Cervical spine osteochondrosis symptoms and treatment at home are based on a self-healing method. The method consists in the correct actions of the patient and support of the self-regulating, self-healing functions of the body to restore nervous and vascular disorders in the cervical spine.
In non-advanced and not severe cases, the patient can naturally relieve pain in the spine, muscle spasm, dizziness and other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in a natural way without medication. However, for this it is necessary to know well the structure and natural purpose of the spine and remember that our body is a self-healing system that exists according to certain laws of the Universe.
The Role of the Spine
Before considering the topic: "Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment at home", it is logical to dwell on the question: "What role does the spine play in our life? "
The spine is the skeleton of our skeleton. The head, body, upper and lower limbs are supported on it. In other words, it is the spine that gives our body the shape that we habitually see.
Attached to the spine are powerful connective tissue ligaments and many large and small muscles that keep our body upright, and vital internal organs in certain places along the spinal column.
The normal functions of our internal organs and all body tissues are provided by a huge 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 well-protected, flexible "sheath" of the spinal canal from external influences. The spinal nerve roots emerge through the intervertebral foramen of the vertebrae. In the initial part, they are covered with discs and bone structures. 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
Healthy, intact 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 posture, 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 number of electrical impulses going from the spinal cord to organs and tissues decreases, metabolic processes slow down. This becomes the cause of the disease of certain organs, as well as the cause of aging of the body.
Symptoms
This explains the numerous symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis, which include pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder girdle, heart, liver, and stiff neck, back of the head, weakness of the arms, legs, and vascular disorders.
The manifestation of the disease depends on the location of the disc lesion and displacement of the vertebrae, as well as on the area innervated by the compressed nerve plexus.
So, the health of our body depends on the health of the spine.
Self-healing treatment
Just want to warn you that the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is established by a neurologist or chiropractor based on the results of a comprehensive medical examination.
When the diagnosis is established, and there is no acute period with edema and inflammation at the site of the intervertebral disc lesion, a self-healing method can be applied.
Method essence:
- 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;
- in supporting self-regulating, self-healing body functions to restore nervous and vascular disorders in the cervical spine.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, independently acting on the cause of the disease, can be found in the article of the same name.
It is impossible to eliminate the cause of the disease - deformation of the intervertebral discs, however, you can learn to relax the cervical spine and gently stretch the vertebrae of the neck to relieve pressure on the nerve roots and blood vessels, thereby relieving the symptoms of compression.
The method of self-healing requires personal desire, perseverance, self-discipline and readiness 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 in it occur when you break these laws, no matter why, because of ignorance of them, or unwillingness to comply.
Principles of the Method
Before proceeding to the method of self-healing with the help of therapeutic exercises, it should be noted several natural principles of this method.
- It is well known that in order to relax a muscle well, you must first strain it. Therefore, many therapeutic exercises developed by manual therapists are based on the principle of tension - relaxation of spasmodic muscles.
- Another principle is the physiological pattern of the combination of tension - muscle relaxation with breathing phases. Inhale is tension, and exhalation is relaxation. If these principles are observed, the exercises performed will contribute to the correct functioning of the circulatory system, and will not disrupt the regulation of nervous processes.
Personal self-healing system
First, I will share my own self-healing system for cervical osteochondrosis.
In addition to exercises "turtle" and relaxation of the shoulder girdle, sitting ("How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine"), which not only relax the muscles in the neck and shoulders, but also awaken the healing powers of 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 of caution 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 5th, 6th, and 7th cervical vertebrae are deformed, in case of pain and tension in the neck area, as well as headache, ringing in the ears, I resort to the following posture:
- I lie on my back, on the bed with my head towards the leg end (which is without a back). I slowly lower my head down as I exhale so that my seventh cervical vertebra is located on the edge of the mattress. Thus, my head hangs down under its weight, my neck bends and relaxes, my chin is up. This hanging position of the head should be short-term - only a few seconds from 5 to 10.
Feeling discomfort, or counting to 10, I slowly begin to "crawl" on the bed while inhaling, without lifting the back of my head from the bed, holding on to its edges with my hands.
You mustn't raise your head abruptly from such a "hanging" position!
Only a slow "crawling" of the head onto the bed and stretching the neck at the same time releases the pinched vessels and nerves, relieves pain in the neck and head.
After this position, you need to lie down in a relaxed state for several minutes.
This stretching of the neck vertebrae helps with deformities of the lower cervical vertebrae.
Relief of headaches and other symptoms
If the symptoms are dominated by a headache that sharply arises in one half of the head, sometimes with nausea, this indicates a disturbance in the articulation of the skull with the 1st cervical vertebra at the exit site of the occipital nerve that innervates half of the head on each side. Therefore, when the occipital nerve is pinched on one side, there are pains in this particular side of the head.
Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders against the background of headache are observed due to infringement of nerve fibers running from the spinal node of the 2nd 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, Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation Anatoly Boleslavovich Sitel in his book "Solo for the Spine" suggests the following pose for relieving headaches.
- Sit down in a relaxed chair. But at the same time, keep your torso straight. Tilt your head forward while exhaling so that it "hangs down" under the influence of its weight. So hold your head for about 10 seconds. Then, while inhaling, raise it and rest for half a minute. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Gentle Exercise
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment at home, 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. Legs are parallel to each other. The pose is relaxed, breathing is calm.
Inhale and lower the head, touch the sternum with the chin, while pulling the back of the head up. Hold for a few seconds in this position. Then exhale slowly, lifting your head and shoulders. Do 5-7 of these therapeutic exercises.
The starting position for the second exercise is the same as in the first. From a seated position, lie down with your body on your feet, 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, then relax more easily and faster.
All exercises should be performed slowly and smoothly, that is, you should not make sudden movements, should not rush, should not experience severe tension or pain. As soon as you feel uncomfortable, stop exercising and try to relax and rest.
Local remedies
At home, in addition to therapeutic exercises to relax and stretch the cervical vertebrae, you can eliminate tension and slight 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, bath).
However, it is necessary to know that thermal procedures can be harmful in case of severe pain and inflammation in the affected area of the spine, as they increase the flow of arterial blood and slow down the venous outflow, therefore, they cause exacerbation of symptoms, increase pain and swelling of tissues.
For local application on spasmodic muscles, the following freshly prepared solution is used: 15 ml of Dimexide, 15 ml of 0. 5-1% solution of novocaine and 4-6 ml of 50% solution of analgin are poured into a cup, where gauze napkins are dipped, folded in 4 layers. The size of the napkins should correspond to the painful area.
The wetted napkin is applied to the appropriate area (the skin is pretreated with alcohol), covered with cellophane and fixed. The procedure takes 1-1. 5 hours.
Compresses are done 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, which, if our posture is wrong, signals pain or discomfort.
Take care of your spine! Don't jump out of bed! First, turn on your side and, resting on your elbow, gently rise.
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 on 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 dacha work, bending upside down! Washing the floor and weeding the beds can be done on your knees or with the help of long tools.