One of the types of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the intervertebral discs is cervical osteochondrosis, which can be treated at home. The main goal is to supplement and improve the work of classical methods of treatment (drugs, physiotherapy).
Description of the pathology
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine will affect several organs and systems simultaneously due to the peculiarities of blood supply and innervation:
- Impaired motor activity in the upper extremities.
- Severe pain syndrome (especially in the acute phase).
- Visual and auditory disorders. Tinnitus may occur. Pathological change in blood circulation (vertebral artery syndrome) leads to the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes, loss of visual fields.
- Sensory impairment (numbness of the limbs).
- Headache (due to hypoxia).
Several stages of disease development can be distinguished:
- Acute (first 2-3 weeks). Pronounced clinical picture, but minor changes in the osteochondral apparatus.
- Subacute (3-6 weeks). In the clinic, pain remains the leading symptom and the images show signs of bone destruction.
- Chronic (more than 6 weeks). The clinic manifests itself rarely and mild syndromes (pain in pain, restriction of movement). The pictures show pronounced changes in the joint surfaces. Intervertebral hernias often occur (bone structures become brittle).
Home treatment
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is allowed at home, along with other methods of therapy (pills, physiotherapy). As a rule, the effectiveness of alternative treatment is much lower, but numerous repetitions of such treatment courses are permissible (after 3-4 courses, patients begin to feel relief).
Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated at home, but only if the following conditions are met:
- Stage of compensation or subcompensation (no clinical manifestations or insignificant).
- Consultation with a doctor (rheumatologist, therapist).
- No allergic reactions to the components of the treatment.
Benefits of home treatment:
- Available at any time.
- Cost effective.
- Improper selection of funds and, as a consequence, lack of effect, possible deterioration of the condition.
- Incorrect exercise.
- Possible exacerbation of comorbidities caused by improper self-medication tactics.
Complex exercise therapy
Intense pain should not be allowed when performing exercises with cervical osteochondrosis. Perform the course exclusively in accordance with the individual capabilities of the body, from each position (upright, sitting, lying down).
The set of exercises is chosen by a specialist.
Sample exercise:
- bending / lengthening of the head;
- circular movements of the head;
- tilts forward / backward, right / left.
Self-massage
Exercise therapy, physiotherapy and massage of the cervical collar are performed in the complex for several weeks.
Massage options:
- dotted;
- self-massage;
- vacuum;
- classic.
Needle Applicator
One of the options for reflexology using a special plate. It is based on mechanical impact on the innervation zones.
This device can be purchased at specialty pharmacies and used independently as a massager.
Rubbing from pharmacy products
There are currently a large number of pharmacy infusions and lotions, which eliminates the need for self-preparation.
These grits include the following items:
- Essential oils (sage, mint, lemon balm, aloe, tea tree).
- Analgesics for pain relief.
- Irritants (pepper, mustard).
- Antiseptic (alcohol, menthol).
Apply each according to the enclosed instructions.
Folk remedies and recipes
Recipes for folk remedies for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis have long been known for their effectiveness and simplicity. How and how to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home - these are the most famous and effective methods of traditional medicine used in patients with pathology of the musculoskeletal system, in particular osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Herbal infusions
Herbs for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home are the most popular among the population. The medicines are available in every pharmacy in the city.
The application does not lead to significant consequences and multiple courses of treatment with a slight interruption are possible. Age restrictions are also conditional (intake is permissible for children in the absence of contraindications).
You should know that all infusions, lotions, compresses are not recommended to use hot. The reason is that heating the affected area can provoke diffuse purulent infection (phlegmon, abscess), especially if there are any microdamages in this area. Hot substances have a negative effect on people with hypertension associated with osteochondrosis.
Sunflower decoction
This treatment option uses the root of this plant (you can prepare it yourself or buy it in pharmacies).
Root or 2 tsp dry substance is poured with 1 cup of boiling water. Insist for 24 hours, then moisten the gauze and apply on the collar area. The course of treatment is 7 days.
Coniferous broth
Needles have pronounced tanning properties. There are several ways to apply it:
- In strengthening baths. Pour 1 liter of boiling water on several pine legs and leave for 2 hours. Then pour the resulting solution into a bath at a temperature of 38 ° C. The duration of the bath is 30 minutes. Course 7 days.
- In infusion. Pour 2 tsp dry substance with 70% alcohol solution and leave for 3 days. Rub the affected area 2 times a day. The completion period is 14 days.
- Boil pine legs for 5 minutes. Strain the resulting broth and rub for 20 minutes.
Dandelion broth
Has mild anti-inflammatory properties. Improves metabolic processes in tissues. Cases of use:
- Take 2-3 teaspoons of dry matter and pour boiling water (300 ml). Insist for an hour and rub into the area of the cervix until a slight redness appears. Course 7 days.
- Pour 3 teaspoons of dandelion flowers and chamomile (1: 1) with 70% alcohol solution. Insist for one day, then apply 2 times a day.
Infusion of pine buds
Method of preparation: pour 2-3 tablespoons of kidneys with boiling water and after complete cooling use on the affected area. Course 8 days.
Compresses and applications
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis by folk methods includes many compresses and lotions, but you need to remember a few basic rules when using:
- Frequent repetitions of the course of treatment (usually 2-3). The reason is that the effectiveness of the therapy is extremely low in one course.
