Cervical osteochondrosis: how to treat it at home?

One of the varieties of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of intervertebral discs is cervical osteochondrosis, which can be treated at home. The main objective is to complement and improve the work of classical methods of treatment (drugs, physiotherapy).

Description of the pathology

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine will affect multiple organs and systems at once due to the peculiarities of blood supply and innervation:

1. Impaired motor activity in the upper limbs.
2. Severe pain syndrome (especially in the acute phase).
3. Violation of the visual and auditory system. Tinnitus can occur. A pathological change in blood circulation (vertebral artery syndrome) leads to the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes, loss of visual fields.
4. Sensory impairment (numbness of the limbs).
5. Headache (due to hypoxia).

Several stages of development of the disease can be distinguished:

1. Acute (first 2-3 weeks). Pronounced clinical picture, but minor changes in the osteochondral apparatus.
2. Subacute (3-6 weeks). Clinically, pain remains the main symptom and signs of bone destruction appear in the images.
3. Chronic (more than 6 weeks). The clinic manifests itself rarely and mildly expressed syndromes (painful pain, restriction of movement). The images show pronounced changes in the joint surfaces. Intervertebral hernias often occur (bone structures become fragile).

Home treatment

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is allowed at home, as well as other methods of treatment (pills, physiotherapy). As a rule, the effectiveness of alternative therapy is much lower, but many repetitions of these treatments are allowed (after 3-4 treatments, patients begin to experience relief).

It is possible to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home, but only if the following conditions are met:

1. Compensation or under-compensation stage (no clinical or minor manifestations).
2. Consultation with a doctor (rheumatologist, therapist).
3. No allergic reaction to the components of the treatment.

Benefits of home treatment:

1. Availability at all times.
2. Profitable.

Disadvantages of therapy:

1. Poor selection of funds and consequently lack of effect, possible deterioration of condition.
2. Wrong exercise.
3. Possible exacerbation of concomitant diseases caused by incorrect self-medication tactics.

Complex exercise therapy

When performing exercises with cervical osteochondrosis, severe pain should not be allowed. Perform the course exclusively according to the individual abilities of the body, from any position (standing, sitting, lying).

All the exercises are selected by a specialist.

Example exercise:

• flexion / extension of the head;
• circular movements of the head;
• leans forward / backward, right / left.

Self-massage

Exercise therapy, physiotherapy and massage of the cervical neck area are performed in the complex over several weeks.

Massage options:

• dotted line;
• self-massage;
• empty;
classic
• .

Needle applicator

One of the options for reflexology using a special plate. It is based on a mechanical action on the innervation zones.

This device can be purchased in specialized pharmacies and used independently as a massager.

Friction of pharmaceutical products

At the moment there are a large number of infusions and lotions in the drugstore, which eliminates the need for self-preparation.

These grains include the following:

1. Essential oils (sage, mint, lemon balm, aloe, tea tree).
2. Analgesics for pain relief.
3. Irritants (pepper, mustard).
4. Antiseptic (alcohol, menthol).

Apply each according to the attached instructions.

Folk remedies and recipes

Recipes of folk remedies in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis have long been known for their effectiveness and simplicity. How and how to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home - these are the best known and most effective methods of traditional medicine that are used in patients with pathology of the musculoskeletal system, in particular osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

Herbal infusions

Herbs in the treatment of osteochondrosis at home are the most popular among the people. Medicines are available in all pharmacies in the city.

The application has no significant consequences and repeated processing with slight interruption is possible. Age restrictions are also conditional (admission is allowed for children in the absence of contraindications).

You should know that all infusions, lotions, compresses are not recommended to be used hot. The reason is that heating the affected area can provoke the appearance of a diffuse purulent infection (phlegmon, abscess), especially if there was microdamage in this area. Hot substances have a negative effect on people with hypertension associated with osteochondrosis.

Sunflower decoction

In this treatment option, the root of this plant is used (you can prepare it yourself or buy it at a pharmacy).

Root or 2 teaspoons of dry matter pour 1 cup of boiling water. Insist for 24 hours, then moisten the gauze and apply to the neck area. The duration of treatment is 7 days.

Conifer broth

The needles have strong tanning properties. There are several ways to apply it:

1. In strengthening baths. Pour 1 liter of boiling water over several pine legs and let stand for 2 hours. Then pour the resulting solution into a bath at a temperature of 38 ° C. The duration of the bath is 30 minutes. 7 day course.
2. In infusions. Pour 2 teaspoons of dry matter with a 70% alcohol solution and let stand for 3 days. Rub the affected area twice a day. The term of completion is 14 days.
3. Boil the pine thighs for 5 minutes. Filter the resulting broth and rub for 20 minutes.

Dandelion broth

Has mild anti-inflammatory properties. Improves metabolic processes in tissues. Use case:

1. Take 2-3 teaspoons of dry matter and pour in boiling water (300 ml). Insist for an hour and rub in the cervical area until a slight redness appears. 7 day course.
2. Pour 3 teaspoons of dandelion flowers and medicinal chamomile (1: 1) with 70% alcohol solution. Insist for a day, then apply 2 times a day.

Infusion of pine buds

Method of preparation: pour 2-3 tablespoons of kidneys with boiling water and, after cooling completely, use on the affected area. 8 day course.

Compresses and applications

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis by traditional methods includes several compresses and lotions, but you need to remember a few basic rules when using:

1. Frequent repetitions of the course of treatment (usually 2 to 3). The reason is that the effectiveness of therapy is extremely low in a course.
2. The effect of the treatment is more pronounced if you wrap a scarf / towel around the damaged area. The reason for this is the effect of additional heat in addition to the action of drugs.

