Spinal cord injuries occur in almost everyone. The cervical and lumbar regions are most often affected. They have a large load throughout the day. How to treat cervical osteochondrosis? There are many answers to this question, in each of them there may be a part of the truth, because choosing any method will not give the right result. Only a complex effect on the body can stop the development of the disease. Osteochondrosis is likely to be felt in the future. But if left untreated, then it will continue to develop, hitting all new areas.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
There are a large number of them. This is explained by the fact that a large number of nerves pass through this area, the brain is nourished. Osteochondrosis affects the spine, changing its structure. And as a result - squeezing of arteries, crushed nerves. Therefore, problems can arise in completely unexpected places. The main symptoms are:
- hypertension and pressure increases;
- vision loss;
- fatigue;
- drowsiness;
- fatigue;
- numbness of hands, face;
- decreased sensitivity of the neck and head;
- pain in neck, hands;
- rigidity;
- rachiocampsis;
- muscle spasms.
This is not a complete list of possible symptoms, but they are the most common.
reason
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is often found in people with impaired metabolism. Any deviation in health, alas, can be the cause. What causes the onset of osteochondrosis is not known for sure, but there are a number of presumed causes. This includes:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- infectious and viral diseases;
- posture disorders;
- flat feet;
- prolonged physical activity;
- static work;
- smoking and smoking;
- inflammatory processes in the internal organs;
- neck injuries;
- high pillow;
- hormonal disorders.
The risk group includes pregnant women, representatives of "sitting" professions and athletes.
About treatment
First of all, any doctor will try to relieve the pain with the help of sedatives and other medicines.
The next step is to rule out the possible cause of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. For example, if we are talking about an office worker, then exercises will be offered. In the process of work, you will need to take vacations, do a warm-up, walk. Emphasis will be placed on proper posture at work.
Step number three. Strengthening the neck muscles. If we take into account the number of muscles and the weight of the human head, then an incredible load is placed on the vertebrae. In addition, it is the most mobile part of the spine. To strengthen the neck muscles, you will need to perform sets of exercises, visit the pool.
Step four. Improve blood circulation and relieve tension. To do this, apply a massage to the neck and shoulders. There are other methods, but massage is the most proven option.
Step five. Vitamins and minerals. It is no secret that a balanced diet mainly contributes to the improvement of many diseases, and osteochondrosis is no exception. If there is a lack of a certain substance, then it will have to be bought at a pharmacy. Getting vitamins and proper nutrition is not a cure, but in combination with the rest it bears fruit.
The last step. Organizing neck rest. As you know, the back of the cervix is always under load, with one exception - the prone position. This is why adjusting the bed and pillows is so important.
The disease should be treated as soon as possible. If standard therapeutic actions could not improve the patient's condition, then in the case of cervical osteochondrosis, surgical intervention is prescribed. A similar step is taken in advanced cases.
Exercise therapy and heat
Constantly performing warm-up exercises allows you to relieve stress and improve metabolism.
Warm-up exercises:
- Sitting in a chair, perform slight tilting and tilting of the head. The movements are smooth. 10 times.
- In the same position, perform head turns on the sides. 10 times.
- Circular movements of the head in a clockwise direction and counterclockwise. Five times.
- Raising and lowering the 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, but when raising, tilt your head back, and when lowering, tilt it. But tilting is easy.
- Place both palms on the forehead and press (but not firmly). At the same time, move your head forward. 5 times for 15 seconds.
Exercise therapy complexes for each osteochondrosis are developed individually. As a rule, these are simple exercises that do not cause fatigue and overload.
A rough set of exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Perform warm-up exercises.
- Lying on your back, raise your head. 15 times.
- Get up on all fours, do head bends at the sides and raises. 10 times. If severe pain occurs, then refuse exercise.
- In a standing position, raise your arms at shoulder level. Apply in front of you 15-20 times, over your head (with straight arms) 15-20 times.
- Hands on the belt, make curves with the whole body on the sides 15-20 times.
- Go to the wall, place your palms on it. Move 2 steps back. Raise and lower your head.
- In the same position, light dipping with the head under the arms. 10-15 times.
