Osteochondrosis can develop in any part of the spine, but most commonly affects the neck and lower back. This disease has an inflammatory-dystrophic nature and occurs, as a rule, in a chronic form. Cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed more often in women, while men are more susceptible to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
General description
Most people spend their day sitting: at school, college, office, driving a car or at home on a computer. Over time, many begin to experience first discomfort and then pain after sitting for a long time. Posture deteriorates, bending occurs, it is difficult to stand up or turn.
This is how stage 1, the initial stage of osteochondrosis, appears, in which it is easiest to deal with the disease. If you do not take measures, in the future it threatens to become a chronic form with regular exacerbations. In some cases, the case ends in disability.
REFERENCE: Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is half of all types of pathology.
The clinical picture of cervical chondrosis includes:
- pain syndrome caused by compression of nerve roots. Depending on which vertebrae and discs are damaged, the pain can spread to the shoulder, forearm or the whole arm. It is characterized by headache, pressure surges;
- sensory disorder, mainly in the hands and fingers. Possible tingling, burning or crawling sensation;
- reduction of muscle strength and tone on the affected side, sometimes muscle twitching and cramps;
- increased sweating, discoloration of the skin - paleness, redness;
- chest pain;
- syndrome of the spinal artery occurs when one of the two arteries is compressed, which is accompanied by severe headache, tinnitus, nausea, dizziness, rarely - swallowing disorders.
There are no drugs that can completely eliminate the cause of osteochondrosis. But you can get rid of its symptoms and prevent possible recurrences using the simplest methods.
How is chondrosis treated?
In the acute phase, rarely anyone is left without pain medication. The most popular and effective are the cheap drugs based on metamizole sodium, as well as the drugs from NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
In case of severe pain, the doctor may prescribe analgesics in injections, but more often they are prescribed in tablets and supplemented with ointments. The complex therapy also includes physiotherapy, massage and exercises. Massage sessions and therapeutic exercises usually begin after the relief of acute symptoms.
What you can do at home
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is a prerequisite that most doctors insist on. It is impossible to deal with the disease only with drugs and physiotherapy, they only temporarily eliminate the symptoms. The period of remission can be prolonged through regular, dosed physical activity, the use of self-massage techniques, therapeutic compresses and strengthening infusions.
Following exactly the instructions and following the medical advice can achieve impressive results. Conducting self-massage significantly saves money, the use of decoctions and herbal infusions instead of some drugs reduces the negative impact of drugs on the body.
Home therapy, like traditional treatment, helps to quickly stop the pain syndrome, normalize cerebral circulation and improve sleep. With the help of available products you can eliminate nervousness and irritability, stabilize blood pressure, restore normal sensitivity of the neck and collar.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercises are included in the basic standard for the treatment of chondrosis of the neck and are selected by an exercise instructor. The first 1-2 sessions are held in a clinic or health center, and then the patient can study at home.
Exercise 1. PI (starting position) - upright, feet shoulder width apart. Tilt your head to the right, left, back and forth. All movements should be slow and smooth, especially careful to move your head back without jerking it back.
Exercise 2. From the same PI, turn your head to the side. At the end point, look behind your back. Sometimes it is not possible to turn your head too much at first and you should not force events. Over time, the restrictive movement "block" will disappear.
Exercise 3. Push your shoulders back, gathering the shoulder blades as far as possible. Hold in this position for a few seconds, then bring your shoulders forward and round your back. The movement is similar to the famous "cat", but is performed in an upright position.
Another effective set consists of the following exercises:
- Standing or sitting, place your palms on your forehead and press your head on them, overcoming the resistance of your hands. Hold this position for 15-20 seconds.
- Put your hands on the back of your head, press your back on your hands and your hands on the back of your head.
- Place your palm on your right ear and apply pressure to each other, trying to tilt your head to your right shoulder. Then switch sides and tilt your head to your left shoulder, keeping your left hand on your left ear.
