Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes, treatment options, therapeutic exercises, massage

cervical osteochondrosis

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are now very common. The disease is diagnosed in people of all ages and is most common in able-bodied citizens between the ages of 30 and 50. Some patients do not suffer from the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, or even suspect a disease, because there are no degenerative changes in the cervical spine. During treatment, a person can return to excellent health. However, this does not mean ignoring the appearance of the first symptoms of cervical lumbar osteochondrosis. Therefore, it is worth getting acquainted with the symptoms of this disease in more detail.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

This disease does not manifest itself at an early stage of development. Symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis are felt only in the advanced form of the disease in the form of frequent headaches, which intensify during neck movements. When cerebral circulatory disorders are observed during cervical osteochondrosis, the patient begins to show the following symptoms of the disease:

  • persistent headaches;
  • increased fatigue;
  • impaired sensitivity of facial muscles;
  • noise at the beginning;
  • high blood pressure;
  • ringing in the ears;
  • vibrating gait;
  • frequent dizziness;
  • loss of coordination in space.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

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 chronic cervical spine osteochondrosis sometimes manifest themselves in the form of migraine, headache, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and even loss of consciousness. If you do not start treatment on time, the patient begins to experience pharyngeal symptoms. Symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis of the spine include: dryness in the throat, difficulty swallowing, itching and itching. After a while, this disease can cause a hernia in the area of ​​the intervertebral disc. Therefore, treatment should be started immediately when the first signs and symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis appear. It is worth getting acquainted in more detail with the most effective methods of treatment of this disease.

Causes of osteochondrosis

The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis in the neck is the aging of the human body, which is also associated with age-related changes in the tissues. However, there are some factors that increase the risk of developing this pathology. These factors include:

  1. Sedentary work and sedentary lifestyle.
  2. Stay in the same static pose for a long time.
  3. Excess body weight.
  4. Nervous tension and frequent stress.
  5. Frequent hypothermia.
  6. Autoimmune diseases in which cartilage tissue suffers.
  7. occiput or neck injuries.
  8. Abnormal congenital structure of vertebrae.

In addition, heredity, hormones and metabolism play an important role in the development of this disease.

Methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

therapy of cervical osteochondrosis

To get rid of the signs and symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis, treatment involves a number of methods and tools to relieve pain and combat the inflammatory process that appears in the tissues. Daily physical activity and exercises aimed at bending the spine are very effective. The program of such loads must be individual, selected by a specialist only after the implementation of diagnostic measures using computed tomography or MRI. When the first signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear, the doctor should also prescribe treatment. What is the basis of therapy for this disease?

Medication

Medication is prescribed when the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and headache appear. First of all, the pain is relieved with ordinary painkillers. However, it should be noted that this method is effective only in the early stages of the disease. Pain medications are no longer useful.

Medical therapy for cervical osteochondrosis involves the use of a new generation of chondroprotectors, which are drugs that stimulate the regeneration of spinal cartilage tissue. The best therapeutic effect is a combination of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. The course of such therapy is usually several months, after which there is an improvement in cervical spine mobility.

And how to relieve acute muscle aches and headaches in cervical osteochondrosis? Symptoms may be relieved by novocaine blockade or the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include capsules, ointments, injections, and tablets that allow the patient's general condition to improve rapidly. If there are no contraindications to the long-term use of these chondroprotectors, these contraindications are very serious for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, so their use should be agreed with the attending physician.

Ointments and gels

ointments and gels against cervical osteochondrosis

When the first signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear, home treatment can be carried out with the help of special ointments or gels that begin to act 10 minutes after application to the problem area. These funds are divided into several types, including:

  1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
  2. Restorative ointments and gels that repair damaged cartilage tissue between the vertebrae.
  3. Anesthetic external ointments and gels that can quickly affect the nerve endings while relieving pain.
  4. Various massage ointments.

Manual therapy

Of course, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis will be very difficult to treat with manual therapy at home. But 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 of the affected areas. It should be noted that choosing a chiropractor for himself requires an excellent specialist, otherwise an inexperienced person can take the patient in a wheelchair. The main methods of manual therapy to combat cervical spine osteochondrosis are as follows:

  1. Manipulations to restore joint health and function. These manipulations are accompanied by their crises.
  2. Segmental massage that can relieve muscle tension.
  3. Mobilization to repair traction-damaged joints.

Acupuncture

How else to eliminate the signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine? Acupuncture can completely cure the pain of this disease, as well as completely eliminate it. This acupuncture technique came to our medicine from Eastern countries. Armed with philosophy as well as the human body, the intelligent Chinese thought about how to regulate the energy in the body using metal needles. This procedure is now officially recognized by doctors as an effective technique to combat osteochondrosis.

