The best ointments for cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology that occurs quite often.
Many factors in everyday life have an adverse effect on our body. Lack of proper nutrition, rest and exercise regimes, bad habits gradually create conditions in vital processes that are incompatible with the normal functioning of the body.

Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the diseases that develops as a result of metabolic disorders in the osteochondral structure. Timely diagnosis of the disease and prescription of an ointment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can save you from the development of pathological complications in cartilage tissues.

Description of the pathology

In medicine, osteochondrosis is defined as a dysfunction of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs of a degenerative-dystrophic nature, provoking inflammation and changes in the structure of the vertebrae. Advanced forms of osteochondrosis lead to sad irreversible consequences. Like all types of osteochondrosis, the disease in the cervical spine develops gradually, initially showing subtle signs:

Neck stiffness after sleep.
Headache.
Vision problems.
Dizziness.
Muscle weakness and other symptoms.

The patient may complain of headaches and dizziness.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis are similar to a huge list of diseases, so it is not possible to determine the problem immediately, but only in the transition to the next stages. Often, patients turn to professional help when it is almost impossible to restore the mobility of the spine. The necessary treatment is prescribed only by a doctor, based on the examination and data on the primary location of the attack, its nature and duration.

What is osteochondrosis, symptoms

Osteochondrosis is a condition in which degenerative-dystrophic changes are observed in the intervertebral discs and vertebrae . They lead to the fact that the vertebrae are deformed, destroyed, and bone growths appear on their edges - osteomyelitis.

There is no characteristic clinical picture for osteochondrosis.

The spinal disc with osteochondrosis is destroyed with further pinching of the roots

But patients most often complain about :

headaches that appear in paroxysms; attacks can last from several hours to several days;
dizziness;
impaired sensitivity of the scalp;
numbness;
the appearance of problems with vision and hearing.

Ignoring the need for treatment leads to a worsening of the condition; the nerves and vessels passing through the neck begin to be compressed even more.

Which is better ointment, gel or cream?

Means in the fight against such a disease as osteochondrosis are presented by pharmaceuticals in two basic categories:

external: ointments, creamy preparations, gels;
internal: tablets, injections.

You can fight the disease with the help of medications

Important! The use of external medications is prescribed by a neurologist or vertebrologist according to the patient’s medical history, based on the results of his examination and the chosen treatment regimen.

The ointment for cervical osteochondrosis is thicker in texture and stays on the epithelium longer than other external medications. The downside of the ointment is that it is corrosive to the skin and clothing. For example, if it gets on your fingers, you need to thoroughly wash your hands with soap in several steps, otherwise contact with other parts of the body and eyes will cause redness and irritation. Long-term coverage of the drug on the body surface prolongs the effect of its action.

Gel and cream are lighter. Once applied to the painful area of the cervical spine, the gel does not require rubbing, is quickly absorbed and does not irritate with a pungent odor. Rapid penetration of the gel into the skin ensures its immediate effect on the affected area and relief of painful spasms. Creams for osteochondrosis may contain beneficial oils.

As therapy, you can choose ointments, gels or creams

Useful properties of ointments

In the scheme of complex treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, ointments play an important role. Its beneficial properties:

Counteraction to inflammation processes in cartilage tissue.
Relieving pain spasm in the area of inflammation.
Vasodilation, necessary after a spasm of muscles and nerve endings, to restore normal blood circulation and nutrition of the brain at the cellular level.
Restoration of osteochondral tissues - the active substances of ointments (chondroprotectors) are able to penetrate the cells of the vertebral structure and saturate them with nutrients and regenerating substances.

The ointment will help relieve pain

Types of ointments

Ointments used to combat attacks of osteochondrosis are produced in the following varieties:

The best ointments are made based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Their medicinal properties are aimed at relieving edema, counteracting the development of the disease, relieving painful spasms, and restoring mobility of the cervical spine.
Chondroprotectors - active substances of this type are known for their wonderful properties for the regeneration of cartilage tissue.
Warming with thermally active components.
Cooling.
Based on herbal ingredients - using natural substances, often used for homeopathic purposes.
Complex action drugs help get rid of several problems at once: they relieve pain, relieve inflammation and swelling, and have an antimicrobial and antithrombotic effect.

Ointments against osteochondrosis can be of several types

NSAIDs

NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments are distinguished by their broad action in the fight against inflammatory processes by stopping inflammatory mediators. Added to their beneficial properties is a beneficial effect on blood vessels: improving their patency and reducing the risk of blood clots. The constituent medicinal substances increase the permeability of the walls of blood vessels, which increases the penetration of beneficial microelements into the blood.

Non-steroidal drugs effectively resist the destruction of the musculoskeletal system and are recognized as an excellent remedy for neck and back pain. The production of these ointments is based on diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, indomethacin or nimesulide.

"Voltaren" is characterized as an ointment of the NSAID category based on diclofenac, which relieves inflammation and pain, as well as lowers body temperature. "Voltaren" is effective for problems of muscle and joint areas, therefore it is actively used in rheumatology in various fields.

