General description
Most people spend their day in a sitting position: at school, college, office, driving a car or at home with a computer. Over time, many begin to feel the first discomfort and then the pain after a long sitting. Posture worsens, a posture occurs, it is difficult to straighten or turn.
Thus appears 1, the initial stage of osteochondrosis, in which the disease is easier to treat. If you do not take action, then in the future it threatens to turn into a chronic form with regular exacerbations. In some cases, the case results in disability.
REPORT: Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine represents half of all types of pathology.
The clinical picture of the cervix 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 headaches, increased pressure.
- sensory disorder, mainly in the hands and fingers. Possibly numbness, burning sensation or crawling
- Decreased muscle strength and tone in the affected side, sometimes muscle contractions and cramps.
- increased sweating, skin discoloration - paleness, redness
- chest pain? Spinal artery syndrome occurs when one of the two arteries is stung, which is accompanied by severe headaches, tinnitus, nausea, dizziness, less often - swallowing disorder
There are no drugs that can completely eliminate the cause of osteochondrosis. But you can get rid of its symptoms and prevent possible relapses using the simplest methods.
How is cartilage treated?
In the acute phase, one rarely goes without pain medication. The most popular and effective are cheap drugs based on metamizole sodium, as well as NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
For severe pain, your doctor may prescribe analgesics for injections, but more often it is prescribed in tablets and supplemented with ointments. Combination therapy also includes physiotherapy, massage and exercise. Massage sessions and therapeutic exercises usually begin after 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 treat the disease only with drugs and physiotherapy, they only temporarily eliminate the symptoms. The period of remission can be extended with regular exercise, dosing, the use of self-massage techniques, therapeutic compressions and strengthening infusions.
By following the instructions and following the medical advice, impressive results can be achieved. Self-massage saves a lot of money, using decoctions and herbal infusions instead of certain medicines reduces the negative effect of medicines on the body.
Home treatment, like traditional therapy, helps to quickly stop the pain syndrome, normalize cerebral circulation and improve sleep. With the help of available products, you can remove nervousness and irritability, stabilize blood pressure, restore normal sensitivity of the neck and collar area.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercises are included in the main treatment model for neck thickening and are selected by an exercise therapy instructor. The first 1-2 sessions take place in a clinic or health center and then the patient can be trained at home.
Exercise 1. PI (starting position) - standing, shoulder width apart. Tilt your head to the right, left, forward and backward. All movements should be slow and smooth, you should take your head back carefully, do not throw it suddenly.Exercise 2. From the same PI, turn your head sideways. At the extreme point, direct your gaze behind your back. Sometimes in the beginning it is not possible to turn your head too much and you should not impose events. Over time, the restrictive "block" movement will disappear.
Exercise 3. Get your shoulders back, joining your shoulders as much as possible. Hold this position for a few seconds, then bring your shoulders forward and rotate your back. The movement is similar to the famous "cat", but is done 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 against them, overcoming the resistance of your hands. Hold this position for 15-20 seconds.
- Putting your hands on the back of your head, press with the back of your head in your hands and with your hands on the back of your head.
- Place your palm on your right ear and apply mutual pressure, trying to tilt your head towards your right shoulder. Then change sides and tilt your head to your left shoulder, holding your left hand to your left ear.
- Turns the head sideways, 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. Pressure time is 15-20 seconds.
- Grasp the bottom 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, it is allowed to rotate from side to side as if "pulling the cork from the bottle. " You can not turn your head, the cervical spine must be straightened. The duration of the exercise is 15-20 seconds.
- Extend your arms sideways and rotate first to the left, then to the right and then to both shoulders. This exercise is especially useful for those who feel tension in the neck and shoulder area.
- Standing or sitting with a straight back, "rotate" the head from left to right and in the opposite direction, tilting it as low as possible in the middle and trying to reach the chest with the chin. The number of repetitions is 10-12.
It is not necessary to complete the above complex if certain exercises cause pain and severe discomfort. In agreement with the doctor, you can additionally hang on a horizontal bar or a crossbar, go for swimming, water aerobics and other permitted sports.
Self-massage
Self-massage helps treat cervical osteochondrosis at home. Thanks to the gentle pressure in the neck, salt reserves are prevented, blood supply and tissue nutrition are improved and the intensity of pain is reduced. During the process, the muscles relax, metabolic processes are accelerated and blood pressure stabilizes.
If you wish, you can visit a massage therapist at the clinic or have procedures at home. However, it is convenient to massage the neck yourself, after you have studied the basic techniques and determine those points that need to be resolved. It is also important to know which zones are best to avoid or act on carefully.
The massage technique is quite simple and it is very likely that you will master it. The basic rules are:
- the direction of movement is from the center to the periphery, ie from the spine to the shoulders and back of the head.
- You can only massage the neck area with your fingers, without the use of devices.
- strong pressure is ruled out: you must act gently and gently.
- The muscles of the back and neck are caressed, rubbed and stretched.
- the massage is done in a sitting position.
- the session starts with stroking, continues with rubbing and kneading movements, also ends with stroking;
- process duration - 5-10 minutes.
