How to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home?

How to cure cervical osteochondrosis?This question is the first that comes to our mind when we suddenly have pain in the neck and then problems with the cervical area begin.A reasonable decision is to go to an appointment with a doctor, be examined and carefully follow the prescribed treatment.But most people don't have time for that.Therefore, first the patient goes to the pharmacy and buys all kinds of gels and ointments, and then turns to traditional methods of treatment.And everything to treat yourself at home, contrary to common sense.

Causes and symptoms

neck pain due to osteochondrosis

Neck pain is a signal of problems with the spine.To understand how to treat cervical osteochondrosis yourself, you need to understand how the disease process begins and what symptoms indicate it.

The neck contains the smallest and most fragile vertebrae.The intervertebral discs in this part of the spine are also small.Any degenerative process in them proceeds quite quickly.If in the lower back the destruction of the intervertebral disc can last for several years, then in the neck it significantly decreases in size within six months.As a result, the nerve roots are compressed by the vertebrae, causing pain, stiffness and decreased flexibility.In addition, the range of motion of the neck is limited.

Causes of degenerative changes in the spine:

  • Lack of daily sports activity.
  • Poor nutrition and excess weight.
  • Injuries.
  • Excessive physical activity.
  • Stress.
  • Hypothermia.
  • Infectious diseases.

Pain can be caused by intervertebral hernias.On the cervical spine, they are quite rare, but to avoid complications from the rash's independent actions, visit a doctor and get an MRI.If there is a hernia, not all traditional methods can be used for self-treatment.

Characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

  • Regular headaches.
  • Frequent dizziness, loss of spatial orientation.
  • Deterioration of vision and hearing.
  • Voice change, snoring.
  • The feeling that a nerve is pressed (pain on one side, radiating to the shoulder blade, jaw).

Pain directly in the neck and shoulder area is also a symptom of cervical osteochondrosis.

Treatments at home

neck pain due to osteochondrosis

Traditional medicine in the case of neck osteochondrosis is largely consistent with traditional medicine.She recommends mandatory feasible physical activity, light massage using pain relievers or homemade ointments and rubs purchased at the pharmacy, and taking anti-inflammatory medications that reduce swelling in the area of the pinched nerve.

What to do if you have neck pain and there is no way to see a doctor in the near future, the following home methods for treating cervical osteochondrosis will help alleviate the condition:

  • Medicines that relieve pain and muscle spasms (tablets, gels and ointments).
  • Loader.
  • Apitherapy.
  • Clay treatment.
  • Physiotherapy.

medicaments

The first thing to do in case of an acute attack of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is to quickly alleviate the patient's condition by eliminating the pain syndrome.To do this, you can use pharmaceutical drugs classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (self-administration is prohibited for stomach bleeding and gastrointestinal diseases).

One of the drugs in the NSAID group should be in your home medicine cabinet.In addition, muscle relaxants can be used.When taking medications, remember that they should only be prescribed by a doctor!Each drug has a long list of contraindications and side effects.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are used not only orally (by mouth), but also externally in the form of gels and ointments.Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home continues by rubbing the products prescribed by a specialist on the painful area.

When the pain has subsided significantly, you can start physical exercises.

loaders

Before choosing physical exercises, consult a specialist and do an examination.With an intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine, any sudden movement is prohibited.

The following 5 exercises can help with pain, pinched nerve roots and muscle spasms:

  • Exercise 1.Relaxation.Stand straight, lower your arms along the body.Place your feet shoulder width apart and relax completely.Breathe evenly.Slowly and with a small amplitude, start moving your head - right and left, forward and backward, moving smoothly in minimal rotational movements.The duration of the lessons is a few minutes.
  • Exercise 2.The stretch.Lower your head forward, trying to touch your chin to the jugular fossa.Slowly stretch the crown of the head, feeling the vertebrae stretch and the nerves free.Turn your head to a vertical position.Repeat the exercise 5 times.
  • Exercise 3.Let's get the ball rolling.Tilt your head back, as if resting the back of your head on your shoulder blades.Relax, breathe evenly.Start turning your head from left to right and vice versa.Repeat 5 times.During exercise, it is better to wear something stable.
  • Exercise 4.We reach the shoulders with ears.Take the starting position from the first exercise.Bend your head towards the right shoulder, stretch the top of your head, feel how the muscles and vertebrae are stretched.Try to touch the ear with your shoulder.Repeat on the other side.You should bend your head towards each shoulder at least 5 times.
  • Exercise 5.Self-massage.Raise your hands and place your palms on the back of your neck.Start massaging lightly.Gradually increase the pressure, carefully working the beads.There should be no pain.It can be combined with the use of medicinal ointment.

