Osteochondrosis can develop in any part of the spine, but most often it affects the neck and lower back.This disease is inflammatory-dystrophic in nature and proceeds, as a rule, in a chronic form.Cervical osteochondrosis is more often diagnosed in women, while men are more prone to osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
General description
Most people spend their day in a sitting position: at school, institute, office, driving a car or at home at the computer.Over time, many begin to feel discomfort first, and then soreness after a long sitting.Passing the posture, a stoop appears, it is difficult to straighten or turn.
So 1 is manifested, the initial stage of osteochondrosis, in which it is easiest to cope with the disease.If you do not take measures, then in the future it threatens to go into a chronic form with regular exacerbations.In some cases, the case ends with disabilities.
Reference: on osteochondrosis of the cervical spine accounts for 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, pain can spread to the shoulder, forearm or the whole hand.Headaches, pressure surges are characteristic;
- Sensitivity disorder, mainly in brushes and fingers.Possible numbness, a burning sensation or crawling goosebumps;
- a decrease in the strength and tone of the muscles on the side of the lesion, sometimes - muscle twitching and convulsions;
- increasing sweating, changing skin color - pale, redness;
- chest pain;
- The vertebral artery syndrome occurs when one of the two arteries is pinched, which is accompanied by severe headaches, noise in the ears, nausea, dizziness, and less often - a violation of swallowing.
There are no medicines that can completely eliminate the cause of osteochondrosis.But you can get rid of its symptoms and prevent possible relapses using the simplest methods.
What is treated chondrosis
In the acute phase, rarely anyone can do without painkillers.The most popular and effective are inexpensive agents based on sodium metamizole, as well as NSAIDs - non -steroidal anti -inflammatory.
With severe pain, the attending physician can prescribe analgesics in injections, but more often they are prescribed in tablets and complemented with ointments.Complex therapy also includes physiotherapy, massage and exercise therapy.Massage sessions and therapeutic gymnastics usually begin after stopping acute symptoms.
What can you do at home yourself
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is a prerequisite in which most doctors insist.It is impossible to cope with the drugs and physiotherapy for the disease alone, they only temporarily eliminate the symptoms.The period of remission allows regular, dosed motor activity, the use of self -massage techniques, therapeutic compresses and strengthening infusions.
With the exact follow -up of the instructions and the implementation of medical recommendations, impressive results can be achieved.Conducting self -massage significantly saves finances, the use of decoctions and infusions of herbs instead of some drugs reduces the negative effect of medicines on the body.
Home therapy, like traditional treatment, helps to quickly stop the pain syndrome, normalize cerebral circulation, and establish a dream.With the help of available products, you can remove nervousness and irritability, stabilize blood pressure, restore the normal sensitivity of the cervical-brotheral region.
Exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercises are included in the main standard for the treatment of neck chondrosis and selected by LFK instructor.The first 1-2 classes are held in a clinic or a health center, and then the patient can train at home.
Exercise 1. IP (starting position) - standing, legs shoulder -width apart.Tilt your head to the right, left, forward and back.All movements should be slow and smooth, you should take your head back especially carefully, without throwing it sharply.
Exercise 2. From the same IP, perform turns of the head to the sides.At the extreme point, direct your eyes behind your back.Sometimes it is not possible to open your head very much, and it is not worth forceing the events.Over time, the “block”, limiting movements, will disappear.
Exercise 3. Take your shoulders back, mining the shoulder blades as much as possible.Linger in this position for a few seconds, then take your shoulders forward and round your back.The movement is like a well -known “cat”, but is done in a standing position.
Another effective complex consists of the following exercises:
- Standing or sitting, put your palms on your forehead and press your head on them, overcoming the resistance of your hands.Keep this position 15-20 seconds.
- Putting the brushes on the back of the head, press the back of the head in his arms, and with your hands on the back of the head.
- Put your palm on the right ear and carry out mutual pressure, trying to bow your head to the right shoulder.Then change the direction and tilt your head to the left shoulder, holding the left hand on the left ear.
