Many people have osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.This disease progresses and develops gradually and imperceptibly, but at a not entirely wonderful moment it manifests itself as a deterioration in general well-being and headaches.Is it possible to cure cervical osteochondrosis at home with folk remedies and which specialist should you turn to for help?
How does osteochondrosis appear and manifest?
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 unreasonable load on the spine, constantly being in uncomfortable positions, poor circulation and frequent muscle spasms 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 under load on the spine.This displacement causes compression of nearby structures - the substance of the spinal cord and the roots of the spinal nerves and, consequently, pain.
Anyone paying attention 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 disruption of 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, in which the position of the head and neck during the working day is limited to a monotonous range of movements.If a person does not receive qualified treatment in a timely manner and tries to overcome the disease alone at home, the situation worsens - the distance between the vertebrae decreases, bone growths occur, which leads to partial or complete permanent loss of working capacity.
If the above symptoms appear, you should seek help from a doctor.A vertebrologist treats various spinal pathologies;however, you can only find a specialist of this profile in large medical centers.In a regular clinic, patients with osteochondrosis are treated by a neurologist, and in his absence, by a therapist.Only the doctor after examination can prescribe treatment (drug, folk, combined), adjust it 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 the extent of disorders:
- Stage 1– there are already cracks in the intervertebral disc ring;under load, the core can shift to the side.At this stage, symptoms such as sharp pain and spasms of the neck muscles, numbness of the tongue, dilated pupils, occurrence of Wright's syndrome (tingling and numbness of the hands when moving them behind the head), Naffziger's syndrome (pinching of the lower roots of the brachial plexus and the subclavian artery), pain in the neck muscles predominate;
- 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 covered with osteophytes - specific bone growths.In addition to the symptoms of the first stage, there is the so-called “head falling” syndrome, forcing the patient to support their head with their hands to reduce the pain;
- Step 3– at this stage, complete rupture of the cartilage occurs and prolapse of the nucleus pulposus and formation of an intervertebral hernia are observed.At this stage, symptoms such as periodic pain in the neck, headaches and dizziness are observed, loss of consciousness is observed with a sharp turning of the head, and the limbs periodically “stop hearing”.
To make a diagnosis, you must seek help from a neurologist, who, after a preliminary examination, will prescribe an in-depth examination.It should include radiography, magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical and thoracic spine, angiography and vascular ultrasound.The diagnosis of “osteochondrosis” is made only on the basis of x-rays and MRI data in the presence of changes in the structure of the vertebrae and discs.
How is the treatment carried out?
How to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?Unfortunately, at the moment there is no treatment that can completely eliminate this disease.If the patient's condition is satisfactory and he does not require hospitalization, that is, he can receive treatment at home, the doctor prescribes outpatient treatment, during which the patient visits the doctor and undergoes procedures on the appointed days.In severe cases of the disease, the decision to hospitalize may be made.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine prescribed by a doctor usually contains orally administered drugs from the following groups:
- analgesics.Taken over a long period of 1-2 weeks, 3 times a day after meals;
- popular 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.Accepted for 1–3 weeks;
- diuretics.They help reduce swelling in the inflamed area;
- B vitamins - normalize muscle conduction, help improve metabolic processes in nervous tissue;
- muscle relaxants - help relax spasmodic muscles.
- chondroprotectors – medicines that help improve the structure of cartilaginous tissue and the performance of intervertebral discs.
In addition, gels, ointments, creams and various medicinal or folk rubs are used topically, which have an analgesic, warming and distracting effect.
Other treatments
In addition to medicines and folk remedies aimed at alleviating the patient's condition, positional treatment is also prescribed.In the phase of exacerbation of osteochondrosis with pronounced pain, absolute bed rest is prescribed, in which the physiological position of the body allows you to remove the load from the spine and reduce pain.Positioning treatment is prescribed for 1-3 days.In addition, in the acute phase of osteochondrosis, doctors and physiotherapists recommend performing special breathing exercises and home exercises that relieve muscle spasms.
In the subacute stage of cervical osteochondrosis, you can independently perform head turns and gentle bends 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 an expert.To prevent this disease, it is useful to have 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);
- use a special cervical collar;
- vertical cervical traction with a special device.
Diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle play an important role in treating this disease.From the diet it is necessary to exclude drinks and food products that contribute to agitation and spasm of the spinal muscles.Prohibited drinks and foods include: tea and coffee, alcohol and hot spices, marinades and smoked foods.Fresh vegetables and fruits, grains and legumes, boiled nuts and eggs, dairy and fermented milk products, and low-fat fish, beef and poultry will be beneficial for cartilage and joint tissue.