Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home are based on self-healing methods. This method consists of proper patient action and support of the body's self-healing function to restore nerve and vascular disorders in the cervical spine.
In less advanced and less severe cases, patients can naturally relieve pain in the spine, muscle cramps, dizziness and other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in a natural way without medication. However, for this it is necessary to know the structure and natural purpose of the spine well and remember that our body is a self-healing system that exists according to certain laws of the Universe.
Role of the Spine
Before considering the topic: "Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment at home", it is logical to think of the question: "What role does the spine play in our lives? "
The spine is the skeleton of our skull. The head, torso, upper and lower limbs are supported on it. In other words, it is the spine that gives our body the shape we normally see.
In the spine there are strong connective tissue ligaments and many large and small muscles that hold our body upright, and important internal organs in certain places along the spinal space.
The normal function of our internal organs and all body tissues is provided by a large number of nerve fibers through the transmission of nerve impulses from the lateral parts of the spinal cord.
The spinal cord is located in the "sheath" of the spinal canal that is protected and flexible from external influences. The roots of the spinal cord appear through the intervertebral foramen vertebrae. In the early part, they are covered with discs and bone structure. The intervertebral disc consists of the cartilaginous plates located above and below, the fibrosus annulus and the nucleus pulposus. The thickness of the disc in the cervical vertebrae is very small - only 4 mm.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
A healthy, intact intervertebral disc serves as a shock absorber for various loads on the spine (compression, stretching). If, as a result of sudden movement, excessive load, prolonged incorrect posture, spinal cord injury or inflammatory process, damaged discs, compressed vertebral arteries, passing through the vertebral opening and nerve plexus leaving the spinal cord.
The number of electrical impulses from the spinal cord to organs and tissues decreases, the metabolic process slows down. This causes the disease of certain organs, as well as the cause of aging of the body.
Symptoms
This explains the many symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis, which include pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder straps, heart, liver, and stiff neck, back of the head, weakness of the arms, legs, and vascular disorders.
The manifestation of this disease depends on the location of the disc lesion and vertebral displacement, as well as on the area protected by the compressed nerve plexus.
Therefore, the health of our body depends on the health of the spine.
Self-healing treatment
Just wanted to warn you that the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is determined by a neurologist or chiropractor based on the results of a comprehensive medical examination.
When a diagnosis is made, and there is no acute time with swelling and inflammation at the site of the intervertebral disc lesion, self-healing methods can be used.
Core method:
- in proper patient action, aimed at eliminating the symptoms of osteochondrosis - compression, displacement of the spinal and vascular structures of the spinal cord in connection with destructive changes in the intervertebral disc;
- in supporting the function of the self-healing body that can regulate itself to restore nerve and vascular disorders in the cervical spine.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, independently acting on the cause of the disease, can be found in the article of the same name.
It is not impossible to eliminate the cause of the disease - deformity of the intervertebral disc, however, you can learn to relax the cervical spine and stretch the neck bone gently to relieve pressure on nerve roots and blood vessels, thus relieving compression symptoms.
Self-healing methods require personal desire, perseverance, self-discipline and a willingness to gradually change your body posture, treat your spine, relax and stretch your neck every morning and evening, and develop your own system for treating cervical osteochondrosis. .
At the same time, always remember that your body is a highly organized self-healing system that lives by natural laws. Failure to do so occurs when you violate this law, no matter what, because you do not care, or do not want to comply with it.
Principles of Method
Before proceeding with the method of self-healing with the help of therapeutic exercises, it is necessary to observe some natural principles of this method.
- It is well known that in order to relax a muscle well, you must first stretch it. Therefore, many therapeutic exercises are developed by manual therapists based on the principle of tension - spasmodic muscle relaxation.
- Another principle is the physiological pattern of combined tension - muscle relaxation with the respiratory phase. Breathing is tension, and breathing is relaxation. If these principles are followed, the exercises performed will contribute to the proper functioning of the circulatory system, and will not interfere with the regulation of nerve processes.
Personal healing system
First, I will share my own healing system for cervical osteochondrosis.
In addition to "tortoise" exercises and shoulder belt relaxation, sitting ("How to treat cervical spine osteochondrosis"), which not only relaxes the muscles in the neck and shoulders, but also raises the healing power of the body, normalizing the energy supply of all cellsand organs, I use another position - relaxation of the neck muscles.
However, I would like to warn you to be careful when doing this pose! Remember - in the cervical spine there are vertebral arteries and plexus nerves that enter the brain!
