Regular treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home can reduce the number of exacerbations and prolong the intervals between them. In this article, we will show you how to improve the patient's quality of life and improve their performance.
Fundamentals of treating cervical osteochondrosis at home
The treatment program has several main goals:
- improve well-being;
- increased work capacity;
- minimize the risk of complications;
- prolonging remissions between attacks.
The main principles of successful treatment are punctuality, compliance with the clinical stage and regularity. There are several techniques that should be used in combination for the treatment of 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 advisable to coordinate the treatment with the doctor so that it corresponds to the state of the body, combined with the treatment of the concomitant pathology. Especially it is necessary to exclude contraindications to some methods of treatment. This applies to folk methods and physical therapy.
A marker of improvement is the reduction of painful syndromes, restoration of range of motion, elimination of violations of motor and sensory functions, and restoration of work capacity.
It should be remembered that there are conditions of osteochondrosis in which the patient is hospitalized in a hospital. This is necessary for complications, circulatory disorders in the tissues of the spine, persistent pain, ineffectiveness of conservative methods.
Medical treatment of pathology
Medications are meaningless if you don't remove the negative factors that make the disease worse. To begin with, you must create comfortable conditions for the cervical spine and eliminate negative effects on the body.
The following groups of drugs are used to treat osteochondrosis:
- Painkillers.They are used for severe back pain, limited mobility.
- Sedative drugs.Used for severe excitement caused by a painful attack. Apply at night.
- Muscle relaxants.They resist the tension of the muscles located along the spine, eliminate the feeling of tension and compression.
- Non-steroidal drugs.Used to relieve swelling, inflammation, spasm. They are among the most appropriate cyclooxygenase inhibitors for this condition.
- local preparations.Ointments and creams are used to alleviate the condition. They can be a phenylacetic acid derivative (to reduce inflammatory symptoms) or chondroitin-based ointments, which are used to improve the condition of cartilage.
- Preparations that improve microcirculation.Used to stimulate blood circulation. They increase oxygen delivery to tissues, restore metabolism and improve venous flow.
- Diuretics.They can be used for a short period of time for decompression (reducing the release of fluid into the intracellular space).
- Medical block.They are used for severe pain syndrome with high intensity. They are necessary to resume the patient's motor activity and improve his condition.
- Vitamin preparations.B vitamins are used, which improve the innervation function, restore the structure and function of the roots. You can combine pill and injection release forms.
All drugs must be used strictly according to the schedule, according to body weight, age, comorbidities. Improving the condition after starting use is not a reason to cancel the drug, it is necessary to continue the course to the end.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of cervical compresses
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 compresses. There are different types of compresses, depending on their effect on the tissue.
A warm compress relieves pain in the cervical region and improves the patient's condition. They are used for severe discomfort.
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;
- animal fat;
- mint leaves;
- cabbage leaves.
You can use alcohol-infused components. As an active ingredient, aloe, mustard powder, propolis, elderberry, horseradish root are used. To make a tincture, it is necessary to fill the selected element with vodka or alcohol, observing a ratio of 1: 1. Keep the finished product in the refrigerator and use for compresses.
decoctions
Medicinal decoctions for osteochondrosis are good because they have a complex effect on the body and improve the condition of the patient, and they can be prepared at home. The following medicinal plants are used: calendula, linden, chamomile, eucalyptus, cinquefoil, blackcurrant and raspberry leaves, dried raspberries and blueberries, cinquefoil, coltsfoot, horsetail, Ivan tea. Rose hips, lemon balm, 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 with them.
The action of such drugs:
- reduced inflammation;
- stimulation of the elimination of toxins and waste substances from the tissues;
- stimulation of venous flow and lymphatic flow.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with decoctions should be regular. The fact is that the effect occurs after prolonged use, when the accumulation of useful components occurs.
A person who takes 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 going to bed. It is best to do half an hour before a meal. Store the finished broth for 1-1, 5 days, no more. It is better to make a new serving and drink a fresh remedy. Keep it in the fridge between meals. Broth is best poured into a clean glass dish when stored cold.
General effects of herbal decoctions - soothing osteochondrosis, increasing immune protection, antiseptic effect, improving 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 must also give up other bad habits that nullify all healing efforts.
The desired duration of the admission course is 20-30 days. You can take a break for a few weeks, then change the composition and take another decoction. Alternative anti-inflammatory and soothing and analgesic ingredients.
