Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease that is more common in adult patients. If treatment is not started in time, complications lead to immobilization of the spine and disability. Home remedies for osteochondrosis are an auxiliary method of treatment, they are prescribed simultaneously with drugs, diet, a course of massage and a series of special exercises. Subject to medical advice, you can extend the remission period.
what is osteochondrosis
This is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which there is a gradual destruction of the intervertebral discs, the vertebral tissues. The 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 poor oxygen supply to tissues;
- vascular syndrome - pale skin, nausea, dizziness, signs of lack of oxygen;
- Neurological syndrome: decreased sensitivity of different areas of the spine, feeling "dragging on the skin", numbness of the extremities.
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, certain parts of the brain experience oxygen starvation and die. In addition, the patient complains of a sharp drop in visual acuity, flickering "goose bumps" before the eyes.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home
Treatment is carried out by a neuropathologist, vertebrologist, surgeon or neurosurgeon, chiropractor, exercise therapy doctor, physical therapist. The choice of a narrow-profile specialist depends on the form and stage of the pathological process, possible health complications. Treatment of osteochondrosis is conservative or operative. In the first case, a comprehensive approach is required that, in addition to a therapeutic diet and taking medications, includes:
- recovery 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 spinal osteochondrosis 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 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 carried out at home.
medicines
Taking medication is appropriate in the acute stage, when the patient suffers from acute pain in the spine, cannot move and fully sleep. The doctor prescribes tablets for oral administration, ointments, gels for external use. With osteochondrosis, complex treatment contains drugs of several pharmacological groups:
| Name of the pharmacological group | The principle of action on the focus of pathology | Forms of drug release. |
|---|---|---|
| non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs hereinafter) | blocking the synthesis of prostaglandins (suppression of the inflammatory process and an acute attack of pain) | capsules, injections, tablets, gels, plasters, ointments |
| vasodilator drugs | nutrition of vertebral tissues, acceleration of their regeneration process | creams, ointments, gels, tablets, injections |
| muscle relaxants | relaxation of spasmodic muscles, reduction of pain syndrome | injections, tablets |
| anesthetics, pain relievers | rapid anesthesia of the pathological focus | injections, tablets |
| chondroprotectors | restoration of the structure of bone and cartilaginous tissues, avoiding their subsequent destruction | capsules, tablets, gels, ointments, injections |
| sedatives | improving the quality of sleep, achieving emotional balance | tinctures, tablets |
| antidepressants | relieve anxiety and depressive states due to acute pain and impaired mobility of the vertebrae | tablets |
| glucocorticosteroids | are prescribed in complicated clinical cases to relieve inflammation, reduce the intensity of 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, it can relieve inflammation, suppress an attack of pain, restore the damaged structure of the vertebrae, and provide vital oxygen to the nutrition of the tissues. 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, an attack of acute pain disappears:
Ointment
Means for local external use have analgesic, irritating and distracting properties, they are intended for external use, directly at the focus 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:
- ointments for pain relief;
- NSAIDs;
- chondroprotectors;
- homeopathic ointments.
These drugs can cause local and allergic skin reactions, 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 that deprives the patient of sleep and rest. For the successful treatment of osteochondrosis, preparations of various pharmacological groups are appropriate for intramuscular administration:
- NSAIDs;
- analgesics;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- paravertebral block.
Most of these injections are for intramuscular administration. You can give injections at home.
Diet
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis at home necessarily includes a healthy diet, so the patient must make certain adjustments to his usual daily diet. A prerequisite is to reduce the total caloric content of meals and the amount of food ingredients that increase blood cholesterol. It is recommended to follow a balanced diet, eat more fermented milk and vegetable products, control the water regime, the intake of natural vitamins and antioxidants.
| Healthy food | forbidden food |
|---|---|
| dairy and sour milk products | fast food |
| fish and shellfish | semi-finished products, preservatives |
| Red meat | confectionery, sweets |
| eggs, hard cheeses, butter | sweet carbonated drinks |
| cow liver | alcohol in any form |
| vegetables (potatoes, carrots, cabbage of all kinds) | table salt, spices |
| fruits (peaches, apricots, citrus) | sausages, smoked meats |
Charger
With osteochondrosis, the morning should start with exercise. Patients participate 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 relax tight muscles in the back and neck, expands the intervertebral clefts, and releases pinched spinal nerves. General recommendations from specialists:
- It is necessary to start the therapeutic gymnast with a warm-up.
- If an acute pain syndrome is felt in the lower back, twisting is contraindicated.
