Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease that is more common in elderly patients. If treatment is not started in 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 drugs, diet, massage and a set of special exercises. You can extend the remission period if you follow the medical recommendations.
What is osteochondrosis
This is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which there is a gradual destruction of the intervertebral discs, spinal tissues. Muscles gradually atrophy, the conduction of nerve impulses, the work of physiological systems and individual internal organs is 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 lesion. General signs of the disease:
- static syndrome: impaired posture, 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 syndrome: pale skin, nausea, dizziness, signs of oxygen starvation;
- neurological syndrome: decreased sensitivity of various areas of the spine, a feeling of "creeping on the skin", tingling in the extremities.
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, some parts of the brain experience oxygen starvation and die. In addition, the patient complains of a sharp decrease in visual acuity, flickering "goosebumps" in front of the eyes.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home
The treatment is performed by a neurologist, 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, the 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:
- therapeutic gymnastics and physical education;
- change in the usual way of life;
- reflexology;
- manual therapy;
- physiotherapeutic methods;
- massage course;
- methods of traditional medicine.
The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis or other spinal cord 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 set 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 medication is appropriate in the acute stage, when the patient suffers from acute pain in the spine, can not move fully and sleep. The doctor prescribes tablets for oral administration, ointments, gels for external use. In osteochondrosis, the complex treatment contains drugs from 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 this way you can relieve inflammation, suppress the attack of pain, restore the damaged structure of the vertebrae and provide nutrition to the tissues with vital oxygen. Symptomatic treatment of osteochondrosis 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 vertebrae is restored through the mouth, the attack of acute pain disappears:
Ointment
The means for local external use have analgesic, irritating and dissipating properties, they are intended for external use - directly on the focus of the pathology. With local exposure the risk of contraindications and side effects is minimal, the therapeutic effect is observed 15-20 minutes after administration of a single dose of the selected drug:
- painkillers;
- NSAIDs;
- chondroprotectors;
- homeopathic ointments.
These drugs 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 the injections is to relieve spasms, reduce the increased excitability of nerve endings, suppress the onset of pain, which deprives the patient of sleep and rest. For the successful treatment of osteochondrosis are suitable drugs from several pharmacological groups for intramuscular use:
- NSAIDs;
- analgesics;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- paravertebral block.
Most of these injections are for intramuscular use. You can make injections at home.
Diet
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis at home necessarily includes a healthy diet, so the patient must make certain adjustments in his usual daily diet. A prerequisite is to reduce the total caloric content of meals and the amount of nutrients that raise 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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In osteochondrosis, the morning should begin 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 the degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine, strengthen the muscular corset and prolong the remission of the underlying disease. Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis at home helps to relax tense muscles in the back and neck, dilates intervertebral fissures and releases pinched spinal nerves. General recommendations of the specialists:
- You need to start the therapeutic gymnastics with a warm-up.
- If a sharp pain syndrome is felt in the lower back, twisting is contraindicated.
- In cervical osteochondrosis it is advisable to refrain from sharp turns of the head.
- It is advisable 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 daily.
- It is necessary to monitor breathing (should be even) and heart rate, to control physical activity.
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. Available training complex at home:
- Sit in a chair, hold your hands in 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 is lowered smoothly, the chin touches the chest. 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 hands and to the right. It is recommended to perform 15-20 approaches on each side.
- Sit in a chair so that you can grab the edge with your hands. Then slowly lower your head back, spread your shoulders and shoulders. Then return to starting position and repeat the same movement 15-20 more times.
- In a sitting position on the floor with straight legs, lean 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 the developed training complex is recommended by the famous specialist S. M. Bubnovski.
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 intensively train the cervical and lumbar vertebrae to activate local blood circulation. The technique does not matter much, you can choose kneading the skin, rubbing, pressing:
- To warm up your muscles, start the massage with light strokes.
- Then move on to rubbing, kneading. Grasp the fold of the skin and move slowly from the bottom up.
- Press with your fingertips in the area of the longitudinal muscles of the back, make circular motions.
- Stretch the muscles of the chest, thighs, shoulder girdle, avoid increased pressure on the spine.
- Finish the procedure by tapping, vibrating, breaking. Perform such manipulations with the pads of the fingers, the edge or the whole palm, depending on the severity of the disease.
Massager for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
To get rid of the unbearable attack of neck pain at home, relax muscle fibers and quickly relieve general well-being, the patient is recommended to use a special massager. This will help stop the pain syndrome even in advanced cases.
Healing baths
In the exacerbation stage, water treatments 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 of the specialists:
- Pour 250-300 g of dry plant material or a mixture of 5 liters of boiling water.
- Cook over medium 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 eliminate swelling and acute pain in osteochondrosis. In addition, they improve blood circulation, relieve pain, relieve muscle spasms. In the treatment of osteochondrosis at home it is necessary to undergo a two-week course, to put warming compresses on 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 mash. Put on the sore spot 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 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 site of pathology. Do not remove until the towel is completely dry. Do a home procedure every day before bed.
Applications
If such warming procedures are used for osteochondrosis, it is possible to restore normal motor activity of the spine. The applications have a reflex effect on the biologically active points and zones, normalize the energy balance in the body. It is necessary to moisten the gauze with a medicinal composition, to apply on the source of pathology. Do not remove for 30-40 minutes, repeat the procedure at home several times a day. When choosing a drug, you need to make sure that there are no allergic reactions. Effective recipes for application:
- Pass 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. Then moisten the gauze with the drug, apply it to the source of pathology. Secure first with cling film and then with a warm scarf. Do not shoot for 30 minutes. Repeat the procedure twice a day.
- Mix a glass of 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, covering with cling film, warm scarf.
Friction
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is not complete without rubbing. 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 therapeutic compounds. From medicinal plants doctors recommend to pay attention to the beneficial properties of juniper, plantain, sage. Time-tested recipes:
- Mix 1 tsp in one bowl. juniper needles, 6 tsp pre-cut bay leaf, 6 tbsp oil. Apply an even composition on the sore spot. With light movements rub into the skin the finished ointment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Perform the procedure several times a day, avoid drafts. The course is chosen individually.
- Combine 2 tablespoons pre-cut sage and plantain, add to the mixture 40 g of Vaseline, 50 ml of vegetable oil. Mix the composition well, apply on the pathological focus and rub. To improve 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
The methods of alternative medicine for osteochondrosis are not inferior to official drugs. The main thing is to choose the right recipe. The following are time-tested drugs that restore the joy of the patient's movement:
- Cut the raw, pre-peeled potatoes on a fine grater. Add 50 g of honey to the resulting slurry, stir, shape the cake, apply it on the center of the pathology, do not remove for 30 minutes.
- Grind the dried cinquefoil root. Then 2 tbsp pour the raw materials with 400 ml of boiling water, simmer on 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 drug relieves inflammation, eliminates pain.
- Mix 200 g of chopped cinquefoil root and 100 g of 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 blueberry leaves. 1 tbsp. fill the finished raw material with 1 tbsp. boiling water and leave for 1 hour under a lid. Divide the finished dose into 2 doses - drink in the morning and evening. Prepare a fresh dose of medicine daily.