Thanks to healthy intervertebral discs, which play the role of shock absorbers in the spine, a person's movements are easy and relaxed.He doesn't have to think about his movements and calculate them to get the least amount of pain.
Over time, as well as under the influence of some other factors, the intervertebral discs wear out and deform, causing a disease such as osteochondrosis.The disease is divided into zones of spread depending on the place of disc deformation.The most common is cervical osteochondrosis.
Cervical osteochondrosis, symptoms, treatment at home - this is the topic of this article, the materials of which do not contradict official medicine.
Destructive changes in the intervertebral discs are observed after the age of 20, when the natural hydration of tissues and organs begins to decline.As a result of the gradual loss of moisture, the discs decrease in volume and the space between the vertebrae decreases.
When the reduction of this distance reaches such an extent that the vertebrae begin to come into contact with each other, causing pain, they speak of osteochondrosis ("osteo" - bone, "chondro" - connective tissue), that is, a disease of the connective tissue between the vertebrae.The process of development of pathology lasts for years and even decades.
This can be facilitated (or accelerated) by the following factors:
- characteristics of a profession that requires long-term fixation of the body in a certain position: assembly line workers, vehicle drivers, painters;
- sedentary lifestyle, physical inactivity, sedentary work;
- long-term fixation of the body in certain positions: improper posture while sitting at the table, improper posture while sleeping;
- excessive physical activity to which athletes, dancers, acrobats and loaders are exposed;
- frequent intoxications of the body, which also have a destructive effect on the intervertebral discs.These include frequent colds, bad habits;
- flat feet;
- back injuries that lead to damage to the integrity of the intervertebral discs.
Symptoms
Symptoms of the cervicothoracic spine are conventionally divided into three groups:
- Painful sensationsmanifest as pain in the upper back, neck and nape.The pain may be clearly localized or radiate into the arm.Depending on between which vertebrae the disc is damaged, the pain may radiate (spread) to the left or right hand - both in the forearm area and along the length of the entire hand up to the fingertips.Pain can be constant or occur occasionally under the influence of certain factors, mainly movement.
- Movement disorders.After a long period of living with osteochondrosis, a person develops motor stereotypes, which results in the creation of movement disorders.For example, if pain occurs when turning the head to the left, then the patient will try to turn the head to the left as little as possible, which is a mistake.Over time, turning the neck to the left becomes as impossible as bending the knee in the opposite direction.Additional symptoms occur in the form of numbness of the fingers, hands and lateral surface of the forearm.
- Vegetovascular manifestationsOsteochondrosis occurs as a result of spasm of blood vessels or even carotid arteries compressed by vertebrae, which causes migraines and dizziness."floating" in the eyes, noise or blocked ears.Asthenia, bad mood, weakness, drowsiness and chronic fatigue are observed on the part of the central nervous system.And if the vertebral artery syndrome is expressed in cervical osteochondrosis, then it is accompanied by increased blood pressure and headaches, often severe.
If osteochondrosis itself proceeds slowly, almost imperceptibly for the patient, then its exacerbations (intervertebral hernia, sciatica) cause the patient great physical suffering, limit movement and significantly worsen the quality of life.Due to severe pain during an exacerbation, even a basic visit to a medical facility can become an impossible task.
If you call 911 at home, the patient will be given an injection of painkillers, a notice with an incorrect, vague diagnosis: "vertebral sciatica" and will be recommended to see a neurologist at the clinic.You still have to go to the clinic!
Currently, osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine cannot be cured, as well as osteochondrosis of other areas of the spine, but preventive measures and folk remedies, in combination with traditional treatment, stop the development of the disease, prolong periods of remission and relieve symptoms during exacerbations.
The approach to the treatment of osteochondrosis should be comprehensive, combining methods of traditional medicine and folk methods.An examination in the clinic is necessary to accurately determine osteochondrosis, and no other disease.After all, pain in the shoulder can occur not only with osteochondrosis, but also with heart diseases that require other treatment, often urgent.
Drug treatment
The most effective way to relieve acute back pain is to block anesthetics.But first, it is necessary to perform an MRI examination of the upper part of the spine, which is the most informative diagnostic method today.Depending on the results of the study, the specialist prescribes medication and physiotherapy.
Drug treatment includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the form of injections, tablets, or ointments.
Chondroprotective drugs are prescribed to support therapy.
Vitamin-mineral complexes are prescribed to relieve symptoms such as numbness, goosebumps, chills, and to enhance the effects of drugs from the aforementioned groups.
Therapeutic gymnastics
As part of the physical procedures, the patient will be prescribed therapeutic exercises that can be performed at home.Initially, it is advisable to visit her in a medical facility.This is necessary in order to remember the exercises and how to perform them.Not all exercises can be performed with osteochondrosis.A set of properly selected exercises helps to strengthen the muscles of the back and neck and stabilizes the functions of the spine.
Exercises will be back stretching: hanging on a horizontal bar, freezing in certain poses.Stretching the back releases the nerve roots that are pinched by the vertebrae, which relieves the pain.Jerking exercises, strength exercises, running and side bending are prohibited.
