Osteochondrosis is a more common chronic disease among adult patients. If treatment is not started in time, complications lead to spinal immobilization and disability. Folk remedies for osteochondrosis are an auxiliary method of treatment, they are prescribed simultaneously with medicines, diet, a massage course and a set of special exercises. Subject to the recommendations of the doctor, it is possible to extend the period of remission.
What is osteochondrosis
This is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which there is a gradual destruction of the intervertebral discs, vertebral tissues. Muscles gradually atrophy, the conduction of nerve impulses, the work of physiological systems and individual internal organs are disrupted. For a long time, the disease is asymptomatic. Then the patient complains of pain in the back and neck. This is the first sign of osteochondrosis. Other symptoms depend on the location of the pathological focus. General signs of the disease:
- static syndrome: altered posture, feeling of stiffness in the spine, more frequent back pain;
- trophic syndrome - the formation of trophic ulcers on the skin due to reduced oxygen supply to tissues;
- vascular syndrome: pallor of the skin, nausea, dizziness, signs of oxygen deficiency;
- neurological syndrome: decreased sensitivity of different areas of the spinal column, sensation of "sliding 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 the atherosclerotic narrowing of the arteries, some parts of the brain suffer from oxygen starvation and die. In addition, the patient complains of a sharp decline in visual acuity, flickering "goosebumps" in front of the eyes.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home
The treatment is carried out by a neuropathologist, vertebrologist, surgeon or neurosurgeon, chiropractor, physical therapy doctor, physiotherapist. The choice of a narrow-profile specialist depends on the form and stage of the pathological process, on possible health complications. Treatment of osteochondrosis is conservative or operative. In the first case, an integrated approach is required which, in addition to the therapeutic diet and drug intake, includes:
- remedial gymnastics and physical education;
- change in the usual way of life;
- reflexology;
- manual therapy;
- physiotherapy methods;
- massage course;
- methods of traditional medicine.
Treatment of cervical or other spine osteochondrosis is a long process. The main goal is to stop the pain syndrome, restore the structure and function of the vertebrae and extend the period of remission. The complex of therapeutic measures proposed by the specialist is designed for 1-3 months, depending on the severity of the pathological process. The rehabilitation period is 1 year. Subject to medical prescriptions, effective treatment can be done at home.
Medicines
Taking medication is appropriate in the acute stage, when the patient suffers from acute pain in the spine, cannot move and sleep completely. The doctor prescribes tablets for oral administration, ointments, gels for external use. With osteochondrosis, the complex treatment contains drugs of several pharmacological groups:
| Name of the pharmacological group | The principle of action on the focus of pathology | Forms of release of medicines |
|---|---|---|
| non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs below) | blockage of prostaglandin synthesis (suppression of the inflammatory process and an acute pain attack) | capsules, injections, tablets, gels, patches, ointments |
| vasodilator drugs | nutrition of vertebral tissues, acceleration of the regeneration process | creams, ointments, gels, tablets, injections |
| muscle relaxants | relaxation of spasmodic muscles, reduction of pain syndrome | injections, tablets |
| anesthetics, analgesics | rapid anesthesia of the pathological focus | injections, tablets |
| chondroprotectors | restoration of the structure of the bone and cartilage tissues, preventing their further destruction | capsules, tablets, gels, ointments, injections |
| sedatives | improve sleep quality, achieve emotional balance | tinctures, tablets |
| antidepressants | relieve anxiety and depressive conditions due to acute pain and reduced mobility of the vertebrae | tablets |
| glucocorticosteroids | they are prescribed in complicated clinical cases to relieve inflammation, reduce the intensity of the pain syndrome, restore the functionality of the vertebrae | ointments, injections, tablets |
| phytopreparations (herbal medicines) | restoration of protective functions of the body, normalization of sleep quality, prevention of depression | tablets |
| antioxidants | improvement of local blood circulation, stimulation of metabolism at the cellular level | injections, tablets |
| multivitamin complexes | strengthen the spine, increase immunity | tablets |
Tablets
Oral drugs are available in the form of tablets, capsules, pills and provide a complex effect on the body. In this way, you can relieve inflammation, suppress a pain attack, restore the damaged structure of the vertebrae, and provide vital oxygen to tissue nutrition. Symptomatic therapy of osteochondrosis, carried out at home, involves oral administration:
- NSAIDs;
- vasodilator drugs;
- muscle relaxants;
- analgesics;
- chondroprotectors;
- sedatives;
- antidepressants and tranquilizers;
- glucocorticosteroids;
- phytopreparations;
- antioxidants;
- multivitamin complexes.