- Turns the head to the side, placing the palm on the left or right cheekbone. First, the hand rests on the right cheekbone and the head tries to turn to the right, overcoming the resistance of the hand. Then the palm rests on the left cheek and the head turns to the left. The pressure time is 15-20 seconds.
- Grasp the lower part of the head so that the thumbs are on the chin and the rest on the back of the head. Gently pull your head up, you are allowed to swing from one side to the other like "pulling the cap off the bottle". You can not turn your head, the spine in the cervical spine must be straight. The duration of the exercise is 15-20 seconds.
- Open your arms to the side and rotate first with your left, then with your right, and then with both shoulders. This exercise is especially useful for those who feel tension in the neck and shoulders.
- Standing or sitting with your back straight, "roll" your head from left to right and in the opposite direction, tilting it as far down as possible in the middle point and trying to reach your chest with your chin. The number of repetitions is 10-12.
It is not necessary to complete the above complex if some exercises cause pain and severe discomfort. By agreement with the doctor, you can additionally hang on a horizontal beam or crossbeam, engage in swimming, water aerobics and other permitted sports.
Self-massage
Self-massage helps to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home. Thanks to the light pressure on the neck, salt deposits are prevented, the blood supply and tissue nutrition are improved and the intensity of the pain is reduced. During the procedure, the muscles relax, metabolic processes are accelerated, blood pressure is stabilized.
If you wish, you can visit a masseur in the clinic or do procedures at home. However, it is convenient to massage the neck yourself after you have learned the basic techniques and identified these points that need to be developed. It is also important to know which areas are best avoided or treated carefully.
The massage technique is quite simple and it is quite possible to master it. The basic rules are:
- direction of movement - from the center to the periphery, ie from the spine to the shoulders and the back of the head;
- is allowed to massage the cervical area with fingers only, without using any devices;
- strong pressure is excluded: you must act delicately and gently;
- the muscles of the back and sides of the neck are stroked, rubbed and stretched;
- massage is performed in a sitting position;
- the session starts with stroking, continues with rubbing and kneading, also ends with stroking; Duration of the procedure
- - 5-10 minutes.
In the absence of contraindications and approval by the attending physician, you can use the Kuznetsov applicator. This affordable and effective device is a roller made of fabric or tarpaulin with raised elements - round or square plates with spikes.
The applicator is easy to use - just put it under your head and lie on it. Soft needles bite into the skin, increasing blood flow and affecting the biologically active points of the neck. The duration of the procedure starts from a few minutes and gradually increases.
Exacerbation first aid
If cervical lumbago occurs suddenly, the ideal solution is to visit a doctor or home specialist. If help is delayed, a number of measures must be taken to relieve the pain and protect the spinal structures from possible injury.
COMFORTABLE POSITION
First of all, you need to provide the cervical spine and limit as much as possible (it is better to completely exclude) physical activity. You should lie on a flat and moderately firm bed or a thick blanket on the floor. A floor that is too hard, such as a bare board or a spacious bed of feathers, will not work.
In case of acute neck pain caused by osteochondrosis, it is recommended to wear a Shants collar, which will prevent the neck from moving or rotating freely. This will reduce the load on the cervical muscles and improve local blood circulation.
If there is no Shants collar, you can make a homemade rubber from cardboard and cotton wool by fixing the neck with it.
REFERENCE: before visiting a doctor, you should not use warming tires and ointments, massage the neck. Such actions in some cases can provoke many unpleasant complications.
LOCAL FUNDS
In the first hours of the attack, it is allowed to apply ice or a cold compress, but there must be a layer of cloth or gauze between it and the body. This will avoid hypothermia and increased pain.
It is allowed to use anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments and gels based on diclofenac, ibuprofen, nimesulide and indomethacin. The use of such products as Finalgon, Viprosal, Kapsikam and other preparations with burning components in the composition is prohibited.