In the absence of contraindications and approval of the treating physician, you can use the Kuznetsov application tool. This affordable and effective device is a fabric or oil cylinder with raised elements - round or square sharp plates.
The app is easy to use - just put it under your head and lie on it. The soft needles bite into the skin, increasing blood flow and acting on biologically active points in the throat. The duration of the procedure starts from a few minutes and gradually increases.
First aid for deterioration
If you suddenly have cervical back pain, seeing a doctor or calling a specialist at home is the ideal solution. If help is delayed, certain measures must be taken to relieve the pain and protect the vertebral structures from possible injury.
ADVISOR POSITION
First of all, you need to secure the cervical spine and limit physical activity as much as possible (it is best to exclude it completely). You should lie on a level and fairly hard bed or a thick blanket on the floor. A floor that is too hard, such as a bare plank floor or an airy feather bed, 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 turning freely. This will reduce the load on the neck muscles and improve local blood circulation.
If there is no Shants collar, you can make a homemade cardboard and cotton tire by attaching the neck with it.
REPORT: Before visiting a doctor, you should not use heat and ointments, massage the throat. Such actions in some cases can cause very unpleasant complications.
LOCAL FUNDS
In the first hours of an attack, ice or cold compress may be applied, but there should be a layer of cloth or gauze between it and the body. This will avoid hypothermia and increased pain.
The use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments and gels based on diclofenac, ibuprofen, nimesulide and indomethacin is permitted. The use of products such as Finalgon, Viprosal, Capsicam and other preparations with combustion ingredients in the composition is prohibited.Thermal ointments and rubs have a local irritating effect, increasing blood flow to the throat, which can increase swelling and compression of nerve endings. The cervical spine requires special care, as inappropriate actions are fraught with a sharp rise in blood pressure.
In case of worsening osteochondrosis, massage is not performed due to the risk of increased pain and reflex muscle spasms. In addition, the cervical vertebrae are characterized by hyperactivity and any careless movement can worsen the condition.
MEDICINES
Medication can help fight pain, but remember that pain is a defense mechanism. When it is forcibly eliminated, nothing will stop you from making a sudden movement of your head, which will aggravate the condition. Therefore, after taking an analgesic, you should notice a mild, and preferably bed rest for at least 2-3 days.
Severe pain, which does not stop with pills and intramuscular injections, is relieved by novocaine blockade. This procedure is performed strictly in a hospital: a local anesthetic is injected next to the damaged vertebra and prevents pain. Blockages are performed only according to indications and can cause side effects in the form of allergic reactions and infectious complications.
Prohibited Actions
Severe neck pain is a good reason to consult a doctor and a comprehensive examination. Only after an accurate diagnosis is established are the treatment tactics and the most effective methods in a particular case determined.
It is categorically impossible to remove the pain in any way - for example, try to correct a displaced vertebra yourself or seek similar help from a non-specialist friend. Do not take uncontrollably large doses of painkillers. Even folk remedies can be harmful if the diagnosis is not yet known.
Proper movement is very important: if at the stage of deterioration the movements should be as limited as possible, then after a few days the physical activity should be extended. Exercise from the exercise therapy complex will help to improve blood circulation, reduce the intensity of pain and reduce the inflammatory process. In addition, well-chosen exercises will help strengthen the muscular corset that supports the spine.
How To Cure Osteochondrosis Forever
Complex medication consists of several groups of drugs:
- NSAIDs and analgesics during an exacerbation. muscle relaxants for muscle relaxation.
- chondroprotectors, restoration of intervertebral disc cartilage tissue.
- complexes of vitamins and minerals containing B vitamins
- anti-inflammatory?
- chondroprotective?
- homeopathic.
When the acute symptoms have subsided, heating agents may be used.
Traditional methods
Potato wrap with honey is made from raw mashed potatoes and honey. Both ingredients are taken in equal amounts, mixed and spread on a cloth or gauze. The compress is applied to the neck for about 45 minutes. The procedure is performed twice a week.
The wax or paraffin should melt and be applied to the sore spot, avoiding contact with the spine itself. It is recommended to do such applications once every two days.
Knead the dough with water and rye flour at 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 cloth, hold it 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:
- chamomile?
- yarrow;
- St. John's wort;
- calendula?
- thyme?
- dandelion leaves.
2 large. prepare the mixture in hot, pouring it with a liter of boiling water. Take 3 times daily before meals for. Glass.
So, at home, you can do a lot to get rid of an unpleasant disease like osteochondrosis. When performing all medical appointments, including taking medication, visiting physical and massage procedures, performing therapeutic exercises, there is every chance to avoid its progression and prevent relapses.What to do now
The statistics are such that over 45% of people over the age of 35 suffer from diseases! It all starts small: somewhere overextension, somewhere they lifted weights, somewhere they just blew their necks. The ligament is designed so that the main problems start with inflammation of the joint fluid, after softening of the cartilage and, as a result, disability.
An important thing to remember: Joint diseases will lead you to a wheelchair in less than 3 years! The disease progresses many times faster if you are overweight, as in this case there is a double load on the joints.