Osteochondrosis symptoms of cervical spine and treatment at home are based on a self-healing method. The method consists of the patient's correct actions and support of the body's self-regulating, self-healing functions to restore nervous and vascular disorders of the cervix.
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. But for this it is necessary to know the structure and natural purpose of the spine and remember that our body is a self-healing system that exists according to certain universal laws.
The role of the spine
Before considering the topic: "Cervical osteochondrosis, symptoms and treatment at home", it is logical to dwell on the question: "What role does the spine play in our lives? "
The spine is the skeleton of our skeleton. Head, body, upper and lower limbs are supported on it. In other words, it is the spine that gives our body the shape we usually see.
Attached to the spine are powerful connective tissue bands and many large and small muscles that keep our body upright, and vital internal organs in certain places 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 "sheath" in the spinal canal against external influences. Spinal nerve roots occur through the vertebrae between the vertebrae. In the initial part, they are covered with discs and bone structures. Intervertebral discs consist of cartilage plates located above and below, an annulus fibrosus and a nucleus pulposus. The thickness of the discs in the uterine 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). If the plates, due to sudden movements, excessive strain, prolonged posture, spinal cord injuries or inflammatory processes, are damaged, the vertebral artery, which passes through the openings in the vertebrae and nerve plexes leaving the spinal cord, is compressed.
The number of electrical impulses from the spinal cord to organs and tissues decreases, metabolic processes are lowered. This becomes the cause of the disease in certain organs as well as the cause of aging of the body.
Symptoms
This is what explains the many symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis, 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, legsand vascular disorders.
The manifestation of the disease depends on the location of the disc lesion and the displacement of the vertebrae as well as on the area innervated by the compressed nerve plexus.
So the health of our body depends on the health of the spine.
Self-healing treatment
Just want to warn you that the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis has been made by a neurologist or chiropractor based on the results of a comprehensive medical examination.
Once the diagnosis is established and there is no acute period of edema and inflammation at the site of the intervertebral lesion, a self-healing method can be used.
The essence of the method:
- in the patient's correct actions aimed at eliminating the cause of symptoms of osteochondrosis - compression, displacement of the nervous and vascular structures of the spinal cord in connection with destructive changes in the intervertebral discs;
- in support of self-regulating, self-healing body functions to restore nervous and vascular disorders of the cervical spine.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, regardless of the effect on the cause of the disease, you can read in the article of the same name.
It is impossible to eliminate the cause of the disease - deformation of the intervertebral discs, but you can learn to relax the cervix and gently stretch the vertebrae to relieve the pressure on the nerve roots and blood vessels, thereby relieving the symptoms of compression.
The method of self-healing requires personal desire, endurance, self-discipline and readiness 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 very organized self-healing system that lives in accordance with natural laws. Errors in it occur when you break these laws, no matter why, due to ignorance of them or unwillingness to abide by them.
Principles of the method
Before proceeding to the method of self-healing using therapeutic exercises, several natural principles of this method should be noted.
- It is known that you must first tense to relax a muscle well. Therefore, many of the therapeutic exercises developed by manual therapy specialists 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 respiratory phases. Inhalation is excitement, and exhalation is relaxation. If these principles are adhered to, the exercises performed will contribute to the proper functioning of the circulatory system and will not interfere with the regulation of nervous processes.
Personal Self-Healing System
First, I want to share my own self-healing system for cervical osteochondrosis.
In addition to exercises "turtle" and relaxation of the shoulder girdle, sitting ("How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervix"), which not only relaxes the muscles of the neck and shoulders, but also awakens the body's healing powers and normalizes energy supply to all cells and organs, I use one more position - relaxation of the neck muscles.
However, I would warn you about caution when performing this position! Remember - in the cervical spine is the vertebral artery and nerve plexus that go to the brain!
Since the discs in the 5th, 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae in my case are deformed in case of pain and tension in the neck as well as headaches ringing in the ears, I resort to the following posture:
- I'm lying on my back, on the bed with my head against the leg end (which is without a back). I slowly lower my head as I exhale so that my seventh cervical vertebra is located on the edge of the mattress. Thus my head hangs down under its weight, my neck bends and relaxes, my chin is up. This hanging position on the head should be short-lived - only a few seconds from 5 to 10.
