Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease that is more common in adult patients. If treatment is not started on time, complications lead to spinal immobilization and disability. Folk remedies for osteochondrosis are an auxiliary method of treatment, prescribed simultaneously with medication, diet, massage course and a set of special exercises. In accordance with medical recommendations, you can extend the period of remission.
What is osteochondrosis
This is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which there is a gradual destruction of intervertebral discs, vertebral tissues. Muscles gradually atrophy, the conduction of nerve impulses, the work of physiological systems and individual internal organs is disturbed. The disease has been asymptomatic for a long time. Then the patient complains of back and neck pain. This is the first sign of osteochondrosis. Other symptoms depend on the location of the pathological focus. General signs of the disease:
- static syndrome: impaired posture, feeling of stiffness of the spine, more frequent back pain;
- trophic syndrome: the occurrence of trophic ulcers on the skin due to impaired oxygen supply to tissues;
- vascular syndrome: pale skin, nausea, dizziness, signs of oxygen starvation;
- neurological syndrome: decreased sensitivity of different areas of the spine, a feeling of "creeping on the skin", numbness of the limbs.
In the absence of timely treatment, attacks of nausea and dizziness become more frequent, the patient may even lose consciousness. Due to atherosclerotic narrowing of the arteries, certain parts of the brain experience oxygen starvation and die. In addition, the patient complains of a sharp drop in visual acuity, flickering "goose" in front of the eyes.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home
Treatment is performed by a neuropathologist, vertebrologist, surgeon or neurosurgeon, chiropractor, physiotherapist, physiotherapist. The choice of a specialist with a narrow profile depends on the form and stage of the pathological process, possible health complications. Treatment of osteochondrosis is conservative or operative. In the first case, an integrated approach is needed, which in addition to therapeutic diet and medication includes:
- corrective gymnastics and physical education;
- change in normal lifestyle;
- reflexology;
- manual therapy;
- physiotherapy methods;
- massage course;
- methods of traditional medicine.
Treating cervical osteochondrosis or other spine is a long process. The main goal is to stop the pain syndrome, restore the structure and function of the vertebrae, and prolong the period of remission. The complex of therapeutic measures proposed by a specialist is designed for 1-3 months, depending on the severity of the pathological process. The rehabilitation period is 1 year. According to medical prescriptions, effective treatment can be carried out at home.
Medications
Taking medication is appropriate in the acute phase, when the patient suffers from acute back pain, unable to move and sleep completely. The doctor prescribes tablets for oral administration, ointments, gels for external use. In osteochondrosis complex treatment contains drugs of several pharmacological groups:
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Oral drugs are available in the form of tablets, capsules, pills and provide a complex effect on the body. In that way, you can alleviate inflammation, suppress the attack of pain, restore the damaged structure of the vertebrae and ensure the nutrition of the tissues with vital oxygen. Symptomatic treatment of osteochondrosis, which is carried out at home, includes oral administration:
- NSAIDs;
- vasodilators;
- muscle relaxants;
- analgesics;
- chondroprotectors;
- sedatives;
- antidepressants and tranquilizers;
- glucocorticosteroids;
- phytopreparations;
- antioxidants;
- multivitamin complexes.
After taking such drugs, the movement of the spine is restored orally, the attack of acute pain disappears:
Mast
Means for local external use have analgesic, irritating and disruptive properties, they are intended for external use - directly to the focus of pathology. With local exposure, the risk of contraindications and side effects is minimal, the therapeutic effect is visible 15-20 minutes after administration of a single dose of the selected drug:
- Ointments for pain relief;
- NSAIDs;
- chondroprotectors;
- homeopathic ointments.
These drugs can cause local and allergic reactions on the skin, so it is necessary to consult a specialist before using it at home.
Injections
The main purpose of performing injections is to alleviate cramps, reduce the increased excitability of nerve endings, and suppress pain attacks, which deprive the patient of sleep and rest. Preparations of several pharmacological groups for intramuscular use are suitable for the successful treatment of osteochondrosis:
- NSAIDs;
- analgesics;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- paravertebral block.