Ointments for home treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck
The use of drug ointments has several aspects. On the one hand, this is an excellent method of treatment that does not require special skills, as when injecting drugs. Ointments are available, easy to use. But on the other hand, the flow of drugs in 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 that are located under the skin and subcutaneous tissue, and acts on damaged structures like a conventional drug.
Ointments and gels have an effect, but it is much less pronounced than any other form of administration. The method can be used as an add-on along with pills or injections. So don't be surprised if you expected instant action from the ointment, but got a poor result.
Local ointments are used, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, reduce pain and reduce tissue swelling.
Ointments can have a warming effect. Much more effective, as it actually acts locally, in the vessels located close to the spine. Ointments 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 best to do this before going to bed. Make sure it is completely absorbed by the skin, hold the place where the medicine was applied without clothes so that the ointment is not absorbed by the fabric. It is best to apply gels and creams when you are at rest, especially before bed or before bed.
You can make a compress based on the ointment. For this, a layer of gauze or bandage is applied, applied to the painful area. On top, you can apply a layer of polyethylene film and a warm cloth. It is convenient to fix the compress with a scarf or scarf around the neck.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercise is the patient's ally in the fight against cervical osteochondrosis. But there is an important point: gymnastics is contraindicated in acute periods of osteochondrosis. Contrary to the internal belief that acute pain can be relieved with exercise or warm-ups. Forget it. In the acute phases, the neck must be protected and try not to carry it. Between periods of exacerbations, you can apply gymnastics.
The following exercises are used to treat osteochondrosis:
- head flexion and extension;
- circular rotation of the head;
- Chin pressure on the palms. At the same time, the elbows rest on the table;
- pressing the hands on the front of the head;
- bring your head to your chest and hold it up with your hands at the back of your head. Lightly press the occipital region and at the same time try to return the head to its normal position;
- pressing the hands on the head from the sides.
All movements must be performed smoothly and precisely, they must not cause pain or discomfort. You can perform movements lying down - lift your head off the floor, bring it to your chest, make light movements with your hands with pressure on your neck and head.
With any movement that involves pressing the hands to the head, the head at the same time makes a confrontation, as if it is relying on the pressure. Movements should not be jerky or jerky.
Perform exercises after a light warm-up, rotational and circular movements of the neck. The exercises easily stimulate the muscle layer and prepare the spine for gymnastics.
Don't tire yourself out with exercise - if you feel tired, you should stop and rest your joints.
massage for osteochondrosis
High quality therapeutic massage is the best helper to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of osteochondrosis. It is important that the massage is done by a person trained for this and that it does not harm the spine. Massage should be performed in one course, each session at the designated time. The procedures are important to take place in a calm and relaxed state.
Massage is not performed if the patient has oncopathology, active phase of the infectious process, pathology of the cardiovascular system, aneurysms, hypertension.
What effect does massage have on cervical spine osteochondrosis? Reduces muscle tone, relieves spasms, improves microcirculation, eliminates pain and discomfort. In addition, the patient rests during the massage, relaxes and benefits the whole body.
Massage of the collar area 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 simply warm up. Acupressure is also used. It connects reflex points that interact with each other, resulting in muscle tissue relaxation.
The most ideal 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 second, he feels the most problematic area and gives it more attention. It is necessary to gently caress the skin, you can do it with your fingertips, the edge of your palm. You can also grab 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 occur, and secondary, which reduces the risk of complications and improves the patient's condition. Preventive measures act on the spine directly and indirectly, through the general state of the body.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine consists of the following components:
- a complete diet that includes the necessary amount of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It is also desirable to give preference to quality fresh products, without preservatives and chemical additives;
- normal consumption regime. A sufficient amount of water maintains the balance of mineral metabolism, improves the condition of bone and cartilage tissue;
- Minimize the amount of tea and coffee in your diet, as well as alcoholic beverages;
- stop smoking, because it leads to narrowing of the 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 workday, try to get up from the table for any reason, take short walks and exercises, change your body position;
- limiting physical activity directed to the cervical region;
- wear comfortable shoes that make the body position comfortable and comfortable;
- use corrective devices if recommended by your physician. Corsets or various suspenders;
- pay attention to your sleep. It should be a flat, comfortable surface and ideally an orthopedic mattress.
Do not delay treatment until later - your health depends on when treatment starts. If you are concerned about the symptoms, you should immediately start treatment so that osteochondrosis does not start and does not lead to complications.