Cervical osteochondrosis is the most common type of osteochondrosis, with this disease of the cervical vertebrae, there is an overgrowth of bone tissue, which results in compression of the spinal cord in the cervical spine. As a result of such compression, there is malnutrition of the tissues of the spine. Such osteochondrosis develops in people who keep the cervical spine in tension most of the time.
Treatment of this osteochondrosis with folk remedies or drugs should be carried out at the early stages of this disease.
And in order to determine the presence of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to be familiar with the symptoms of this type of osteochondrosis in order to start the timely treatment of this disease.
Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms of the disease
Usually, people start to think about treatment for osteochondrosis after the onset of pain. This is when we think about the question: how to treat cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies or drugs.
- Headaches appear, especially in the back of the head, pain in the neck when moving the head, difficulties in the motor functions of the neck.
- A person periodically develops dizziness, a feeling of nausea, darkens in the eyes, and makes noise in the ears.
- Then these sensations of pain can descend in the body: in the arms and in the chest.
- Patients have numbness in their fingertips, pain in the heart.
- With the progression of osteochondrosis, painful throbbing sensations appear in the eyes, vision may deteriorate.
- If a crunch appears with a sharp movement of the neck, this is already a sign that you need to have a cervical spine examination.
- In the future, with the development of this type of osteochondrosis, you can get yourself a bunch of more serious diseases: ischemic diseases of the brain or spinal cord, atrophy of the hands.
Before starting treatment for cervical osteochondrosis, this disease should be diagnosed by a specialist - a doctor after the examination and on the basis of symptoms. You may be offered the following examination methods: MRI, radiography, tomography.
Cervical osteochondrosis: drug treatment
In order to reduce pain during an exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, drugs are usually prescribed - pain relievers.
The most suitable drug will be prescribed by a specialist based on the results of the examination.
Osteochondrosis: treatment with folk remedies
Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies is even more common in people than treatment of this disease with drugs. But to achieve the best result, these methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis should be combined in consultation with a specialist. Folk remedies used in the treatment of this disease are primarily aimed at reducing pain, stopping the process of destruction of cartilage tissue.
Compresses are widely used in the treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies.
- Mash hot boiled potatoes with a mash and add the same amount of honey. Put the prepared cake on the cervical spine, cover with a plastic bag and a cloth that will keep warm. Soak until the cake has cooled. This compress can be done several times a day.
- Mix aloe juice with the same amount of dry mustard, add propolis tincture and vodka. We put the resulting mixture on the cervical spine and also cover it with a plastic bag and a cloth on top. It is best to make this compress before bed and keep it overnight.
- Knead the dough from rye flour and water, bake several cakes in the oven, which are hot applied to the neck and back of the head and covered with a thick cloth.
- When treating osteochondrosis with folk remedies, you can make compresses from a decoction of herbs such as the leaves and root of burdock, St. John's wort, dandelion root. In a decoction of these herbs, moisten a piece of thick cloth and tie it to the cervical spine, cover with cellophane on top and hold the compress for about 30 minutes, then remove the compress and wrap the neck with a scarf.
You can also treat osteochondrosis with folk remedies taken by mouth:
- Mix aloe juice with the same amount of radish juice, add a little vodka and liquid honey. This mixture is taken on an empty stomach once a day.
- Prepare a decoction of oregano, chamomile, hops, pour boiling water over these herbs and store in a dark place for about 3 days. The resulting product is taken 1 tablespoon twice a day.
- You can prepare a decoction of parsley roots: for 500 g of water, 3 tablespoons of herbs, boil for an hour. Take 1 tablespoon 2 times a day.
- Pour the red elderberries with alcohol and let stand for 7 days. The tincture can rub the cervical region of the spine.
- You can prepare an ointment from pork fat and hop cones, which are mixed in a 1: 1 ratio. With this ointment, carefully rub the cervical spine and the back of the head and wrap these places with a scarf. It is best to rub before bedtime, and in the morning wash and rub the scalp and skin on the neck with a towel.
Exercises for the treatment of osteochondrosis
The exercises listed below are effective in treating osteochondrosis. These exercises aim to restore muscle tone in the cervical spine, and these exercises help improve blood circulation in the neck.
- With your hands in the lock, press down on the frontal part of the head. At this point, as if you are resisting, lean your head against your hands. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat the exercise 5 to 10 times.
- The next exercise is similar to the first. Only it is necessary to press your hands not on the forehead, but in turn on the left and right ears.
- The aim of the exercise is to relax the muscles of the neck. This exercise can be performed, for example, if you work on the computer for a long time. Relax your neck muscles and lower your head towards your chest. Try to feel how heavy your head is. Return to the starting position. Repeat 5 to 10 times.
- This exercise is similar to the previous one. Lower your head towards your chest, relax your muscles, and roll your head from one lower shoulder to the other. The exercise is done slowly.
- Straighten your neck, head straight. Turn your head to the right trying to reach your right shoulder, then turn your head to the left trying to reach your left shoulder. This exercise stretches the muscles of the neck.
All methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis should preferably be used in combination.
But! Before starting treatment for cervical osteochondrosis, make sure that you have this particular disease, have a thorough examination, and seek medical advice.
Diet for osteochondrosis
Ultimately, I would like to note that in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to follow a diet.
It is best to eat more often and in small portions.
The diet should contain as little salt as possible, less liquid, spicy and too salty foods, strong tea or coffee.
You will need to exclude baked goods from your diet, as well as sweets and soft drinks.
Don't eat mayonnaise. Do not include canned foods in your diet. These products only clog the blood, but there is no benefit.
Your diet should contain the following foods:
- Milk, cottage cheese, hard cheese, rye bread (ie Calcium).
- Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, green onions (i. e. manganese and vitamins A, B and C).
- Meat, seafood, nuts including seeds, liver (i. e. copper and vitamins B and D).
- Already labeled eggs, fish and meat and milk (i. e. phosphorus).
The diet is not complicated! We wish you health and success in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.