Symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis and treatment at home are based on self-medication. The method consists of proper patient movements and support of the body's self-regulating, self-healing functions to restore cervical spinal nerve and vascular disease.
In less developed and less severe cases, the patient can naturally relieve back pain, muscle spasms, dizziness and other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis without medication. However, in order to do this, it is necessary to know the structure and natural purpose of the spine, and to remember that our body is a self-healing system that exists according to certain laws of the universe.
The role of the spine
Before considering the topic: "Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment at home", it makes sense to dwell on the question: "What role does the spine play in our lives? "
The spine is the skeleton of our skeleton. Standing on the head, torso, upper and lower extremities. In other words, the spine that gives our body the shape we always see.
The spinal column has strong connective tissue ligaments and many large and small muscles that keep our body upright, and vital internal organs in certain places along the spine.
The normal functions of our internal organs and all our body tissues are provided by a large number of nerve fibers due to the transmission of nerve impulses from the lateral parts of the spinal cord.
The spinal cord is located in a flexible "cover" of the spinal canal, which is well protected from external influences. The spinal nerve roots extend from the intervertebral foramen of the vertebrae. The first part is covered with discs and bone structures. The intervertebral discs consist of cartilaginous plates above and below, the annular fibrosis, and the nuclear pulposus. The thickness of the discs in the cervical vertebrae is very small - only 4 mm.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Healthy, healthy intervertebral discs act as a shock absorber for various loads (compression, stretching) of the spine. When discs are damaged as a result of sudden movements, overloads, prolonged misalignment, spinal injuries, or inflammatory processes, the spinal artery that passes through the spinal cavity and the nerve plexuses leaving the spinal cord is constricted.
The number of electrical impulses from the spinal cord to organs and tissues decreases, metabolic processes slow down. It causes diseases of certain organs as well as aging of the body.
symptoms
This explains the many symptoms of cervical lumbar osteochondrosis, which include pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder girdle, heart, liver and stiff neck, back of the head, weakness of the arms and legs, and vascular disease.
The manifestation of the disease depends on the location of the disc lesion and the displacement of the vertebrae, as well as the area innervated by the compressed nerve plexus.
Thus, the health of our body depends on the health of the spine.
Self-medication
I just want to inform you that the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is made by a neurologist or therapist based on the results of a comprehensive medical examination.
If the diagnosis is made and there is no acute period with edema and inflammation at the site of intervertebral disc injury, self-medication may be used.
The essence of the method:
- In the correct actions of the patient aimed at eliminating the cause of the symptoms of osteochondrosis - compression, displacement of the nervous and vascular structures of the spinal cord associated with destructive changes in the intervertebral discs;
- Supports self-regulating, self-healing body functions to restore nerve and vascular disease in the cervical spine.
You can read about how to treat cervical spine osteochondrosis, which moves independently due to the disease, in the article of the same name.
The cause of the disease - it is impossible to eliminate the deformation of the intervertebral discs, but you can learn to relax the cervical spine and gently stretch the cervical vertebrae to reduce pressure on the nerve roots and blood vessels, thereby eliminating the symptoms of compression.
The method of self-improvement requires personal desire, perseverance, discipline and preparation to gradually change your posture, take good care of your spine, relax and lengthen your neck every morning and evening, and develop your own system to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
At the same time, always remember that your body is a highly organized self-healing system that lives according to the laws of nature. When you break these laws, whatever the reason, you don't know them or don't want to follow them.
Fundamentals of the Method
Before switching to self-medication with therapeutic exercises, it is necessary to note a few natural principles of this method.
- It is known that in order to relax a muscle well, you must first strain it. Therefore, many therapeutic exercises developed by hand therapy specialists are based on the principle of tension - relaxation of spasmodic muscles.
- Another principle is the physiological regularity of the combination of tension - the relaxation of the muscles with the stages of respiration. Breathing is tension and exhalation is relaxation. If these principles are followed, the exercises will help the circulatory system to function properly and will not disrupt the regulation of nervous processes.
Personal self-treatment system
First I will share a self-treatment system for cervical osteochondrosis.
In addition to relaxation, sitting exercises ("How to treat cervical lumbar osteochondrosis") exercises, which relax the muscles in the neck and shoulders, stimulate the body's healing power, normalize the energy supply of all cells and organs, and relax in the shoulder girdle. , I use another pose - relaxation of the neck muscles.
However, I want to warn you to be careful when doing this pose! Remember - the cervical spine has spinal arteries and nerve plexuses that go to the brain!
