When taking medications, remember that they should only be prescribed by a doctor!Any 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 significantly weakened, you can begin physical exercise.
Charger
Before choosing physical exercises, consult a specialist and undergo an examination.With an intervertebral hernia of 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 up straight, lower your arms along your body.Place your feet shoulder-width apart and completely relax.Breathe evenly.Slowly and with a small amplitude, begin to move your head - right and left, forward and backward, smoothly moving to minimal rotational movements.The duration of the lessons is several minutes.
- Exercise 2.Stretching.Lower your head forward, trying to touch your chin to the jugular fossa.Slowly stretch the crown of your head, feeling the vertebrae stretch and the nerves free.Return your head to an upright position.Repeat the exercise 5 times.
- Exercise 3.Let's roll the ball.Tilt your head back, as if placing 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 the shoulders with the ears.Take the starting position from the first exercise.Tilt your head towards your right shoulder, stretch the top of your head, feel how the muscles and vertebrae stretch.Try to touch your ear to your shoulder.Repeat on the other side.You need to bend your head towards each shoulder at least 5 times.
- Exercise 5.Self-massage.Raise your hands and place your palms on the back of your neck.Start massaging lightly.Gradually increase the pressure, carefully working the vertebrae.There shouldn't be any pain.Can be combined with the use of 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:
- beebread;
- pollen;
- death;
- propolis;
- drone jelly;
- royal jelly;
- honey.
Alcohol and aqueous solutions of propolis and podmora, as well as honey, are used to prepare compresses and for oral administration.Pollen, both types of milk and bee bread are used internally.Features of receiving bee products:
- They are very nutritious, so there is no need to consume pollen, milk, beebread 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 bed.
- A teaspoon of beebread, milk, pollen or honey is placed under the tongue.Keep until completely dissolved, do not chew!This way all the beneficial 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.Their intake has an immunomodulatory effect, mobilizing the body's defenses.
Do not use apitherapy to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home if you are allergic to honey!
Clay treatment
Blue clay has an effect similar to bee products.It effectively relieves inflammation, increases blood supply to tissues at the site of the compress, and improves metabolism.Therefore, the optimal treatment option for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is considered to be a combination of bee products and blue clay.
Recipe No. 1
Rubbing – blue clay and alcohol infusion of propolis.Instructions for preparing the product step by step:
- Prepare glassware, a wooden spoon, clay, propolis and clean water.Pour 1 glass of purified water into a container, add 3 teaspoons of propolis, pour in blue clay powder.The last ingredient is taken in such quantity as to obtain a solution that is not very thick, but not watery either.Therefore, the clay is poured into the liquid in portions, stirring thoroughly each time.
- When the rubbing is ready, 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 use light massage movements to treat your neck and shoulder girdle.The procedure lasts 5–7 minutes.After it, you need to lie down for another 10 minutes. After that, take a warm shower.
The course of treatment is a week, then a break and repeat for the same amount of time.Periods of rubbing can be alternated with periods of rest throughout the year.
Recipe No. 2
Compress with blue clay and water infusion of propolis.The ingredients are the same, except for propolis.Here you will need its 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.
- Simmer for about an hour.By this time, the color of the solution will turn dark brown and the smell will intensify.
- Cool the mixture and strain through several layers of gauze.For external use, 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 spread well on canvas.Place the compress on the back of your neck and secure it.Take a comfortable position (sitting or lying down) and relax.Remove the compress after an hour and dry your neck with a clean cloth.Take a tablespoon of propolis internally (on an empty stomach and do not eat anything for half an hour).
The course of treatment is 3 weeks, then a break for a week and repeat.
Home physiotherapy
Home physiotherapeutic devices will be a good addition to treatment with clay and bee products, and will enhance the effect of anti-inflammatory gels and ointments.One of them is a must have in your home medicine cabinet.
The classic application of any of the therapeutic devices is the pain zone.In one device, vibraphones are secured with adhesive tape on the sides of the neck.The mode is selected in accordance with the instructions.Another device is placed on the back of the neck and held for 30–40 minutes.An additional effect is thermal, which is felt approximately 20 minutes after the start of the procedure.
Despite the home purpose of the medical devices, do not engage in amateur activities!Each of them has a specific list of contraindications and precise treatment regimens in accordance with the symptoms.
Physiotherapeutic methods should absolutely not be used during an exacerbation; your doctor will provide more detailed information.
Now you have an idea of how to cure neck osteochondrosis at home.But in order not to suffer and experience pain, take preventative measures for the health of your spine.Then you won’t have to buy expensive devices and waste precious time on treatment.Remember, the health of the spine determines the condition of the internal organs and the body as a whole.