Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and home treatment are based on a self-healing method. The method consists in the correct actions of the patient and the 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 non-severe cases, the patient can naturally relieve pain in the spine, muscle spasms, dizziness and other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in a natural way without medication. To do this, however, it is necessary to have a good understanding of the structure and natural purpose of the spine, and to remember that our body is a self-healing system that exists according to certain laws of the universe.
The role of the spine
Before looking at "Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment at home", it is logical to consider the question: "What role does the spine play in our lives? "
The spine is the skeleton of our skeleton. The head, body, upper and lower extremities are supported on it. In other words, it is the spine that gives our body the shape we usually see.
The spine has strong ligaments of connective tissue and many large and small muscles that keep our body in an upright position, as well as the vital internal organs at certain points along the spine.
The normal functions of our internal organs and all body tissues are provided by a large 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 "shell" of the spinal canal from external influences. The roots of the spinal nerve exit through the intervertebral foramen of the vertebrae. In the first part, they are covered with discs and bone structures. Intervertebral discs consist of cartilage plates arranged above and below, an annulus fibrosus and a nucleus pulposus. The thickness of the intervertebral discs in the cervical vertebrae is very small - only 4 mm.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Healthy, intact intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers for various loads on the spine (compression, stretching). When the intervertebral discs are damaged as a result of sudden movements, excessive exertion, prolonged incorrect posture, injuries to the spine, or inflammatory processes, the vertebral artery that passes through the openings in the vertebrae and the nerve plexus leaving the spinal cord is compressed.
The number of electrical impulses that get 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 the aging of the body.
Symptoms
This explains the numerous symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which include pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder girdle, heart, liver and stiff neck, back of the head, weakness in the arms, legs and vascular diseases.
The manifestation of the disease depends on the location of the disc lesion and the displacement of the vertebrae, as well as the area innervated by the compressed nerve plexus.
So the health of our body depends on the health of the spine.
Self-healing treatment
I just want to warn you that a diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is made by a neurologist or chiropractor based on the results of a comprehensive medical examination.
If the diagnosis is made and there is no acute period with edema and inflammation at the site of the disc lesion, a self-healing method can be used.
Method essence:
- in the correct actions of the patient to eliminate 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 the support of self-regulating, self-healing body functions to restore nerve and vascular diseases in the cervical spine.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, regardless of the cause of the disease, read in the article of the same name.
It is impossible to get rid of the cause of the disease - deformation of the intervertebral discs. However, you can learn to relax the cervical spine and gently stretch the cervical vertebrae 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 a willingness to gradually change your posture, take 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 the laws of nature. Mistakes occur when you break these laws, no matter why, because you don't know them or are unwilling to obey them.
Principles of the method
Before proceeding to the method of self-healing with the help of therapeutic exercises, you should observe some natural principles of this method.
- It is well known that in order to relax a muscle, you must first contract it. Therefore, many of the therapeutic exercises developed by specialists in manual therapy 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. Breathe in is tension and breathe out is relaxation. If these principles are observed, the exercises carried out contribute to the correct functioning of the circulatory system and do not disrupt the regulation of nervous processes.
Personal self-healing system
First, I'm going to share my own self-healing system for cervical osteochondrosis.
In addition to the 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 body's healing powers and the supply of energyNormalize all cells and organs I use one more position - relaxation of the neck muscles.
I want to warn you to be careful when doing this pose though! Remember - the cervical spine is where the vertebral artery and nerve plexuses that go to the brain are located!
Since in my case the intervertebral discs of the 5th, 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae are deformed with pain and tension in the neck as well as with headaches and ringing in the ears, I use the following posture:
- I lie on my back, on the bed, with my head at the end of the foot (without my back). I slowly lower my head as I exhale so that my seventh cervical vertebra is on the edge of the mattress. So my head hangs under his weight, my neck bends and relaxes, my chin is up. This hanging position of the head should be short-term - just a few seconds from 5 to 10.