It is important to consult a specialist before getting rid of the symptoms of cervical and sternal osteochondrosis using acupuncture, as this procedure is not suitable for every patient. This technique is not implemented in the following cases:

  • during pregnancy;
  • for existing infectious diseases
  • ;
  • if there is any tumor;
  • for skin or blood diseases;
  • in infancy or old age.

Homeopathic medicines

homeopathic treatment

Homeopathic medicines are very effective in combating cervical osteochondrosis. Homeopathic medicines contain biologically active substances and beneficial trace elements. These substances are completely consistent with the concentration of minerals and vitamins in the human body. Homeopathic medicines contain plant extracts, only plant extracts taken from ecologically pure samples. And the main advantage is that such preparations are completely natural. The main principle of the effect of these funds on osteochondrosis is as follows:

  • restore cartilage tissue;
  • activate human immunity;
  • Improve blood circulation in the neck area.

Home treatment

Currently, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis can be treated at home. In order to relieve pain and achieve general improvement in the patient, it is necessary to follow a special diet and lead an active lifestyle. A patient diagnosed with cervical osteochondrosis should include foods that promote cartilage regeneration in their daily diet. These products include:

  • fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as grains and legumes;
  • High-protein products: low-fat fish and poultry, eggs, nuts;
  • foods containing unsaturated fatty acids, such as sea fish or flaxseed;
  • Calcium-rich foods such as leafy vegetables, cottage cheese, milk.

In addition, a very effective tool for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home is a vibroacoustic device. This device can affect the main focus of the pain syndrome with ultrasound waves, which accelerates the process of cartilage regeneration, eliminates tissue inflammation and begins to repair damaged cells. This device will not cause any harm to the body, because the therapy is carried out under the influence of acoustic waves, which are completely natural for humans.

Massage

massage for cervical osteochondrosis

Successful home therapy can be done with massage or self-massage. This procedure relieves tension and relaxes tight muscles in the neck. After self-massage of the intervertebral discs, blood circulation improves, which leads to rapid relaxation. The self-massage procedure should be performed in a sitting position, during which the back of the head is massaged, rubbed and kneaded. However, it is better to use the services of a specialist to get the maximum effect.

Exercise to improve health

Such therapeutic exercises are no less effective than drug treatment for cervical osteochondrosis. Many experts claim that health-improving gymnastics is the key to a patient's recovery. Such exercises, as a rule, do not take much time, especially if you do it yourself at home. This gymnastics helps reduce pain syndromes during cervical osteochondrosis. Stretches your ligaments & relaxes your neck musclesHowever, during such gymnastics, any movement should be performed only after consulting a specialist. It must be done very carefully so as not to harm the patient's body.

Kuznetsov Applicator

Acupuncture is a very effective treatment for this disease. However, not every patient decides on acupuncture. An alternative device with a Kuznetsov needle applicator is used for treatment at home. There are single or twin needles located on the neck roll or buckle belt. If the patient stays in this applicator for 30 minutes every day, it is possible not only to significantly alleviate the symptoms, but also to completely eliminate the disease.

Folk recipes

treated with folk remedies

There are many effective alternative medicine recipes that can help you get rid of cervical osteochondrosis. Herbal remedies are very economical, effective and most importantly safe. You do not need to buy expensive medicine to reduce the pain. In addition, many drugs purchased at the pharmacy can have side effects and contraindications, which can not be said about traditional medicine prescriptions. The following natural remedies can help with cervical spine osteochondrosis:

  1. Horseradish leaves. To do this, you need to glue a leaf of this plant to the back of the neck, and at night fix it with adhesive plaster. As a rule, painful feelings disappear by morning.
  2. Potatoes. These vegetables should be grated in equal proportions with honey. The resulting mixture should look like an ointment in terms of consistency. The finished product in the form of a compress is used at least once in 7 days.
  3. 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 very effective. All ingredients are mixed, then the resulting mixture is soaked in gauze or cloth, applied to the neck area and straightened with a woolen cloth. It is recommended to apply such compresses 1-2 times a day for 7 days. Compresses are prepared at night.

Disease prevention

Many people know that it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later. Prevention of osteochondrosis means maintaining proper posture, sports equipment, fitness exercises, walking, swimming and yoga. When reading or writing, a person should not lean too much on the table, and it is better to use orthopedic pillows while lying down.

Patient Feedback

Reviews of patients diagnosed with osteochondrosis show that it is not difficult to treat the disease at home. However, a greater effect can be achieved if you use a complex therapy that includes not only massage and folk remedies, but also the use of drugs.

patient thoughts

As a result, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is currently a very common disease. The disease affects not only adults, but also young people due to a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle. However, this disease can be successfully treated. To do this, when the first symptoms and signs appear, it is necessary to seek help from a medical institution, where a specialist will prescribe appropriate treatment. It should also be remembered that it is recommended to coordinate the use of traditional medicine prescriptions with your doctor.