The symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home are based on the self-healing method. The method consists of the correct actions of the patient and the support of the self-regulating and self-healing functions of the body to restore nervous and vascular disorders in the cervical spine.
In non-advanced and non-severe cases, the patient can naturally relieve spinal pain, muscle spasms, dizziness and other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis naturally and without medication. However, this requires a good understanding of the structure and natural purpose of the spine and remembering that our body is a self-healing system that exists according to certain laws of the Universe.
The role of the column
Before considering the topic: "Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment at home", it is logical to stop at the question: "What role does the spine play in our life? "
The spine is the skeleton of our skeleton. The head, torso, upper and lower extremities rest on it. In other words, it is the spine that gives our body the shape we usually see.
Attached to the spine are powerful connective tissue ligaments and many large and small muscles that keep our bodies upright, and vital internal organs at certain locations along the spine.
The normal functions of our internal organs and all body tissues are provided by a large number of nerve fibers through the transmission of nerve impulses from the lateral parts of the spinal cord.
The spinal cord is located in a flexible and well-protected "sheath" of the spinal canal from external influences. The roots of the spinal nerves emerge through the intervertebral foramen of the vertebrae. In the initial part, they are covered with discs and bony structures. The intervertebral discs consist of cartilaginous plates located above and below, an annulus fibrosus, and a nucleus pulposus. The thickness of the discs in the cervical vertebrae is very small - only 4 mm.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Intact and healthy intervertebral discs serve as shock absorbers for various loads on the spine (compression, stretching). If as a result of sudden movements, excessive loads, prolonged incorrect postures, spinal injuries or inflammatory processes, the discs are damaged, the vertebral artery is compressed, which passes through the openings of the vertebrae and the nerve plexuses that leave the spinal cord.
The amount of electrical impulses that go from the spinal cord to the organs and tissues decreases, the metabolic processes slow down. This becomes the cause of disease of certain organs, as well as the cause of aging of the body.
Symptoms
This explains the many symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis, including pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder girdle, heart, liver and stiff neck, back of the head, weakness of arms, legs and vascular disorders.
The manifestation of the disease depends on the location of the disc injury and the displacement of the vertebrae, as well as the area innervated by the compressed nerve plexus.
So, the health of our body depends on the health of the spine.
Self-healing treatment
I just want to warn you that the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is made by a neurologist or chiropractor based on the results of a complete medical examination.
When the diagnosis is established and there is no acute period with edema and inflammation at the site of the intervertebral disc injury, a self-healing method can be applied.
Essence of the method:
- in the correct actions of the patient, aimed at eliminating the cause of the symptoms of osteochondrosis: compression, displacement of the nerve and vascular structures of the spinal cord in connection with destructive changes in the intervertebral discs;
- to support self-regulating and self-healing bodily functions to restore nerve and vascular disorders in the cervical spine.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, acting independently on the cause of the disease, you can read in the article of the same name.
It is impossible to eliminate the cause of the disease: the deformation of the intervertebral discs, however, you can learn to relax the cervical spine and gently stretch the neck vertebrae to relieve pressure on the nerve roots and blood vessels, relievingwell compression symptoms.
The self-healing method requires personal desire, perseverance, self-discipline, and a willingness to gradually change your posture, take good care of your spine, relax and stretch your neck every morning and evening, and develop your own system for treating cervical osteochondrosis.
At the same time, always remember that your body is a highly organized self-healing system that lives according to natural laws. Failures occur when these laws are broken, regardless of the reason, by ignoring them or by not wanting to comply.
Principles of the method
Before proceeding with the self-healing method with the help of therapeutic exercises, several natural principles of this method should be taken into account.
- It is known that to relax a muscle well, it must first be tensed. Therefore, many therapeutic exercises developed by manual therapists are based on the principle of tension: relaxation of the spasmodic muscles.
- Another principle is the physiological pattern of the combination of muscle tension - relaxation with respiratory phases. Inhaling is tension and exhaling is relaxation. If these principles are observed, the exercises performed will contribute to the proper functioning of the circulatory system and will not interrupt the regulation of nervous processes.
Personal Self-Repair System
First, I'll share my own self-healing system for cervical osteochondrosis.
In addition to the exercises "turtle" and relaxation of the shoulder girdle, sitting ("How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine"), which not only relax the muscles of the neck and shoulders, but also awaken the healing powersof the body, normalizing the energy supply of all cells and organs, I use one more position: relaxation of the neck muscles.
However, I want to warn you that you should be careful when doing this pose! Remember: in the cervical spine are the vertebral artery and nerve plexuses that go to the brain.
