How is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine treated at home?

Pain appears when you don't expect it. Even the most self-confident person in such cases can become confused and scared. The cause of the pain syndrome is usually osteochondrosis. How is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine treated at home and how effective will the treatment be? Let's find out more.

What is osteochondrosis?

Official medical sources interpret osteochondrosis as a degenerative disease that affects the intervertebral disc with involvement of the vertebrae and adjacent joints. The elasticity of the intervertebral joint is affected and the disc becomes thinner. It is necessary to understand how nutritional and metabolic processes occur in the intervertebral discs. This structural element is made up of cartilaginous tissue, here there are no blood vessels. Power is diffuse, like a bomb. When it is moved to squeeze, a lubricating liquid is released and then absorbed again. If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appears, exercise therapy, massage and the full range of therapeutic techniques should be prescribed as soon as possible.

What changes occur in the spine and its symptoms.

The following processes occur in the affected joint:

  • the nucleus pulposus of the disc loses physiological moisture;
  • cartilage loses its shape;
  • loses its elasticity;
  • changes its color;
  • dries up;
  • turns yellow;
  • loses resistance to damage.
spinal injury with cervical osteochondrosis

The consequence of this is a violation of the synchronization of movement in the adjacent segments of the spine, a violation of the nerve roots. The main symptoms of degenerative changes will be pain, limited mobility, some forms of paresthesia ("crawling", tingling).

All these changes suggest the presence of osteochondrosis. How osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or any other is treated, we will talk further.

Why does osteochondrosis occur?

The causes of the onset of the disease include everything that disrupts the power of the disk:

  • Congestion caused by static charges.
  • Prolonged retention of unfavorable positions, especially sitting. There is a good proverb: "If you can stand, do not sit, if you can lie down, do not stand. "
  • Traumatic effects on end plates, fibrous ring fibers.
pinched artery with cervical osteochondrosis

Common reasons include unbalanced nutrition, physical inactivity, insufficient development of the deep muscles that make up the muscular corset. The stability of the spine is due to the complex interaction of the bone, muscle and nerve structures of the skeleton. The muscles of the abdomen and back are antagonistic, balancing each other. Therefore, the postulate "movement is life" remains relevant as never before. Exercises can effectively influence cervical spine degenerative disc disease. Exercise therapy is used both in a polyclinic and at home. Since the spine consists of several sections, the disease can occur in any of them. The cervical and lumbar regions are more exposed.

How is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifested?

Manifestations of osteochondrosis of various locations are combined into syndromes:

  • cervicalgia syndrome (reduced mobility of the shoulder joint, pain of a different nature);
  • cervicocranialgia (pain in the back of the head, neck discomfort, there may be tinnitus, dizziness, palpitations, nausea);
  • cervicobrachyalgia or scapular shoulder syndrome (neck pain that flows into the shoulder and arm).
neck pain with osteochondrosis

If you are concerned about pain, often at night, with numbness, the diagnosis will likely be confirmed - osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine. The pain syndrome associated with disorders in this department is called thoracalgia.

Physiotherapy at home

How osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated with medication is described in many reference books. But in most cases, the effect of the drug is short-lived. Here exercise therapy can come to the rescue.

physical therapy exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
  1. We stand against the wall and lean against it with the back of our heads. We try to press the wall with maximum force for a few seconds. Then we relax.
  2. We sit at the table, lean our elbows. We rest the chin on the hands, trying to press the palms, while we try to tilt the head or turn it to the side.
  3. Rest your head on your hands at the back of your head. Alternatively, then press on them with the back of your head and then relax. Perform multiple reps with a hold of up to 10 seconds.
  4. Support your head with your palms, alternately pressing on one or the other hand.

During exacerbations, exercises are performed with a duration of no more than 3-4 seconds and with moderate effort. Classes will slow down osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Home exercises can be started after you are satisfied that they are performed correctly in a healthcare setting.

Massage without the help of a professional.

If the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is confirmed, then massage will be one of the necessary treatment methods. In this case, it is not only a useful procedure, but also an irreplaceable one. Initially, it is better to take a professional course, and then perform simple techniques at home on your own. These techniques include the post-static muscle relaxation technique. The peculiarity of the method consists in the passive stretching of the muscle from the position of overexertion in combination with massage elements. It is necessary to apply the technique after the spasmodic muscles have warmed up (bath, hot compress, kneading, stroking).

neck pain with cervical osteochondrosis

When using the self-massage, the same techniques are used as in the professional. These are stroking, kneading, pointing, patting, shaking. The massage is done with warm and lukewarm hands. Use massage oil to improve gliding. The sequence of techniques is as follows:

  • caressing
  • trituration;
  • kneading;
  • vibration (patting, shaking).

Acting on the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the massage begins and ends with caresses.

A little manual therapy

  1. We sat in a high-backed chair. We grasp the head with our hands, placing the thumbs on the cheekbones (more precisely, on the bumps under the eye sockets). We lift our eyes, breathe, and press the back of the head with our fingers. We hold for up to a quarter of a minute, then as we exhale, we lean on the back of the chair and relax our neck muscles, tilting our head down. We repeat the technique several times. Then we wrap our fingers around the neck, closer to its top, slightly tilt the head forward. We press our fingers on the base of the skull, making them a slow rotational movement. Gradually lower your fingers down and down, approaching the trapezius muscle. The way osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated with the help of manual therapy can be seen in the following manipulations.
  2. neck pain with osteochondrosis
  3. We lie on our back, pulling our shoulders down as much as possible. Place your hand on the painful side under your buttock, palm up. Place the other hand under the head, grasping the back of the head and tilting it to the side opposite the problem. As you inhale, press your head against your fingers for 15 seconds. As you exhale, relax and pull your head a little harder, stretching the sore muscle.

A set of measures in the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely defeat cervical osteochondrosis. Treatment at home or in a medical facility must be comprehensive. This includes the use of:

  • analgesics;
  • muscle relaxants that help relieve muscle spasms;
  • drugs with chondroprotective action;
  • physiotherapy procedures;
  • massage;
  • Exercise therapy;
  • balance diet.

Having studied the medical literature, certain conclusions can be drawn about how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated, but to do without the treatment prescribed by a professional is a crime directed against health.