Regular treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home can reduce the number of exacerbations and extend 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;
- increase in working capacity;
- minimizing 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 remedies, physical education, massage.
They have a versatile effect on the spine and improve its condition and functions.
It is recommended to coordinate the treatment with the doctor so that it corresponds to the condition of the body, in combination with the treatment of the accompanying pathology. It is especially necessary to rule out contraindications for some treatment methods. This refers to folk methods and physiotherapy.
A marker of improvement is the reduction of pain syndrome, restoration of range of motion, elimination of motor and sensory function disorders, and restoration of work ability.
It should be remembered that there are conditions of osteochondrosis in which the patient is shown hospitalization in the hospital. This is necessary for complications, circulatory disorders in the tissues of the spine, persistent pain, ineffectiveness of conservative methods.
Medical treatment of pathology
Medicines do not make sense if you do not remove the negative factors that aggravate the disease. To begin with, you should 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 drugs. It is used in severe excitement caused by a painful attack. Apply at night.Muscle relaxants. They resist the tension of the muscles located along the spinal column, eliminating the feeling of tension and tightness.Nonsteroidal drugs. It is used to relieve swelling, inflammation, spasms. They are among the cyclooxygenase inhibitors most appropriate for this condition.local preparations. Ointments and creams are used to relieve the condition. They can be derivatives of phenylacetic acid (to reduce inflammatory symptoms) or ointments based on chondroitin, which are used to improve the condition of cartilage.Preparations that improve microcirculation. It is used to stimulate blood circulation. They increase the delivery 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 of high intensity. They are necessary in order to restore the motor activity of the patient 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 tablets and injectable forms of release.
All medicines should be used strictly according to the scheme, 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 cervical osteochondrosis
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 done independently. Herbal and other medicinal components are used for dressings. There are different types of dressings, depending on their effect on the tissue.
The warm compress relieves pain in the cervical region and improves the patient's condition. They are used for severe complaints.
The dressing 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:
- finely grated potatoes;
- honey;
- hop cones;
- fat of animal origin;
- mint leaves;
- cabbage leaves.
You can use components soaked in alcohol. Aloe, mustard powder, propolis, elderberry, horseradish root are used as active ingredients. To make a tincture, you need to fill the selected element with vodka or alcohol, respecting the ratio 1: 1. Store the finished product in the refrigerator and use it for compresses.
Decoctions
Medicinal decoctions for osteochondrosis are good because they have a complex effect on the body and improve the patient's condition, and they can also be prepared at home. The following medicinal plants are used: marigold, linden, chamomile, eucalyptus, five-leaf clover, currant and raspberry leaves, dry raspberries and cranberries, five-leaved sedge, subalpine, horsetail, John's wort. Rosehip, motherwort, 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.
Action of such drugs:
- reduced inflammation;
- stimulation of the elimination of toxins and waste substances from tissues;
- stimulation of venous outflow and lymph outflow.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with decoctions should be regular. The fact is that the effect occurs after long-term use, when useful components accumulate.
A person who takes herbal preparations will never complain of an overdose or side effects - the herbs improve his condition.
Take the decoction 2-3 times a day, in a calm state, in the morning and before going to bed. It is better to do it half an hour before a meal. Store the finished soup for 1-1. 5 days, no longer. It is better to make a new portion and drink fresh medicine. Keep it in the fridge between meals. It is best to pour the broth into a clean glass container when it is kept cold.
General effects of herbal decoctions - calm osteochondrosis, increase immune protection, antiseptic effect, improve muscle tone and blood vessels. 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 the condition of blood flow. You should also give up other bad habits that undo all your healing efforts.
The desired length of reception is 20-30 days. You can take a break of several weeks, and then change the composition and take another decoction. Alternate anti-inflammatory and soothing ingredients that relieve pain.
Ointments for home treatment of neck osteochondrosis
The use of ointments with medicines has several aspects. On the one hand, this is an excellent method of treatment that does not require special skills, such as 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 - vessels located under the skin and subcutaneous tissue, and acts on damaged structures like conventional medicine.
Ointments and gels have an effect, but it is much less pronounced than any other form of application. The method can be used as an additional, with tablets or injections. Therefore, do not be surprised if you expected an immediate action from the fat, but got a weak result.
Local ointments are used that have an anti-inflammatory effect, reduce pain, and reduce tissue swelling.
Fats can have a warming effect. Much more effective, because it really works locally, on the blood vessels located next to the spine. Fats dilate 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 it before going to bed. Make sure it is completely absorbed into the skin, keep the area where the medicine was applied without clothing so that the ointment does not absorb into the fabric. It is best to apply gels and creams when you are resting, especially at bedtime or before going to bed.
You can make ointment-based poultices. To do this, it is applied to a layer of gauze or a bandage, applied to the painful area. You can apply a layer of polyethylene film and a warm cloth on top. It is convenient to secure the compression with a scarf or scarf.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercise is the patient's ally in the fight against cervical osteochondrosis. But there is one important thing: gymnastics is contraindicated in acute periods of osteochondrosis. Contrary to the inner belief that acute pain can be relieved by exercise or warming up. Forget about it. In acute stages, the neck must be protected and try not to stress it. Between periods of exacerbations, you can apply gymnastics.
The following exercises are used to treat osteochondrosis:
- flexion and extension of the head;
- circular rotation of the head;
- chin pressure on closed palms. At the same time, the elbows rest on the table;
- pressing the hands on the front of the head;
- put your head on your chest and hold it on top with your hands on the back of your head. Lightly press on the occipital region and at the same time try to return the head to a normal position;
- pressing the 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 all movements that involve pressing the hands on the head, the head simultaneously collides, as if leaning against the pressure. Movements should not be sudden or jerky.
Perform the exercises after a light warm-up, rotational and circular movements of the neck. The exercises will easily stimulate the muscle layer and prepare the spine for gymnastics.
Do not exhaust yourself with exercises - if you feel tired, stop and rest your joints.
Massage for osteochondrosis
High-quality therapeutic massage is the best assistant in reducing unpleasant symptoms of osteochondrosis. It is important that the massage is done by a person who is trained for it and will not harm the spine. The massage must be performed in a course, each session at a certain time. It is important that the procedures take place in a calm, relaxed state.
Massage is not performed if the patient has oncopathology, an active phase of the infectious process, pathology of the cardiovascular system, aneurysms, hypertension.
What effect does massage have on osteochondrosis of the cervical spine? Reduces muscle tone, relieves spasms, improves microcirculation, removes pain and discomfort. Also, during the massage, the patient rests, relaxes and has a beneficial effect on the whole body.
Neck massage 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. First, the patient feels the force of pressure and controls it, and secondly, he feels the most problematic area and pays increased attention to it. It is necessary to caress the skin gently, you can do it with the tips of the fingers, the edge of the palm. You can also grasp the skin and pinch the muscles - this stimulates them and improves microcirculation.
Prevention
Prevention of osteochondrosis is primary, which aims to ensure that the disease does not appear at all, and secondary, which reduces the risk of complications and improves the patient's condition. Preventive measures affect the spine directly and indirectly, through the general condition of the organism.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine consists of the following components:
- a complete diet that includes the required amount of fat, protein 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 the balance of mineral metabolism, improves the condition of bone and cartilage tissue;
- Reduce 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 spent 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 any reason, take small walks and exercises, change the position of the body;
- limit physical activity that targets the cervical region;
- wear comfortable shoes that make the position of the body comfortable and convenient;
- wear corrective devices if recommended by your doctor. Corsets or various prostheses;
- 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 worried about the symptoms, you need to start treatment immediately so that osteochondrosis does not start and does not lead to complications.