Osteochondrosis can develop in any part of the spine, but it most often affects the neck and lower back. This disease is inflammatory-dystrophic in nature and proceeds, as a rule, chronically. Cervical osteochondrosis is most often diagnosed in women, while men are more susceptible to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
Overview
Most people spend their days sitting - at school, college, the office, driving a car, or at home in front of a computer. Over time, many begin to feel first discomfort and then pain after a long session. Posture deteriorates, hunched over appears, it is difficult to straighten or turn.
This is how 1 appears, the initial stage of osteochondrosis, in which the disease is easier to cope with. If you do not take action, then in the future it threatens to turn into a chronic form with regular exacerbations. In some cases, the case ends in disability.
REFERENCE: osteochondrosis of the cervical spine accounts for half of all types of pathology.
The clinical picture of cervical chondrosis includes:
- pain syndrome caused by compression of the nerve roots. Depending on which vertebrae and discs are damaged, the pain can spread to the shoulder, the forearm, or the entire arm. Characterized by headaches, pressure spikes;
- sensory disorder, mainly in the hands and fingers. Possibly numbness, burning sensation, or chills;
- decreased strength and tone of muscles on the affected side, sometimes muscle spasms and cramps;
- increased sweating, skin discoloration - paleness, redness;
- chest pain;
- Vertebral artery syndrome occurs when one of the two arteries is pinched, which is accompanied by severe headaches, tinnitus, nausea, dizziness, and less commonly, swallowing disorder.
There are no medications that can completely eliminate the cause of osteochondrosis. But you can get rid of your symptoms and prevent possible relapses using the simplest methods.
How is chondrosis treated?
In the acute phase, rarely does someone go without pain medication. The most popular and effective are inexpensive drugs based on metamizole sodium, as well as NSAID drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
For severe pain, the attending physician may prescribe painkillers in injections, but most often they are prescribed in tablets and supplemented with ointments. Complex therapy also includes physical therapy, massage, and exercise therapy. Massage sessions and therapeutic exercises usually begin after the relief of acute symptoms.
What you can do yourself at home
Treating cervical osteochondrosis at home is a prerequisite that most doctors insist on. It is impossible to cope with the disease only with drugs and physiotherapy, they only temporarily eliminate the symptoms. The remission period can be prolonged by regular and dosed physical activity, the use of self-massage techniques, therapeutic compresses and strengthening infusions.
By exactly following the instructions and following medical advice, impressive results can be achieved. Performing self-massage saves money significantly, the use of herbal decoctions and infusions instead of some medications reduces the negative effect of medications on the body.
Home therapy, like traditional treatment, helps to quickly stop pain syndrome, normalize brain circulation, and improve sleep. With the help of available products, you can eliminate nervousness and irritability, stabilize blood pressure, and restore normal sensitivity to the neck and neck region.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercises are included in the main standard of treatment for chondrosis of the neck and are selected by an exercise therapy instructor. The first 1-2 sessions take place in a clinic or health center, and then the patient can train at home.
Exercise 1. PI (starting position): standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Tilt your head to the right, left, forward and back. All movements should be slow and smooth, you should throw your head back with special care, without jerking it back.
Exercise 2. From the same PI, turn your head sideways. At the extreme point, turn your gaze back. Sometimes at first it is not possible to turn your head too much and you should not force events. Over time, the limiting "lock" movement will disappear.
Exercise 3. Roll your shoulders back, bringing your shoulder blades together as much as possible. Hold this position for a few seconds, then roll your shoulders forward and round your back. The movement is similar to the famous "cat", but is performed in a standing position.
Another effective set consists of the following exercises:
- Standing or sitting, place your palms on your forehead and press your head on them, overcoming the resistance of your hands. Hold this position for 15-20 seconds.
- Putting your hands on the back of your head, press with the back of your head on your hands and with your hands on the back of your head.
- Place the palm of the hand over the right ear and apply mutual pressure, trying to tilt the head towards the right shoulder. Then switch sides and tilt your head toward your left shoulder, keeping your left hand on your left ear.
