Spinal injuries happen to almost everyone. The cervical and lumbar regions are most commonly affected. They carry a heavy load throughout the day. How to treat cervical osteochondrosis? There are many answers to this question, each of which may be partially true, since choosing either method will not give the correct result. Only a complex effect on the body can stop the development of the disease. In the future, osteochondrosis is likely to be felt. But if left untreated, it will continue to grow, hitting all new frontiers.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
There are many of them. This can be explained by the fact that a large number of nerves pass through this area, where the brain is fed. Osteochondrosis affects the spine, changing its structure. Result - squeeze the artery, squeeze the nerve. Therefore, problems can arise in completely unexpected places. The main symptoms are:
- High blood pressure and stress surge;
- loss of vision;
- fatigue;
- drowsiness;
- fatigue;
- Numbness of hands and face;
- Reduces sensitivity of the neck and head;
- neck and hand pain;
- rigidity;
- Lazio Campsis;
- Muscle spasms.
This is not a complete list of possible symptoms, but they are the most common.
reason
Cervical osteochondrosis is common in people with impaired metabolism. Alas, any deviation in health could be the cause. What causes osteochondrosis to appear is unknown, but there are many alleged causes. These include:
- a sedentary lifestyle;
- Infectious and viral diseases;
- Postural disturbance;
- flatfoot;
- prolonged physical activity;
- static work;
- drinking and smoking;
- Inflammatory processes in internal organs;
- neck injury;
- high pillow;
- hormone imbalance.
At-risk groups include pregnant women, representatives of "sedentary" occupations, and athletes.
About treatment
First, any doctor will try to relieve pain with the help of pain relievers and other medications.
The next step is to rule out possible causes of cervical osteochondrosis. For example, if we are talking about office workers, then exercises will be provided. During the course of your work, you need to rest, warm up, and take a walk. The focus will be on proper posture at work.
third step. Strengthen the neck muscles. If we take into account the number of muscles and the weight of the human head, the vertebrae are under incredible load. Also, it is the most mobile part of the spine. To strengthen the neck muscles, you need to perform a series of exercises, visit the swimming pool.
the fourth step. Improve blood circulation and relieve tension. To do this, massage the neck and shoulders. There are other methods, but massage is the most established option.
the fifth step. Vitamins and Minerals. It's no secret that a balanced diet can go a long way toward improving many ailments, and osteochondrosis is no exception. If a particular substance is in short supply, it needs to be purchased at a pharmacy. Taking vitamins and proper nutrition is not a cure, but combined with other methods, it will bear fruit.
last step. The resting tissue of the neck. As you know, the cervical spine is always in a weight-bearing state, with one exception - the prone position. This is why the arrangement of the bed and pillows is so important.
This disease must be treated as soon as possible. In the case of cervical osteochondrosis, surgical intervention is required if standard treatment measures do not improve the patient's condition. Similar steps are taken in advanced cases.
Exercise Therapy and Warm Up
Continued performance of your warm-up can help you relieve stress and improve your metabolism.
Warm up exercises:
- Sit in a chair and perform a tilt and a slight head tilt. The action is smooth. 10 times.
- In the same position, turn your head to the sides. 10 times.
- The head moves in a clockwise circular motion and vice versa. Five times.
- Raise and lower shoulders. 15 times.
- Move your head back and forth. 10 times.
- In a standing or sitting position, raise your arms without bending your neck. 10 times.
- Do the same thing, but tilt your head back as you lift and tilt as you descend. But leaning is easy.
- Put your palms on your forehead and press (but not too hard). At the same time, move your head forward. 5 times for 15 seconds.
Exercise therapy complexes for any osteochondrosis are individually developed. Usually, these are simple exercises that don't cause fatigue and overwork.
A set of approximate exercises for cervical osteochondrosis:
- Do a warm-up exercise.
- Lie on your back and raise your head. 15 times.
- On all fours, head turned to the sides and raised. 10 times. Refuse to exercise if severe pain occurs.
- While standing, raise your arms to shoulder level. Clap your hands 15-20 times in front of you and 15-20 times above your head (with straight arms).
- Put your hands on the belt and turn your body to the sides 15-20 times.
- Go to the wall and put your palms on it. Take 2 steps back. Raise and lower your head.
- In the same position, take a light dive with your head under your arms. 10-15 times.
