Osteochondrosis of the neck is an occupational disease. The wrong position of the spine develops with a sedentary lifestyle. The first signs appear at the age of 20. During an exacerbation, the question of how to treat osteochondrosis of the neck arises.
Degenerative-dystrophic processes in the cervical spine have a certain specificity. It is associated with the structures of the vertebrae, in which there are many moving elements. The neck holds the head, it is constantly under tension. Muscle spasms, loss of movement of the vertebrae, vessels and nerve bundles are squeezed. Leads to severe pain, loss of performance, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness and other unpleasant phenomena. Treatment is difficult due to the mobility of the cervical spine.
Where and when to start treatment
Osteochondrosis belongs to a group of diseases that cannot be cured in later stages. In advanced cases, it is worth relieving the course and restoring the mobility of the spine. In the early stages, there is an opportunity to fully recover, get rid of osteochondrosis, but the process can develop anew.
The earlier treatment is started, the more effective it is. It is easier to prevent the disease from developing in the future by constantly taking preventive measures than it is to regularly experience symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
For those who have unexpectedly experienced an attack of pain in the neck, the relevant question is where can cervical osteochondrosis be cured?
It is worth contacting a special medical institution that has a vertebrologist or neurologist. After clarifying the diagnosis, complex treatment of the disease is prescribed.
An alternative option is home treatment, self-treatment. This is a supplement to the drugs prescribed by the doctor. In this case, the patient is responsible for health.
First aid should be provided at home by drinking a pill with pain relieving properties.
Taking a pain reliever is no substitute for a visit to the doctor. Ideally, you need a vertebrologist, a neurologist.
Traditional medicine
Depending on the stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the patient's habits, lifestyle, concomitant diseases and determining the cause of the pain, the doctor will decide on the correct treatment for cervical osteochondrosis. The goals of treatment are: relieving the symptoms of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, therapeutic measures to improve it, inhibiting the course of the disease.
There are many methods, ways. They are used in different situations and in different order. The doctor prescribes the following treatment:
- Prescribes pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants. Tasks - relieve muscle tension, eliminate compression of blood vessels and nerve fibers, remove foci of inflammation. Relieves pain, begins the recovery process. The group is represented by drugs that are prescribed in the form of tablets, ointments, injections.
- A drug is prescribed that stimulates the restoration of cartilage and bone tissue. Usually available in tablet form, less often as an injection. This treatment is "for the future". Help in the restoration of damaged tissue inhibits the process, reduces the likelihood of remission. Ointments, warming gels, anti-inflammatory effects are prescribed.
- Manual therapy. Relieves muscle spasms, stimulates metabolic processes in the damaged area, activates the body's capabilities. Therapeutic gymnastics, massages, hirudotherapy, reflexology, acupuncture are prescribed.
- Surgical intervention. Irreversible processes (herniated disc) are eliminated by an operation.
In addition, the doctor prescribes diets rich in essential vitamins and minerals. It is recommended that you change your habits and do regular warm-up exercises. In the early days of the onset of the disease, bed rest, special corsets that support the head and relax the muscles of the neck are prescribed.
If you have cervical osteochondrosis, you should see a doctor. Self-medication is more harmful to health. The doctor will determine treatment options, prescribe remedies, or change medications.
Home treatment
Many people like home treatment for the disease - they save money, the events are held in familiar, comfortable surroundings.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be comprehensive. First of all, it is necessary to stop the pain with the help of ointments, gels, creams and home compresses.
Just as important in this case is the daily practice of self-massage, gymnastics exercises. In addition, you need to completely change your lifestyle - revise the nutritious diet, exercise more, be in the fresh air.
Home treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is a group of techniques aimed at improving the condition and affecting the pathological process.
Effective, Popular Home Treatments:
Self massage, massage
The procedure will bring noticeable results than taking any medication. An independently performed massage with the help of a third person improves blood circulation, the metabolic processes in the affected area and relaxes the muscles. Leads to the elimination of pain, dizziness, numbness.
Unless there is a trusted masseur ready to perform the treatment at home, you should do kneading, rubbing, stroking and pinching movements on your own. The main thing is to listen to the body, not to hurt.
Devices for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
The procedures performed by doctors should be replaced with special devices. Various types of equipment are used for massage, which, if used correctly, are difficult to damage.
There are complex technical devices. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with acupuncture is effective, but finding a specialist is not easy. The procedure is carried out using a special Kuznetsov applicator. Devices include special pillows, corsets, and other means that keep the spine in the correct position.
physical therapy
Gymnastics, warming up is the easiest way to take care of the spine on your own. There are exercise groups that are done in the morning at work and last a few minutes. In cervical osteochondrosis, rotations and head tilts to the sides are chosen. Warming up the shoulder girdle is sometimes effective.
Ethnosciences
The basis of medicines are plant extracts. In treatment, tinctures, decoctions of herbs, homemade ointments, the components of which are not allergic, are used according to the effect of drug replacement. With cervical osteochondrosis, use horseradish leaves (pain relievers), potatoes with honey, cakes as compresses. There are many plants that are used for the disease.
Self-administration of medication
There are a lot of medicines in pharmacies. You can choose medical patches, ointments and gels for external use. It is not recommended to prescribe tablets yourself. If the pain is severe, you can drink pain relievers.
Preventive measures
It is better to prevent cervical osteochondrosis from developing. To do this, it is worth living an active lifestyle, doing regular exercises and doing gymnastics. When sitting in one place for a long time, regular warm-up breaks are taken and the position of the back and head are monitored. For sleep, you should choose comfortable mattresses and pillows, and use orthopedic products.
At the first suspicion, it is recommended to go to the doctor for an accurate diagnosis, draw up a treatment plan and adjust preventive measures. The cervical spine should be treated with care, listen to the sensations of the body.