Regular treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home can reduce the number of exacerbations and increase the intervals between them. In this article, we will tell you how to improve the patient's quality of life and improve their performance.
Basics of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home
The treatment program has several main objectives:
- 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 need to be combined to treat cervical osteochondrosis. Drug therapy, folk remedies, physical education, massage.
They have a variety of effects on the spine and improve its condition and function.
It is advisable to coordinate the treatment with the doctor so that it corresponds to the condition of the body, combined with the treatment of concomitant diseases. In particular, it is necessary to rule out contraindications to some methods of treatment. This applies to folk methods and physiotherapy.
A sign of improvement is a reduction in pain syndromes, restoration of range of motion, elimination of violations of motor and sensory functions, and restoration of working capacity.
It should be remembered that there are states of osteochondrosis in which the patient is hospitalized in a hospital. This is necessary in the event of complications, impaired blood circulation in the tissues of the spine, persistent pain, ineffectiveness of conservative methods.
Medical treatment of pathology
There is no point in medication if you do not eliminate the negative factors that aggravate the disease. First of all, you should create comfortable conditions for the cervical spine and eliminate negative effects on the body.
The following groups of active substances are used to treat osteochondrosis:
- analgesics.They are used for severe pain in the spine, limited mobility.
- tranquilizers.Used for strong excitement caused by a painful seizure. Apply in the evening.
- muscle relaxants.They resist the tension of the muscles along the spine, eliminating the feeling of tightness and pinching.
- Non-Steroidal Drugs.Used to relieve swelling, inflammation and spasms. They are among the cyclooxygenase inhibitors best suited for this condition.
- local preparations.Ointments and creams are used to relieve the condition. They can be a derivative of phenylacetic acid (to reduce symptoms of inflammation) or ointments based on chondroitin, which are used to improve the condition of cartilage.
- Preparations to improve microcirculation.Used to stimulate blood circulation. They increase the supply of oxygen to tissues, restore metabolism and improve venous outflow.
- diuretics.They can be used briefly for decompression (reducing the release of fluid into the intracellular space).
- Medical blockage.They are used in severe pain syndrome of high intensity. They are necessary to resume the patient's motor activity and improve his condition.
- vitamin supplements.B vitamins are used, which improve the functioning of the innervation, restore the structure and function of the roots. You can combine tablet and injection forms of release.
All drugs should be used strictly according to the scheme in accordance with body weight, age and comorbidities. The improvement in the condition after the start of intake is not a reason to cancel the drug, it is necessary to continue the course to the end.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical compresses
Compresses can be used at home for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. This is an effective and simple method of treatment that is easy to use and can be done independently. For compresses, herbal and other medicinal components are used. Depending on the effect on the tissue, there are different types of compresses.
A warm compress relieves pain in the throat area and improves the patient's condition. They are used for severe complaints.
The compress 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:
- small grated potatoes;
- Honey;
- hop cones;
- fat of animal origin;
- mint leaves;
- cabbage leaves.
You can use alcohol-infused components. As an active ingredient, aloe, mustard powder, propolis, elderberry, horseradish root are used. To prepare a tincture, the selected element must be filled with vodka or alcohol, maintaining a 1: 1 ratio. 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 be prepared at home. The following medicinal plants are used: calendula, linden, chamomile, eucalyptus, cinquefoil, currant and raspberry leaves, dried raspberries and cranberries, cinquefoil, coltsfoot, horsetail, Ivan tea. Rose hips, lemon balm, motherwort and valerian are also used in the complex home treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck.
You can combine herbs and use them to make preparations, teas and decoctions.
The action of such drugs:
- reduced inflammation;
- stimulating the elimination of toxins and waste from tissues;
- Stimulating venous drainage and drainage of the lymph.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with decoctions should be regular. The fact is that the effect comes after prolonged use, when useful components accumulate.
A person taking herbal preparations will never complain about an overdose or side effects - plants improve his condition.
Take a decoction 2-3 times a day in a calm state in the morning and before bedtime. It is better to do half an hour before a meal. Store the finished broth for 1-1. 5 days, no longer. It is better to make a new portion and drink a fresh remedy. Keep it in the fridge between meals. The broth is best poured into a clean glass bowl if stored cold.
General effects of herbal decoctions - alleviate osteochondrosis, increase immune protection, antiseptic effect, improve muscle and vascular tone. 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 state of blood flow. You should also give up other bad habits that will frustrate all healing efforts.
The desired duration of the admission course is 20-30 days. You can pause for a few weeks, then change the composition and take another brew. Alternating anti-inflammatory and soothing, pain-relieving ingredients.
Ointments for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck at home
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 when injecting drugs. Ointments are available, easy to use. On the other hand, the drug flow 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 - the vessels located under the skin and subcutaneous tissues, and acts on damaged structures like a conventional drug.