- Turn your head sideways, placing your palm on the left or right cheekbone. First, the hand rests on the right cheekbone, and the head tries to turn to the right, overcoming the resistance of the hand. Then the palm rests on the left cheek and the head turns to the left. The pressing time is 15-20 seconds.
- Grab the bottom of the head so that the thumbs are on the chin and the rest are on the back of the head. Gently raise your head, it is allowed to rock from side to side like "getting the cork out of the bottle". He cannot turn his head, the spine of the cervical spine must straighten. The duration of the exercise is 15 to 20 seconds.
- Extend your arms to the sides and turn first with the left, then with the right, and then with both shoulders. This exercise is especially useful for those who feel tension in the neck and shoulder area.
- Standing or sitting up straight, "turn" your head from left to right and in the opposite direction, tilting it down as far as possible at the midpoint and trying to reach your chest with your chin. The number of repetitions is from 10 to 12.
It is not necessary to complete the above complex if some exercises cause severe pain and discomfort. According to the doctor, you can also hang from a horizontal bar or a cross bar, go swimming, water aerobics and other permitted sports.
Self-massage
Self-massage helps to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home. Thanks to the gentle pressure on the neck, salt deposits are avoided, blood flow and tissue nutrition are improved and the intensity of pain is reduced. During the procedure, the muscles relax, metabolic processes accelerate, and blood pressure stabilizes.
If you wish, you can visit a masseur at the clinic or perform procedures at home. However, it is convenient to massage the neck on your own, having studied the basic techniques and determining which points to work on. It is also important to know which areas are best to avoid or act carefully.
The massage technique is quite simple and it is quite possible to master it. The basic rules are:
- the direction of movement is from the center to the periphery, that is, from the spine to the shoulders and the back of the head;
- it is allowed to massage the cervical area only with your fingers, without using any device;
- strong pressure is excluded: it must act delicately and gently;
- the muscles of the back and sides of the neck are caressed, rubbed and stretched;
- the massage is performed in a sitting position;
- the session begins with caresses, continues with rubbing and kneading movements, also ends with caresses;
- duration of the procedure: 5-10 minutes.
In the absence of contraindications and approval of the attending physician, you can use the Kuznetsov applicator. This affordable and effective device is a roller made of cloth or rubber with embossed elements: round or square spiked plates.
The applicator is easy to use: just put it under your head and lie on it. The soft needles bite into the skin, increase blood flow, and act on biologically active points on the neck. The duration of the procedure starts from a few minutes and increases gradually.
First aid in case of exacerbation
If a cervical lumbago occurs suddenly, the ideal solution is a visit to the doctor or a visit to a specialist at home. If help is delayed, a series of measures should be taken to relieve pain and protect spinal structures from possible injury.
CONVENIENT POSITION
First of all, you need to provide the cervical spine and restrict as much as possible (it is better to completely exclude) physical activity. You should lie on a flat, moderately hard bed or a thick blanket on the floor. A floor that is too hard, such as a bare plank floor or an airy feather bed, will not work.
In case of acute pain in the neck caused by osteochondrosis, it is recommended to wear a Shants collar, which will prevent the neck from moving or rotating freely. Due to this, the load on the cervical muscles will decrease and local blood circulation will improve.
If there is no Shants necklace, you can make a homemade tire out of cardboard and cotton, fixing the neck with it.
REFERENCE: Before visiting a doctor, you should not use hot gums and ointments, massage the neck. Such actions in some cases can lead to very unpleasant complications.
LOCAL FUNDS
In the first hours of an attack it is allowed to apply ice or a cold compress, but there should be a layer of cloth or gauze between it and the body. This will prevent hypothermia and increased pain.
It is allowed to use anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments and gels based on diclofenac, ibuprofen, nimesulide and indomethacin. It is prohibited to use such products as Finalgon, Viprosal, Capsicam and other preparations with burning components in the composition.