In my case, because the discs of the 5th, 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae are deformed, I apply the following pose when there is pain and tension in the neck, headache, ringing in the ears:
- I lie on my back, on my bed, with my head to the tip of my foot (without waist). As I breathe in, I slowly lower my head so that the seventh cervical vertebra is on the edge of the mattress. So my head hangs under the weight, my neck bends and relaxes, my chin is up. This hanging position of the head should be short-lived - from 5 to 10 just a few seconds.
I feel uncomfortable, or count to 10, as I breathe, I slowly "crawl" on the bed, holding the edges of my hands with my hands without lifting the back of my head from the bed.
You should not suddenly raise your head from such a "hanging" position!
Only a slow "crawling" of the head to bed, and at the same time stretching the neck, releases the constricted blood vessels and nerves, relieves neck and headaches.
After this position, you should lie down in a relaxed position for a few minutes.
This extension of the cervical vertebrae helps to deform the lower cervical vertebrae.
Eliminate headaches and other symptoms
If the symptoms are dominated by a sharp headache in the middle of the head, sometimes with nausea, this indicates a disturbance in the articulation of the skull with the 1st cervical vertebra at the exit of the occipital nerve, which innervates half of the head on all sides. Therefore, when the occipital nerve is compressed on one side, there is pain on this side of the head.
Against the background of headaches, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders are observed due to damage to the nerve fibers that run from the spinal cord of the 2nd cervical vertebra to the root of the brain.
Therapeutic postures are also effective for muscle relaxation in disorders of the first and second vertebrae. Anatoly Boleslavovich Sitel, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, in his book "Solo for the Spine" offers the following position to relieve headaches.
- Sit in a comfortable chair. But at the same time, keep your body straight. When exhaling, tilt your head forward so that it "hangs" under the influence of gravity. Therefore, hold your head for about 10 seconds, then lift while breathing and rest for half a minute. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Elegant Sports
You can use the following two gentle exercises to relax the cervical muscles during cervical spine osteochondrosis, symptoms and spasm and pain during treatment at home.
You have to sit in a chair and straighten your body. Put your hands on your knees. The legs are parallel to each other. The pose is comfortable, breathing is comfortable.
Breathe in and lower your head, touch your sternum with your chin, and pull your back up. Hold this position for a few seconds. Then breathe slowly, lifting your head and shoulders. Do 5-7 of these therapeutic exercises.
The starting position for the second exercise is the same as the first. In a sitting position, lie down with your body on your feet and your head on your knees. Slowly raise your head as you breathe in and lower it as you breathe out. Repeat 5-7 times.
During exercise, the neck muscles first tense, then relax more and faster.
All exercises should be performed slowly and smoothly, ie do not make sudden movements, do not rush, do not feel strong tension or pain. Stop exercising as soon as you feel uncomfortable and try to relax and unwind.
Local medicines
At home, in addition to therapeutic exercises to relax and stretch the cervical vertebrae, with the help of manual massage or masseurs (after consulting a doctor) tension and mild pain in the throat, as well as topical means - thermal procedures (tinctures, rubs, ).
However, it is important to know that thermal procedures can be harmful in the case of severe pain and inflammation in the affected area of the spine, as it increases arterial blood flow and slows venous flow, thus exacerbating symptoms, increasing tissue pain and swelling.
The following freshly prepared solution is used for topical application to spasmodic muscles: 15 ml of Dimexide, 15 ml of 0. 5-1% novocaine and 4-6 ml of 50% analgin solution is poured into a glass dipped in gauze napkins, folded 4 times. The size of the wipes should be appropriate for the painful area.
Wet wipes are applied to the affected area (skin is pre-treated with alcohol), covered with cellophane and fixed. The procedure takes 1-1, 5 hours.
Compresses are applied every day for 4-6 days. If there is redness, it is recommended to replace the compress with Dimexide, liniment or Dimexide ointment.
Following a proper diet is very important in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Prevention
Dear readers, remember that our body is a biological system that regulates itself, and if our posture is wrong, it signals pain or anxiety.
Pay attention to the spine! Don't jump out of bed! First, turn to the side and stand slowly, leaning on your elbows.
Do not lift weights in front of you and do not carry weights in one hand! It is better to carry the load in both hands with a symmetrical load (for women - more than 5 kg in each hand, for men - no more than 12 kg in each hand). And you have to sit for a while and lift the load.
Don't bow to housework or cottage work! Floor washing and bed cleaning can be done on your knees or with the help of long tools.