The pain appears when you do not expect it. Even the most confident person in such cases can become confused and frightened. The cause of the pain syndrome is often osteochondrosis. How is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine treated at home and how effective will the treatment be? Learn more.
What is osteochondrosis
Official medical sources treat osteochondrosis as a degenerative disease that affects the intervertebral disc involving adjacent vertebrae and joints. Violated the elasticity of the intervertebral articulation - and the disc is thinner. It is necessary to understand how nutrition and metabolic processes occur in the intervertebral discs. This structural element is formed by a cartilaginous tissue, there are no blood vessels here. Power is diffusely like a pump. When moving on the pressure, a lubricating fluid is released, and then it is again absorbed. If there is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, exercise therapy, massage and the whole complex of treatment techniques should be appointed as soon as possible.
What changes occur in the spine and their symptoms
The following processes occur in the affected joint:
- the pulpous core of the disc loses its physiological moisture;
- the cartilage loses its shape;
- loses its elasticity;
- changes color;
- it dries up;
- turns yellow;
- loses its resistance to damage.
The consequence of this is a violation of synchronism of movement in neighboring segments of the spine, infringement of the nerve roots. The main symptoms of degenerative changes are pain, limitation of mobility, some forms of paresthesia( "crawling," tingling).
All these changes allow us to speak about the presence of osteochondrosis. How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or any other, we will talk further.
Why there is an osteochondrosis
To the causes of the disease can be attributed all that disrupts the power of the disk:
- Stagnant phenomena caused by static loads.
- Prolonged retention of unfavorable positions, especially sedentary. There is a good proverb: "If you can stand up - do not sit, if you can lie down - do not stand."
- Traumatic effects on the closure plates, fibers of the fibrous ring.
Common causes include unbalanced nutrition, inactivity, inadequate development of deep muscles that form a muscular corset. Stability of the spine is due to the complex interaction of bone, muscle and nerve structures of the skeleton. The muscles of the abdomen and back are antagonists, balancing each other. Therefore, the postulate "movement is life" remains relevant as ever. Exercises can effectively affect the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. LFK is used both in a clinic and at home. Since the spine consists of several departments, the disease can occur in any of them. Often subjected to the cervical and lumbar parts.
How is osteochondrosis of the cervical department of
? The manifestations of osteochondrosis of different localization are combined into syndromes:
- cervicalgia syndrome( impairment of the shoulder joint, pain of a different nature);
- cervicocranylgia( pain in the occipital part of the head, discomfort in the neck, tinnitus, dizziness, palpitations, nausea);
- cervicobrahialgia or shoulder-scapular syndrome( pain in the neck, flowing into the shoulder and arm).
If you are worried about the painful nature, often at night, with numbness, most likely, the diagnosis is confirmed - osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine. The pain syndrome associated with violations of this department is called thoracalgia.
Therapeutic physical training at home
How osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated with medical preparations is described in many reference books. But in most cases, the effect of medication is short-lived. Here LFK can come to the rescue.
1. We get to the wall and rest against it with the back of the head. We try to press the wall with maximum force for several seconds. Then we relax.
2. We sit down to the table, we put elbows on it. We lean our chins on our hands, trying to put pressure on our palms, while trying to tilt our head or turn it to the side.
3. Lean your head against the hands that lie on the back of your head. Alternately, then press them on the back of your neck, then relax. Carry out several repetitions with a hold of up to 10 seconds.
4. Grasp the head with your hands, alternately pressing it on one or the other hand.
During exacerbations, the exercises are performed with a duration of no more than 3-4 seconds, and with moderate stress. Classes will slow down the osteochondrosis of the cervical region. Exercises at home can begin after you are convinced of the correctness of their performance in a medical institution.
Massage without the help of a professional
If the diagnosis of "osteochondrosis of the cervical spine" was confirmed, the massage will be one of the necessary treatment methods. In this case it is not only useful, but also indispensable procedure. Initially, it is better to pass a professional course, and then perform simple house techniques yourself. Such methods include the technique of poststatic muscle relaxation. A special feature of the method is the passive stretching of the muscle from the overvoltage position in combination with the massage elements. Apply the technique is necessary after spasmed muscles are warmed( bath, hot compress, kneading, stroking).
The self-massage method uses the same techniques as in the professional one. This is stroking, kneading, pinpointing, tapping, shaking. Massage is performed with warm, warm hands. Use a massage oil to improve the slip. The sequence of techniques is as follows:
- stroking;
- grinding;
- kneading;
- vibration( slapping, shaking).
By acting on the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, massage begins and ends with stroking.
Some manual therapy
1. We sit down on a chair with a high back. Hands are clasped around the head, laying the thumbs on the cheekbones( more precisely, on the hillocks under the eye sockets).We lift our eyes upwards, inhale and press the back of the head with your fingers. We hold up to a quarter of a minute, then on exhalation we recline back in the chair and relax the muscles of the neck, tilting our head down. We repeat the reception several times. Then we wrap our fingers around the neck, closer to its upper part, slightly tilt the head forward. We press our fingers into the base of the skull, producing a slow rotational motion. Gradually we lower the fingers lower and lower, approaching the trapezius muscle. How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with the help of manual therapy, can be seen in the following manipulations.
2. Lay down on his back, pulling his shoulders down as far as possible. Put your hand on the affected side under the buttock with your palm up. Place your second hand under your head, wrapping your head and tilting your head in the direction opposite to the problem. Breathing in, for 15 seconds, press your head on your fingers. Exhaling, relax and pull your head slightly more, stretching the aching muscle.
Complex of measures for the treatment of osteochondrosis
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely defeat the osteochondrosis of the cervical region. Treatment at home or in a medical facility should be comprehensive. This includes the use of:
-anesthesia drugs;
- muscle relaxants, facilitating the removal of muscle spasm;
- preparations with chondroprotective action;
- physiotherapy procedures;
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- a balanced diet.
Having studied the medical literature, it is possible to draw certain conclusions about how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but treating without professionally prescribed treatment is a crime directed against one's health.