Most of these injections are for intramuscular use. You can give injections at home.
Diet
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis at home necessarily involves a healthy diet, so the patient must make certain adjustments to their usual daily diet. A prerequisite is a reduction in the total caloric content of the meal and the amount of food ingredients that increase blood cholesterol. It is recommended to adhere to a balanced diet, eat more fermented milk and plant products, control the water regime, intake of natural vitamins and antioxidants.
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With osteochondrosis, the morning should start with exercise. Patients engage in therapeutic exercises at any time of the day. In this way, it is possible to improve blood circulation, slow down degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine, strengthen the muscular corset and prolong the period of remission of the underlying disease. Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis at home helps to relax tense muscles of the back and neck, widens intervertebral fissures and releases pinched spinal nerves. General recommendations of experts:
- The therapeutic gymnast should be started by warming up.
- If acute pain syndrome is felt in the lower back, twisting is contraindicated.
- In cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to leave sharp turns of the head.
- Running and jumping is recommended to be replaced by walking, swimming, frequent walks in the fresh air.
- All movements should be smooth and slow, they should be performed daily.
- It is necessary to monitor breathing (should be even) and pulse rate, control the physical load of the body.
If you regularly perform simple exercises for osteochondrosis of the neck or other spine, you can forget about the unbearable pain for a long time. Training complex available at home:
- Sit on a chair, put your hands in the lock on the back of your head, lean your body forward. Press your hands on the back of your head so that your head is down smoothly and your chin is touching the thoracic part. Hold this position for a few seconds, feel the maximum muscle tension.
- While sitting, touch your right cheek with your right palm and slowly tilt your head first to the left, then change your arm to the right. It is recommended to perform 15-20 approaches from each side.
- Sit on a chair so you can grab its edge with your hands. Then slowly lower your head back, spread your shoulders and shoulders. Then return to the starting position and repeat the same movement 15-20 more times.
- In a sitting position on the floor with straight legs, bend forward so that, without bending the knees, you reach the toes. Freeze in this position for a few moments, then exhale and relax.
- Lie on your back with your legs bent at the knees. Slowly turn the bridge over, lifting the pelvis off the ground. Freeze at maximum top for 5-10 seconds. Such an exercise for osteochondrosis as part of a developed training complex is advised by the famous specialist S. M. Bubnovsky.
Massage
To quickly relieve muscle cramps, increase microcirculation, strengthen the back and improve the general condition of the patient, doctors with osteochondrosis recommend a course of massage. You can perform each procedure at home. The main condition is to work intensively on the cervical and lumbar spine in order to activate the local blood circulation. The technique does not really matter, you can choose kneading the skin, rubbing, pressing:
- To warm up the muscles, start the massage with light strokes.
- Then move on to rubbing, kneading. Grasp the crease of the skin and slowly move from the bottom up.
- Press your fingertips in the area of the longitudinal muscles of the back, perform circular motions.
- Stretch the muscles of the chest, thighs, shoulder girdle, avoid increased pressure on the spine.
- Finish the process by tapping, vibrating, hitting. Depending on the severity of the disease, perform such manipulations with the pads of your fingers, the edge or the whole palm.
Massager for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
In order to get rid of an unbearable attack of pain in the neck at home, relax muscle fibers and quickly alleviate the general condition, the patient is advised to use a special massager. This will help stop the pain syndrome even in advanced cases.
Medicinal baths
In the exacerbation phase, water procedures are contraindicated. During rehabilitation, such home sessions became irreplaceable, because they dilate blood vessels, relax muscles and have a beneficial effect on the joints of the spine. To enhance the desired effect, it is recommended to add a decoction of chamomile, lemon balm, string, thyme, horsetail, thyme to warm water. General recommendations of experts:
- Pour 250-300 g of dry plant material or mixture with 5 liters of boiling water.
- Simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes.
- After insisting under the lid, strain the broth, add to the collected bath.
- Perform the procedure before going to bed for 15-20 minutes.
