Many people suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.This disease progresses and develops gradually and imperceptibly, but at a not entirely wonderful time it manifests itself in a deterioration in general well-being and headaches.Is it possible to cure cervical osteochondrosis at home using folk remedies, and which specialist should you turn to for help?
How does osteochondrosis appear and manifest?
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 shifts under the load placed on the spine.This displacement causes compression of nearby structures - the substance of the spinal cord and the roots of spinal nerves - and, therefore, pain.
Anyone who pays 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 timely qualified treatment and tries to overcome the disease on his own at home, the situation worsens - the distance between the vertebrae narrows, bone growths occur, which leads to permanent partial or complete loss of the ability to work.
If the above symptoms appear, you should seek help from a doctor.A vertebrologist treats various spinal pathologies;however, a specialist of this profile can only be found in large medical centers.In a regular clinic, patients with osteochondrosis are treated by a neurologist, and in his absence - by a therapist.Only a doctor after examination can prescribe treatment (drug, folk, combined), adjust 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:
- Step 1– there are already cracks in the ring of the intervertebral disc;under load, the core may move sideways.At this stage, symptoms such as shooting pain and spasms of the neck muscles, numbness of the tongue, dilated pupils, the 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 subclavian artery), pain in the neck muscles predominate;
- Step 2– the distance between the vertebrae decreases, the annulus fibrosus dries up and, as a result, inflammation occurs by rupture of the capsule.In addition, the edges of the vertebral bodies are overgrown with osteophytes - specific bone growths.Added to the symptoms of the first stage is the so-called “falling head” syndrome, forcing the patient to support their head with their hands to reduce the pain;
- Step 3– at this stage, we observe a complete rupture of the cartilage and a prolapse of the nucleus pulposus as well as the formation of an intervertebral hernia.At this stage, symptoms such as periodic neck pain, 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 should seek help from a neurologist who, after a preliminary examination, will prescribe a thorough examination.It must include an x-ray, an MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine, an angiography and a vascular ultrasound.The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is made only on the basis of radiographs and MRI data in the presence of changes in the structure of the vertebrae and discs.
How does the treatment take place?
How to treat 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 to be hospitalized, that is, he can receive treatment at home, the doctor prescribes outpatient treatment, during which the patient visits the doctor and carries out the procedures on the appointed days.In severe cases of the disease, a decision to hospitalize may be made.
Drug treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine prescribed by a doctor usually contains drugs from the following groups taken orally:
- painkillers.Taken for a long period of 1 to 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 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 cartilage tissue and the performance of intervertebral discs.
Additionally, gels, ointments, creams and various medicinal or folk frictions are used topically, which have an analgesic, warming and distracting effect.
Other treatments
In addition to medications and folk remedies intended to alleviate the patient's condition, positional treatment is also prescribed.At 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 relieve the load on the spine and reduce pain.Treatment with positioning is prescribed for 1-3 days.In addition, in the acute stage of osteochondrosis, doctors and physiotherapy specialists recommend performing special breathing exercises and exercises at home that relieve muscle spasms.
In the subacute stage of cervical osteochondrosis, you can independently perform gentle head turns and bends at home.When a muscle spasm occurs, massage is a very effective way to relieve pain.You can do it yourself or entrust 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);
- 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 restlessness 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, cereals and legumes, nuts and boiled eggs, dairy and fermented milk products as well as low-fat fish, beef and poultry will be beneficial for cartilage and joint tissues.