The manifestation of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is considered very common at the moment. This disease is diagnosed in people of any age and in most cases it is observed in able-bodied citizens aged 30 to 50. Some patients do not suffer from the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, not even suspecting a malaise, since degenerative changes in the cervical spine can occur imperceptibly. During treatment, a person can return to excellent health. However, for this, one should not ignore the appearance of the first symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Therefore, it is worthwhile to familiarize yourself in more detail with the signs of this disease.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
This disease at the initial stage of its development may not manifest itself at all. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are felt only in the advanced form of the disease in the form of frequent headaches, which intensify during movement of the neck. When disorders of cerebral circulation are observed during cervical osteochondrosis, the patient begins to show the following symptoms of the disease:
- persistent headaches;
- increased fatigue;
- violation of the sensitivity of the muscles of the face;
- noise in the head;
- arterial hypertension;
- ringing in the ears;
- wobbly gait;
- frequent dizziness;
- loss of coordination in space.
If the disease is chronic, the symptoms and pain of cervical osteochondrosis will be permanent. In this case, any movement of the head will be difficult due to the tension of the neck muscles. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in a chronic form are manifested in the form of migraine, headache, which in some cases is accompanied by nausea, vomiting and even loss of consciousness. If you do not start treatment on time, the patient begins to accompany pharyngeal symptoms. These symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis of the spine include: a feeling of dryness in the throat, difficulty in swallowing, tickling and itching. After some time, this disease can cause a hernia in the intervertebral disc area. Therefore, when the first signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appear, treatment must be immediate. It is worth familiarizing yourself in more detail with the most effective methods of treating this disease.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis in the neck area is the aging of the human body, and it is also associated with age-related changes that occur in the tissues. But there are also some factors that increase the risk of developing this pathology. These factors include:
- Sedentary work and a sedentary lifestyle.
- Stay in the same static pose for a long time.
- Excess body weight.
- Nervous tension and frequent stress.
- Frequent hypothermia.
- Autoimmune diseases during which cartilage tissue suffers.
- Injury to the occiput or neck.
- Abnormal congenital structure of the vertebrae.
In addition, heredity, hormones and metabolism play an important role in the development of this disease.
Methods of therapy of cervical osteochondrosis
To get rid of the signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, treatment involves a whole range of methods and means aimed at eliminating pain and combating the inflammatory process that appears in the tissues. Daily physical activity and exercises aimed at spinal flexibility are considered to be very effective. The schedule of such loads should be individual, it is selected by a specialist only after carrying out diagnostic measures using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. When the first signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear, a doctor should also prescribe treatment. But what is the basis for the therapy of this disease?
Medication
When the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and headache appear, drug therapy is prescribed. First of all, the pain is relieved with conventional pain relievers. However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that this method will be effective only at the initial stage of the development of the disease. Pain pills are no longer useful later.
Drug therapy for cervical osteochondrosis involves the use of new generation chondroprotectors, which are drugs that stimulate the restoration of cartilage tissue in the spine. The best therapeutic effect is the combination of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. The course of such therapy is, as a rule, several months, after which there is an improvement in the mobility of the cervical spine.
And how to relieve acute muscles and headaches in cervical osteochondrosis? Symptom data can be eliminated with the use of novocaine blockade or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This should include capsules, ointments, injections and tablets that can quickly improve the patient's general condition. If these chondroprotectors have no contraindications even with long-term use, then for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs these contraindications are very serious, therefore, their use must be agreed with the attending physician.
Ointments and gels
When the first signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear, treatment at home can be carried out with the help of special ointments or gels, which begin to act 10 minutes after application to the problem area. These funds are divided into several types, which include:
- External anti-inflammatory agents based on non-steroidal substances capable of eliminating painful sensations.
- Regenerating ointments and gels that restore damaged cartilage tissue between the vertebrae.
- Anesthetic external ointments and gels that can quickly affect nerve endings, relieving pain.
- Various massage ointments.
Manual therapy
Of course, treating the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at home through manual therapy will be quite difficult. However, this method is very effective and the oldest. Specialists have developed many different techniques that can have a beneficial effect on the vertebrae, joints and tissues of the affected areas. Choosing a chiropractor for himself, it should be noted that he must be an excellent specialist, otherwise a person who is inexperienced in this matter can take the patient in a wheelchair. The main methods of manual therapy to combat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are the following:
- Manipulations aimed at restoring the health and functioning of the joints. These manipulations are accompanied by their crunching.
- Segmental massage that can relieve muscle tension.
- Mobilization that repairs the joints damaged by traction.
Acupuncture
How else can you eliminate the signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine? Acupuncture treatment can not only remove the pain during this disease, but also cure it completely. This needle therapy technique came to our medicine from eastern countries. The Chinese sages, armed with philosophy as well as knowledge of the human body, figured out how to regulate energy in the body using metal needles. This procedure is currently officially recognized by doctors as an effective technique for combating osteochondrosis.
