Cervical osteochondrosis is common in the medical literature, and its symptoms and treatment at home are adequately described. With timely contact with a medical institution, you can quickly diagnose and start treatment. Otherwise, compression and traumatic deformation of the nerve roots occur. The main thing is that the patient does not try to take any measures on their own. Proper therapy requires a comprehensive examination and mandatory testing.
Symptoms
There are 2 types of manifestations of dangerous diseases: reflex and radicular. The first category includes sharp or aching pain localized in the neck. The slightest attempt to turn the head ends in acute pain. In its chronic form, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes a characteristic crunch with each attempt to change the position of the head in space. To avoid unpleasant manifestations, many patients keep their head in a so-called forced position.
Diseases of the skeletal system are complemented by long-lasting headaches caused by damage to nerve endings. If we are talking about an attack of pain, then patients complain about its squeezing character. In some cases, the pain syndrome radiates to the temples or eyeball. As intervertebral tissue degenerates, neck osteochondrosis negatively affects visual and hearing acuity.
After 2-4 weeks from the beginning of the active phase of degenerative processes, vertebral artery syndrome is formed. It all starts with prolonged dizziness, which doctors misdiagnose as a cerebral circulation disorder. In fact, only an in-depth examination will show the real culprit for the failure. If treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is not started, then the patient develops imaginary attacks of angina pectoris.
Radicular symptoms occur as a result of changes in the structure of nerve endings that are responsible for the sensitivity of various organs. Such violations are manifested as follows:
- prolonged neck pain;
- decreased sensitivity in the lower extremities;
- pain in the outer shoulder area;
- nausea;
- increased irritability;
- sleep disorder;
- increased sensitivity of certain parts of the body;
- stiffness of movement.
Diagnosis and further course of treatment are prescribed by a neuropathologist and vascular surgeon. If everything is done on time, then the patient will need treatment for cervical osteochondrosis at home according to the doctor’s recommendations. The duration of such a course is 4-7 months.
Therapeutic techniques
If the disease is detected at an early stage, then there is no need for forced hospitalization of the patient. The disease is treated with medication, physiotherapy and some exercises. At the same time, the doctor will always inform the patient that therapy at home does not replace, but complements the main course. Its main goal is to normalize metabolic processes and accelerate the regeneration of damaged areas. In addition, exercises for cervical osteochondrosis strengthen muscle structure, reducing the likelihood of recurrence.
Self-massage opens a list of similar exercises. Relieves stress on the musculoskeletal system and increases blood flow. As a result, the size of the inflammation decreases. The attending physician introduces a methodology for its competent implementation. Basic rules:
- only the fingers of the hand are used;
- they move from the spine to the edge of the back;
- the movements are light;
- physical exertion is forbidden;
- you have to move your fingers slowly;
- the duration of the session is 5-6 minutes.
Charging for cervical osteochondrosis helps a lot, which must be carried out within the recommendations received from the doctor. Slow circular movements of the head in a clockwise / counterclockwise direction and lifting / lowering the chin are the most common types of exercises that can cure cervical osteochondrosis outside the office. The duration of 1 session is 10 minutes. A short break is every 2 minutes.
Dynamic exercises prescribed by a doctor will help in the effective treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
In a sitting position, you must bring your palm to your forehead. Then, with light physical effort, he rested his forehead on his palm. The duration of stay in this position is 1 minute. After that, you need to relax. To cure osteochondrosis at home, it is necessary to repeat this 5-6 times in one session.
Home treatment
Do not lose sight of physical therapy (exercise therapy). She should devote 10-15 minutes every day. For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home, following the doctor's advice and regular classes will help. The following exercises will help develop the muscular system of the upper limbs and cervical spine:
- leisurely circular movements of the arms at the shoulder joints;
- in the supine position it is necessary to press the legs bent at the knees next to the body;
- Yoga at home also helps strengthen the muscular system.
The main recommendation is to perform all the exercises prescribed by your doctor slowly. It will not be possible to achieve a quick effect, but every week the patient will notice a decrease in the unpleasant manifestations of the disease. Pathologies with cervical osteochondrosis are treated at home for a long time, so you have to be patient.
Any pathological change in the cervical spine requires urgent medical attention. It will prevent possible damage to nerve endings and blood vessels that are located in the immediate vicinity of the damaged area. It will be useful to give up a sedentary lifestyle and alcohol consumption. This causes pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, even in a healthy person.