Swimming is another form of physical activity that brings quick and long-term results.Swimming crawl or breaststroke are the most suitable methods for patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical or thoracic spine.You can overcome them by purchasing a gym membership.During the warm season you can exercise in the local reservoirs.
During periods of acute pain, gymnastics is prohibited!It is allowed only after getting up in the morning to hang on a horizontal bar or crossbar with outstretched arms;in the morning, after sleeping, after a long stay in one position, the strongest pain is felt.
Nutrition for osteochondrosis
There is no special diet for osteochondrosis, but some foods help improve metabolic processes in the cartilage that forms the lining of the intervertebral disc.
These products include: meat and fish, fruits and vegetables, nuts, herbs, dairy products, eggs.
During exacerbations, it is recommended to exclude:
- sweet,
- flour and limit the consumption of grains,
- salt and spices.
You must drink at least 2 liters of clean water a day.Water cannot be replaced by coffee, juices, carbonated drinks and alkaline types of mineral water.It is very useful to add dandelion syrup in the amount of 1 teaspoon per glass.
Preparing the syrup is not difficult: add 350 grams of dandelion flowers and two chopped lemons with water (to cover) and cook for half an hour.Then strain and pour a kilogram of sugar into the resulting soup, dissolve it over low heat while stirring.The amount received is sufficient for the full course.Dandelion syrup helps retain moisture in the cartilage tissue of the body.
The beneficial effect of kerosene on the musculoskeletal system is known to alleviate inflammation.
Sabelnik is sold in herbal pharmacies.Fill the glass bottle 2/3 with grass, pour alcohol or vodka under the cap.Infuse, then leave in a dark place for 2 weeks.
Take 10-15 drops in the morning with water.within a month or two.You can repeat the course twice a year.The same tincture of marigold can be used for poultices on the painful area of the neck.
There is a known connection between the poor condition of the intervertebral discs and excess body weight, which increases the load on them.Therefore, if you are overweight, it is wise to choose a low-calorie diet for weight loss.
Massage
With osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine, especially if it is caused by physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle, massage helps.The patient lies on the sofa with his stomach down so that his chin hangs over the edge of the sofa.Another member of the family kneads the muscles of the back with circular movements of the fingers.He should feel the muscles rolling under his fingers.Then the masseur places the right palm on the spine, and with the left palm applies light pressure from above and carefully slides along the spine from the base of the skull to the coccyx.
The last stage of the massage will be rubbing the skin of the back with a special composition.For its preparation in the old days, they used vegetable oil (raw, cold-pressed) and sea salt, taken in equal volumes.The components are stirred occasionally for three days, keeping the mixture at room temperature.On the third day, the composition is ready for use.When buying sea salt, it is important to pay attention to the composition: it must not contain colors, flavors or other additives.
Rubbing the back with this composition is carried out daily, starting with three minutes.The duration of the session increases by one minute every day and reaches twenty.After the massage, wash off the mixture as usual using any detergent.So the course will last for two weeks.As a result, the condition of the blood vessels of the back and tissues along the spine will improve.This method will especially help when the vertebral artery syndrome is observed in cervical osteochondrosis with increased blood pressure and migraines.
Applications and linings
In osteochondrosis, damaged discs are often susceptible to calcification and salt accumulation.Neighboring tissues are also susceptible to this process, which causes severe pain with unsuccessful or sudden movements.Applications according to folk recipes will help dissolve these salts.
The dough is kneaded from rye flour, pharmaceutical turpentine and oleoresin until it has the consistency of pie dough.It should sit for two days at room temperature.After two days, the patient should drink a glass of milk and apply scones from the obtained dough to painful places, secure with cellophane and wrap from above with a towel.Leave it all night.Repeat the application 2-3 times a week.
The second recipe for the application mixture is gentler and does not irritate the skin as much, but its disadvantage is that the therapeutic effect is not so fast: a tablespoon of flour, 100 grams of ghee and a spoon of 9% vinegar are mixed.Flatbreads are made from this dough in the same way and applied to the painful area.
In folk medicine, compresses are often and successfully used for osteochondrosis:
- glass of honey,
- 2 glasses of radish juice,
- half a glass of alcohol,
- mix everything and use it for compresses on the painful area.
The above recipe for tincture of marigold is also good to use for this purpose.
During an exacerbation, you should not use heating of painful places, but after the inflammation subsides, the sauna with a broom consolidates the results.First, the body must be coated with a mixture of honey and sea salt in equal parts.In osteochondrosis, fluid often accumulates in the tissues around the source of inflammation, and this method removes excess fluid from the body.
The best treatment for any disease is prevention.This sharpened truth fully applies to osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.In order to prevent the recurrence of pain, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system, organize physical activity with a visit to the swimming pool, gym, properly organize the space for sleeping and working, and take measures to reduce excess weight if you have it.It may even be wise to quit a job that requires excessive physical effort, because health is more important!