I feel uncomfortable or I count to 10 and slowly begin to "crawl" on the bed as I breathe in, without lifting the back of my head from the bed and holding onto the edges with my hands.
You must not raise your head abruptly from such a "hanging" position!
Just a slow "crawl" of the head on the bed and the simultaneous stretching of the neck loosen trapped blood vessels and nerves and relieve pain in the neck and head.
After this position you have to lie down relaxed for a few minutes.
This stretching of the cervical vertebrae helps with deformities of the lower cervical vertebrae.
Relief from headaches and other symptoms
If the symptoms are dominated by headache, which occurs strongly in one half of the head, sometimes with nausea, this indicates a disruption of the articulation of the skull with the 1st cervical vertebra at the exit point of the occipital nerve, which is halfinnervated on each side of the head. Therefore, when the occipital nerve is pinched on one side, pain will occur on that particular side of the head.
Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases on the background of headache are observed due to a violation of the nerve fibers that go from the spinal node of the 2nd cervical vertebra to the brain stem.
In the case of disorders in the area of the first and second vertebrae, therapeutic postures for muscle relaxation are also effective. Doctor of Medicine, Professor, Honorary Doctor of the Russian Federation Anatoly Boleslavovich Sitel, in his book "Solo for the spine", suggests the following pose for relieving headaches.
- Sit in a relaxed chair. But at the same time keep your upper body straight. As you exhale, tilt your head forward so that it "hangs down" under the influence of its weight. Hold your head down for about 10 seconds. Then, as you inhale, lift it and rest for half a minute. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Gentle exercise
For osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms, and home treatment, you can use the following two gentle exercises to relax the neck muscles for cramps and pain.
You have to sit on a chair and straighten your upper body. Put your hands on your knees. The legs are parallel to each other. The pose is relaxed, breathing is calm.
Inhale and lower your head, touch your sternum with your chin and pull the back of your head up. Hold this position for a few seconds. Then, slowly exhale and lift 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 sitting position, lie down with your body on your feet and your head on your knees. Slowly raise your head as you inhale, lower your head as you exhale. Repeat 5-7 times.
During training, the neck muscles first tighten and then relax more easily and quickly.
All exercises should be done slowly and smoothly, that is, you should not make sudden movements, not rush, not be in excessive tension or pain. As soon as you feel uncomfortable, stop exercising and try to relax and rest.
Local resources
At home, in addition to therapeutic exercises to relax and stretch the cervical vertebrae, you can do tension and slight neck pain through manual massage or with the help of massage devices (after consulting a doctor), as well as topical means - thermal interventions (tinctures, rubbing, compresses, Bath).
However, it is important to know that thermal interventions can be harmful in the event of severe pain and inflammation in the affected area of the spine, as they increase arterial blood flow and slow down venous outflow. Therefore, they cause symptoms to worsen, increase pain, and increase tissue swelling.
For local application on cramped muscles, the following freshly prepared solution is used: 15 ml of dimexide, 15 ml of 0. 5-1% novocaine solution and 4-6 ml of 50% analgin solution are poured into a cup, into the gauze napkinsbe dived. folded in 4 layers. The size of the napkins should correspond to the painful area.
The moistened napkin is applied to the appropriate place (the skin is pretreated with alcohol), covered with cellophane and fixed. The process takes 1-1, 5 hours.
compressions are performed daily for 4-6 days. If there is redness, it is advisable to replace the compress with Dimexid with liniment or Dimexid ointment.
Adhering to the right diet is of great importance in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Prevention
Dear readers, remember that our body is a self-regulating biological system that signals pain or discomfort if the posture is incorrect.
Take care of your spine! Don't jump out of bed! First, roll on your side and gently get up on your elbows.
Do not lift weights in front of you and do not 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 and sit down a little.
Do not do any housework or dacha work and do not bend on your head! Washing the floor and weeding the beds can be done on your knees or with the help of long tools.