- Stand up straight or sit in a chair. Perform a head turn while moving your neck to the other side. 10 times.
- In the same position, we retract the chin, the neck and shoulders should be even. 15 times.
Usually the complex is repeated 2-3 times in a course of treatment. Each class should be gentle the first time, and the second time as usual.
swimming pool
Swimming is the best medicine and prevention for all spinal disorders. Achieve in water:
- relaxation;
- increase muscle tone and its capacity;
- Spasms are relieved.
Preparation
chondroprotective agent
Chondroprotective agents are good drugs. Their function is to repair cartilage. Allowing them to assimilate leaves a lot to be desired, but it is still recommended to use them for 2-3 months. The ingredients of this medicine include glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
muscle relaxant
This group of drugs relieves spasms in muscles that are clamped or loaded. The positive effects of massage and manual therapy are enhanced after taking Myoblasts. But after taking them, you can't exercise, exercise.
vasodilator
Vasodilators are also used in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck. Their effects are necessary to improve the blood supply to the damaged part and the brain.
NSAIDs
NSAIDs perfectly relieve inflammation, anesthesia. They are as effective as pure painkillers. Prolonged use is contraindicated.
painkiller
There are two types: narcotic and non-narcotic. The first is only used when there is no other way to relieve pain. The second is used more frequently.
biostimulant
As the name suggests, this drug activates the body's work to improve circulation and relieve swelling, inflammation, and pain.
vitamins
The vitamin complex is also necessary for the recovery of osteochondrosis to work. They should include:
- Vitamins A, B, C, D;
- B vitamins;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- phosphorus.
These vitamins and minerals are essential for the development and repair of bone tissue.
massage
It is impossible to treat osteochondrosis of the neck without using massage or self-massage. No matter how effective the medicine is, if you don't massage him, you can't guarantee normal blood circulation and metabolism. Typically, a gentle massage of the collar area is prescribed. A variety of soothing oils and ointments are available. After all, osteochondrosis remains an intense psychological burden.
The main massage technique is rubbing, without pressing hard.
Start at the back of the head and work your way down to the shoulder blades. Movement starts from the center and goes to the periphery and vice versa. Massage or self-massage with your index and middle fingers or one thumb.
What is the use of massage? In addition to improving blood circulation, it removes unnecessary or even interfering substances from tissues. For example the muscles of the neck, osteochondrosis in this sector, are very tense. This is the body's response to injury. Therefore, the spine is protected. The constant load on the muscles leads to the accumulation of lactic acid. It causes pain and reduces mobility. And remove it with massage for relaxation and pain relief.
Dream
During sleep, our bodies are completely relaxed. Unless, of course, this is the right dream. To relax the spine, with cervical osteochondrosis, you need orthopedic pillows and mattresses. Without the requisites for proper sleep, you can treat the disease as you wish and it won't work.
High pillows, like low pillows, create a constant load on the neck area, and osteochondrosis can continue to develop even during sleep. You need to achieve a straight spine and proper load distribution.
Ethnoscience
Traditional medical methods are not always endorsed by doctors as there may be "gotchas" with some effects on the body. However, they cannot be ignored.
To reduce pain, rub the spinous process with a hard object (door frame, rolling pin).
Willow is considered a good pain reliever with no side effects. It is added to the composition of ointments, infusions, compressed.
Horseradish leaves and their roots are completely warmed, reducing inflammation and pain. But you have to be careful not to get burned. Therefore, it is not used at night. Blood circulation and metabolism increase due to skin irritation.
Onions have many positive properties. Its use leads to a reduction in pain and inflammation, and it activates the body's protective response. Unlike willow, it is less effective when applied topically.
The most popular product in traditional medicine is honey. It is good in compressed, ointment form. Massage with honey to relieve pain, relax and soothe. In addition to taste, taking a few tablespoons daily can strengthen the body and provide many essential vitamins and compounds.
add up
Osteochondrosis can only be treated with the help of complex effects on the body. Rather, it's how you can achieve results. The sooner you start, the fewer changes will occur in your body. In the early stages, the disease is almost completely cured. In advanced cases, you will have to fight the disease long and hard. It's not months, it's years. Treatments are well documented, but may not be effective in some cases. It is then already possible to treat osteochondrosis by surgery alone. So it's best not to bring it up.