Since in my case the discs of the cervical vertebrae 5, 6 and 7 are deformed, in case of pain and tension in the neck, as well as headache, ringing in the ears, I resort to the following pose:
- I lie on my back, on the bed, with my head towards the end of my leg (which has no back). I slowly lower my head as I exhale so that my 7th cervical vertebra is located on the edge of the mattress. Therefore, my head hangs under her weight, my neck bends and relaxes, my chin is raised. This hanging position of the head should be short-term: only a few seconds from 5 to 10.
Feeling uncomfortable, or counting to 10, I begin to "crawl" slowly across the bed as I inhale, without lifting the nape of the bed, holding onto the edges with my hands.
You must not raise your head abruptly from such a "hanging" position!
Just a slow "crawl" from the head to the bed and stretching the neck at the same time frees up pinched blood vessels and nerves, relieves pain in the neck and head.
After this position, you should lie down in a relaxed state for several minutes.
This stretch of the neck vertebrae helps with the deformity of the lower cervical vertebrae.
Relief of headaches and other symptoms
If symptoms are dominated by a headache that arises abruptly in the middle of the head, sometimes with nausea, this indicates an alteration in the articulation of the skull with the first cervical vertebra at the site of the occipital nerve exitthat innervates half of the head on each side. Therefore, when the occipital nerve is pinched on one side, there are pains on this particular side of the head.
Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders are seen in the context of headache due to infringement of nerve fibers running from the spinal node of the second cervical vertebra to the brain stem.
In cases of disorders in the region of the first and second vertebrae, therapeutic postures for muscle relaxation are also effective. Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Honorary Doctor of the Russian Federation Anatoly Boleslavovich Sitel in his book "Only for the spine" suggests the following posture to relieve headaches.
- Sit in a relaxed chair. But at the same time, keep your torso straight. Tilt your head forward as you exhale so that it "hangs" under the influence of your weight. So hold your head for about 10 seconds, then while inhaling, lift it up and rest for half a minute. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Gentle exercise
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and home treatment, you can use the following two gentle exercises to relax the cervical muscles in case of spasm and pain.
You need to sit on a chair, straighten your torso. Put your hands on your knees. The legs are parallel to each other. The pose is relaxed, the breathing is calm.
Inhale and lower your head, touching your sternum with your chin, while lifting the back of your head. Hold for a few seconds in this position. Then breathe out slowly, lifting your head and shoulders. Perform 5-7 of these therapeutic exercises.
The starting position of the second exercise is the same as the first. From a seated position, lie down with your body on your feet and your head on your knees. While inhaling, slowly raise your head, while exhaling, lower it. Repeat 5-7 times.
During exercise, the neck muscles first tense up and then relax more easily and quickly.
All exercises should be performed slowly and smoothly, that is, you should not make sudden movements, you should not rush, you should not experience strong tension or pain. As soon as you feel uncomfortable, stop exercising and try to relax and unwind.
Local solutions
At home, in addition to therapeutic exercises to relax and stretch the cervical vertebrae, you can eliminate tension and mild pain in the neck with manual massage or with the help of massagers (after consulting a doctor), as well as topical means: thermal procedures (tinctures, rubbing, compresses, bathtub).
However, it is necessary to know that thermal procedures can damage in case of severe pain and inflammation in the affected area of the spine, since they increase the flow of arterial blood and slow down the venous outflow, therefore, they cause exacerbationof the symptoms, pain and swelling of the tissues increase.
For topical application to spasmodic muscles, the following freshly prepared solution is used: 15 ml of Dimexide, 15 ml of a 0. 5-1% solution of novocaine and 4-6 ml of a 50% analgin solutionthey are poured into a cup where the gauze napkins are dipped, folded in 4 layers. The size of the napkins should correspond to the sore area.
The moistened napkin is applied to the corresponding area (the skin is pre-treated with alcohol), covered with cellophane and fixed. The procedure lasts between 1 and 1. 5 hours.
Compresses are performed daily for 4-6 days. If redness occurs, it is advisable to replace the compress with Dimexide with liniment or Dimexide ointment.
Adherence to a proper diet is of great importance in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Prevention
Dear readers, remember that our body is a self-regulating biological system that, if our posture is incorrect, indicates pain or discomfort.
Take care of your column! Don't get out of bed! First, roll onto your side and, resting on your elbow, gently lift yourself up.
Don't lift weights in front of you and don't carry weights in one hand! It is better to carry the load with a symmetrical load in both hands (for women - no more than 5 kg in each hand, for men - no more than 12 kg in each hand). And you need to lift the load, sitting down a little.
Do not do housework or in the country house, bowing down on your stomach! Washing the floor and removing weeds from the beds can be done on your knees or with the help of long tools.