Because in my case, the 5th, 6th, and 7th cervical vertebral discs are deformed, in case of pain and tension in the neck, as well as headaches, ringing in the ears, I use the following poses:
- I lay on my back, on the bed with my head towards the tip of my foot (which was without my back). I slowly lowered my head as I exhaled until my seventh cervical vertebrae were located on the edge of the mattress. So my head hung under the weight, my neck bent and relaxed, my chin up. This hanging position should be short - only a few seconds from 5 to 10.
Feeling uncomfortable, or counting to 10, I slowly began to "crawl" on the bed while breathing, without lifting the back of my head off the bed, holding my side with my hands.
You must not raise your head sharply from a "hanging" position!
Only the head crawls slowly to the bed and stretches the neck while releasing the trapped blood vessels and nerves, relieving pain in the neck and head.
After this position, you should lie down in a relaxed position for a few minutes.
Stretching of the neck vertebrae helps lower cervical vertebral deformities.
Relieves headaches and other symptoms
If symptoms are dominated by a headache that arises suddenly in one half of the head, sometimes with nausea, this indicates a disturbance in the articulation of the skull with the cervical vertebra 1 at the exit of the occipital nerve that serves half of the head on each side. Therefore, when the occipital nerve is pinched on one side, there is pain in this part of the head.
Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders against the background of headaches are observed due to violations of nerve fibers running from the spinal cord of the 2nd cervical vertebrae to the brainstem.
In case of disturbances in the first and second vertebral areas, postural therapy for muscle relaxation is also effective. Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Honorary Doctor of the Russian Federation Anatoly Boleslavovich Sitel in his book "Solo for the Spine" suggests the following position to relieve headaches.
- Sit in a chair. But at the same time, keep your torso straight. Tilt the head forward while exhaling until it "hangs" under the influence of its weight. So hold your head for about 10 seconds. Then, while inhaling, lift and rest for half a minute. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Gentle Exercise
With cervical spine osteochondrosis, symptoms and treatment at home, you can use the following two gentle exercises to relax the cervical muscles in the event of cramps and pain.
You need to sit on a chair, straighten your body. Place your hands on your knees. Legs parallel to each other. Relaxed pose, calm breathing.
Inhale and lower your head, touch the sternum with your chin, while pulling the back of your head up. Hold for a few seconds in this position. Then exhale slowly, lifting your head and shoulders. Perform 5-7 of these therapeutic exercises.
The starting position for the second exercise is the same as the first. From a sitting position, lie with your body on your feet, head on your knees. While inhaling, slowly lift your head, while exhaling, lower. Repeat 5-7 times.
During exercise, the neck muscles begin to tense, then relax more easily and quickly.
All exercises should be done slowly and smoothly, that is, you can not do sudden movements, no need to rush, can not experience intense tension or pain. Once you feel uncomfortable, stop exercising and try to relax and unwind.
Local solution
At home, in addition to therapeutic exercises to relax and stretch the cervical vertebrae, you can relieve tension and a little pain in the neck with manual massage or with the help of a masseur (after consulting a doctor), as well as topical methods - thermal procedures(tincture, rubbing, compresses, baths).
However, it should be noted that thermal procedures can be dangerous if there is severe pain and inflammation in the affected spinal area, as it increases arterial blood flow and slows venous outflow, therefore, they cause worsening symptoms, improve tastepain and swelling of tissues.
For local application to spasmodic muscles, the following newly prepared solutions are used: 15 ml of Dimexide, 15 ml of novocaine 0, 5-1% and 4-6 ml of 50% analgin solution poured into a cup, in which gauze napkins are dipped, folded in 4 layers. The size of the napkin should be appropriate to the painful area.
Wet wipes are rubbed on the appropriate area (the skin is treated with alcohol), covered with cellophane and repaired. This procedure takes 1-1. 5 hours.
Compresses are performed daily for 4-6 days. If redness occurs, it is recommended to replace Dimexide compress with liniment or Dimexide ointment.
Adhering to a proper diet is very important in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Prevention
Dear reader, remember that our body is a self-regulating biological system, which, if our posture is wrong, signifies pain or discomfort.
Take care of your spine! Do not jump out of bed! First, turn to your side and, leaning on your elbow, rise smoothly.
Do not lift weights in front of you, and do not lift with one hand! It is better to carry a load with a symmetrical load on both hands (for women - no more than 5 kg in each hand, for men - no more than 12 kg in each hand). And you have to lift the load, sit a little.
Do not do homework or dacha work, by bending upside down! Washing the floor and sweeping the bed can be done on the knees or with the help of a long tool.