In the medical literature, cervical osteochondrosis is widespread, the symptoms and home treatment of which are well described. Timely contact with a medical institution will allow you to quickly make a diagnosis and begin treatment. Otherwise, compression and traumatic deformation of the nerve roots will occur. The main thing is that the patient does not try to take action on his own. Proper therapy requires a comprehensive examination and mandatory tests.
Symptoms
There are 2 types of manifestations of a dangerous disease: reflex and radicular. The first category includes stabbing or aching pains localized in the neck. The smallest attempts to turn the head end in acute pain. In the chronic form, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes a characteristic crunch with any attempt to change the position of the head in space. In order to avoid unpleasant phenomena, many patients hold their heads in what is known as a constrained position.
The disease of the skeletal system is complemented by persistent headaches from damage to the nerve endings. If it is an attack of pain, patients complain of its bruising nature. In some cases, the pain syndrome radiates to the temples or the eyeball. As the intervertebral tissue degenerates, osteochondrosis of the neck negatively affects visual acuity and hearing.
The vertebral artery syndrome forms 2-4 weeks after the beginning of the active phase of degenerative processes. It all starts with persistent dizziness, which doctors mistakenly diagnose as a violation of cerebral blood flow. In fact, only a thorough investigation can reveal the real culprits of the failure. If treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is not started, the patient will develop imaginary attacks of angina pectoris.
Radicular symptoms arise from changes in the structure of nerve endings that are responsible for the sensitivity of various organs. Such violations are expressed as follows:
- persistent pain in the back of the head;
- decreased sensitivity in the lower extremities;
- pain in the outer shoulder area;
- Nausea;
- increased irritability;
- Sleep disorder;
- increased sensitivity of certain parts of the body;
- Stiffness of movements.
Diagnosis and further treatment are prescribed by a neuropathologist and a vascular surgeon. If everything was done immediately, then the patient must treat cervical osteochondrosis at home, according to the doctor's recommendations. The duration of such a course is 4-7 months.
Therapeutic Techniques
If the disease is detected at an early stage, then mandatory hospitalization of the patient is not required. The disease is treated with medication, physical therapy, and some exercise. At the same time, the doctor will always point out to the patient that therapy at home does not replace the main course, but complements it. Its main goal is to normalize metabolic processes and accelerate the regeneration of damaged areas. In addition, exercises for cervical osteochondrosis strengthen muscle structure and reduce the likelihood of relapse.
Self-massage opens the list of similar exercises. It relieves the musculoskeletal system and increases blood flow. This will reduce the size of the inflammation. The attending physician presents the methodology for its competent implementation. Basic rules:
- only fingers of the hand are used;
- they move from the spine to the edge of the back;
- Movements are easy;
- physical exertion is prohibited;
- You need to move your fingers slowly;
- The duration of the session is 5-6 minutes.
A load on cervical osteochondrosis helps a lot, which must be done within the recommendations of the doctor. Slow circular movements of the head in a clockwise / counterclockwise direction and raising / lowering the chin are the most common types of exercises that can cure cervical osteochondrosis outside of the doctor's office. The duration of a session is 10 minutes. There is a short break every 2 minutes.
Dynamic exercises, prescribed by a doctor, help treat cervical osteochondrosis effectively.
In a sitting position, you need to bring your palm to your forehead. Then, with light physical exertion, place your forehead on the palm of your hand. The duration in this position is 1 minute. After that, you need to relax. To cure osteochondrosis at home, it is necessary to repeat this 5-6 times in one session.
Home treatment
Do not lose sight of physiotherapy (exercise therapy). She needs to spend 10-15 minutes every day. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home will help to follow the advice of a doctor and the regularity of classes. The following exercises will help develop the muscles of the upper limbs and cervical spine:
- leisurely circular movements of the hands in the shoulder joints;
- in the prone position, it is necessary to press the legs bent at the knees to the body;
- Yoga at home also helps to strengthen the muscles.
The main recommendation is to do all the exercises your doctor prescribed slowly. It is impossible to get a quick effect, but every week the patient will notice a decrease in the unpleasant manifestations of the disease. Pathologies with cervical osteochondrosis at home are treated for a long time, so you need to be patient.
Any pathological change in the cervical spine requires immediate medical attention. It prevents possible damage to nerve endings and blood vessels that are in close proximity to the damaged area. It will be useful to give up a sedentary lifestyle and alcohol consumption. This leads to musculoskeletal disorders even in healthy people.