The manifestation of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is considered to be very common today. This disease is diagnosed in people of any age, and in most cases it is observed in able-bodied citizens between the ages of 30 and 50. Some patients do not suffer from symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, even ignoring discomfort, since degenerative changes in the cervical spine may occur unnoticed. During the treatment, a person can regain excellent health. However, for this, one should not ignore the appearance of the first symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Therefore, it is worth acquainting yourself in more detail with the signs of this disease.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
This disease at the initial stage of its development may not manifest itself at all. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are felt only in the advanced form of the disease in the form of frequent headaches, which intensify with movement of the neck. When disturbances of cerebral circulation are observed during cervical osteochondrosis, the patient begins to exhibit the following symptoms of the disease:
- persistent headaches;
- increased fatigue;
- violation of the sensitivity of the muscles of the face;
- noise in the head;
- high blood pressure;
- ringing in the ears;
- wobbly gait;
- frequent dizziness;
- loss of coordination in space.
If the disease is chronic, the symptoms and pain of cervical osteochondrosis will be permanent. In this case, any movement of the head will be difficult due to the tension of the neck muscles. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in chronic form are manifested in the form of migraines, headaches, which in some cases are accompanied by nausea, vomiting and even loss of consciousness. If you do not start treatment on time, the patient begins to accompany pharyngeal symptoms. These symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis of the spine include: a feeling of dryness in the throat, difficulty swallowing, tickling and itching. After a while, this disease can cause a herniation in the area of the intervertebral disc. Therefore, when the first signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appear, treatment should be immediate. It is worth getting acquainted in more detail with the most effective methods of treating this disease.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis in the neck area is the aging of the human body and is also associated with age-related changes that occur in the tissues. But there are also factors that increase the risk of developing this pathology. These factors include:
- Sedentary work and sedentary lifestyle.
- Long stay in the same static pose.
- Excess body weight.
- Nervous stress and frequent stress.
- Frequent hypothermia.
- Autoimmune diseases in which the cartilage tissue suffers.
- Injuries to the occiput or neck.
- Abnormal congenital structure of the vertebrae.
In addition, heredity, hormones and metabolism play an important role in the development of this disease.
Methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis
To get rid of the signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, treatment involves a whole range of methods and means aimed at eliminating the pain and combating the inflammatory process that appears in the tissues. Daily physical activity and exercises aimed at spinal flexibility are considered to be very effective. The program of such loads should be individual, it is selected by a specialist only after performing diagnostic measurements using computed tomography or MRI. When the first signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear, a doctor should also prescribe treatment. But what is the basis of treatment for this disease?
Drugs
When the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and headache appear, drug treatment is prescribed. First of all, the pain is relieved with conventional pain relievers. However, it should be paid attention to the fact that this method will be effective only at the initial stage of the development of the disease. Pain relievers are no longer useful afterwards.
Drug treatment for cervical osteochondrosis involves the use of new generation chondroprotectors, which are drugs that stimulate the restoration of cartilage tissue in the spine. The best therapeutic effect is the combination of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. The course of such therapy is, as a rule, several months, after which there is an improvement in the mobility of the cervical spine.
And how to relieve acute muscles and headaches in cervical osteochondrosis? Data on symptoms can be ruled out with the use of novocaine blockade or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This should include capsules, ointments, injections and tablets which can quickly improve the general condition of the patient. If these chondroprotectors have no contraindications even with long-term use, these contraindications are very serious for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Therefore, their use should be agreed with the attending physician.
Ointments and gels
When the first signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear, home treatment can be carried out with the help of special ointments or gels, which begin to act 10 minutes after application to the areaproblematic. These funds are divided into several types, among which:
- External anti-inflammatory agents based on non-steroidal substances capable of eliminating painful sensations.
- Regenerating ointments and gels that restore damaged cartilage tissue between the vertebrae.
- External anesthetic ointments and gels that can quickly affect nerve endings, while reducing pain.
- Various ointments for massage.
Manual therapy
Of course, treating the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at home with manual therapy will be quite difficult. However, this method is very effective and the oldest. Specialists have developed many different techniques that can have a beneficial effect on the vertebrae, joints and tissues in affected areas. Choosing a chiropractor for himself, it should be noted that he must be an excellent specialist, otherwise a person inexperienced in this matter can lead the patient to a wheelchair. The main methods of manual therapy to combat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are as follows:
- Manipulations aimed at restoring the health and function of the joints. These manipulations are accompanied by their crunch.
- Segmental massage that can relieve muscle tension.
- Mobilization that repairs joints damaged by traction.
Acupuncture
How else can you eliminate the signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine? Acupuncture treatment can not only eliminate the pain during this disease, but also cure it completely. This needle therapy technique came to our medicine from Eastern countries. Chinese sages, armed with philosophy as well as knowledge of the human body, figured out how to regulate energy in the body with the help of metal needles. This procedure is currently officially recognized by doctors as an effective technique to fight against osteochondrosis.