- The effect of the treatment is more pronounced if you wrap a scarf / towel around the damaged area. The reason is the additional thermal effect in addition to the action of drugs.
With kerosene
Kerosene 50 ml, mix with 2-3 teaspoons of sunflower oil and 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda. Rub the resulting mixture into the neck area for 20 minutes. The course of therapy is 15 days.
The mixture is irritating and should be used with caution.
Potatoes
Compresses, infusions and lotions and potatoes are the most common treatments. There are several reasons for this:
- availability;
- efficiency;
- no strict contraindications (except for starch allergy).
Usage examples:
- Finely grate the potatoes and strain. Form the resulting dry mixture into a cake and apply on the affected area for 20 minutes. The course of therapy is 2 weeks.
- Boil the potatoes (3-4) in their skins. Then crush and wrap in cheesecloth. Apply warm potatoes on the neck area for 20 minutes (avoid burns). The course of therapy is 7 days.
With radish
Radish is an irritant, so exposure time should be reduced according to individual tolerance.
Examples of using radishes:
- Grate the radishes and strain through a sieve. Apply the resulting dry mixture on the cervical spine for 10-20 minutes. The course of therapy is 2 weeks.
- Grate the radishes and strain them. Mix the resulting juice with honey in a ratio of 1: 3. Pour the solution with alcohol and leave in a dark room for 3 days. Then moisten gauze with infusion and apply for 10-20 minutes on the affected area. The course of therapy is 7 days.
Sour cream and black oman
Oman has a strong astringent and anti-inflammatory effect. The root of the plant is rubbed on a fine grater and mixed with sour cream until a paste is obtained (usually a ratio of 1: 1). In the cervix for 2 minutes and a course of 7 days.
Recipes with honey
Honey has an almost huge list of useful properties:
- anti-inflammatory;
- antiseptic;
- tanning;
- regenerating.
The only contraindication is allergic reactions or individual intolerance.
Most popular honey recipes:
- Pure honey. Rub honey (50-100 g) into the affected area for 20 minutes. The course of therapy is 15 days.
- Mix 50 g of honey and 2 tsp mustard and rub the creamy mixture into the neck for 20-30 minutes. The course of therapy is 2 weeks.
- Mix honey (20-40 mg), aloe juice (5 ml) and tea tree oil (2-4 drops). Mix well and apply for 20 minutes. The course of therapy is 9 days.
friction
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is possible at home by rubbing the affected area with infusions and decoctions.
This method is based on two mechanisms:
- mechanical pressure;
- healing effects of herbs.
Mother and stepmother
Both flowers and plant stems can be used to prepare the infusion. When cooking, pour 70% alcohol and leave for 4 weeks in a dark room. Then strain the solution through cheesecloth and store it in a glass container out of the reach of children.
Method of application: rub with light massage movements in the affected area 2 times a day for 10-15 minutes. The course of therapy is 2 weeks.
Horseradish and elderberry
Horseradish and elderberry can be used individually or in combination. The combination treatment is presented below.
Preparation: separately from each other pour boiling water (1 cup) horseradish leaves and elderberry (with leaves). Insist during the day. Then strain the two solutions and mix in a ratio of 1: 1. Rub the cervical spine and the adjacent area once a day for 10 minutes. The course of therapy is 7 days.
Ointments
Ointment forms of drugs provide rapid relief of pain in cervical osteochondrosis.
Efficacy is reduced if this form of treatment is used exclusively.
Egg with butter
Mix the egg whites (2-3) with butter in a ratio of 1: 2 until a creamy paste is obtained. Apply to the joint area once a day for 30 minutes and wrap with a towel.
Ginger ointment
Has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. There are several ways to use ginger:
- Drizzle 2-3 vegetable roots with olive oil and leave for 24 hours. Lubricate the neck with the resulting mixture once a day at night. The course of therapy is 2 weeks.
- Grind ginger root, add nutmeg and linseed oil. Cover the resulting mixture of porridge with a towel and leave in a dark room for 8 hours. Rub into the joint for 20 minutes for 7 days.
Egg and mustard
Egg whites are rich in protein, and mustard has a pronounced irritating effect (enhances local microcirculation) - these are the main reasons for the use of these components in the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Preparation: mix the protein of 2 eggs and 1-1, 5 tbsp tablespoons of mustard until creamy. Apply on the affected area for 10-15 minutes. Course 7 days.
Mustard can cause severe local tissue irritation. In case of severe pain syndrome, the procedure is not recommended.
Ozokerite heating
Ozokerite is a natural wax. Often this procedure is performed in sanatoriums together with paraffin heat treatment.
Manifested effects:
- painkiller;
- antispasmodic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- regenerative.
Method of application: the wax is heated in a special vessel until it becomes liquid. Then carefully pour into a container with sides (a baking sheet can be used) and wait for cooling to a temperature of 50 C. The resulting mass is then separated from the container and applied to the affected area for local heating of the tissues.
Carefully monitor the temperature of the wax and avoid scalding.
Prevent exacerbations
Recommendations for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are well known, as they are applicable to all rheumatic diseases.
To effectively prevent the development of the disease, it is recommended to follow a few simple but useful tips:
- physical activity (moderate);
- healthy eating (moderate salt intake);
- the right shoes (appropriate size, 4-6 cm heel, folding insoles).
Following these rules is a guarantee for the health of the spine!