Pain appears when you don't expect it.Even the most confident person in such cases can become confused and scared.The cause of pain is usually osteochondrosis.How is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine treated at home and how effective will the treatment be?Let's find out more.
What is osteochondrosis?
Official medical sources interpret osteochondrosis as a degenerative disease that affects the intervertebral disc, affecting the adjacent vertebrae and joints.The elasticity of the intervertebral joint is affected and the disc becomes thinner.It is necessary to understand how metabolic and nutritional processes occur in the intervertebral discs.This structural element is formed by cartilaginous tissue;There are no blood vessels here.Nutrition occurs diffusely, like a bomb.When pressure is applied, a lubricating fluid is released and then reabsorbed.If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appears, physiotherapy, massage and the entire range of therapeutic techniques should be prescribed as quickly as possible.
What changes occur in the spine and its symptoms.
The following processes occur in the affected joint:
- the nucleus pulposus of the disc loses physiological moisture;
- the cartilage loses its shape;
- loses elasticity;
- changes color;
- dries up;
- turns yellow;
- loses damage resistance.
The consequence of this is a violation of the synchrony of movement in adjacent segments of the spine, pinching of the nerve roots.The main symptoms of degenerative changes will be pain, limited mobility and some forms of paresthesia (“tingling”, tingling).
All these changes suggest the presence of osteochondrosis.We will talk more about how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or any other spine is treated.
Why does osteochondrosis occur?
The causes of the disease include everything that disrupts the nutrition of the disc:
- Stagnation caused by static charges.
- Prolonged retention of unfavorable positions, especially sitting.There is a good proverb: "If you can stand, do not sit; if you can lie down, do not stand."
- Traumatic effects on the end plates, fibers of the annulus fibrosus.
The most common reasons include unbalanced nutrition, physical inactivity and insufficient development of the deep muscles that form the muscular corset.The stability of the spine is due to the complex interaction of the bone, muscle and nerve structures of the skeleton.The abdominal and back muscles are antagonists and balance each other.Therefore, the postulate “movement is life” remains more relevant than ever.Exercises can effectively influence osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Exercise therapy is used both in the clinic and at home.Since the spine consists of several sections, the disease can occur in any of them.The cervical and lumbar regions are the most affected.
How does cervical osteochondrosis manifest?
Manifestations of osteochondrosis of various localizations are combined into syndromes:
- cervicalgia syndrome (impaired mobility of the shoulder joint, pain of various types);
- cervicocranialgia (pain in the back of the head, neck discomfort, tinnitus, dizziness, palpitations, nausea may occur);
- cervicobrachialgia or scapulohumeral syndrome (pain in the neck that spreads to the shoulder and arm).
If you are bothered by severe pain, often at night, with numbness, the diagnosis will most likely be confirmed: osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine.The pain syndrome associated with disorders of this department is called thoracalgia.
Therapeutic exercise at home.
How osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated with medication is described in many reference books.But in most cases, the effect of the drug is short-term.This is where exercise therapy can come to the rescue.
- We lean against the wall and rest our heads on it.We try to press the wall with maximum force for several seconds.Then we relax.
- We sit at the table and rest our elbows on it.We rest our chin on our hands, trying to put pressure on the palms, while we try to tilt our head or turn it to the side.
- Rest your head on your hands at the back of your head.Press them alternately with the back of your head and then relax.Perform several repetitions, holding the position for up to 10 seconds.
- Grab your head with your palms, alternately pressing one hand or the other.
During exacerbations, exercises are performed for no more than 3-4 seconds and with moderate tension.Exercises will help slow down osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Home exercises can be started once you are convinced that they are performed correctly in a medical facility.
Massage without the help of a professional
If the diagnosis of "osteochondrosis of the cervical spine" is confirmed, massage will be one of the necessary treatment methods.In this case, this is not only a useful procedure, but also irreplaceable.Initially, it is better to take a professional course, and then perform simple techniques at home on your own.These techniques also include the post-static muscle relaxation technique.The peculiarity of the method is the passive stretching of the muscle from a position of overexertion in combination with massage elements.It is necessary to apply the technique after the spasmodic muscles have been warmed up (bath, hot compress, kneading, stroking).
When using self-massage, the same techniques are used as in professional massage.These are stroking, kneading, acupressure, patting, shaking.The massage is performed with warm, warm hands.To improve gliding, use massage oil.The sequence of techniques is as follows:
- caressing;
- trituration;
- kneading;
- vibrations (claps, shakes).
Influencing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the massage begins and ends with stroking.
A little manual therapy
- We sat in a high-backed chair.We put our heads together with our hands and place our thumbs on the cheekbones (more precisely, on the mounds under the eye sockets).We raise our eyes, breathe and press the back of the head with our fingers.We hold the position for up to a quarter of a minute, then, as we exhale, we lean back on the chair and relax the neck muscles, tilting our head down.We repeat the technique several times.Then we surround the neck with our fingers, closer to its upper part, and tilt our head forward a little.We press our fingers at the base of the skull, making a slow rotating movement with them.Gradually lower your fingers lower and lower, getting closer to the trapezius muscle.In the following manipulations you can see how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated using manual therapy.
- Lie on your back, lowering your shoulders as much as possible.Place the hand on the painful side under your buttock, palm facing up.Place your other hand under your head, holding the back of your head and tilting your head in the opposite direction of the problem.As you inhale, press your head against your fingers for 15 seconds.As you exhale, relax and pull your head a little harder, stretching the sore muscle.
A set of measures for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely overcome osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Treatment at home or in a medical center must be comprehensive.This includes the use of:
- pain relievers;
- muscle relaxants that help relieve muscle spasms;
- drugs with chondroprotective effects;
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- balanced diet.
After studying the medical literature, certain conclusions can be drawn about how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated, but doing without professionally prescribed treatment is a crime against health.