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 using folk remedies, and which specialist should you contact 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 irrational load on the spine, constantly being 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 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 developing 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 at home on his own, the situation worsens - the distance between the vertebrae narrows, bone growths occur, which leads to permanent partial or complete loss of ability to work.
If the above symptoms appear, you should seek help from a doctor.A vertebrologist treats various pathologies of the spine; 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, a therapist.Only a doctor after an 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 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 shooting sharp pains and spasms of the neck muscles, numbness of the tongue, dilated pupils, the occurrence 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), soreness of the neck muscles predominate;
- Stage 2– the distance between the vertebrae decreases, the fibrous ring dries out and, as a result, inflammation occurs due to rupture of the capsule.Also, the edges of the vertebral bodies are overgrown with osteophytes - specific bone growths.To the symptoms of the first stage is added the so-called “falling head” syndrome, forcing the patient to support his head with his hands to reduce pain;
- Stage 3– at this stage there is a complete rupture of the cartilage and 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, headaches 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 an in-depth examination.It should include radiography, MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine, angiography and 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 is the treatment carried out?
How to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?Unfortunately, at the moment there is no treatment that can completely get rid of 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 procedures on the appointed days.In severe cases of the disease, a decision may be made to hospitalize.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine prescribed by a doctor usually contains orally taken drugs of the following groups:
- painkillers.Taken for a long period of 1-2 weeks 3 times a day after meals;
- folk 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 cartilage 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 medications 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 the pain.Treatment with positioning is prescribed for 1-3 days.Also, at the acute stage of osteochondrosis, doctors and physical therapy 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 head turns and smooth 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 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);
- wearing 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 a person’s 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, nuts and boiled eggs, dairy and fermented milk products and low-fat fish, beef, and poultry will be beneficial for cartilage and joint tissue.