If I feel uncomfortable or count to 10, I slowly begin to "crawl" on the bed while inhaling without lifting the back of my head from the bed and holding on to the edges with my hands.
Do not lift your head abruptly from such a "hanging" position!
Only a slow "crawling" of the head on the bed and stretching the neck at the same time releases pinched blood vessels and nerves, relieves pain in the neck and head.
After this position, lie down in a relaxed state for several minutes.
This stretch of the cervical vertebrae helps with deformity of the lower cervical vertebrae.
Relief of headaches and other symptoms
If the symptoms are dominated by a headache that occurs sharply in one half of the head, sometimes with nausea, this indicates a disturbance in the articulation of the skull with the first cervical vertebra at the exit point of the occipital nerve innervating half of the headon every side. Therefore, when the occipital nerve is pinched on one side, there is pain in this particular side of the head.
Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders due to headache are observed due to violation of nerve fibers running from the spinal cord in the 2nd cervical vertebra to the brainstem.
In the case of disorders of the region of the first and second vertebrae, therapeutic positions for muscle relaxation are also effective. Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Honorary Physician of the Russian Federation Anatoly Boleslavovich Sitel in his book "Solo for the Spine" suggests the following attitude to the relief of headaches.
- Sit down in a relaxed chair. But at the same time, keep your torso straight. Tilt your head forward as you exhale so that it "hangs down" under the influence of its weight. Then hold your head for about 10 seconds, then lift it while inhaling and rest for half a minute. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Gentle exercise
For cervical osteochondrosis, symptoms and treatment at home, you can use the following two gentle exercises to relax the cervix in case of cramps and pain.
You have to sit on a chair, straighten your torso. Put your hands on your knees. The legs are parallel to each other. The bag is relaxed, the breathing is calm.
Inhale and lower your head, touching your sternum with your chin while pulling the back of your head up. Hold this position for a few seconds. Then exhale slowly, lifting 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, head on your knees. During inhalation, slowly lift your head as you exhale, lowering it. Repeat 5-7 times.
During training, the neck muscles are first tensed and then relaxed more easily and faster.
All exercises should be performed slowly and evenly, that is, you should not make sudden movements, should not rush, should not experience severe tension or pain. As soon as you feel uncomfortable, stop exercising and try to relax and unwind.
Local Remedies
At home, in addition to therapeutic exercises to relax and stretch the cervical vertebrae, you can eliminate tension and slight pain in the neck with manual massage or using massage devices (after consultation with a doctor) and topical means - thermal procedures (tinctures, rubbing, compression bath).
However, it is necessary to know that thermal procedures can be harmful in case of severe pain and inflammation in the affected area of the spine, as they increase the flow of arterial blood and slow down venous outflow, causing them to worsen symptoms. , increases pain and swelling of tissues.
For topical application to spasmodic muscles use the following freshly prepared solution: 15 ml of Dimexide, 15 ml of a 0. 5-1% solution of novocaine and 4-6 ml of a 50% solution of analgin are poured into a cup in which gauzenapkins are dipped, folded in 4 layers. The size of the napkins should correspond to the painful area.The moistened napkin is applied to the appropriate area (the skin is pre-treated with alcohol), covered with cellophane and fixed. The procedure takes 1-1, 5 hours.
Compressions are performed daily for 4-6 days. If redness occurs, it is advisable to replace the compression with Dimexide ointment or Dimexide ointment.
Adherence to a proper diet is of great importance in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Prevention
Dear readers, remember that our body is a self-regulating biological system which, if our posture is wrong, signals pain or discomfort.
Take care of your spine! Do not get out of bed! First, turn on your side and rest on your elbow and raise gently.
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 have to lift the load and sit down a bit.
Do not do housework or dacha work, bending your head! Washing the floor and weeding the beds can be done on your knees or using long tools.