Cooling ointments

Cooling ointments are usually relevant in case of injuries, physical overload and intolerance to warming complexes. They are based on such drug components as camphor, mint extract or oil, menthol and other essential oils. Examples of ointments with a cooling effect are “Bom-Benge” ointment, “Ben-Gay”, “Reparil-gel”.

Using the ointment involves applying a small amount to the injured area by rubbing, repeating the procedure after a few hours, as prescribed by the doctor. The drug irritates the endings of nerve cells and stimulates metabolic processes. Due to the cooling effect, pain and swelling quickly disappear.

Warming ointments

Warming ointments warm the area of the affected spine. The effect is intended to relieve tension in the muscle structure as a result of spasms and normalize heat exchange in the area of the neck affected by osteochondrosis. These processes stimulate the acceleration of metabolism in tissues and regeneration at the cellular level, as well as the functioning of the circulatory system and nerve endings. Thus, thanks to the targeted action of warming substances, joint mobility returns to the cervical spine, pain intensity decreases, blood circulation to brain cells is restored and blood pressure is stabilized.

The general significance of warming ointments is to increase the effectiveness of the result in the complex therapy of osteochondrosis. The following products can be found on pharmacy shelves:

"Finalgon"
"Capsicam."
Nikaflex.
"Turpentine ointment."
"Efkamon."
"Apizatron" and others.

Due to the effect of skin irritation due to warming components, the drug may have an allergic effect. Therefore, before initial use, it is imperative to do a test on a safe area of the skin. To rub in all preparations containing warming complexes, you should use gloves and special attachments or spatulas. This will prevent the ointment from getting on the skin of your hands and further irritating unprotected areas of the body.

Finalgon for osteochondrosis is one of the most popular drugs, tested by many patients. Its warming effect of the active substance nicoboxil anesthetizes the neck, relieves tension and stiffness of the vertebrae. The use of the ointment is prescribed in a course by a vertebrologist or neurologist. To remove product residues, you should use vegetable or cosmetic oil, since the reaction with water causes a strong burning sensation on the skin.

Another effective remedy for relieving muscle spasms and inflammation is Capsicam. Its characteristic feature is a bright, specific smell. The ointment is rubbed into the skin localized in the area of inflammation in a circular motion until half absorbed. The ointment is based on camphor, turpentine and benzyl nicotinate, which stimulate blood circulation in the vascular system. The drug retains its effect for up to 6 hours. In order to increase the effect, you can cover the application area with a warm scarf, but you should not apply additional heat.

Important! The use of warming complexes is prohibited during the acute stage of osteochondrosis or an infectious-inflammatory process in the body at the time of treatment.

Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants are drugs that reduce blood clotting by inhibiting the formation of fibrin filaments. Their functional effect is to influence the blood coagulation process at different stages: they prevent the development of formed blood clots and increase the influence of endogenous fibrinolytic enzymes on blood clots. In pharmacology, there are two groups of anticoagulants:

Direct action - reducing the active processes of thrombin in the blood (Heparin, Hirudin).
Indirect action - affects prothrombin in the liver: disrupts its formation, which is involved in blood clotting (Pheninlin, Pelentan).

A direct contraindication to the use of anticoagulants is poor blood clotting.

A common remedy of this group is “Dolobene”. Ointment for osteochondrosis has proven its effectiveness in practice. It includes:

Heparin is an anti-inflammatory component, has a resolving and healing effect, prevents the formation of blood clots in blood vessels (heparin-based heparin ointment can be used in complex therapy).
Dimethyl sulfoxide is a local anesthetic with anti-edematous action, stimulates the metabolic reactions of cells and the absorption of complexly used medications.
Dexpanthenol - enters into synthesis with epithelial cells and forms pantothenic acid, which is involved in anabolic and catabolic processes.

Chondroprotectors

Chondroprotective ointments for osteochondrosis in the cervical spine stop the process of destruction in cartilage fibers, and also stimulate the regenerative function of lost cells due to phosphorus-calcium metabolism. The active substances of the chondroprotective properties of ointments are chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. In this category, products are produced using either one component or both:

"Mukosat."
"Chondroart".
"Chondroxide".
"Chondroitin."

Active components promote the regeneration of affected areas of bone and cartilage tissue. For osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the ointment can be used for 2 weeks. It is recommended to rub in every 8–12 hours until completely dry. The use of chondroprotectors for joints significantly influences the treatment procedure for patients with advanced stages of disease.

Combination drugs

Combined action ointments are distinguished by their bouquet of beneficial properties. Considering the need for an integrated approach in the treatment of osteochondrosis, these drugs can most effectively support the therapeutic effect of the main treatment procedures.

These products fulfill all the conditions for combating spinal diseases:

relieve inflammation in cartilage tissue and neighboring areas;
relieve pain and discomfort;
stimulate metabolism in tissues;
help normalize blood circulation.

Active ingredients of a complex action ointment for cervical osteochondrosis: sodium heparin, dexpanthenol, dimethyl sulfoxide. Examples of the names of combination drugs are “Dolobene” - an effective remedy against inflammation in the cervical and other parts of the spine.