Compresses
Such home procedures help eliminate edema and acute attacks of pain in osteochondrosis. In addition, they improve blood circulation, relieve pain, relieve muscle cramps. When treating osteochondrosis at home it is necessary to undergo a two-week course, put heating pads on the focus of the pathologist 1-2 times a day. Recipes for medical compositions:
- Grind rhubarb root and apple on a fine grater, mix the composition. Squeeze the juice, form a cake from the obtained porridge. Place on the inflamed area and wrap with a bandage. Repeat the procedure daily until the pain subsides.
- Dissolve 1 g of propolis in a water bath, and during that time take 50 g of fresh aloe juice from fresh leaves. Mix the ingredients, add 50 g of mustard powder, 400 ml of vodka to the mixture, stir. Apply the composition on several layers of gauze, attach to the focus of pathology. Do not remove until the cloth is completely dry. Perform the home procedure daily before bed.
Applications
If such warm-up procedures are used for osteochondrosis, it is possible to restore normal motor activity of the spine. Applications have a reflexive effect on biologically active points and zones, normalize the energy balance in the body. It is necessary to moisten the gauze with the medicinal composition, apply to the focus of pathology. Do not take off for 30-40 minutes, repeat the procedures at home several times a day. When choosing a medicinal composition, you must be sure that there are no allergic reactions. Effective recipes for application:
- Spread 50 g of fresh aloe leaves through a meat grinder, add 100 g of honey and stir. Pour the mixture with 100 ml of vodka, leave in a dark place for a week. After that, moisten the gauze with the drug, apply it to the focus of pathology. Secure first with cling film and then with a warm scarf. Don't shoot for 30 minutes. Repeat the procedure twice a day.
- Mix a glass of medical turpentine and the same amount of crushed aloe leaf, add 100 g of internal fat, 5-10 drops of iodine. Insist the composition for 5 days in a dark place, then rub the sore spots overnight, cover with cling film, warm scarf.
Rubbing
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is not completely without rubbing. Such procedures, such as massage, quickly relieve inflammation, suppress the onset of pain and stimulate blood circulation in the affected area. Rubbing is recommended up to 2-3 times a day. Turpentine, badger fat, kerosene, nutria fat can be used as medicinal compounds. Of the medicinal plants, doctors recommend paying attention to the beneficial properties of juniper, plantain, sage. Time-tested recipes:
- Mix 1 teaspoon in one bowl. juniper needles, 6 tbsp. pre-chopped bay leaf, 6 tbsp. l. butter. Apply a uniform composition to the sore spot. With light movements, rub the prepared ointment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine into the skin. Perform the procedure several times a day, avoid drafts. The course is chosen individually.
- Combine 2 tbsp. l. pre-chopped sage and plantain, add to the mixture 40 g of Vaseline, 50 ml of vegetable oil. Thoroughly mix the composition, apply to the pathological focus and rub. To enhance the healing effect, wrap the treated area of skin with a warm scarf from above. Do not rinse the ointment for 30-40 minutes.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies
Alternative medicine methods for osteochondrosis are not inferior to official drugs. The main thing is to choose the right recipe. These are time-tested medications that restore the patient's joy of movement:
- Chop raw, pre-peeled potatoes on a fine grater. Add 50 g of honey to the obtained porridge, stir, form a cake, apply it to the center of pathology, do not remove it for 30 minutes.
- Grind the dried kerosene root. Then 2 tbsp. l. pour the raw materials with 400 ml of boiling water, cook on fire for 5-7 minutes. After insisting, strain, use as a poultice up to 3-4 times a day for up to 2 weeks. The drug relieves inflammation, removes pain.
- Mix 200 g of chopped parsley root and 100 g of potency, pour with 1 liter of vodka. Insist for 3 weeks, then strain. Take orally 1 tbsp. l. 3 times daily before meals for a month.
- Chop the cranberry leaves. 1 tbsp. l. fill the finished raw material with 1 tbsp. boiling water and leave for 1 hour under the lid. Divide the finished dose into 2 doses - drink in the morning and in the evening. Prepare a fresh dose of the drug daily.