While the spine is healthy, a person simply does not feel it. The first alarm bells ring with the onset of pain. It is generally accepted that age-related changes in the spine begin between 30 and 40 years. However, in recent years, osteochondrosis has become significantly younger.
A comfortable existence reduces a person’s physical activity. The vertebrae become deformed from prolonged sitting, pinching nerve endings and blood vessels. At first, minor, quickly passing pain appears. Over time, they intensify and there is a need for treatment.
Osteochondrosis is difficult to treat. But the aging process of the spine and negative changes can be slowed down. One of the auxiliary treatment methods is the use of ointments for external use.
Cervical osteochondrosis: features of treatment with ointment
Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by high pain. Ointments for external use are not suitable as the main treatment, but as an auxiliary and maintenance therapy they give good results.
Applying medicinal ointments to the affected area is a way to introduce medication specifically to the source of the problem through the skin. The active substance penetrates directly into the source of pain and quickly relieves symptoms.
The pharmaceutical industry produces a wide range of ointments, gels and creams for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. How to make the right choice? It all depends on the characteristics of the development of the disease, the nature of the pain.
Warming up
These are best applied in the morning or afternoon, as they slightly increase muscle tone and also help with muscle damage due to hypothermia. Application at night may cause insomnia.
- Turpentine ointment based on turpentine oil, produced in Russia – from 20 rubles;
Turpentine ointment is an inexpensive and effective remedy - Bom-Benge, contains methyl salicylate and racemic menthol, Russia - from 50 rubles;
- Viprosal B - from 260 rubles;
- Bystrumgel from 230 rubles;
- Nicoflex with pepper - from 320 rubles;
- Gevkamen, contains levomenthol, synthetic racemic camphor and levomenthol, Tverskaya pharmaceutical factory - from 60 rubles;
- Thermo-gel resuscitator, dietary supplement for external use, patented SimRelief complex, composition not publicly available - from 150 rub.
Be sure to read this good article:
TOP 50 warming (warming) ointments for muscles and joints, legs and back
For inflammation of cervical osteochondrosis
In the acute stage, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine gives severe pain, in most cases the flow of pain is directed to the head, but the arm may also hurt and become numb. The feeling of numbness is often directed to the left or right side of the face.
The first priority in this situation is pain relief. Using ointment on the neck area at this moment may not be noticeable, but as part of a complex treatment it gives a good result. Good news: inflammation of osteochondrosis occurs once in a lifetime. Having relieved the pain syndrome once, you can be sure that pain of such severity will not happen again. In case of exacerbation, which can be provoked by weather conditions or awkward movement, it is enough to use an ointment or cream without the use of other medications.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to relieve pain and inflammation. Ointments in this line suppress the inflammatory process, relieve pain and eliminate swelling.
Fastum gel is easily absorbed due to its consistency. Created on the basis of ketoprofen. The main active ingredient penetrates deep into the tissue, reducing inflammation. Does not have a systemic effect. Not addictive.
Bystrum gel is an analogue of Fastumgel, also created on the basis of ketoprofen.
Finalgel has a noticeable analgesic effect, relieves inflammation, and relieves swelling. The main active ingredient is piroxicam.
Voltaren Emulgel contains diclofenac as its base. Its beneficial effects on the body are not limited to anti-inflammatory, analgesic and decongestant effects. Voltaren stimulates tissue regeneration.
Nise gel is an effective treatment for cervical osteochondrosis. Quickly relieves pain and stiffness, reduces swelling, and increases range of motion. We can say that this is an “ambulance” for neck pain. Created on the basis of nimesulide.
Nurofen. The active substance (ibuprofen) inhibits the reproduction of mediators of pain and inflammation.
Which ointment is better is difficult to answer. It all depends on the individual characteristics of each patient’s body. The advantage of using gels for cervical osteochondrosis is their ease of use. It is enough to apply a small dose (the size of a pea) to the sore spot with a light movement and the drug will begin to act. Usually the gel is rubbed into the neck. But if your face hurts a lot, it is permissible to apply a minimal amount of product to the sore spot with caution. Avoid contact with eyes! Wash your hands thoroughly after use.