Homeopathic ointments

Homeopathy occupies a special niche in the prevention and treatment of neck osteochondrosis. Opinions differ about the use of this method of getting rid of spinal problems. But, nevertheless, in practice the effectiveness of this therapy has been proven, subject to caution and medical literacy in the use of medications.

Ointments for homeopathy for osteochondrosis are represented by the following list of drugs:

“Target T” – restores and protects cartilage fibers, relieves pain and reduces inflammation.
“Traumel S” – stimulates the strengthening of the immune system at the cellular level, restoration of tissues damaged in the spine, contains natural mineral components.
“Zhivokost” – contains comfrey, which strengthens bone tissue and relieves pain.
“Cabelnik Evalar” is based on badger, pork and mink fat, which helps relieve swelling and pain.

Homeopathic remedies have minimal contraindications and are considered safe. When prescribing ointments in this category, the main attention is paid to allergic reactions, since most of the active substances are of plant origin. The use of ointments is prohibited if the skin of the area of inflammation of the neck is damaged and the body temperature is elevated.

Ointments with bee or snake venom

In the production of ointments for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, diseases of the joints, and the spine, the use of bee or snake venom is often found:

"Golden mustache" - bee venom.
"Apizartron" - bee venom.
"Atrocin" - bee venom.
"Viprosal" - viper venom.
“Viprotox” – snake venom and camphor.

Ointments based on bee venom produce analgesic, antiexudative, desensitizing and anti-inflammatory effects. Bee venom (apitoxin) is a combination of various biologically active components: enzymes, peptides, proteins and amino acids. The main ones are mellitin, MSD peptide, histamine, apamin, hyaluronidase and phospholipase.

Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis

, that is, degeneration of the intervertebral disc, has not yet been precisely established, mainly several reasons are identified, these are: metabolic disorders in the body, poor physical development, genetic predisposition and others. A disc herniation is formed due to a large load on the disc; naturally, the weaker the disc and the muscular corset, the less the load can cause a hernia. The difficulty in determining the causes of the development of osteochondrosis lies in the fact that this disease occurs both in older people and in young people and in both physically developed people and people who neglect sports. Therefore, it is quite difficult to determine the type of treatment that can help.

Currently, there are many ways to treat osteochondrosis, ranging from taking medications to surgery. Naturally, there is a lot of debate about these methods and their effect on the body. When choosing a treatment method, you should pay attention to some points. For example, if you are going to be treated with medications that a doctor from a clinic has prescribed for you, you should pay attention to the fact that most of them are quite expensive, and in addition, they have a detrimental effect on the stomach and liver, so read the instructions carefully. When choosing a chiropractor, it is also advisable to be more careful, since an unprofessional chiropractor, of which there are quite a few now, can put you in a wheelchair. When selecting therapeutic exercises, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the exercises do not cause stress on the spine, but only develop the back muscles. Try to do all exercises slowly, without sudden movements.

To prevent osteochondrosis and prevent its exacerbations

, it is advisable to follow several rules that will reduce the load on the spine: – always keep your back straight. – try not to lift heavy objects. If necessary, lift them by crouching rather than bending over. – move more often, do not let your back muscles atrophy. – hang on the horizontal bar and swim as often as possible.

Making ointment at home

The practice of combating osteochondrosis allows for the preparation of medicinal products at home. Natural ingredients are suitable for anyone who is not allergic to prescription ingredients. The only disadvantage of such products is their short shelf life, so the required product will have to be prepared in small portions and often. Among fans of traditional medicine there are the following ointments and recipes for them:

Oil mixture with horseradish added: finely chopped horseradish leaves are ground with butter in a 2:1 ratio.
Infusion of coltsfoot: the flowers of the plant are infused in ammonia for 4 weeks.
Ointment based on nutria fat: nutria fat (150 g) is melted in a water bath with beeswax (1-2 tbsp.), cool slightly and add 1 tbsp. a spoonful of ammonia.

Ointment can be prepared at home

Contraindications and side effects

The main positive feature of using external agents in combination against cervical osteochondrosis is the minimal presence of side effects. This is explained by the low absorption of substances in the blood (5-6%). The ointment, being absorbed in the area of application, acts only on a specific local area, without affecting the functioning of internal organs. However, there are contraindications for use:

What types of medications are most effective for osteochondrosis?

If degenerative-dystrophic changes occurring in the vertebrae of the neck are detected, it is necessary to begin treatment immediately. It is important to eliminate inflammation, restore damaged cartilage and bone tissue, dilate blood vessels and minimize the manifestations of the disease.

Prescribe chondroprotectors, vitamin complexes, which include vitamins B6, B1, A, C.

To get rid of pain, analgesics are recommended in combination with antispasmodics . Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are considered effective . They are prescribed in the form of tablets, intramuscular injections and external agents.

The negative impact of NSAIDs on the human body can be minimized if you refuse to use systemic medications and use only ointments and gels. They have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and local irritant effects.

But the main emphasis in the treatment of osteochondrosis is on non-drug methods . Patients are prescribed gymnastics, recommended to do massage, self-massage, and physiotherapy.