Regular treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home can reduce the number of exacerbations and lengthen the intervals between them. In this article, we will tell you how to improve the patient's quality of life and improve his performance.
Basics of treating cervical osteochondrosis at home
The treatment program has several main goals:
- improving well-being;
- increased work capacity;
- minimize the risk of complications;
- prolongation of remissions between attacks.
The main principles of successful treatment are timeliness, compliance with the clinical stage and regularity. There are several techniques that must be used in combination to treat cervical osteochondrosis. Drug therapy, folk medicine, physical education, massage.
They have a versatile effect on the spine and improve its condition and functions.
It is advisable to coordinate the treatment with the doctor so that it corresponds to the condition of the body, combined with the treatment of concomitant pathology. In particular, it is necessary to rule out contraindications to some treatment methods. This applies to folk methods and physiotherapy.
A marker of improvement is reduction of pain syndromes, restoration of range of motion, elimination of violations of motor and sensory functions and restoration of work ability.
It should be remembered that there are conditions of osteochondrosis in which the patient is shown admission to a hospital. This is necessary for complications, circulatory disorders in the tissues of the spine, persistent pain, ineffectiveness of conservative methods.
Medical treatment of pathology
Medicine does not make sense if you do not remove the negative factors that aggravate the disease. To begin with, you need to create comfortable conditions for the cervical spine and eliminate negative effects on the body.
The following groups of drugs are used to treat osteochondrosis:
Analgesics. They are used for severe pain in the spine, limited mobility.Sedative medication. Used for severe agitation caused by a painful attack. Apply at night.Muscle relaxants. They resist the tension of the muscles along the spine, eliminate the feeling of tension and pinching.Non-steroidal drugs. Used to relieve swelling, inflammation, spasms. They are among the cyclooxygenase inhibitors most suitable for this condition.local preparations. Ointments and creams are used to relieve the condition. They can be a derivative of phenylacetic acid (to reduce inflammatory symptoms) or ointments based on chondroitin, which is used to improve the condition of cartilage.Preparations that improve microcirculation. Used to stimulate blood circulation. They increase the supply of oxygen to tissues, restore metabolism and improve venous outflow.Diuretics. They can be used for a short time for decompression (reducing the release of fluid into the intracellular space).Medical blockade. They are used for severe pain syndrome with high intensity. They are necessary to resume the patient's motor activity and improve his condition.Vitamin preparations. B vitamins are used, which improve the function of innervation, restore the structure and function of the roots. You can combine tablet and injection forms of release.
All drugs must be used strictly according to the schedule in accordance with body weight, age, comorbidities. Improvement of the condition after the start of taking is not a reason to cancel the drug, it is necessary to continue the course to the end.
Treatment of osteochondrosis by the cervical compresses
Compresses can be used for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home. This is an effective and simple treatment method that is easy to use and can be performed independently. Herbal remedies and other medical components are used for compresses. There are different types of compresses, depending on their effect on the tissue.
A warm compress relieves pain in the cervical region and improves the patient's condition. They are used for severe discomfort.
The compress consists of a bandage or gauze soaked in medicine, covered with a layer of cellophane and a warm cloth.
You can use the following components for osteochondrosis:
- small grated potatoes;
- honey;
- hop cones;
- fats of animal origin;
- mint leaves;
- cabbage leaves.
You can use components infused with alcohol. As an active ingredient, aloe, mustard powder, propolis, elderberry, horseradish root are used. To make a tincture, it is necessary to fill the selected element with vodka or alcohol, observing the ratio 1: 1. Store the finished product in the refrigerator and use it for compresses.
Decoction
Medicinal decoctions for osteochondrosis are good because they have a complex effect on the body and improve the patient's condition, and they can be prepared at home. The following medicinal plants are used: calendula, linden, chamomile, eucalyptus, cinquefoil, currant and raspberry leaves, dry raspberries and lingonberries, cinquefoil, foal's foot, horsetail, Ivan tea. Rose hips, lemon balm, motherwort and valerian are also used for complex home treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck.
You can combine herbs and make preparations, teas and decoctions from them.
The effect of such drugs:
- reduced inflammation;
- stimulating the elimination of toxins and wastes from tissues;
- stimulation of venous outflow and outflow of lymph.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with decoction should be regular. The thing is that the effect occurs after long-term use, when the accumulation of useful components occurs.
A person who takes herbal preparations will never complain of an overdose or side effects - plants improve his condition.
Take a decoction 2-3 times a day, in a calm state, in the morning and before bed. It is better to do half an hour before a meal. Store the finished broth for 1-1. 5 days, no longer. It is better to make a new batch and drink a fresh remedy. Store it in the fridge between meals. The broth is best poured into a clean glass dish when stored cold.
General effects of herbal decoction - soothing osteochondrosis, increased immune protection, antiseptic effect, improvement of muscle and vascular tone. Improving the general condition has a positive effect on appetite, sleep and the work of all organs. An excellent option is to replace the usual tea and coffee with a decoction, which, on the contrary, worsens blood flow. You should also give up other bad habits that nullify all healing efforts.
The desired length of the admission process is 20-30 days. You can take a break for a few weeks, then change the composition and take another decoction. Alternative anti-inflammatory and soothing, pain-relieving ingredients.
