Many people suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae.This disease progresses and develops gradually and imperceptibly, but at a not quite wonderful moment it manifests itself as a deterioration in general well-being and headaches.Is it possible to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home with folk remedies and which specialist should you turn to for help?
How does osteochondrosis appear and manifest itself?
The human cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae.They are connected by discs called intervertebral discs, with the nucleus pulposus located in the center.Creating an irrational load on the spine, constantly being in uncomfortable positions, poor blood circulation and frequent muscle spasms ultimately lead to degenerative changes in the intervertebral cartilage of the cervical spine.The result of these changes is the appearance of cracks in the cartilage of the discs, in which the nucleus pulposus is displaced when the spine is loaded.This displacement causes compression of the nearby structures - the substance of the spinal cord and the roots of the spinal nerves and, therefore, pain.
Anyone who is attentive to their health can detect the first signs of the development of osteochondrosis.Most often, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes pain in the shoulder girdle, back of the head and neck.In addition, osteochondrosis causes impaired cerebral circulation, headaches, dizziness and even loss of consciousness.
Most often, this disease occurs in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or have a sedentary job, where the position of the head and neck during the working day is limited to a monotonous set of movements.If a person does not receive timely qualified treatment and tries to overcome the disease himself at home, the situation worsens - the distance between the vertebrae narrows, bone growths appear, which leads to permanent partial or complete loss of working capacity.
If the above symptoms appear, you should seek help from a doctor.A vertebrologist treats various pathologies of the spine;but you can find a specialist of this profile only in large medical centers.In an ordinary clinic, patients with osteochondrosis are treated by a neurologist, and in his absence - by a therapist.Only a doctor after an examination can prescribe treatment (medicinal, folk, combined), correct or cancel it.
Stages of cervical osteochondrosis and its diagnosis
The clinical course of osteochondrosis is characterized by three main stages of development, which differ in symptoms and degree of disorders:
- Stage 1– there are already cracks in the ring of the intervertebral disc;under load, the core may shift to the side.At this stage, symptoms such as sharp shooting pains and spasms of the neck muscles, numbness of the tongue, dilated pupils, the appearance of Wright's syndrome (tingling and tingling of the hands when you move them behind the head), Naffziger syndrome (pinching of the lower roots of the brachial plexus and the subclavian artery), soreness of the neck muscles prevail;
- Stage 2– the distance between the vertebrae decreases, the fibrous ring dries up and as a result inflammation occurs due to rupture of the capsule.In addition, the edges of the vertebral bodies are overgrown with osteophytes - specific bone growths.To the symptoms of the first stage is added the so-called "falling head" syndrome, forcing the patient to support his head with his hands to reduce pain;
- Stage 3– at this stage, there is a complete rupture of the cartilage and prolapse of the nucleus pulposus and the formation of an intervertebral hernia are observed.At this stage, symptoms such as periodic pain in the neck, headache and dizziness are observed, loss of consciousness is observed with a sharp turn of the head, and the limbs periodically "stop listening".
To make a diagnosis, you need to seek help from a neurologist who, after a preliminary examination, will prescribe a thorough examination.It should include radiography, MRI of the cervical and thoracic vertebrae, angiography and vascular ultrasound.The diagnosis "osteochondrosis" is made only on the basis of X-ray and MRI data in the presence of changes in the structure of the vertebrae and discs.
How is the treatment carried out?
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae?Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment that can completely get rid of this disease.If the patient's condition is satisfactory and does not require hospitalization, i.e.can be treated at home, the doctor prescribes outpatient treatment, during which the patient visits a doctor and procedures on the specified days.In severe cases of the disease, hospitalization may be decided.
Medical treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, prescribed by a doctor, usually includes orally taken drugs from the following groups:
- pain relievers.It is taken for a long time of 1-2 weeks 3 times a day after meals;
- folk sedatives - motherwort, valerian, St. John's wort.They are mild tranquilizers and prevent exhaustion of the nervous system due to the prolonged presence of pain.It is taken for 1-3 weeks;
- diuretics.They help reduce swelling in the area of inflammation;
- Vitamins of group B - normalize muscle conductivity, help to improve metabolic processes in nervous tissue;
- muscle relaxants - help to relax spasmodic muscles.
- chondroprotectors - drugs that help improve the structure of cartilage tissue and the work of intervertebral discs.
In addition, gels, ointments, creams and various medical or folk rubs are used locally, which have an analgesic, warming and distracting effect.
Other treatments
In addition to drugs and folk remedies designed to alleviate the patient's condition, positional treatment is also prescribed.In the stage of exacerbation of osteochondrosis with pronounced pain, a strict bed rest is prescribed, in which the physiological position of the body allows you to remove the load from the spine and reduce pain.Treatment with positioning is prescribed for 1-3 days.Also, in the acute stage of osteochondrosis, doctors and physiotherapists recommend doing special breathing exercises and exercises at home that relieve muscle spasms.
In the subacute stage of cervical osteochondrosis, you can independently perform head turns and smooth turns at home.When a muscle spasm occurs, massage is a very effective way to relieve pain.You can do it yourself or trust the hands of a specialist.To prevent this disease, it is useful to undergo massage sessions twice a year.So, for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the following means and methods are used:
- gymnastics;
- massage;
- hirudotherapy (treatment with medicinal leeches);
- wearing a special neck brace;
- vertical cervical traction using a special device.
Diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle play an important role in the treatment of this disease.From the diet, it is necessary to exclude drinks and food products that contribute to excitement and spasm of the spinal muscles of a person.Prohibited drinks and foods include: tea and coffee, alcohol and hot spices, marinades and smoked foods.Fresh vegetables and fruits, cereals and legumes, nuts and boiled eggs, milk and fermented milk products and low-fat fish, beef and poultry will be good for cartilage and joint tissue.