Many people suffer from 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 of general well-being and headaches.Is it possible to cure cervical osteochondrosis at home using folk remedies, and which specialist should you contact for help?
How does osteochondrosis appear and manifest itself?
The human cervical spine is made up 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 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 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 who is attentive to their health can detect the first signs of 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 disorders of cerebral circulation, headaches, dizziness and even loss of consciousness.
Most often, this disease occurs in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or perform sedentary work, 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 timely qualified treatment and tries to overcome the disease at home on his own, the situation worsens: the distance between the vertebrae narrows, bone growths occur, leading 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 pathologies of the spine;however, you can find a specialist of this profile only in large medical centers.In a normal clinic, patients with osteochondrosis are treated by a neurologist, and in his absence, a therapist.Only a doctor after an examination can prescribe a treatment (drug, folk, combined), change 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:
- Phase 1– there are already cracks in the ring of the intervertebral disc;under load, the core can move laterally.In this phase, symptoms such as sharp pains and spasms of the neck muscles, numbness of the tongue, dilated pupils, appearance 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 of the neck muscles predominate;
- Phase 2– the distance between the vertebrae decreases, the fibrous ring dries out and, consequently, inflammation occurs due to rupture of the capsule.In addition, the edges of the vertebral bodies are covered with osteophytes, specific bone growths.Added to the symptoms of the first stage is the so-called "drooping head" syndrome, which forces the patient to support his head with his hands to reduce pain;
- Phase 3– in this phase there is complete breakdown of the cartilage and the 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 rotation of the head, and the limbs periodically "stop listening".
To make a diagnosis, you should seek help from a neurologist who, after a preliminary examination, will prescribe a thorough examination.It should include x-ray, MRI 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, there is currently no treatment that can completely eliminate this disease.If the patient's condition is satisfactory and he does not need hospitalization, that is, he can receive treatment at home, the doctor prescribes outpatient treatment, during which the patient visits the doctor and proceeds on the appointed days.In more serious cases of the disease, you may decide to be hospitalized.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine prescribed by a doctor usually contains drugs taken orally from the following groups:
- painkillers.Taken for 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 area of inflammation;
- B vitamins: normalize muscle conduction, help improve metabolic processes in nervous tissue;
- Muscle relaxants: Help relax spasmodic muscles.
- chondroprotectors – drugs 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 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, 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.In addition, in the acute phase of osteochondrosis, doctors and physiotherapy specialists 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 smooth bends at home.When a muscle spasm occurs, massage is a very effective way to relieve the pain.You can do it yourself or rely on the hands of a specialist.To prevent this pathology 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);
- wear a special neck brace;
- vertical cervical traction using 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 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 hard-boiled eggs, dairy and fermented milk products, and lean fish, beef and poultry will be beneficial for cartilage and joint tissue.