- Stand up straight or sit in a chair. To perform head turns, with simultaneous movement of the neck to the other side. 10 times.
- In the same position, we pull the chin, neck and shoulders should remain uniform. 15 times.
Usually the complex is repeated 2-3 times in one session. The first time in each lesson should be gentle, the second as usual.
Swimming pool
Swimming is the best medicine and prevention for all spinal diseases. In water is achieved:
- relaxation;
- increases muscle tone and their abilities;
- spasm is relieved.
training
Chondroprotectors
Chondroprotectors are good medicine. Their function is cartilage repair. Let the process of their assimilation leave much to be desired, but nevertheless their use is recommended for 2-3 months. The composition of the drug includes glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
Muscle relaxants
Group medications relieve tight or tense muscle spasm. After receiving myoclast, the positive effect of massage and manual therapy increases. However, after taking them, you can not exercise, exercise.
Vasodilators
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical region, vasodilators are also used. Their impact is needed to improve blood supply to the damaged section and brain.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs perfectly relieve inflammation, anesthetize. They can be just as effective as pure pain relievers. Long-term use is contraindicated.
Painkillers
There are two types: narcotic and non-narcotic. The first type is used only when nothing else can relieve the pain. The second type is used more often.
Biostimulants
From the name it follows that this drug activates the work of the body, improves blood circulation, relieves swelling, inflammation and pain.
vitamins
Vitamin complexes are also needed for recovery work in osteochondrosis. They should include:
- vitamins A, B, C, D;
- vitamin B;
- 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 cervical region without using massage or self-massage. No matter how effective the medicine is, you will still not be able to ensure proper blood circulation, metabolism, if you do not help with this massage. As a rule, a gentle massage of the collar area is prescribed. Various soothing oils and ointments can be applied. After all, osteochondrosis is still a strong psychological burden.
The main massage technique is rubbing and stroking, without strong pressure.
Start at the back of the head, then gradually work your way down to the edges of the shoulders. Movements start from the center, run to the periphery and not vice versa. Massage or self-massage is performed with the index and middle finger or with a thumb.
What is massage for? In addition to improving blood circulation, unnecessary and even intrusive substances are removed from the tissues. For example, the neck muscles, with osteochondrosis of this department, are very tense. This is the body's response to injury. Thus, the spine is protected. Constant muscle load leads to accumulation of lactic acid. Causes pain and reduces mobility. And with a massage removed, relaxation and relief of pain is achieved.
Dream
During sleep, our body is completely relaxed. Unless, of course, this is the right dream. To allow the spine to relax, with cervical osteochondrosis, you should use an orthopedic pillow and mattress. You can treat this disease as much as you want and not achieve results if there are no necessary conditions for proper sleep.
High pillows, like low pillows, create a constant load in the cervical region and osteochondrosis continues to develop even in sleep. A straight back and proper load distribution are what you need to achieve.
ethnoscience
The methods of traditional medicine are not always approved by doctors, because some of the effects on the body can have "traps". But anyway, it was impossible not to mention them.
To reduce pain, spinous processes are rubbed with stiff objects (door locks, spin pin).
Willow is considered a good pain reliever, with no side effects. It is added to the composition of ointments, infusions, compresses.
Horseradish leaves and its roots warm perfectly, relieve inflammation and pain. But you have to be careful not to burn yourself. Therefore, it is not used at night. Due to skin irritation increases blood circulation and metabolism.
Onions have many positive properties. Its use leads to the reduction of pain and inflammation, activates the body's protective reactions. Unlike willow, it is less effective when used externally.
The most popular product in traditional medicine is honey. It is good in the form of compresses, ointments. Honey massage relieves pain, relaxes, soothes. In addition to flavor, taking a few tablespoons a day will strengthen the body and provide many essential vitamins and compounds.
In summary
It is possible to treat osteochondrosis only with the help of a complex effect on the body. On the contrary, it is possible to achieve results. The sooner you start, the less changes will occur in the body. In the early stages, the disease is cured almost completely. In advanced cases, you will have to fight the disease for a long and difficult time. It is not about months, but about years. Therapeutic measures have a good history, but in some cases may be ineffective. Then osteochondrosis is already possible to treat only surgically. So it is better not to mention it.