- With cervical osteochondrosis, it is advisable to abandon sharp turns 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 must perform them daily.
- It is necessary to monitor the respiration (it must be uniform) and the pulse rate, to control the physical load on the body.
If you regularly perform simple exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other spine, you can forget about the excruciating pain for a long time. Training complex available at home:
- Sit on a chair, clasp your hands on a lock at the back of your head, lean your body forward. Press your hands on the back of the head so that the head goes down gently, the chin touches the thoracic region. Stay in 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 shift your hand to the right. It is recommended to make 15 to 20 approaches on each side.
- Sit in a chair so that you can grasp the edge with your hands. Then slowly lower your head back, spread your shoulder blades 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 your legs straight, lean forward so that, without bending your knees, you reach the balls of your feet. Freeze in this position for a few moments, then exhale and relax.
- Lie on your back with your legs bent at the knees. Reverse the bridge slowly, lifting your pelvis off the floor. Freeze at the highest maximum 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 perform each procedure yourself at home. The main condition is to intensely work the cervical and lumbar spine to activate the local blood circulation. The technique doesn't really matter, you can choose to knead the skin, rub, press:
- To warm up the muscles, begin the massage with gentle movements.
- Then continue rubbing, kneading. Take a fold of skin and move slowly from the bottom up.
- Press with the tips of your fingers in the area of the longitudinal muscles of the back, make circular movements.
- Stretch the muscles of the chest, thighs, shoulder girdle, avoid increased pressure on the spine.
- Finish the procedure by tapping, vibrating, tapping. Perform such manipulations with the 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 attack of excruciating pain in the neck area at home, relax muscle fibers and quickly relieve general well-being, the patient is recommended 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 sessions at home have become indispensable, as they dilate the blood vessels, relax the 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 moderate heat for 20 minutes.
- After insisting under the lid, strain the broth, add it to the collected bath.
- Perform the procedure before bedtime for 15-20 minutes.
Compresses
Such home procedures help to eliminate edema and a sharp 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 warm compresses in the focus 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 porridge. Place on the inflamed area and wrap with a bandage. Repeat the procedure daily until the pain disappears.
- Melt 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, adhere it to the focus of the pathology. Do not remove until the cloth is completely dry. Perform a home procedure every day before bed.
Applications
If such warming procedures are used for osteochondrosis, it is possible to restore the normal motor activity of the spine. The applications act reflexively on biologically active points and areas, normalize the energy balance in the body. It is required to moisten the gauze with a 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 need to make sure 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 it in a dark place for a week. After that, moisten the gauze with the drug, apply it to the focus of the pathology. Secure it 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 inner fat, 5-10 drops of iodine. Insist on the composition for 5 days in a dark place, then rub the sore spots overnight, covering them 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 an attack of pain, and stimulate blood circulation to the affected area. It is recommended to rub up to 2-3 times a day. Turpentine, badger fat, kerosene, and nutria fat can be used as medicinal compounds. Of medicinal plants, doctors recommend paying attention to the beneficial properties of juniper, banana and sage. Time-tested recipes:
- Mix 1 teaspoon in a bowl. juniper needles, 6 tsp. bay leaf previously chopped, 6 tbsp. yomanteca. Apply a uniform composition to the sore spot. Rub the prepared ointment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine into the skin with light movements. Perform the procedure several times a day, avoid drafts. The course is selected individually.
- Combine 2 tablespoons. Yosalvia and banana previously chopped, add to the mixture 40 g of Vaseline, 50 ml of vegetable oil. Mix the composition well, apply to the pathological focus and rub. To enhance the healing effect, wrap the treated area of skin with a warm scarf on top. Do not wash off the ointment for 30-40 minutes.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies.
Alternative medicine methods for osteochondrosis are not weaker than official drugs. The main thing is to choose the correct recipe. The following are time-tested remedies that bring the joy of movement back to the patient:
- Chop the potatoes raw and previously peeled on a fine grater. Add 50 g of honey to the resulting porridge, mix, form a cake, apply to the center of the pathology, do not remove it for 30 minutes.
- Grind the dried cinquefoil root. Then 2 tbsp. I pour 400 ml of boiling water over the raw materials, simmer 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 remedy relieves inflammation, removes pain.
- Stir 200 g of chopped cinquefoil root and 100 g of Potentilla, pour 1 liter of vodka. Insist 3 weeks, then strain. Take 1 tablespoon orally. I 3 times a day before meals for a month.
- Chop the cranberry leaves. 1 tablespoon. 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 medicine every day.