Pain appears when you don't expect it. Even the most confident person in such cases can become confused and afraid. Often the cause of pain syndrome is 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 with the involvement of the vertebrae and adjacent joints. The elasticity of the intervertebral joint is impaired - and the disc becomes thinner. It is necessary to understand how nutrition and metabolic processes occur in the intervertebral discs. This structural element is formed of cartilage tissue, there are no blood vessels here. The power is diffuse, like a pump. When moving for compression, a lubricating fluid is released and then absorbed again. If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops, exercise therapy, massage and all therapeutic techniques should be prescribed as soon as possible.
What changes occur in the spine and their symptoms
The following processes occur in the affected joint:
- the nucleus pulposus of the disc loses its physiological moisture;
- cartilage loses its shape;
- loses its elasticity;
- changes color;
- to dry;
- turns yellow;
- loses its resistance to damage.
The consequence is a violation of the synchronization of movements in the adjacent segments of the spine, a violation of the nerve roots. The main symptoms of degenerative changes will be pain, limitation of mobility, certain forms of paresthesia ("crawling", tingling).
All of these changes suggest the presence of osteochondrosis. How osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or any other treatment is treated, we will talk about it later.
Why does osteochondrosis occur?
The causes of the onset of the disease include anything that disrupts the potency of the disc:
- Congestion caused by static charges.
- Prolonged maintenance of unfavorable positions, in particular sitting. There is a good saying: "If you can stand - don't sit, if you can lie down - don't stand. "
- Traumatic effects on the endplates, fibers of the fibrous ring.
Common reasons include an unbalanced diet, physical inactivity, insufficient development of the deep muscles that form the muscle corset. The stability of the spine is due to the complex interplay of bone, muscle and nerve structures of the skeleton. The muscles of the abdomen and back are antagonistic and balance each other. As a result, the "movement is life" premise remains as relevant as never before. Exercises can effectively influence degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. Exercise therapy is used both in a polyclinic and at home. Since the spine is made up of several sections, disease can occur in any of them. The cervical and lumbar regions are more often exposed.
How does osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifest?
Manifestations of osteochondrosis of various localization are combined into syndromes:
- neck pain syndrome (reduced mobility of the shoulder joint, pain of a different nature);
- cervicocranialgia (pain in the back of the head, discomfort in the neck, there may be tinnitus, dizziness, palpitations, nausea);
- cervicobrachialgia or shoulder-scapular syndrome (neck pain flowing into the shoulder and arm).
If you are concerned about aching pain, often at night, with numbness, the diagnosis is likely to be confirmed - osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine. The pain syndrome associated with disorders of this department is called thoracalgia.
Physiotherapy at home
How osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated with drugs is described in many reference books. But in most cases, the effect of the drug is short-lived. Here, exercise therapy can come to the rescue.
- We stand against the wall and lean against it with the back of our head. We try to press the wall with maximum force for a few seconds. Then we relax.
- We sit down at the table, we put our elbows on it. We put our chin on our hands, trying to press on the palms, while trying to tilt the head or turn it to the side.
- Rest your head on your hands at the back of your head. Alternatively, press it down with the back of your head, then relax. Perform several repetitions, holding for up to 10 seconds.
- Squeeze your head with your palms, alternately pressing on either hand.
During exacerbations, exercises are performed with a maximum duration of 3-4 seconds and with moderate exertion. Classes will slow down osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Home exercises can be started once you are satisfied that they are being performed correctly in a healthcare facility.
Massage without professional help
If the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is confirmed, massage will be one of the necessary treatment methods. In this case, it 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 include the post-static muscle relaxation technique. The peculiarity of the method is the passive stretching of the muscle from the position of overvoltage in combination with elements of massage. It is necessary to apply the technique after warming up the spasmodic muscles (bath, hot compress, kneading, caresses).
When using self-massage, the same techniques are used as in the professional setting. These are caresses, kneading, punctual impacts, tapping, shaking. The massage is performed with warm and lukewarm hands. Use massage oil to improve glide. The sequence of techniques is as follows:
- to stroke;
- trituration;
- kneading;
- vibrations (tapping, shaking).
Acting on osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the massage begins and ends with caresses.
A little manual therapy
- We sit on a high-back chair. We grip the head with our hands, placing our thumbs on the cheekbones (more precisely, on the bumps under the eye sockets). We look up, breathe and rest the back of the head on our fingers. We hold for a quarter of a minute, then on the exhale we lean back on the back of the chair and relax the muscles of the neck, tilting the head down. We repeat the technique 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, making it a slow rotating motion. Gradually lower the fingers lower and lower, approaching the trapezius muscle. How osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated with the help of manual therapy can be seen in the following manipulations.
- We lie down on our backs, pulling our shoulders down as much as possible. Place the hand on the sore side under the buttock, palm up. Place your other hand under your head, squeezing the back of your head and tilting your head to the side opposite to the problematic one. While inhaling, press your head on your fingers for 15 seconds. As you exhale, relax and pull your head a little harder, stretching the sore muscle.
A set of measures in the treatment of osteochondrosis
Unfortunately, cervical osteochondrosis cannot be completely overcome. Treatment at home or in a medical facility should be comprehensive. This includes the use of:
- pain medication;
- muscle relaxants that help relieve muscle spasms;
- drugs with chondroprotective action;
- physiotherapy procedures;
- massage;
- Exercise therapy;
- Balanced diet.
After studying the medical literature, some conclusions can be drawn about the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but forgoing treatment prescribed by a professional is a crime against health.