Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease that is more common among adult patients. If treatment is not started on time, complications lead to immobilization of the spine and disability. Folk remedies for osteochondrosis are an auxiliary method of treatment, they are prescribed simultaneously with medicines, diet, a course of massage and a set of special exercises. Subject to medical recommendations, you can prolong 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 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: impaired posture, a feeling of stiffness in the spine, more frequent backache;
- trophic syndrome: the formation of trophic ulcers on the skin due to impaired tissue oxygen supply;
- vascular syndrome: pallor of the skin, nausea, dizziness, signs of oxygen starvation;
- neurological syndrome: decreased sensitivity of different zones 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 off. 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, physiotherapist. 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, an integrated approach is required, which, in addition to a therapeutic diet and taking medications, includes:
- remedial gymnastics and physical education;
- change in the usual way of life;
- reflexology;
- manual therapy;
- physiotherapy methods;
- massage course;
- traditional medicine methods.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis or other spine is a long process. The main goal is to stop 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.
Medications
Taking medications is appropriate in the acute stage, when the patient suffers from acute pain in the spine, cannot 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:
| Pharmacological group name | The principle of action on the focus of pathology | Forms of release of medicines |
|---|---|---|
| non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs hereinafter) | blockade of prostaglandin synthesis (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 the process of their regeneration | 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 bone and cartilaginous tissues, preventing their further destruction | capsules, tablets, gels, ointments, injections |
| sedatives | improving the quality of sleep, achieving emotional balance | tinctures, tablets |
| antidepressants | relieving anxiety and depressive conditions 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 | strengthening the spine, increasing immunity | tablets |
Tablets
Oral medications 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 an attack of pain, restore the damaged structure of the vertebrae, and provide tissue nutrition with vital oxygen. 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 medications, 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, are intended for external use - directly on 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 applying a single dose of the selected medication:
- pain relieving ointments;
- NSAIDs;
- chondroprotectors;
- homeopathic ointments.
These medicines can cause local and allergic reactions on the skin, so before using them at home, you need to consult a specialist.
Injections
The main purpose of performing injections is to relieve spasm, reduce the increased excitability of nerve endings, and suppress an attack of pain that deprives the patient of sleep and rest. For the successful treatment of osteochondrosis, drugs of several pharmacological groups are appropriate for intramuscular administration:
- NSAIDs;
- analgesics;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- paravertebral blockade.
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 needs to make certain adjustments to his usual daily diet. A prerequisite is to reduce the total calorie content of meals 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, the intake of natural vitamins and antioxidants.
| Healthy food | Prohibited food |
|---|---|
| dairy and sour milk products | fast food |
| Fish and seafood | semi-finished products, preservatives |
| red meat | confectionery, sweets |
| eggs, hard cheeses, butter | sweet carbonated drinks |
| beef liver | alcohol in any form |
| vegetables (potatoes, carrots, cabbage of all sorts) | table salt, spices |
| fruits (peaches, apricots, citrus fruits) | sausages, smoked meats |
Charger
With osteochondrosis, the morning should start 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 degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine, strengthen the muscle 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, expands the intervertebral clefts, and releases pinched 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, 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 need to perform them daily.
- It is necessary to monitor breathing (should be even) and pulse rate, to control the physical load on the body.
If you regularly perform simple exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical or other spine, you can forget about the unbearable pain for a long time. Training complex available at home:
- Sit on a chair, clasp your hands into a lock at the back of your head, tilt your body forward. Press your hands on the back of the head so that the head smoothly lowers, the chin touches the thoracic region. Hold in 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 hand and to the right. It is recommended to complete 15-20 approaches on each side.
- Sit down on a chair so that you can grab the edge of it 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 straight legs, bend forward so that, without bending your knees, reach the toes 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 the pelvis off the ground. Freeze at the maximum top 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 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 work out the cervical and lumbar spine in order to activate local blood circulation. The technique does not really matter, you can choose kneading the skin, rubbing, pressing:
- To warm up your muscles, start the massage with light strokes.
- Then go on to rubbing, kneading. Grab a fold of skin and slowly move from bottom to top.
- Press with your fingertips in the area of the longitudinal muscles of the back, perform circular movements.
- Stretch the muscles of the chest, thighs, shoulder girdle, avoid increased pressure on the spine.
- Finish the procedure by tapping, vibrating, beating. Perform such manipulations with the pads of the fingers, an edge, or the whole palm, depending on the severity of the disease.
Massager for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
In order 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 recommended to use a special massager. It will help stop pain syndrome even in advanced cases.
Healing baths
In the stage of exacerbation, water procedures are contraindicated. During rehabilitation, such home sessions have become indispensable, since 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 specialists:
- Pour 250-300 g of dry plant material or mixture with 5 liters of boiling water.
- Simmer over moderate heat for 20 minutes.
- After insisting under the lid, strain the broth, add to the collected bath.
- Perform the procedure before bed for 15-20 minutes.
Compresses
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 on 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 out the juice, form a cake from the resulting gruel. Place on the inflamed area and wrap with a bandage. Repeat the procedure daily until the pain subsides.
- 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, attach to the focus of pathology. Do not remove until the cloth is completely dry. Perform a home procedure daily before bed.
Applications
If such warming procedures are used for osteochondrosis, it is possible to restore the normal motor activity of the spine. Applications reflexively act on biologically active points and zones, normalize the energy balance in the body. It is required to moisten 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 in a dark place for a week. After that, moisten the gauze with the medicine, apply it to the focus of pathology. Secure first with cling film, 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 interior fat, 5-10 drops of iodine. Insist 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, like massage, quickly relieve inflammation, suppress an attack 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 tsp in one 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. Perform the procedure several times a day, avoid drafts. The course is selected individually.
- Combine 2 tbsp. l. pre-chopped sage and plantain, add to the mixture 40 g of petroleum jelly, 50 ml of vegetable oil. Mix the composition thoroughly, 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 no weaker than official medicines. The main thing is to choose the right recipe. The following are time-tested remedies that bring back the joy of movement to the patient:
- Chop raw, pre-peeled potatoes on a fine grater. Add 50 g of honey to the resulting gruel, mix, form a cake, apply it to the center of pathology, do not remove for 30 minutes.
- Grind the dried cinquefoil root. Then 2 tbsp. l. pour 400 ml of boiling water over the raw materials, simmer 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 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 orally 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day before meals for a month.
- Chop the lingonberry leaves. 1 tbsp. l. fill in 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 daily.