With kerosene

Kerosene 50 ml, mix with 2-3 teaspoons of sunflower oil and 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda. Rub the resulting mixture into the cervix area for 20 minutes. The course of therapy is 15 days.

The mixture is irritating and should be used with caution.

Potato

Compresses, herbal teas, lotions and potatoes are the most common treatment. There are several reasons for this:

• availability;
• efficiency;
• absence of strict contraindications (except starch allergy).

Examples of use:

1. Finely grate the potatoes and strain. Form the resulting dry mixture into a cake and apply on the affected area for 20 minutes. The course of therapy is 2 weeks.
2. Boil the potatoes (3-4) in their skins. Then mash and wrap in cheesecloth. Apply hot potatoes to the cervix area for 20 minutes (avoid the formation of burns). The course of therapy is 7 days.

With radish

Radish is an irritant, therefore the exposure time should be reduced according to individual tolerance.

Examples of radish use:

1. Grate the radishes on a fine grater and pass through a sieve. Apply the resulting dry mixture to the cervical spine for 10 to 20 minutes. The course of therapy is 2 weeks.
2. Grate the radish and strain. Mix the resulting juice with honey in a ratio of 1: 3. Pour the solution with alcohol and leave in a dark room for 3 days. Then moisten the gauze with an infusion and apply for 10 to 20 minutes on the affected area. The course of therapy is 7 days.

Sour cream and comfrey

Comfrey has a strong astringent and anti-inflammatory effect. The root of the plant is rubbed on a fine grater and mixed with sour cream until a porridge is obtained (usually a 1: 1 ratio). On the cervical area for 2 minutes and a 7-day cure.

Honey recipes

Honey has an almost immense list of useful properties:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antiseptic;
tan
• ;
• regenerating.

The only contraindication is allergic reactions or individual intolerance.

Most Popular Honey Recipes:

1. Pure honey. Rub honey (50-100g) into the affected area for 20 minutes. The course of therapy is 15 days.
2. Mix 50 g of honey and 2 teaspoons of mustard and rub the creamy mixture into the neck for 20-30 minutes. The course of therapy is 2 weeks.
3. Combine honey (20–40 mg), aloe juice (5 ml) and tea tree oil (2–4 drops). Stir well and apply for 20 minutes. The course of therapy is 9 days.

Friction

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is possible at home by rubbing the affected area with infusions and decoctions.

This method is based on two mechanisms:

• mechanical pressure;
• medicinal effects of herbs.

Mother and stepmother

The flowers and stems of plants can be used in the preparation of the infusion. When cooking, pour 70% alcohol and let stand for 4 weeks in a dark room. After that, filter the solution through cheesecloth and store it in a glass container out of the reach of children.

Method of application: rub with light massaging movements on the affected area 2 times a day for 10 to 15 minutes. The course of therapy is 2 weeks.

Horseradish and elderberry

Horseradish and elderberries can be used separately or in combination. The combined treatment is shown below.

Method of preparation: separately from each other pour boiling water (1 cup) of horseradish leaves and elderberries (with leaves). Insist during the day. Then filter the two solutions and mix in a 1: 1 ratio. Rub the cervical spine and adjacent area once a day for 10 minutes. The course of therapy is 7 days.

Ointments

Ointment forms of drugs provide rapid pain relief in cervical osteochondrosis.

Efficacy is reduced if this form of treatment is used exclusively.

Butter egg

Mix the egg whites (2-3) with the butter in a 1: 2 ratio until you get a creamy porridge. Apply to the joint area once a day for 30 minutes and wrap with a terry towel.

Ginger ointment

It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. There are several ways to use ginger:

1. Pour 2-3 plant roots with olive oil and let stand for 24 hours. Lubricate the neck with the resulting mixture once a day overnight. The course of therapy is 2 weeks.
2. Grind the ginger root, add nutmeg and linseed oil. Cover the resulting oatmeal mixture with a towel and leave in a dark room for 8 hours. Rub into the joint for 20 minutes for 7 days.

Egg and mustard

Egg whites are rich in protein, and mustard has a pronounced irritant effect (improves local microcirculation) - these are the main reasons why these components are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Method of preparation: mix the protein of 2 eggs and 1-1, 5 tbsp. l. tablespoons of mustard until creamy. Apply to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes. 7 day course.

Mustard can cause severe local tissue irritation. With severe pain syndrome, the procedure is not recommended.

Ozokerite heating

Ozokerite is a natural wax. Often this procedure is carried out in sanatoria with paraffin heat treatment.

Pronounced effects:

• pain reliever;
• antispasmodic;
anti-inflammatory
• ;
regenerative
• .

Method of application: the wax is heated in a special container until it turns into a liquid state. Then it is carefully poured into a container with sides (a baking sheet can be used) and wait to cool to a temperature of 50 C. Then the resulting mass is separated from the container and applied to the affected area for heating. local tissue.

Carefully monitor the temperature of the wax and avoid burns.

Prevention of exacerbations

Recommendations on how to treat cervical osteochondrosis are generally known, as they apply to all rheumatologic diseases.

For effective prevention of the development of the disease, it is recommended to follow some simple but useful tips:

• physical activity (moderate);
• healthy diet (moderate salt intake);
• the right shoes (correct size, 4-6cm heel, cushioning insoles).

Following these rules is a guarantee of spinal health!