Before eliminating the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine using acupuncture, it is imperative to consult a specialist, as this procedure is not suitable for all patients. This technique is not performed in the following cases:
- during pregnancy;
- with existing infectious diseases;
- if a tumor is present;
- for skin or blood diseases;
- in childhood or old age.
Homeopathic remedies
Homeopathic remedies are very effective in the fight against cervical osteochondrosis. Homeopathic remedies contain biologically active substances and useful trace elements. These substances absolutely correspond to the concentration of minerals and vitamins in the human body. Homeopathic remedies contain herbal extracts, plant extracts, which are taken only from ecological samples. And the main advantage is that such preparations are completely natural. The main principle of the effect of these funds on osteochondrosis is as follows:
- restore cartilage tissue;
- activates human immunity;
- improves blood circulation in the collar area.
Home care
It is currently possible to treat the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at home. To relieve pain and achieve general improvement in the patient, it is necessary to adhere to a special diet, and also to lead an active lifestyle. The daily diet of a patient diagnosed with cervical osteochondrosis should contain foods that promote the regeneration of cartilage tissues. These products include the following:
- fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as cereals and legumes;
- products that contain a large amount of protein: fish and lean poultry, eggs, nuts;
- foods containing unsaturated fatty acids, such as sea fish or flax seeds;
- foods rich in calcium, such as leafy vegetables, cottage cheese, milk.
Also, a very effective means of treating osteochondrosis at home is a vibroacoustic device. This device is able to act on the main goal of pain syndrome with ultrasonic waves, due to which the regeneration process of cartilage begins to accelerate, tissue inflammation is eliminated, and damaged cells begin to recover. This device will not cause any harm to the body, as the therapy is carried out under the influence of acoustic waves, which are absolutely natural for humans.
Massage
Effective home therapy can also be performed with a massage or self-massage. This procedure relieves tension and relaxes the tense muscles in the neck. After self-massage in the intervertebral discs, blood circulation is improved, thanks to which there is quick relief. The self-massage procedure itself must be performed in a sitting position and during it stroking, rubbing and kneading movements are performed on the back of the head. However, to maximize the effect, it is best to use the services of a professional.
Conducting gymnastics to improve health
Such therapeutic gymnastics has no less effect than drug therapy for cervical osteochondrosis. Many experts claim that gymnastics to improve health is the basis for a patient's recovery. Such exercises, as a rule, do not take a lot of time, especially since they are quite easy to do on their own at home. This gymnastics helps relieve pain syndromes during cervical osteochondrosis. It also stretches the ligaments and relaxes the neck muscles. However, it is necessary to perform any actions during such gymnastics only after consulting a specialist. They need to be carried out very carefully so that the patient does not harm his body.
Kuznetsov Applicator
Acupuncture is a very effective treatment for this disease. However, not all patients decide on acupuncture. For home therapy, an alternative device is used, which is a Kuznetsov needle applicator. It has single or double needles placed on the neck roll or belt buckle. If the patient lies on this applicator for 30 minutes every day, it is possible not only to significantly alleviate the symptoms, but also to completely overcome this ailment.
Folk recipes
There are many effective recipes of alternative medicine with which you can get rid of cervical osteochondrosis. Herbal therapy is very inexpensive, effective, and most importantly, safe. To do this, it is not necessary to purchase expensive drugs for pain relief. In addition, many medicines purchased at the pharmacy can have side effects and contraindications, which cannot be said about the recipes of traditional medicine. For cervical osteochondrosis, the following natural remedies can help:
- Horseradish leaves. To do this, it is necessary to attach a leaf of this plant to the back of the neck, fixing it with adhesive plaster at night. As a rule, painful sensations disappear in the morning.
- Potatoes. This vegetable must be grated together with honey in equal proportions. The resulting mixture should resemble an ointment in its consistency. A ready-made product in the form of a compress is used at least 1 time in 7 days.
- A compress made from one liter of vodka, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed aloe juice, 1 tablespoon of mustard powder and 50 g of propolis is quite effective. All ingredients are mixed, after which the resulting mixture is impregnated with gauze or fabric, applied to the neck area and fixed with a woolen cloth. Such compresses are recommended to be carried out 1-2 times every 7 days. The compresses are made at night.
Disease prevention
Many people know that it is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it later. Preventing osteochondrosis means maintaining proper posture, exercising on exercise equipment, fitness exercises, walking, swimming and yoga. When reading or writing, a person should not lean over the table too low, and while sleeping it is better to use orthopedic pillows.
Patient Opinions
The opinions of patients diagnosed with osteochondrosis suggest that it is not so difficult to treat this disease at home. However, a greater effect can be achieved if complex therapy is used, which includes not only massage and folk remedies, but also the use of medicines.
In conclusion, it should be noted that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a very common disease at the moment. This disorder affects not only adults, but also young people due to an inactive and sedentary lifestyle. However, this disease can be successfully treated. To do this, when the first symptoms and signs appear, it is necessary to seek the help of a medical institution, where a specialist will prescribe the appropriate treatment. It is also worth remembering that it is recommended to coordinate the use of traditional medicine recipes with your doctor.