Ointments and gels have an effect, but it is significantly less than with any other dosage form. The method can be used in addition to tablets or injections. Therefore, do not be surprised if you expected an immediate effect from the ointment, but received a weak result.
Local ointments are used that have anti-inflammatory effects, relieve pain and reduce tissue swelling.
Ointments can have a warming effect. Much more effective as it really acts locally on the vessels next to the spine. Ointments dilate the blood vessels, which is accompanied by a feeling of warmth in the skin and muscles. This improves the condition, relieves discomfort and pain, restores motor activity.
Apply the ointment to clean skin, preferably before going to bed. Make sure that it is completely absorbed into the skin, keep the place where the drug was applied without clothes so that the ointment does not penetrate the fabric. It is best to apply gels and creams at rest, especially at bedtime or before bedtime.
You can make a compress based on the ointment. To do this, it is applied to a layer of gauze or bandage, which is applied to the painful area. On top you can put a layer of polyethylene film and a warm cloth. It is convenient to fasten the compress with a scarf or kerchief.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercises are the patient's ally in the fight against cervical osteochondrosis. But there is one important point: gymnastics is contraindicated in acute periods of osteochondrosis. Contrary to internal belief that acute pain can be relieved by exercise or warm-up exercises. Forget it. In acute phases, the neck must be spared and you must try not to strain it. Between exacerbations, you can use gymnastics.
The following exercises are used to treat osteochondrosis:
- flexion and extension of the head;
- circular rotation of the head;
- Chin print on folded palms. At the same time, the elbows rest on the table;
- pressing hands on the front part of the head;
- Bring your head to your chest and hold it up with your hands at the back of your head. Press lightly on the occipital region while trying to return the head to its normal position;
- Press your hands on your head from the sides.
All movements must be performed smoothly and accurately, they should not cause pain or discomfort. You can perform lying movements - raise your head from the floor, bring it to your chest, make light movements with your hands with pressure on the neck and head.
In all movements in which the hands are pressed on the head, the head simultaneously makes a confrontation, as if relying on pressure. Movements should not be jerky or abrupt.
Perform exercises after a slight warm-up, rotating and circular movements of the neck. Exercises slightly stimulate the muscle layer, preparing the spine for gymnastics.
Don't exhaust yourself with exercises - if you feel tired, you should stop and give your joints a rest.
Massage for osteochondrosis
High-quality therapeutic massage is the best helper in reducing the unpleasant symptoms of osteochondrosis. It is important that the massage is performed by a person who is trained in it and does not damage the spine. The massage must be done in one course, each session at the appointed time. It is important that the procedures take place in a calm, relaxed state.
Massage is not performed if the patient has oncopathology, the active phase of the infectious process, pathology of the cardiovascular system, aneurysms, hypertension.
What is the effect of massage on osteochondrosis of the cervical spine? It reduces muscle tone, relieves spasms, improves microcirculation, eliminates pain and discomfort. In addition, the patient rests during the massage, relaxes and does the whole body good.
Massage of the collar zone is the best option for osteochondrosis. You just have to make sure that no pressure is exerted on the spine, but that the surrounding muscles simply warm up. Acupressure is also used. It connects reflex points that interact with each other, resulting in relaxation of muscle tissue.
The optimal option for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home is self-massage. It is convenient to do it yourself. Firstly, the patient feels the force of pressure and controls it, secondly, he feels the most problematic place and pays increased attention to it. It is necessary to gently stroke the skin, you can do this with your fingertips, the edge of the palm. You can also grab the skin and pinch the muscles - this stimulates them and improves microcirculation.
prevention
Prevention of osteochondrosis is primary to ensure that the disease does not appear at all, and secondary, reducing the risk of complications and improving the patient's condition. Preventive measures have a direct and indirect effect on the spine via the general condition of the body.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine consists of the following components:
- a complete diet containing the necessary amount of fats, proteins 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 keeps mineral metabolism in balance, improves the condition of bone and cartilage tissue;
- Minimize the amount of tea and coffee in your diet, as well as alcoholic beverages;
- give up smoking because it leads to narrowing of the arterial vessels;
- normalize body weight;
- Limit the time you spend on your phone, tablet or computer. Take breaks from work if your job requires it. During the working day, try to get up from the table for any reason, do small walks and exercises, change the position of the body.
- limit physical activity directed to the cervical region;
- wear comfortable shoes that make the position of the body comfortable and comfortable;
- Wear corrective devices if recommended by your doctor. corsets or various suspenders;
- watch your sleep. It should be a flat, comfortable surface and ideally an orthopedic mattress.
Do not put off 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 begin and lead to complications.