Hot ointments and rubs have a local irritant effect, increasing blood flow to the neck, which can increase swelling and compression of nerve endings. In the cervical spine, special care is needed, since wrong actions are fraught with a sharp increase in blood pressure.
In case of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, massage is not performed due to the risk of increased pain and reflex muscle spasms. In addition, the cervical vertebrae are hypermobile and any careless movement can aggravate the condition.
MEDICINES
Medicines can help with pain, but remember that pain is a defense mechanism. When it is forcibly removed, nothing will stop you from jerking your head, making the condition worse. Therefore, after taking a pain reliever, you should observe gentle and preferably bed rest for at least 2-3 days.
Severe pain, which does not lend itself to being stopped by tablets and intramuscular injections, is relieved with the help of the novocaine blockade. This procedure is strictly performed in a hospital setting: a local anesthetic is injected next to the damaged vertebra and blocks pain. Blockages are carried out only according to indications and can cause side effects in the form of allergic reactions and infectious complications.
Prohibited actions
A sharp pain in the neck is a good reason for a medical consultation and a thorough examination. Only after an accurate diagnosis has been established, the most effective treatment tactics and methods are determined in a particular case.
It is categorically impossible to eliminate pain in any way; for example, try to correct a displaced vertebra on your own or seek the help of a friend who is not a specialist. Do not take large doses of pain relievers uncontrollably. Even home remedies can cause harm if the diagnosis is not yet known.
The correct movement regime is very important: if in the exacerbation stage the movements should be as limited as possible, after a few days physical activity should be expanded. Exercise therapy complex exercise will help improve blood circulation, reduce pain intensity, and slow down the inflammatory process. In addition, correctly selected exercises will help to strengthen the muscular corset that supports the spine.
How to cure osteochondrosis forever
Complex drug therapy consists of several groups of drugs:
- NSAIDs and analgesics during an exacerbation; muscle relaxants to relax the muscles;
- chondroprotectors, which restore the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs;
- vitamin and mineral complexes containing B vitamins
Various ointments, gels and dressings, for example the Nanoplast dressing, effectively complement the treatment. Today, pharmacies have a wide range of local remedies that can be used both during exacerbations and in the recovery phase:
- anti-inflammatory;
- chondroprotector;
- homeopathic.
When acute symptoms have subsided, warming agents can be used.
Traditional methods
Honey Potato Wrap is made from raw grated potatoes and honey. Both components are taken in equal amounts, mixed and placed on a cloth or gauze. The compress is applied to the neck for about 45 minutes. The procedure is performed twice a week.
The wax or paraffin should be melted and applied to the sore spot, avoiding contact with the spine. It is recommended to make such applications once every two days.
Knead the mass of water and rye flour at medium density, spread the cake and adhere it to the neck. Lubricate the skin with turpentine before applying. Cover the compress with polyethylene and a warm cloth, hold until a burning sensation appears, but no longer than 15 minutes. You can do the procedure every other day.
The herbal preparation for oral administration is prepared from the following ingredients, taken in equal proportions:
- chamomile;
- yarrow;
- St. John's wort;
- calendula;
- thyme;
- dandelion leaves.
2nd. l. prepare the mixture in a thermos, pouring it with a liter of boiling water. Take 3 times a day before meals for ¼ glass.
Therefore, a lot can be done at home to get rid of such an unpleasant disease as osteochondrosis. By making all medical appointments, including taking medications, visits to physical and massage procedures, performing therapeutic exercises, there is the possibility of preventing its progression and preventing relapses.
What to do now
Statistics show that more than 45% of people over 35 have joint disease! It all starts small: somewhere they tried too hard, somewhere they lifted weights, somewhere they just blew their necks off. The joint is designed in such a way that the main problems begin with inflammation of the joint fluid, then the softening of the cartilage, and as a result, disability.
One important thing to note: joint disease will put you in a wheelchair in less than 3 years! The disease progresses many times faster if you are overweight, since in this case there is a double load on the joints.