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, they are prescribed simultaneously with medication, diet, a massage course and a set of special exercises. Depending on the medical recommendations, you can extend the remission period.
What is osteochondrosis
It is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which there is a gradual destruction of intervertebral discs, vertebral tissue. Muscles gradually atrophy, conduction of nerve impulses, work of physiological systems and individual internal organs are disrupted. For a long time, the disease is asymptomatic. The patient then 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 syndromes: impaired posture, a feeling of stiffness in the spine, more frequent back pain;
- trophic syndrome: formation of trophic ulcers on the skin due to impaired oxygen supply to tissues;
- vascular syndromes: pale skin, nausea, dizziness, signs of oxygen starvation;
- neurological syndrome: decreased sensitivity of different areas of the spine, a feeling of "crawling 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 decrease in visual acuity, vibration "goose bumps" in front of the eyes.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home
Treatment is performed by a neuropathologist, vertebrologist, surgeon or neurosurgeon, chiropractor, exercise therapy physician, 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 a therapeutic diet and medication intake, includes:
- improving gymnastics and physical education;
- change in the usual way of life;
- reflexology;
- manual therapy;
- physiotherapy methods;
- massage course;
- methods of traditional medicine.
Treating osteochondrosis of the cervix or other cord is a long process. The main goal is to stop the pain syndrome, restore the structure and function of the vertebrae and extend the remission period. 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. Depending on the medical prescriptions, effective treatment can be performed at home.
medications
Taking medication is appropriate in the acute phase, when the patient suffers from acute pain in the spine, can not fully move and sleep. 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 in the focus of pathology | Drug release forms |
|---|---|---|
| Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | blockade of prostaglandin synthesis (suppression of the inflammatory process and an acute attack of pain) | capsules, injections, tablets, gels, plasters, ointments |
| vasodilator drugs | nourishing the vertebral tissues, accelerating the process of their regeneration | creams, ointments, gels, tablets, injections |
| muscle relaxants | spasmodic muscle relaxation, reduction of pain syndrome | injections, tablets |
| anesthetic, analgesic | rapid anesthesia of pathological focus | injections, tablets |
| chondroprotectors | restoration of bone structure and cartilage tissue, preventing their further destruction | capsules, tablets, gels, ointments, injections |
| soothing | improving sleep quality, achieving emotional balance | tincture, tablets |
| antidepressants | relieving anxiety and depressive states due to acute pain and impaired vertebral mobility | TABLETS |
| glucocorticosteroids | are prescribed in complicated clinical cases to relieve inflammation, to reduce the intensity of pain syndrome, to restore the functionality of the vertebrae. | ointments, injections, tablets |
| phytopreparations (herbal medicines) | restoration of the body's protective functions, normalization of sleep quality, prevention of depression | TABLETS |
| antioxidants | improving local blood circulation, stimulating metabolism at the cellular level | injections, tablets |
| multivitamin complex | strengthening the spine, increasing immunity | TABLETS |
tablets
Oral medications are available in the form of tablets, capsules, pills and offer a complex effect on the body. In this way, you can alleviate inflammation, suppress a pain attack, restore damaged vertebral structure, and provide tissue nutrition with vital oxygen. Symptomatic therapy of osteochondrosis, performed at home, includes oral administration:
- NSAIDs;
- vasodilator drugs;
- muscle relaxants;
- analgesic;
- chondroprotectors;
- sedatives;
- antidepressants and sedatives;
- glucocorticosteroids;
- phytopreparations;
- antioxidants;
- multivitamin complex.
After taking such medications, the movement of the vertebrae is restored by the mouth, an attack of acute pain disappears:
Ointment
Means for local external use have analgesic, irritating and distracting properties, are intended for external use - directly in the focus of pathology. With local exposure, the risk of contraindications and side effects is minimal, the therapeutic effect is noticeable 15-20 minutes after application of a single dose of the selected drug:
- ointment for pain relief;
- NSAIDs;
- chondroprotectors;
- homeopathic ointment.
