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 quality of life of the patient and improve his performance.
Fundamentals of treatment of 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 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 concomitant pathology. Especially it is necessary to exclude contraindications to some methods of treatment. This applies to folk methods and physiotherapy.
A marker of improvement is the reduction of pain syndromes, the restoration of range of motion, the elimination of violations of motor and sensory functions, and the restoration of working capacity.
It should be remembered that there are conditions of osteochondrosis in which the patient is shown hospitalization 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
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 for the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- Analgesics.They are used for severe pain in the spine, limited mobility.
- Sedative drugs.Used for severe arousal caused by a painful attack. Apply at night.
- Muscle relaxants.They resist the tension of the muscles located along the spinal column, eliminate the feeling of tension and squeezing.
- Non-steroid drugs.Used to relieve swelling, inflammation, spasm. They are among the cyclooxygenase inhibitors that are most appropriate for this condition.
- local preparations.Ointments and creams are used to alleviate the condition. They can be a derivative 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.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 with high intensity. They are necessary in order to resume the patient's motor activity 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 tablet and injection forms of release.
All drugs should be used strictly according to the scheme, in accordance with body weight, age, comorbidities. Improving 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 osteochondrosis of the 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;
- fat of animal origin;
- mint leaves;
- cabbage leaves.
You can use components infused with alcohol. 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 1: 1 ratio. 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 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, dry raspberries and lingonberries, 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 from them.
The action of such drugs:
- reduced inflammation;
- stimulation of the elimination of toxins and waste substances from tissues;
- stimulation of venous outflow and outflow of lymph.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with decoctions should be regular. The fact of the matter 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 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 refrigerator between meals. The broth is best poured into a clean glass dish when it is stored in the cold.
General effects of herbal decoctions - soothing osteochondrosis, increasing immune defense, 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, worsen the state of blood flow. You should also abandon other bad habits that nullify all healing efforts.
The desired length of the course of admission is 20-30 days. You can take a break for a few weeks, then change the composition and take another decoction. Alternate anti-inflammatory and soothing, pain-relieving components.
Ointments for home treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck
The use of ointments with drugs has several aspects. On the one hand, this is an excellent treatment method that does not require special skills, such as when 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 - 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 additional, along with tablets or injections. Therefore, do not be surprised if you expected instant action from the ointment, but received a weak result.
Local ointments are used, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, reduce pain, and reduce tissue swelling.
Ointments may have a warming effect. Much more effective, as it really acts locally, on the vessels located next 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 to clean skin, it is better to do this before going to bed. Make sure that it is completely absorbed into the skin, hold the place where the drug was applied without clothes so that the ointment does not absorb into the fabric. It is best to apply gels and creams when you are at rest, especially before bed 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, applied to the painful area. On top, you can apply a layer of polyethylene film and warm fabric. It is convenient to fix the compress with a scarf or neckerchief.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercise is 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 the internal belief that acute pain can be relieved with exercise or warm-ups. Forget about it. In acute phases, the neck must be protected and try not to load. 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 clasped palms. At the same time, the elbows rest on the table;
- pressing hands on the frontal part of the head;
- bring your head to your chest and hold it on top with your hands at the back of your head. Lightly press on the occipital region and at the same time try to return the head to its normal position;
- pressing hands on the head from the sides.
All movements must be performed smoothly and accurately, they should not bring 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.
With any movements that involve pressing the hands on the head, the head at the same time makes a confrontation, as if relying on pressure. Movements should not be jerky or abrupt.
Carry out exercises after a light warm-up, rotational and circular movements of the neck. Exercises will easily stimulate the muscle layer and prepare the spine for gymnastics.
Do not exhaust yourself with exercises - if you feel tired, then you should stop and give your joints a rest.
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 who is trained in this and will not harm the spine. Massage must be carried out in a course, each session at the designated time. Procedures are important to take place in a calm, relaxed state.
Massage is not performed if the patient has oncopathology, the active phase of the infectious process, the pathology of the cardiovascular system, aneurysms, hypertension.
What effect does massage have on osteochondrosis of the cervical spine? It reduces muscle tone, relieves spasms, improves microcirculation, eliminates pain and discomfort. Also, the patient rests during the massage, relaxes and benefits the whole body.
Massage of the collar zone 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 relaxation of muscle tissue.
The most 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, and secondly, he feels the most problematic area and applies increased attention to it. It is necessary to gently stroke the skin, you can do it with the 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, which is aimed at ensuring that the disease does not occur at all, 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 condition 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 fresh quality products, without preservatives and chemical additives;
- normal drinking regime. A sufficient amount of water maintains a 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;
- 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 is 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 braces;
- pay attention to 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 concerned about the symptoms, you must immediately begin treatment so that osteochondrosis does not start and does not lead to complications.