Many people suffer from osteoarthritis of the cervical spine.The disease progresses and develops gradually and imperceptibly, but at a not entirely great moment it manifests itself in the form of general deterioration of health and headaches.Can cervical spondylosis be treated at home with folk remedies and which specialist should I contact for help?
How does osteoarthritis appear and manifest?
The human cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae.They are connected by discs called intervertebral discs, with the nucleus pulposus located in the center.Creates unreasonable load on the spine, frequent uncomfortable positions, poor circulation, frequent muscle spasms, which ultimately lead to degeneration of cervical intervertebral cartilage.The result of these changes is the appearance of cracks in the cartilage of the intervertebral disc, in which the nucleus pulposus is displaced under the influence of load on the spine.This displacement causes compression of nearby structures - the substance of the spinal cord and the roots of spinal nerves, and thus causes pain.
Anyone who pays attention to their health can detect the first signs of osteoarthritis.Typically, cervical spondylosis causes pain in the shoulders, back of the head and neck.In addition, osteoarthritis also causes cerebral circulation disorders, headaches, dizziness and even loss of consciousness.
Most often, this disease occurs in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or work in sedentary jobs, in which the position of the head and neck during the working day is limited to a monotonous series of movements.If a person does not receive timely treatment and tries to correct the disease himself at home, the situation will worsen - the distance between the vertebrae narrows, the bones grow, which leads to permanent partial or complete loss of work ability.
If the above symptoms appear, you should seek help from a doctor.A vertebrae specialist treats various conditions of the spine;however, you can only find specialists with this profile at major medical centers.In a typical clinic, patients with osteoarthritis are treated by a neurologist and, in their absence, by a therapist.Only a doctor after examination can prescribe treatment (medicinal, folk, combined), adjust or cancel.
Stages of cervical spondylosis and diagnosis
The clinical course of osteonecrosis is characterized by three main stages of development, differing in symptoms and severity of the disorder:
- Stage 1– there is a crack in the disc ring;under load, the core can move sideways.At this stage, symptoms such as sharp pain and spasm of the neck muscles, numbness of the tongue, dilated pupils, the appearance of Wright's syndrome (tingling and numbness of the hand when moving behind the head), Naffziger's syndrome (crossing of the lower roots of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery), and pain in the neck muscles predominate;
- Stage 2– the distance between the vertebrae decreases, the annulus fibrosus dries out and as a result inflammation occurs due to rupture of the annulus fibrosus.In addition, the edges of the vertebral bodies are overgrown with osteophytes - specific bone growths.In addition to the symptoms of the first stage, there is also the so-called "head falling" syndrome, forcing the patient to use his hand to support his head to relieve pain;
- Stage 3– At this stage, the cartilage is completely broken and the nucleus pulposus prolapses and forms a hernia between the vertebrae.At this stage, symptoms include periodic neck pain, headaches and dizziness, loss of consciousness when turning the head sharply, and the limbs periodically "stop hearing".
For diagnosis, you should seek help from a neurologist, who after a preliminary examination will prescribe an in-depth examination.It should include radiographs, MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine, angiography, and vascular ultrasound.The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is made only on the basis of X-ray and MRI data when there are changes in the structure of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
How is the treatment performed?
How to treat cervical spondylosis?Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment that can completely cure this disease.If the patient's condition is satisfactory and hospitalization is not required, that is, treatment at home is possible, the doctor prescribes outpatient treatment, in which the patient comes to the doctor and undergoes the procedure on the specified days.In cases of severe illness, a decision may be made to be hospitalized.
Medicines to treat cervical spondylosis prescribed by doctors often include oral medications of the following groups:
- analgesic.Use for a long time 1-2 weeks 3 times a day after meals;
- folk sedatives - Motherwort, valerian, St.John's wort.They are mild sedatives and prevent nervous system exhaustion caused by prolonged pain.Accepted in 1–3 weeks;
- diuretics.They help reduce swelling in inflamed areas;
- Vitamin B - normalizes muscle conduction, helps improve metabolic processes in nervous tissue;
- muscle relaxants - help relax cramped muscles.
- chondroprotectors – drugs that help improve cartilage tissue structure and disc function.
In addition, gels, ointments, creams and various folk or medicinal liniments are used topically, which have analgesic, warming and distracting effects.
Other treatments
In addition to drugs and folk remedies aimed at easing the patient's condition, postural treatment is also prescribed.In the stage of exacerbation of osteonecrosis with pronounced pain, strict bed rest is prescribed, during which the physiological position of the body allows you to remove the load from the spine and relieve pain.Postural treatment is prescribed for 1-3 days.In addition, at the acute stage of osteonecrosis, doctors and physiotherapists recommend performing breathing exercises and special exercises at home to reduce muscle spasms.
During the subacute stage of cervical spondylosis, you can independently perform gentle head turns and bends at home.When muscle spasms occur, massage is a very effective way to relieve pain.You can do it yourself or trust the hands of a professional.To prevent this disease, massage sessions should be performed twice a year.Therefore, to treat osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, the following methods and methods are used:
- gymnastics;
- massage;
- hirud therapy (treatment with medicinal leeches);
- wear a special neck brace;
- Vertical cervical traction using a special device.
Diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle play an important role in treating this disease.From the diet it is necessary to exclude drinks and foods that contribute to agitation and spasms of spinal muscles in a person.Prohibited drinks and foods include: tea and coffee, alcohol and hot spices, sauces and smoked foods.Fresh vegetables and fruits, grains and legumes, nuts and boiled eggs, milk and fermented milk products as well as low-fat fish, beef and poultry will benefit cartilage and joint tissue.