Osteochondrosis of the neck is an occupational disease. It develops with a sedentary lifestyle, the wrong position of the spine. The first signs appear at the age of 20. With an exacerbation, the question of treating osteochondrosis of the neck arises.
Degenerative-dystrophic processes in the cervical spine have a certain specificity. It is associated with the structures of the vertebrae, in which there are many moving elements. The neck holds the head, it is constantly in tension. Due to muscle spasm, the loss of mobility of the vertebrae, vessels, nerve bundles is squeezed. It leads to severe pain, loss of performance, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness and other unpleasant manifestations. Due to the mobility of the cervical spine, it is difficult to carry out the treatment.
Where, when to start treatment?
Osteochondrosis belongs to a group of diseases that cannot be cured in the later stages. In advanced cases, it is worth relieving the course, restoring the mobility of the spine. In the early stages, there is an opportunity to fully recover, get rid of osteochondrosis, but the process can develop again.
The earlier the treatment is started, the more effective it will be. It is easier to prevent the development of the disease in the future, to constantly carry out preventive measures than to regularly experience the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
For those who have unexpectedly encountered an attack of neck pain, the question of where to cure cervical osteochondrosis is relevant.
It is worth contacting a special medical institution where there is a vertebrologist, neurologist. After clarifying the diagnosis, complex treatment of the disease is prescribed.
An alternative option is home treatment, self-treatment. This is an addition to the doctor-prescribed procedures, medications. In this case, the patient is responsible for health.
First aid should be provided at home by drinking a pill with analgesic properties.
Taking a pain reliever does not replace a visit to the doctor. Ideally, you need a vertebrologist, a neurologist.
Traditional medicine
Depending on the stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the patient's habits, lifestyle, concomitant diseases, determining the cause of pain, the doctor decides how to properly treat cervical osteochondrosis. In the treatment, the following goals are pursued: relieving the symptoms of an exacerbation of osteochondrosis, therapeutic measures aimed at improving, inhibiting the course of the disease.
There are many methods, ways. They are used in different situations, in a different order. The doctor prescribes the following treatment:
- Prescribes painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics. Tasks: to relieve muscle tension, eliminate compression of blood vessels, nerve fibers, remove the focus of inflammation. Relieves pain, begins the recovery process. The group is represented by drugs prescribed in the form of tablets, ointments, injections.
- A drug is prescribed that stimulates the restoration of cartilage and bone tissue. Usually available in tablets, less often injections. This treatment is "for the future". Help in the restoration of damaged tissues inhibits the process, reduces the likelihood of remission. Ointments, warming gels, anti-inflammatory action are prescribed.
- Manual therapy. Relieves muscle spasm, stimulates metabolic processes in the damaged area, activates the capabilities of the body. Therapeutic gymnastics, massage sessions, hirudotherapy, reflexology, acupuncture are prescribed.
- Surgical intervention. Irreversible processes (herniated discs) are eliminated surgically.
In addition, the doctor prescribes diets rich in essential vitamins and minerals. It is advisable to change habits, do regular heating. In the first days of the onset of the disease, bed rest, special corsets that support the head and relax the neck muscles are prescribed.
With cervical osteochondrosis, you should go to the doctor. Self-medication will cause more harm to health. The doctor will determine treatment options, prescribe remedies, or change medications.
Home treatment
Many people like the treatment of the disease at home - they save money, events take place in a familiar and comfortable environment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be comprehensive. Initially, it is necessary to stop the pain with the help of ointments, gels, creams, home compresses.
Equally important in this case is the daily exercise of self-massage, gymnastic exercises. In addition, you will have to completely change your lifestyle: revise the nutritious diet, move more, be outdoors.
Home treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a group of techniques aimed at improving the condition, influencing the pathological process.
Effective and popular home treatments:
Self-massage, massage
The procedure will bring noticeable results compared to taking medications. A massage performed independently, with the help of a third-party person, improves blood circulation, metabolic processes in the affected area and relaxes the muscles. It leads to the elimination of pain, dizziness, numbness.
If there is no familiar masseur ready to carry out the treatment at home, it is necessary to independently perform kneading, rubbing, stroking, pinching movements. The main thing is to listen to the body, not to hurt.
Devices for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Procedures performed by doctors should be replaced with special devices. Different types of devices are used for massage, which are difficult to damage when used correctly.
There are complex technical devices. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with acupuncture is effective, but finding a specialist is not easy. The procedure is carried out with a special Kuznetsov applicator. Devices include special pillows, corsets and other means that keep the spine in the correct position.
Physiotherapy
Gymnastics, warming up is the easiest way to take care of the spine on your own. There are groups of exercises done in the morning at work that take a couple of minutes. With cervical osteochondrosis, turns, tilts of the head to the sides are chosen. Warming of the shoulder girdle is sometimes effective.
ethnoscience
The basis of medicines are plant extracts. In the treatment, tinctures, herbal decoctions, homemade ointments to the components of which they are not allergic are used, based on the effect of drug replacement. For cervical osteochondrosis use horseradish leaves (pain reliever), potatoes with honey, cakes as compresses. There are many plants used for the disease.
Self-administration of medicines
There are many medicines in the pharmacy. You can choose medicinal patches, ointments, gels for external use. It is not recommended to prescribe pills alone. For severe pain, you can drink pain relievers.
Preventive actions
It is better to prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis. To do this, it is worth leading an active lifestyle, regularly doing exercises, gymnastics. If the work involves sitting for a long time in one place, breaks are regularly taken for warm-up, the position of the back and head is monitored. For sleep, you should choose comfortable mattresses, pillows, use orthopedic products.
At the first suspicion, it is recommended to go to the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis, draw up a treatment plan and adjust preventive measures. The cervical spine must be treated with care, listen to the sensations of the body.