Before getting rid of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine by acupuncture, it is imperative to consult a specialist, as this procedure is not suitable for all patients. This technique is not applied in the following cases:
- during pregnancy;
- with existing infectious diseases;
- if a tumor is present;
- for diseases of the skin or blood;
- in infancy or old age.
Homeopathic remedies
Homeopathic remedies are very effective in the fight against cervical osteochondrosis. Homeopathic remedies contain biologically active substances and useful trace elements. These substances absolutely correspond to the concentration of minerals and vitamins in the human body. Homeopathic remedies contain plant extracts, plant extracts, which are taken only from environmentally friendly specimens. And the main advantage is that these preparations are completely natural. The main principle of the effect of these funds in osteochondrosis is as follows:
- restore cartilage tissue;
- activate human immunity;
- improves blood circulation in the cervix area.
Home treatment
Currently, it is possible to treat the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at home. To relieve pain and achieve overall improvement in the patient, it is necessary to follow a special diet and lead an active lifestyle. The daily diet of a patient diagnosed with cervical osteochondrosis should contain foods that promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue. These products include the following:
- fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as cereals and legumes;
- products that contain a large amount of protein: low-fat fish and poultry, eggs, nuts;
- foods containing unsaturated fatty acids, such as marine fish or flax seeds;
- foods rich in calcium, such as leafy vegetables, cottage cheese, milk.
In addition, a very effective way to treat osteochondrosis at home is a vibroacoustic device. This device is able to act on the main focus of pain syndrome with ultrasonic waves, due to which the process of cartilage regeneration begins to accelerate, tissue inflammation is eliminated, and damaged cells begin to recover. . This device will not cause any harm to the body, since the therapy is carried out under the influence of acoustic waves, which are absolutely natural for humans.
Massage
Successful home therapy can also be achieved with massage or self-massage. This procedure relieves tension and relaxes tight muscles in the neck. After self-massage in the intervertebral discs, blood circulation is improved, which provides rapid relief. The self-massage procedure itself should be performed in a sitting position, and during it, stroking, rubbing and kneading movements are performed on the back of the head. However, to maximize the effect, it is better to use the services of a professional.
Exercising to improve health
Such therapeutic gymnastics has no less effect than drug therapy for cervical osteochondrosis. Many experts claim that health-improving gymnastics is the basis of a patient's recovery. Such exercises, as a rule, do not take much time, especially since they are quite easy to do on your own at home. This gymnastics helps to alleviate pain syndromes during cervical osteochondrosis. It also stretches your ligaments and relaxes the muscles in your neck. However, it is necessary to perform actions during such gymnastics only after consulting a specialist. They should be carried out very carefully so that the patient does not harm his body.
Kuznetsov applicator
Acupuncture is a very effective treatment for this disease. However, not all patients choose acupuncture. For home therapy, an alternative device is used, which is a Kuznetsov needle applicator. It has single or double needles located on the neck strap or on the buckle belt. If the patient lies on this applicator for 30 minutes every day, then it is possible not only to significantly alleviate the symptoms, but also to completely overcome this disease.
Folk recipes
There are many effective alternative medicine recipes with which you can get rid of cervical osteochondrosis. Herbal medicine is very economical, effective and above all safe. To do this, it is not necessary to purchase expensive drugs for pain relief. In addition, many drugs purchased at a pharmacy can have side effects and contraindications, which can not be said from traditional medicine recipes. The following natural remedies can help with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Horseradish leaves. To do this, you need to tie a leaf of this plant to the back of the neck, fixing it with adhesive plaster at night. As a rule, the painful sensations disappear in the morning.
- Potatoes. This vegetable should be grated with honey in equal proportions. The resulting mixture should resemble an ointment in consistency. A ready-to-use product in the form of a compress is used at least 1 time in 7 days.
- A compress made from a liter of vodka, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed aloe juice, 1 tablespoon of mustard powder and 50 g of propolis is quite effective. All the ingredients are mixed, after which the resulting mixture is impregnated with gauze or fabric, applied to the neck area and fixed with a woolen cloth. It is recommended to make such compresses 1-2 times every 7 days. The compresses are made at night.
Disease prevention
Many people know that it is easier to prevent illness than to treat it later. Prevention of osteochondrosis means maintaining correct posture, exercising on exercise equipment, fitness exercises, walking, swimming, and yoga. When reading or writing, a person should not lean too low on the table, and when sleeping it is better to use orthopedic pillows.
Patient opinions
The opinions of patients who have been diagnosed with osteochondrosis suggest that it is not that difficult to cure this disease at home. However, a greater effect can be achieved if you use complex therapy, which includes not only massage and folk remedies, but also the use of drugs.
In conclusion, it should be noted that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a very common disease today. This disease affects not only adults, but also young people due to inactive and sedentary lifestyle. However, this disease can be treated successfully. To do this, when the first symptoms and signs appear, you need to seek help from a medical institution, where a specialist will prescribe the appropriate treatment. It should also be remembered that it is recommended to coordinate the use of traditional medicine recipes with your doctor.