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 years. With 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 structure of the vertebrae in which there are many moving elements. The neck holds the head, it is constantly in tension. Due to muscle spasms, loss of mobility of the spine, blood vessels, nerve bundles are compressed. 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, treatment is difficult to perform.
Where, when to start treatment?
Osteochondrosis belongs to a group of diseases that cannot be cured in later stages. In advanced cases, it is worth facilitating the course and restoring the mobility of the spine. In the early stages, there is a possibility of complete recovery, resolving osteochondrosis, but the process can develop again.
The earlier treatment is started, the more effective it will be. It is easier to prevent the development of the disease, to constantly take preventive measures in the future, than to regularly experience the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
For those who have unexpectedly found an attack of neck pain, the important question is where to cure cervical osteochondrosis.
It is worth contacting a special medical institution where there is a vertebrologist, a neurologist. After clarifying the diagnosis, a complex treatment of the disease is prescribed.
An alternative option is home treatment, self-medication. This is in addition to the procedures prescribed by the doctor, medications. In that case, the patient is responsible for health.
First aid should be provided at home by taking a tablet with analgesic properties.
Taking pain medication 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, comorbidities, determining the cause of pain, the doctor decides how to properly treat cervical osteochondrosis. The following goals are pursued in the treatment: alleviation of symptoms of worsening osteochondrosis, therapeutic measures aimed at improvement, inhibition of the course of the disease.
There are many methods, ways. They are used in different situations, in different order. The doctor prescribes the following treatment:
- He prescribes painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics. Tasks - to relieve muscle tension, remove compression of blood vessels, nerve fibers, remove the focus of inflammation. Relieves pain, begins the recovery process. The group consists of drugs prescribed in the form of tablets, ointments, injections.
- A drug that stimulates the regeneration of cartilage and bone tissue is prescribed. It is usually available in tablets, less often in injections. This treatment is "for the future". Helping to repair damaged tissue inhibits the process, reduces the likelihood of remission. Ointments, warming gels, anti-inflammatory action are prescribed.
- Manual therapy. Relieves muscle spasms, stimulates metabolic processes in the damaged area, activates physical abilities. Therapeutic gymnastics, massages, chiropractic, reflexology, acupuncture are prescribed.
- Surgical intervention. Irreversible processes (disc herniation) are removed by surgery.
In addition, the doctor prescribes a diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals. It is recommended to change habits, warm up regularly. In the first days of the onset of the disease, bed rest is prescribed, special corsets that support the head and relax the neck muscles.
With cervical osteochondrosis you should see a doctor. Self-medication will cause more damage to health. The doctor will determine treatment options, prescribe medications, or change medications.
Treatment at home
Many people like to treat diseases at home - they save money, events are held in a familiar, pleasant environment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be comprehensive. In the beginning, it is necessary to stop the pain with the help of ointments, gels, creams, home compresses.
Equally important in this case is the daily practice of self-massage, gymnastic exercises. In addition, you will have to completely change your lifestyle - revise your nutritious diet, move more, be in the fresh air.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is a group of techniques aimed at improving the condition, influencing the pathological process.
Effective, popular home treatments:
Self-massage, massage
The procedure will bring noticeable results from taking the medication. Self-massage, with the help of a third party, improves blood circulation, metabolic processes in the affected area and relaxes the muscles. It leads to the removal of pain, dizziness, stiffness.
If there is no known masseur who is ready to perform the treatment at home, you should perform kneading, rubbing, stroking, pinching on your own. The most important thing is to listen to the body, not to hurt.
Devices for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Procedures performed by doctors should be replaced by special devices. Several types of devices are used for massage, which are difficult to damage if used properly.
There are complex technical devices. Treating cervical osteochondrosis with acupuncture is effective, but finding a specialist is not easy. The procedure is performed with a special Kuznets applicator. The devices include special pillows, corsets and other means to keep the spine in the correct position.
Physiotherapy
Gymnastics, warming up is the easiest way to take care of your spine yourself. There are groups of exercises that are done in the morning at work and that last a few minutes. In cervical osteochondrosis, turns are chosen, the head is tilted to the side. Warming up the shoulder girdle is sometimes effective.
ethnoscience
The basis of medicines are plant extracts. Tinctures, herbal decoctions, homemade ointments to which the components are not allergic are used in the treatment, depending on the effect of drug replacement. For cervical osteochondrosis, use horseradish leaves (painkillers), potatoes with honey, cakes as dressings. Many plants are used for this disease.
Self-medication
There are many medicines in pharmacies. You can choose medicated patches, ointments, gels for external use. Self-prescribing tablets is not recommended. For severe pain, you can take painkillers.
Preventive actions
It is better to prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis. To do this, it is worth to lead an active lifestyle, do regular exercises, gymnastics. If the job involves long sitting in one place, warm-up breaks are taken regularly, and the position of the back and head is monitored. For sleep you need to choose comfortable mattresses, pillows, use orthopedic products.
At the first suspicion, it is recommended to go to the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis, compile a treatment plan and adjust preventive measures. The cervical spine should be treated carefully, listening to the feelings of the body.