Ointments for home treatment of osteochondrosis in the neck
The use of ointments with drugs has several aspects. On the one hand, this is an excellent treatment method that does not require special skills, such as when injecting drugs. Ointments are available, easy to use. But on the other hand, the flow of drugs into the blood is significantly reduced. The patient must understand that the ointment does not act on the spine directly through the skin. It is absorbed into the bloodstream - the vessels located under the skin and subcutaneous tissue, and acts on damaged structures like a conventional drug.
Ointments and gels have an effect, but it is much less pronounced than any other form of administration. The method can be used as an extra, together with tablets or injections. Therefore, do not be surprised if you expected immediate action from the ointment, but got a weak result.
Local ointments are used, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, reduce pain and reduce tissue swelling.
Ointments can have a warming effect. Much more effective as it really works locally, on the vessels located next to the spine. Ointments dilate the blood vessels, which is accompanied by a feeling of warmth in the skin and muscles. This improves the condition, relieves discomfort and pain and restores motor activity.
Apply the ointment on clean skin, it is better to do this before going to bed. Make sure that it is completely absorbed into the skin, keep the place where the medicine was applied without clothes so that the ointment is not absorbed into the fabric. It is best to apply gels and creams when you are at rest, especially before bed or before bedtime.
You can make a compress based on the ointment. To do this, it is applied to a layer of gauze or bandage that is applied to the painful area. On top, you can apply a layer of polyethylene film and a warm cloth. It is convenient to secure the compress with a scarf or neckerchief.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercise is the patient's ally in the fight against cervical osteochondrosis. But there is one important point: gymnastics is contraindicated in acute periods of osteochondrosis. Contrary to the internal belief that acute pain can be relieved with exercise or warming up. Forget it. In acute phases, the neck must be protected and try not to strain. Between periods of exacerbations, you can use gymnastics.
The following exercises are used to treat osteochondrosis:
- flexion and extension of the head;
- circular rotation of the head;
- chin press on tense palms. At the same time, the elbows rest on the table;
- to press hands on the front of the head;
- bring your head to your chest and hold it on top with your hands on the back of your head. Lightly press the occipital region and at the same time try to return the head to its normal position;
- pressing hands on the head from the sides.
All movements must be performed smoothly and precisely, they should not cause pain or discomfort. You can perform lying movements - lift your head from the floor, bring it to your chest, make light movements with your hands with pressure on the neck and head.
With any movement that involves pressing the hands on the head, the head simultaneously makes a confrontation, as if dependent on pressure. Movements should not be jerky or abrupt.
Perform exercises after a light warm-up, rotational and circular movements of the neck. Exercises will easily stimulate the muscle layer and prepare the spine for gymnastics.
Do not exhaust yourself with exercises - if you feel tired, then you should stop and give your joints a rest.
Massage against osteochondrosis
High-quality therapeutic massage is the best helper to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of osteochondrosis. It is important that the massage is performed by a person who is trained in this and does not want to injure the spine. Massage must be performed on a course, each session at the designated time. Procedures are important to take place in a calm, relaxed state.
Massage is not performed if the patient has oncopathology, the active phase of the infectious process, the pathology of the cardiovascular system, aneurysms, hypertension.
What effect does massage have on osteochondrosis of the cervical spine? It reduces muscle tone, relieves spasms, improves microcirculation, eliminates pain and discomfort. In addition, the patient rests during the massage, relaxes and benefits the whole body.
Massage of the collar zone is the best option for osteochondrosis. It is only necessary to ensure that there is no pressure on the spine, but that the muscles around it are simply warmed up. Acupressure is also used. It connects reflex points that interact with each other, resulting in relaxation of muscle tissue.
The most optimal option for treating osteochondrosis at home is self-massage. It is convenient to do it yourself. Firstly, the patient feels the force of the pressure and controls it, and secondly, he feels the most problematic area and pays increased attention to it. It is necessary to gently stroke the skin, you can do it with the fingertips, the edge of the palm. You can also grab the skin and squeeze the muscles - this stimulates them and improves microcirculation.
Prevention
Prevention of osteochondrosis is primary, which aims to ensure that the disease does not occur at all, and secondary, which reduces the risk of complications and improves the patient's condition. Preventive measures act directly and indirectly on the spine through the general condition of the body.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine consists of the following components:
- a complete diet that contains the necessary amount of fat, proteins and carbohydrates. It is also desirable to give preference to fresh quality products without preservatives and chemical additives;
- normal drinking regime. A sufficient amount of water maintains a balance of mineral metabolism, improves the condition of bone and cartilage tissue;
- Minimize the amount of tea and coffee in your diet, as well as alcoholic beverages;
- give up smoking because it leads to narrowing of arterial vessels;
- normalize body weight;
- limit the time you spend on your phone, tablet or computer. Take breaks from work if your activity is related to them. During the working day, try to get up from the table for some reason, take small walks and exercises, change the position of the body;
- limit physical activity aimed at the cervical region;
- wear comfortable shoes that make the position of the body comfortable and pleasant;
- Wear corrective devices if recommended by your doctor. Corsets or various braces;
- pay attention to your sleep. It should be a flat, comfortable surface and ideally an orthopedic mattress.
Do not postpone treatment until later - your health depends on when treatment is started. If you are concerned about the symptoms, you should immediately start treatment so that osteochondrosis does not start and does not lead to complications.