These drugs can cause local and allergic skin reactions, so 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 a pain attack, which deprives the patient of sleep and rest. For the successful treatment of osteochondrosis, preparations of several pharmacological groups are suitable for intramuscular administration:
- NSAIDs;
- analgesic;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- paravertebral blockade.
Most of these injections are for intramuscular administration. You can do injections at home.
diets
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis at home necessarily includes a healthy diet, so the patient should make certain adjustments to his usual daily diet. A prerequisite is the reduction of the total caloric content of meals and the amount of food ingredients that increase blood cholesterol. It is recommended to adhere to a balanced diet, eat more milk and fermented plant products, control your water regime, take natural vitamins and antioxidants.
| healthy food | Prohibited food |
|---|---|
| dairy and sour milk products | Fast food |
| Fish and seafood | semi-finished products, preservatives |
| red meat | sweets, sweets |
| eggs, hard cheese, butter | sweet carbonated drinks |
| beef liver | alcohol in any form |
| vegetables (potatoes, carrots, cabbage of all kinds) | table salt, spices |
| fruits (peaches, apricots, citrus) | sausages, smoked meats |
loaders
With osteochondrosis, breakfast should start with exercise. Patients are engaged in therapeutic exercises at any time of the day. This enables the improvement of blood circulation, the slowing down of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine, the strengthening of the muscle corset and the extension of the remission period of the underlying disease. Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the cervix at home helps to relax tense muscles of the back and neck, widens intervertebral fissures and releases tight spinal nerves. General recommendations of specialists:
- It is necessary to start the therapeutic gymnast with a warm-up.
- If an acute pain syndrome is felt in the lower back, torsion is contraindicated.
- With osteochondrosis of the cervix, it is advisable to abandon the sharp curves 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, you should perform them every day.
- It is necessary to monitor breathing (should be equal) and pulse, to control the physical load on the body.
If you regularly perform simple exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervix or other spine, you can forget about the unbearable pain for a long time. Home training complex available:
- Sit in a chair, tie your hands in a lock on the back of your head, tilt your body forward. Press your hands to the back of the head so that the head sits smoothly, the chin touches the chest region. Hold in this position for a few seconds, feel the maximum muscle tension.
- As you sit, touch your right cheek with your right palm and slowly tilt your head first to the left, then switch your hand to the right. It is recommended to complete 15-20 approaches on each side.
- Sit in a chair so that you can grasp its edge with your hands. Then slowly lower your head back, spreading your blades and shoulders. Then return to the starting position and repeat the same movement another 15-20 times.
- In a sitting position on the floor with straight legs, bend forward so that, without bending the knees, you reach the toes. Hold in this position for a few moments, then exhale and relax.
- Lie on your back with your legs bent at the knees. Turn the bridge slowly, removing the pelvis from the ground. Raise to the maximum upper point for 5-10 seconds. Such an exercise for osteochondrosis as part of the developed training complex is advised by the famous specialist S. M. Bubnovsky.
Massage
To quickly relieve muscle spasm, increase microcirculation, strengthen the back, and improve the overall condition of the patient, doctors with osteochondrosis recommend a massage course. You can perform any procedure yourself at home. The main condition is to intensively process the cervical and lumbar spine in order to activate the local blood circulation. The technique does not matter much, you can choose boiling the skin, rubbing, pressing:
- To warm up the muscles, start the massage with light strokes.
- Then continue rubbing, kneading. Grab a fold of skin and move it slowly from bottom to top.
- Press with your fingertips on the area of the longitudinal muscles of the back, perform circular motions.
- Stretch the muscles of the chest, thighs, shoulder girdle, avoid the added pressure on the spine.
- Complete the procedure by tapping, vibrating, beating. Perform such manipulations with the pads of the fingers, one skirt or the entire palm, depending on the severity of the disease.