- The heads of the head to the sides are performed by putting the palm on the left or right cheekbone.First, the brush lies on the right cheekbone, and the head tries to turn to the right, overcoming the resistance of the hand.Then the palm lies on the left cheek, and the head turns to the left.Pressure time is 15-20 seconds.
- Grasp the lower part of the head so that the thumbs are on the chin, and the rest are on the back of the head.Carefully pull the head up, it is allowed to make swaying from side to side by the type of "stretching the cork from the bottle."It is impossible to turn the head, the spine in the cervical region should be straightened.The duration of the exercise is 15-20 seconds.
- Draw your hands to the sides and first rotate with the left, then right, and then with both shoulders.This exercise is especially useful for those who feel the tension in the cervical zone.
- Standing or sitting with a straight back, “roll” the head from left to right and in the opposite direction, tilting it as down as possible at the middle point and trying to get the chest with a chin.The number of repetitions is 10-12.
The given complex is not necessary to perform the whole if some exercises cause pain and severe discomfort.In agreement with the doctor, you can additionally hang on a horizontal bar or crossbar, engage in swimming, aquaerobics and other permitted sports.
Self -massage
Self -massage helps to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home.Thanks to soft pressure, salt deposits are prevented on the neck, blood supply and tissue nutrition improves, and the intensity of pain decreases.During the procedure, muscles relax, metabolic processes accelerate, blood pressure stabilizes.
If desired, you can visit the masseur in the clinic or do procedures at home.However, it is convenient to massage the neck yourself, having studied the basic techniques and determining those points that need to be worked out.It is also important to know which zones it is better to avoid or act carefully on them.
The massage technique is quite simple, and it is quite realistic to master it.Basic rules are:
- direction of movements - from the center to the periphery, that is, from the spinal column to the shoulders and the back of the head;
- Massage the cervical zone is allowed only with the help of fingers, without the use of any devices;
- Strong pressure is excluded: you need to act delicately and gently;
- The muscles of the back and side parts of the neck are stroking, rubbed and kneaded;
- massage is carried out in a sitting position;
- The session begins with stroking, continues with rubbing and kneading movements, ends also with stroking;
- The duration of the procedure is 5-10 minutes.
In the absence of contraindications and approval of the attending physician, you can use the Kuznetsov applicator.This affordable device is a fabric roller or an oilcloth base with convex elements - round or square studded plates.
It is easy to use the applicator - just put it under the head and lie down on it.Soft needles dig into the skin, enhancing blood flow and affecting biologically active dots of the neck.The duration of the procedure begins in several minutes and gradually increases.
First aid for exacerbation
If the cervical firefight arose suddenly, a visit to a doctor or a specialist call to the house will be an ideal solution.If help is delayed, it is necessary to take a number of measures to relieve pain and protect the vertebrates from probable damage.
Convenient position
First of all, it is necessary to provide the cervical department with peace and limit (it is better to exclude) motor activity as much as possible.You should lie on an even and moderately tough bed or a thick blanket on the floor.Too hard coating like a bare plank floor or air feather beds will not fit.
In acute pain in the neck caused by osteochondrosis, it is recommended to put on a chantz collar, which will not let the neck freely move or turn.Due to this, the load on the cervical muscles will decrease, and local blood circulation will improve.
If there is no chantzz collar, you can make a home -made bus and cotton tire, fixing her neck.
Reference: before visiting the doctor, you can not use warm -up grinds and ointments, massage the neck.Such actions in some cases can provoke very unpleasant complications.
Local funds
In the first hours of the attack, it is allowed to apply ice or cold compress, but there must be a layer of fabric or gauze between it and the body.This will avoid hypothermia and enhancement of pain.
It is allowed to use anti -inflammatory and analgesic ointments and gels based on diclofenac, ibuprofen, nimesulide and indomethacin.It is forbidden to use such means as finalgon, Vyrev, capsis, and other drugs with burning components in the composition.
Warring ointments and rubbings have a local-growing effect, enhance blood flow to the neck, which can increase the swelling and compression of the nerve endings.The cervical region needs special caution, since the wrong actions are fraught with a sharp rise in blood pressure.