After taking such drugs, the movement of the vertebrae is restored orally, a sharp pain attack disappears:
Ointment
Means for local external use have analgesic, irritating and distracting properties, they are intended for external use, directly at the heart of the pathology. With local exposure, the risk of contraindications and side effects is minimal, the therapeutic effect is noticeable 15-20 minutes after applying a single dose of the selected drug:
- pain relieving ointments;
- NSAIDs;
- chondroprotectors;
- homeopathic ointments.
These medicines can cause local and allergic reactions on the skin, therefore, before using them at home, you should consult a specialist.
Injections
The main purpose of performing injections is to relieve spasm, reduce the increased excitability of nerve endings, suppress an attack of pain, which deprives the patient of sleep and rest. For the effective treatment of osteochondrosis, preparations of different pharmacological groups are appropriate for intramuscular administration:
- NSAIDs;
- analgesics;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- paravertebral block.
Most of these injections are for intramuscular administration. You can do injections at home.
Diet
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis at home necessarily includes a healthy diet, so the patient must make some changes to his usual daily diet. A prerequisite is to reduce the total calorie content of meals and the amount of food ingredients that raise blood cholesterol. It is recommended to follow a balanced diet, eat more fermented milk and vegetable products, control the water regime, intake of natural vitamins and antioxidants.
| Healthy food | Forbidden food |
|---|---|
| dairy and dairy products | fast food |
| Fish and seafood | semi-finished products, preservatives |
| Red meat | pastry, sweets |
| eggs, hard cheeses, butter | sweet carbonated drinks |
| beef liver | alcohol in any form |
| vegetables (potatoes, carrots, cabbage of all kinds) | table salt, spices |
| fruit (peaches, apricots, citrus fruits) | sausages, smoked meats |
Battery charger
With osteochondrosis, the morning should begin with exercise. Patients are engaged in therapeutic exercises at any time of the day. In this way it is possible to improve blood circulation, slow down the degenerative-dystrophic processes of the spine, strengthen the muscular corset and extend the period of remission of the underlying disease. Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis at home helps to relax the tense muscles of the back and neck, expand the intervertebral cracks and release the pinched spinal nerves. General recommendations from specialists:
- It is necessary to start the therapeutic gymnast with a warm-up.
- If acute pain syndrome is felt in the lower back, twisting is contraindicated.
- With cervical osteochondrosis, it is advisable to abandon the sharp bends of the head.
- It is recommended to replace running and jumping with walking, swimming, frequent walks in the fresh air.
- All movements should be smooth and slow, it is necessary to perform them every day.
- It is necessary to monitor breathing (it should be uniform) and heart rate, to check the physical load on the body.
If you regularly perform simple exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervix or another spine, you can forget about unbearable pain for a long time. Training complex available at home:
- Sit in a chair, squeeze your hands in a lock at the back of the head, tilt your body forward. Press your hands to the back of the head so that the head gently lowers, the chin touches the thoracic region. Hold this position for a few seconds, feel the maximum muscle tension.
- While sitting, touch your right cheek with the palm of your right hand and slowly tilt your head to the left first, then change your hand and then to the right. It is recommended to complete 15-20 approaches on each side.
- Sit on a chair so that you can grasp the edge with your hands. Then slowly lower your head back, spread your shoulder blades and shoulders apart. Then return to the starting position and repeat the same movement 15-20 more times.
- In a sitting position on the floor with your legs straight, bend forward so that, without bending your knees, it reaches your toes. Stop in this position for a few moments, then exhale and relax.
- Lie on your back with your legs bent at the knees. Slowly reverse the deck, lifting your pelvis off the ground. Freeze at the highest point for 5-10 seconds. Such an exercise for osteochondrosis as part of the developed training complex is recommended by the famous specialist S. M. Bubnovsky.
Massage
To quickly relieve muscle spasm, increase microcirculation, strengthen the back and improve the general condition of the patient, doctors with osteochondrosis recommend a course of massage. You can carry out each procedure yourself at home. The main condition is to intensively train the cervical and lumbar spine to activate local blood circulation. The technique does not really matter, you can choose to knead the skin, rub, press:
- To warm up the muscles, start the massage with light strokes.
- Then move on to rub, knead. Take a fold of the skin and slowly move from bottom to top.
- Press with your fingertips in the area of the longitudinal muscles of the back, make circular movements.
- Stretch the muscles of the chest, thighs, shoulder girdle, avoid the increase in pressure on the spine.