The list of effective ointments for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine continues with warming ointments. They relieve pain no worse than gels from the NSAID line. They improve local blood circulation and nutrition of cartilage tissue, relax muscles due to the warming effect, relieving inflammation. But! We should not forget that with arterial syndrome, the skin of the face and neck has increased sensitivity. Before use, the warming ointment should be tested on a small area of skin. If the drug does not cause irritation, you can safely use it.
Warming ointments are used in the evening, before going to bed. A small amount of product is applied to clean, dry skin. Hands must be washed thoroughly with soap. Do not get the product into your eyes!
Painkillers
The division of ointments by properties (painkillers, warmers, etc.) is quite arbitrary, since all ointments relieve unpleasant pain and improve local blood flow. The point is that one or another properties of the ointment are more pronounced.
This is the main group that is in demand for lumbosacral osteochondrosis. Ointments from this group are prescribed by the doctor for periods of pain:
- Fastum-gel with ketoprofen – from 150 rubles;
Fastum-gel is more effective compared to analogues - Analgos, made in Germany, contains nicotinic acid salts - from 300 rubles;
- Efkamon, a mixture of essential oils and chloral hydrate, NizhPharm - from 110 rub.
Warming ointment is the best remedy for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck
Nicoflex is a complex action cream that has a local irritant, analgesic and absorbable effect. Dilates blood vessels, warms the skin and muscle tissue. Gives a feeling of warmth. Relieves pain.
Finalgon ensures gradual penetration of the active substance into the deep layers of tissue. Improves blood circulation, ensures targeted delivery of nutrients directly to diseased cartilage and vertebrae. Activates metabolic processes, warms, soothes pain. The maximum effect is achieved 30 minutes after application.
Capsicam warms up, relieves pain, relieves inflammation. The ointment is based on 5 active ingredients. Dilates blood vessels, raises body temperature in the treatment area by 1-2 degrees. It has a positive effect on nerve endings, relieving pain. Increasing metabolism and improving blood supply allows nutrients to be supplied directly to the diseased vertebra. There are no blood vessels in the spine, and with a decrease in physical activity, the supply of nutrition is reduced.
Improving blood circulation with the help of warming creams renews the supply of everything necessary to restore the functionality of the spine. After stopping use, the effect of the ointment continues for two weeks.
Complex
Such ointments contain chemical and herbal components or a combination of several medications that mutually enhance the effect.
- Dolobene, a gel for external use, contains sodium heparin, dexpathenol and dimethyl sulfoxide, a drug with antithrombotic and tissue regeneration-improving effects - from 250 rubles;
Dolobene is a good substitute for compresses with dimexide - Mataren Plus, contains meloxicam and tincture of capsicum fruit, produced by Shtad (Russia) - from 300 rubles;
- Teraflex® Chondrocream Forte, manufactured by Bayer (Russia), contains meloxicam and sodium chondroitin sulfate - from 400 rubles;
- Deep Relief, produced in Great Britain, contains betamethasone dipropionate and 4 more components of different chemical groups - from 380 rubles;
- Finalgon, cream and ointment, produced in Austria, Germany, Russia, contains nonivamide (vasodilator, local irritant and distracting effect) and nicoboxil (spasmolytic and analgesic effect) - from 350 rubles;
- Capsicam, produced in Latvia, contains 5 components, including camphor and turpentine, a local irritant - from 200 rubles;
- Boromenthol, contains boric acid and racementol - from 110 rubles;
- Deep Hit, made in Great Britain, contains, among others, eucalyptus and turpentine oil - from 370 rubles;
- Nicoflex, made in Hungary, contains natural capsaicin and medicines - from 250 rubles;
Nicoflex helps relieve severe pain - Carmolis, made in Switzerland, a mixture of essential oils of medicinal plants - from 330 rubles;
- Mentholatum Balm, made in Great Britain, a mixture of camphor, turpentine, gum oil and medicines - from 400 rubles;
- Doctor MOM, mixture of herbal ingredients, India - from 150 rubles;
- Espol, contains coriander and lavender oil, capsicum extract and chloroform, Stada Russia - from 150 rub.
- Shungite, dietary supplement, cream-balm, contains natural mineral, mumiyo, cedar oil, withanol, complex of essential oils - from 230 rub.