With exacerbation of osteochondrosis, massage is not carried out due to the risk of increasing pain and reflex muscle cramps.In addition, the cervical vertebrae are hypermobile, and any sloppy movement can aggravate the condition.
Medicines
Medicines will help to fight pain syndrome, however, it should be remembered that the pain is a protective mechanism.With its forcibly elimination, nothing will stop making a sharp movement of the head, which is why the condition will deteriorate.Therefore, after taking an analgesic, a gentle, and better bed rest at least 2-3 days should be observed.
A pronounced pain, which is not amenable to stopping with tablets and intramuscular injections, is removed using a novocaine blockade.This procedure is done strictly in hospital conditions: a local anesthetic is introduced next to the damaged vertebra and blocks pain.Blocks are carried out only according to indications and can give side effects in the form of allergic reactions and infectious complications.
Forbidden actions
A sharp pain in the neck is a good reason for medical consultation and a comprehensive examination.Only after installing an accurate diagnosis is the treatment tactics and the most effective methods in a particular case are determined.
It is categorically impossible to remove pain in any way - for example, to independently try to adjust the displaced vertebra or seek such help to a friend who is not a specialist.Do not take painful drugs in large doses uncontrollably.Even folk remedies can harm if the diagnosis is not yet known.
The correct motor mode is very important: if in the stage of exacerbation of movement should be as limited as possible, then after a few days physical activity must be expanded.Performing exercises from the LFK complex will help improve blood circulation, reduce the intensity of pain and the subsidence of the inflammatory process.In addition, correctly selected exercises will help strengthen the muscle corset that supports the spine.
How to cure osteochondrosis forever
Complex drug treatment consists of drugs of several groups:
- NSAIDs and analgesics during an exacerbation; muscle relaxants for muscle relaxation;
- chondroprotectors that restore the cartilage fabric of the intervertebral discs;
- vitamin-mineral complexes containing vitamins of groups B.
Various ointments, gels and patchmakers are effectively complemented by treatment - for example, a patch of nanoplast.Today in pharmacies there is a large range of local funds that can be used both during the period of exacerbations and at the recovery stage:
- anti -inflammatory;
- chondroprotective;
- Homeopathic.
After the acute symptoms subside, warming agents can be used.
Folk methods
A honey-cartel compress is made of raw grated potatoes and honey.Both components are taken in equal quantities, mixed and laid out on fabric or gauze.The compress is applied to the neck for about 45 minutes.The procedure is carried out twice a week.
Wax or paraffin must be melted and applied to a sore spot, avoiding entering the spine itself.It is recommended to make such applications once every two days.
Knead the dough from the water and rye flour to the middle density, roll out the cake and attach it to the neck.Before applying, grease the skin with turpentine.Close the compress with polyethylene and warm fabric, keep it until a burning sensation, but no more than 15 minutes.The procedure can be carried out every other day.
Herbal collection for oral administration is prepared from the following ingredients taken in equal proportions:
- chamomiles;
- yarrow;
- St. John's wort;
- calendulas;
- thyme;
- Dandelion leaves.
2 tbsp.l.Brew the mixtures in a thermos, filling it with a liter of boiling water.Take 3 times a day before eating ¼ cup.
Thus, at home, you can do a lot to get rid of such an unpleasant illness as osteochondrosis.When performing all medical prescriptions, including taking medications, visiting physi- and massage procedures, performing therapeutic exercises, there is every chance to avoid its progression and prevent relapse.
What to do right now
The statistics are such that more than 45% of people over 35 years old have joint diseases!It all starts small: somewhere they overstrain, somewhere they lifted weights, somewhere just blown his neck.The joint is arranged so that the main problems begin with inflammation of the joint fluid, then the cartilage is softened and as a result - disability.
It is worth remembering one important thing: joint diseases will bring you to a wheelchair in less than 3 years!The disease progresses many times faster if you have overweight, since in this case a double load on the joints occurs.