Massager for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
To get rid of an unbearable pain attack in the neck area at home, to relax the muscle fibers and to quickly facilitate the 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
In the deterioration phase, 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 spinal joints. To enhance the desired effect, it is recommended to add a decoction of chamomile, lemon balm, string, thyme, horsetail, thyme in warm water. General recommendations of specialists:
- Add 250-300 g of plant material or dry mixture with 5 liters of boiling water.
- Simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes.
- After insisting under the lid, drain the liquid, add to the collected bath.
- Perform the procedure before bedtime for 15-20 minutes.
compress
Such home procedures help 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 heat compresses in the focus of pathologists 1-2 times a day. Recipes for medicinal compositions:
- Grind horseradish root and apple on a fine grater, mix the composition. Squeeze the juice, form a cake from the resulting wheat. Place on the inflamed area and wrap with a bandage. Repeat the procedure every day until the pain subsides.
- Melt 1 g of propolis in a water bath and at this time take 50 g of fresh aloe juice from fresh leaves. Combine ingredients, add 50 g mustard powder, 400 ml vodka to the mixture, mix. Apply the composition in several layers of gauze, stick to the focus of pathology. Do not remove it until the cloth is completely dry. Perform a home procedure every day before bed.
Applications
If such heating procedures are used for osteochondrosis, it is possible to restore normal motor activity of the spine. Applications act reflexively on biologically active points and areas, normalize energy balance in the body. It is required to moisten gauze with a medicinal composition, to be applied to the focus of pathology. Do not remove for 30-40 minutes, repeat procedures at home several times a day. When choosing a medicinal composition, you should make sure that there are no allergic reactions. Effective application recipes:
- Transfer 50 g of fresh aloe leaves to 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. After that, moisten the gauze with the drug, apply it to the focus of pathology. Secure it first with adhesive film, then with a warm scarf. Do not shoot for 30 minutes. Repeat the procedure twice a day.
- Mix a glass of medical turpentine and the same amount of crushed aloe leaves, 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, covering with adhesive film, a warm scarf.
Friction
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is not complete without rubbing. Procedures such as massage, quickly relieve inflammation, suppress a pain attack and stimulate blood circulation to the affected area. Rubbing is recommended up to 2-3 times a day. Turpentine, bald fat, kerosene, nutria fat can be used as medicinal compounds. From medicinal plants, doctors recommend to pay attention to the beneficial properties of juniper, plantain, sage. Timely tested recipes:
- Mix 1 tablespoon in a bowl. juniper needles, 6 tbsp. pre-cut laurel leaves, 6 tbsp. l. butter. Apply a uniform composition to the sore spot. Rub the oil prepared for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine on the skin with light movements. Perform the procedure several times a day, avoid sketches. The course is chosen individually.
- Combine 2 tablespoons. l. sage and plantain leaves cut in advance, add to the mixture 40 g of Vaseline, 50 ml of vegetable oil. 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 the oil for 30-40 minutes.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies
Alternative medicine methods for osteochondrosis are no weaker than official medicines. The main thing is to choose the right recipe. Below are time-tested remedies that restore the patient the joy of movement:
- Chop the raw potatoes, pre-peeled on a fine grater. Add 50 g of honey to the resulting grain, mix, form a cake, apply to the center of pathology, do not remove for 30 minutes.
- Grind the dried foam root. Then 2 tablespoons. l. pour the raw materials 400 ml of boiling water, boil on the fire for 5-7 minutes. After insisting, strain, use as compresses up to 3-4 times a day for a course of up to 2 weeks. The tool relieves inflammation, relieves pain.
- Mix 200 gr of chopped lentil root and 100 gr Potentilla, pour 1 liter of vodka. Insist 3 weeks, then strain. Take 1 tablespoon by mouth. l. 3 times daily before meals for a month.
- Cut the berry 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 fresh dose of the herb daily.