Bee and snake venom in ointments for the spine
Poisons are often used in medicine. The word apitoxin comes from the merger of the Latin apis (bee) and the Greek toxikón (poison). The chemical composition of apitoxin is complex and not fully understood. It is known that ointments for cervical osteochondrosis, which contain bee venom, stop inflammatory reactions. They have a membrane-stabilizing effect. Strengthens connective tissue. Stimulate vascular permeability, exchange of fluids in the intercellular space, reduce swelling. The use of creams and ointments allows you to increase the range of motion in the neck, prevents the tightening of tendons, and relieves pain. Bee venom has the ability to improve blood circulation, thereby locally increasing the temperature of the skin, providing a warming effect. Vessels and capillaries expand, the active substance is able to penetrate deeper, improving tissue nutrition and providing oxygen supply. This increases metabolism and waste products that cause pain are removed from the body.
Snake venom introduced into ointments for osteochondrosis acts in the same way.
Along with apitoxin, an extract of cayenne pepper or mustard is often used in warming ointments.
Menthol-based products, when rubbed into the skin, cause a feeling of freshness. But this is a tactile deception. They have a distracting effect, which effectively relieves pain. Menthol irritates skin receptors and processes of suppression of pain signals occur at the level of the central nervous system.
Camphor in ointments for the spine acts in the same way.
Often, the ointment for osteochondrosis contains menthol and camphor along with snake venom or cayenne pepper.
Individual intolerance may be a contraindication to the use of ointments with natural warming creams. Test on a small area of skin before use.
After rubbing, wash your hands thoroughly. There are residues of the product on the fingers after rubbing. Touching your face can cause burning, tearing and other unpleasant side effects.
The most popular drugs from this list are Apizatron, Virapin, Sophia, Viprosal, Viprotox.
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:
- pregnant women;
- patients under 12 years of age;
- heart failure;
- instability of blood pressure;
- allergic reactions to components;
- skin injuries in the area of application, neoplasms;
- liver and kidney diseases of a chronic nature; manifestations;
- in some cases, bronchial asthma and other respiratory diseases.
Each drug is individual and is tolerated differently by different human bodies. It is necessary to adhere to the prescription of the attending physician and discuss all desired changes in medications in advance. When determining intolerance to constituent components, experts often advise trying products based on herbal natural active substances.
Homeopathic ointments
For neck pain, homeopathic remedies are often prescribed. They do not cause a feeling of heat or cold, but effectively protect the spine from premature destruction.
Goal T is one of the best ointments for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. It is a powerful chondroprotector. Slows down the destruction of the spine and restores cartilage tissue. Relieves inflammation.
Traumeel S effectively fights pain. Has regenerating properties. An excellent anti-inflammatory agent.
Chondroprotectors
Ointments from the line of chondroprotectors for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, by stimulating tissue metabolism, inhibit the aging process of the spine. Gels and creams containing chondroitin effectively restore connective tissue and relieve pain.
Chondroxide is the most famous cream for restoring cartilage tissue. Does not cause irritation. Well tolerated by patients with arterial syndrome.
Structum contains only talc among the auxiliary substances; we can say that it is chondroitin in its pure form. Effective for degeneration of cartilage tissue.
Honda, thanks to chondroitin and glucosamine, restores and nourishes paravertebral tissues.
Selection issues
The primary desire of every patient is to get rid of pain and return to their normal lifestyle. With all the variety of proposals, the question arises again and again: what ointments help with cervical osteochondrosis? It is impossible to answer this question unambiguously. Each individual case requires an individual approach.
Warming neck ointments are not suitable for everyone. Toad stone ointment helps well with cervical osteochondrosis. Along with chondroitin, it contains vegetable oils and plant extracts. The product provides maximum benefits with a minimum of side effects.
The collection of creams 911 is worthy of attention. The line of creams basically contains extracts from plants, chondroitin, bee venom, etc.
Constantly using the same cream is contraindicated. In case of severe inflammation, ointments and gels containing NSAIDs can be used for several days (no more than 10). For cartilage tissue degeneration, it is recommended to use chondroprotective creams. For pain due to pinched nerve roots, locally irritating and distracting agents are effective.
Patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should use ointments as a course of treatment or as an emergency treatment.
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.