Apitherapy

honey for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Bee products and blue clay have a good effect on osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae.Bee products include bees themselves, which are placed on biologically active points to relieve pain and swelling (bee stings), and products that produce:

  • bee bread;
  • pollen;
  • death;
  • propolis;
  • drone jelly;
  • royal jelly;
  • honey.

Alcohol and aqueous solutions of propolis and podmora, as well as honey, are used to prepare compresses and for oral administration.Pollen, both types of milk and bee bread are used internally.Features of taking bee products:

  1. They are very nutritious, so there is no need to consume pollen, milk, bee bread and honey in large quantities.1 teaspoon 2 times a day is enough.
  2. Before using the bee medicine, you should not eat or drink water for several hours.The optimal time to take it is in the morning on an empty stomach, right after sleep and in the evening, three hours after a light dinner, just before bed.
  3. A teaspoon of bee bread, milk, pollen or honey is placed under the tongue.Hold until completely dissolved, do not chew!In this way, all useful substances immediately enter the bloodstream and begin to act.You can eat after half an hour or later.

All bee products have pronounced anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties.Taking them has an immunomodulating effect, mobilizing the body's defenses.

Do not use apitherapy to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home if you are allergic to honey!

Clay treatment

clay rubbing as a way to treat osteochondrosis

Blue mud has an effect similar to bee products.It effectively relieves inflammation, increases blood supply to tissues at the compress site and improves metabolism.Therefore, the optimal treatment option for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is considered to be a combination of bee products and blue clay.

Recipe no.1

Rubbing - blue clay and alcohol infusion of propolis.Instructions for the preparation of the product step by step:

  • Prepare a glass container, a wooden spoon, clay, propolis and clean water.Pour 1 glass of purified water into a container, add 3 teaspoons of propolis, pour blue clay powder.The last ingredient is taken in such quantities as to obtain a solution that is not too thick, but not watery either.Therefore, the clay is poured into the liquid in parts, stirring it thoroughly each time.
  • When the rub is ready, ask the family to help you.Lie face down on a flat, firm surface.The assistant should take the rubbing cloth in his hands and use light massage movements to treat the neck and shoulder girdle.The procedure takes 5-7 minutes.After that, you need to lie down for another 10 minutes.After that, take a warm shower.

The course of treatment is one week, then a break and repeats for the same amount of time.Friction periods may alternate with rest periods throughout the year.

Recipe no.2

Compress with blue clay and water infusion of propolis.The ingredients are the same, except for the propolis.Here you will need his water infusion.You can prepare it yourself:

  • Freeze the propolis in the refrigerator.
  • Grind it into powder.
  • Take 100 grams of water and 20 grams of propolis.
  • Mix the ingredients in a glass or porcelain container and place in a water bath.
  • Boil for about an hour.At this time, the color of the solution will turn dark brown and the aroma will intensify.
  • Cool the mixture and strain through several layers of cheesecloth.For external use, you can remove this item.

Mix the clay with the prepared propolis solution.The consistency of the composition should be quite thick, but at the same time spread well on the canvas.Place the compress on the back of the neck and secure.Get into a comfortable position (sitting or lying down) and relax.Remove the compress after an hour and dry the neck with a clean cloth.Take a tablespoon of propolis inside (on an empty stomach and do not eat anything for half an hour).

The course of treatment is 3 weeks, then a break for a week and repeated.

Physiotherapy at home

Physiotherapy equipment at home will be a good addition to treatment with clay and bee products and will enhance the effect of anti-inflammatory gels and ointments.One of them is a must have in your home medicine cabinet.

The classic application of any of the therapeutic devices is the area of pain.In one device, the vibraphones are secured with adhesive tape to the sides of the neck.The mode is selected in accordance with the instructions.Another device is placed on the back of the neck and held for 30-40 minutes.An additional effect is thermal, which is felt approximately 20 minutes after the start of the procedure.

Regardless of the domestic purpose of the medical equipment, do not engage in amateur activities!Each of them has a specific list of contraindications and exact treatment regimens in accordance with the symptoms.

Physiotherapy methods should absolutely not be used during an exacerbation;your doctor will provide more detailed information.

Now you have an idea how to cure neck osteochondrosis at home.But in order not to suffer and experience pain, take preventive measures for the health of the spine.Then you will not have to buy expensive equipment and waste precious time in treatment.Remember, the health of the spine determines the condition of the internal organs and the body as a whole.