Many people experience osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.This disease progresses and develops gradually and imperceptibly, but at one 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, constant sitting in uncomfortable positions, poor circulation and frequent muscle spasms eventually 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, into which the nucleus pulposus moves 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 the development of osteochondrosis.Most often, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes pain in the shoulder girdle, the back of the head and neck.In addition, osteochondrosis causes disturbances in 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 time and tries to overcome the disease at home on his own, the situation worsens: the distance between the vertebrae narrows, bone growths occur, which leads to partial or complete permanent 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 an examination, can prescribe a treatment (medication, 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 scope of disorders:
- Stage 1– there are already cracks in the ring of the intervertebral disc;Under load, the core can shift to one side.At this stage, symptoms such as shooting pains 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 syndrome (pinching of the lower roots of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery), pain in the neck muscles predominate;
- Stage 2– the distance between the vertebrae decreases, the annulus fibrosus 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.Added to the symptoms of the first stage is the so-called “falling head” syndrome, which forces the patient to support their head with their hands to reduce pain;
- Stage 3– At this stage, a 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 turn of the head, and the limbs periodically "stop hearing."
To make a diagnosis, you should 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 solely on the basis of X-ray and MRI data in the presence of changes in the structure of the vertebrae and discs.
How is the treatment performed?
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 need hospitalization, that is, he can receive treatment at home, the doctor prescribes outpatient treatment, during which the patient visits the doctor and performs the procedures on the designated days.In severe cases of the disease, the decision may be made to hospitalize.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine prescribed by a doctor usually contains orally administered drugs from the following groups:
- analgesics.Taken over an extended 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 the prolonged presence of pain.Accepted for 1 to 3 weeks;
- diuretics.They help reduce swelling in the inflamed area;
- B vitamins: normalize muscle conduction and help improve metabolic processes in nervous tissue;
- Muscle relaxants: help relax spasmodic muscles.
- Chondroprotectors: medications that help improve the structure of cartilage tissue and the functioning of intervertebral discs.
In addition, gels, ointments, creams and various medicinal or folk preparations are used topically, which have an analgesic, warming and distracting effect.
Other treatments
In addition to medications and folk remedies aimed at alleviating 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 makes it possible to relieve the load on the spine and reduce pain.Treatment with positioning is prescribed for 1 to 3 days.Also, in the acute stage of osteochondrosis, doctors and physiotherapists recommend performing special breathing exercises and exercises that relieve muscle spasms at home.
In the subacute stage of cervical osteochondrosis, you can independently perform head turns and gentle tilts 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 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:
- gym;
- 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 the treatment of this disease.From the diet it is necessary to exclude drinks and food products that contribute to agitation and spasms of a person's 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, nuts and hard-boiled eggs, dairy and fermented milk products, and low-fat fish, beef, and poultry will be beneficial for cartilage and joint tissue.