- Finish the procedure by tapping, vibrating, tapping. Perform such manipulations with your fingertips, one edge or the entire palm, depending on the severity of the disease.
Massager for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
To get rid of an unbearable attack of pain in the neck area at home, relax muscle fibers and quickly relieve general well-being, the patient is advised to use a special massager. It will help stop the pain syndrome even in advanced cases.
Healing baths
At the stage of exacerbation, water procedures are contraindicated. During rehabilitation, such home sessions have become indispensable, as 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 from specialists:
- Pour 250-300 g of dry plant material or mix with 5 liters of boiling water.
- Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.
- Having insisted under the lid, strain the broth, add it to the collected bath.
- Perform the procedure before bedtime for 15-20 minutes.
Tablets
Such home procedures help to remove edema and an acute attack of pain in osteochondrosis. In addition, they improve blood circulation, relieve pain, relieve muscle spasms. When treating osteochondrosis at home, it is necessary to undergo a two-week course, put warming compresses in the center of pathologists 1-2 times a day. Recipes for medicinal compositions:
- Grind the horseradish root and apple on a fine grater, mix the composition. Squeeze the juice, form a cake from the resulting gruel. Place on the inflamed area and wrap with a bandage. Repeat the procedure every day until the pain goes away.
- Dissolve 1 g of propolis in a water bath and at this time get 50 g of fresh aloe juice from fresh leaves. Combine the ingredients, add 50 g of mustard powder, 400 ml of vodka to the mixture, mix. Apply the composition to several layers of gauze, attach it to the focus of the pathology. Do not remove until the cloth is completely dry. Perform a home procedure every day before bedtime.
Applications
If such warming procedures are used for osteochondrosis, it is possible to restore normal motor activity of the spine. The applications act reflexively on points and biologically active areas, normalize the energy balance in the body. It is necessary to moisten the gauze with a medicinal composition, apply to the center of the pathology. Do not take off for 30-40 minutes, repeat the procedures at home several times a day. When choosing a medicinal composition, it is necessary to ensure that there are no allergic reactions. Effective application recipes:
- Pass 50 g of fresh aloe leaves through a meat grinder, add 100 g of honey and mix. Pour the mixture with 100 ml of vodka, leave in a dark place for a week. Next, moisten the gauze with medicine, apply it to the center of the pathology. Secure first with plastic wrap, 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 on the composition for 5 days in a dark place, then rub the sore spots overnight, covering with cling film, a warm scarf.
Rubbing
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is not complete without rubbing. Such procedures, such as massage, quickly relieve inflammation, suppress a pain attack and stimulate blood circulation to the affected area. It is recommended to rub up to 2-3 times a day. Turpentine, badger fat, kerosene, nutria fat can be used as medicinal compounds. Among medicinal plants, doctors recommend paying attention to the beneficial properties of juniper, plantain, sage. Proven recipes:
- Mix 1 tsp in a container. juniper needles, 6 tsp. pre-chopped bay leaf, 6 tbsp. L. Butter. Apply a uniform composition to the sore spot. Rub the prepared ointment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine into the skin with light movements. Carry out the procedure several times a day, avoid drafts. The course is selected individually.
- Combine 2 tbsp. L. pretreated sage and plantain, add 40 g of petroleum jelly, 50 ml of vegetable oil to the mixture. Mix the composition thoroughly, apply to the pathological focus and rub. To enhance the healing effect, wrap the treated skin area with a warm scarf on top. Do not wash off the ointment for 30-40 minutes.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies
Methods of alternative medicine for osteochondrosis are no weaker than official medicines. The important thing is to choose the right recipe. The following are time-tested remedies that bring the joy of movement back to the patient:
- Chop the raw potatoes, already peeled, on a fine grater. Add 50 g of honey to the resulting gruel, mix, form a cake, apply it to the center of the pathology, do not remove for 30 minutes.
- Grind the dried cinquefoil root. So 2 tbsp. L. pour 400 ml of boiling water over the raw materials, simmer on the stove for 5-7 minutes. After insisting, strain, use as compresses up to 3-4 times a day for a cycle of up to 2 weeks. The remedy relieves inflammation, removes pain.
- Mix 200 g of chopped cinquefoil root and 100 g of Potentilla, pour 1 liter of vodka. Insist for 3 weeks, then strain. Take 1 tbsp orally. L. 3 times a day before meals for a month.
- Chop the cranberry leaves. 1 tablespoon. 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 new dose of medicine every day.