Warming ointments and rubbing have a local irritant effect, increase blood flow to the neck, which can increase swelling and compression of nerve endings. Special care is needed in the cervical spine, as improper actions are fraught with a sharp rise in blood pressure.
In case of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, massage is not performed due to the risk of increased pain and reflex muscle spasms. In addition, the cervical spine is hypermobile and any careless movement can worsen the condition.
MEDICINES
Medications can help fight pain, but remember that pain is a defense mechanism. When forcibly eliminated, nothing will stop you from making a sudden movement of your head, which will worsen the condition. Therefore, after taking an analgesic, you should observe a gentle and preferably bed rest for at least 2-3 days.
Severe pain that cannot be stopped with pills and intramuscular injections is removed with the help of novocaine blockade. This procedure is done strictly in a hospital setting: local anesthesia is injected into the damaged vertebra and the pain is blocked. Blockades are performed only according to the indications and can cause side effects in the form of allergic reactions and infectious complications.
Prohibited actions
Acute neck pain is a good reason to consult a doctor and have a thorough examination. Only after establishing an accurate diagnosis are determined the tactics of treatment and the most effective methods in a given case.
It is absolutely impossible to eliminate the pain in any way - for example, try to correct a displaced vertebra on your own or seek similar help from a friend who is not a specialist. Do not take uncontrollably large doses of painkillers. Even folk remedies can be harmful if the diagnosis is not yet known.
The correct mode of movement is very important: if in the stage of exacerbation the movements should be as limited as possible, after a few days the physical activity should be expanded. Exercises from the complex of exercise therapy will help to improve blood circulation, reduce the intensity of pain and alleviate the inflammatory process. In addition, properly selected exercises will help strengthen the muscular corset that supports the spine.
How to cure osteochondrosis forever
Complex drug treatment consists of several groups of drugs:
- NSAIDs and analgesics during exacerbations; muscle relaxants to relax muscles;
- chondroprotectors, restoring the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs;
- vitamin and mineral complexes containing B vitamins
Various ointments, gels and plasters - such as Nanoplast plaster - effectively complement the treatment. Today, pharmacies have a wide range of topical medications that can be used both during exacerbations and in the recovery phase:
- anti-inflammatory;
- chondroprotector;
- homeopathic.
When the acute symptoms subside, warming agents may be used.
Traditional methods
Honey-potato foil is made from raw grated potatoes and honey. Both components are taken in equal amounts, mixed and placed on a cloth or gauze. The compress is applied to the neck for about 45 minutes. The procedure is performed twice a week.
Wax or paraffin should be melted and applied to the inflamed area, avoiding contact with the spine itself. It is recommended that such applications be made once every two days.
Knead the dough from water and rye flour to medium density, roll out the cake and attach it to the neck. Lubricate the skin with turpentine before application. Cover the compress with polyethylene and a warm towel, hold until a burning sensation appears, but not more than 15 minutes. You can perform the procedure every other day.
The herbal preparation for oral administration is prepared from the following ingredients, taken in equal proportions:
- like;
- yarrow; St. John's wort;
- marigold;
- thyme;
- dandelion leaves.
2 tablespoons boil the mixture in a thermos, pouring it with a liter of boiling water. Take 3 times daily before meals in a glass.
This way a lot can be done at home to get rid of such an unpleasant disease as osteochondrosis. When performing all medical appointments, including medication, attending physical and massage procedures, performing therapeutic exercises, there is every chance to avoid its progression and prevent recurrence.
What to do now
The statistics are such that over 45% of people over the age of 35 have joint diseases! It all starts small: somewhere they are overstrained, somewhere they are lifting weights, somewhere they are just blowing their necks. The joint is designed so that the main problems begin with inflammation of the joint fluid, then softening of the cartilage and as a result of this damage.
One important thing to keep in mind: joint disease will take you to a wheelchair in less than 3 years! The disease progresses many times faster if you are overweight, because in this case there is a double load on the joints.