Osteochondrosis is called degenerative changes in articular cartilage. If we present this process in a few words, then the soft "spacer" between the bones becomes thinner and ceases to fully fulfill the functions of the shock absorber assigned to it. As a result of constriction of nerve endings, pain occurs, mobility is impaired. The process extends to the surrounding muscles, affecting the internal organs.
Therapeutic treatment of osteochondrosis at home is aimed at alleviating the patient's condition and returning to active life. Let’s take a look at popular and available methods to help you get rid of attacks and avoid recurrence.
Causes of the disease
Doctors joke that spinal deformity is the price of humanity for the ability to walk upright. There is, of course, little truth in this ironic statement, but most often the culprit is the patient himself. The most common causes of osteochondrosis: inactive lifestyle, excess weight, stress.
Contributions and hobbies of alcoholic beverages and smoking. Nicotine makes bones brittle, inhibits the synthesis of collagen, which is responsible for the elasticity of cartilage tissue. Alcohol causes tissue dehydration, promotes calcium leaching. No less harmful is the passion for strict diets that limit the intake of minerals and vitamins.
The factor of heredity and age changes play a significant role in the development of osteochondrosis. In addition, flat feet in high-heeled shoes contribute to the development of pathology.
Those whose work is stressful run the risk of developing. These are builders, waiters, movers. However, representatives of inactive professions suffer from osteochondrosis no less often.
Medications
Osteochondrosis of the spine often worsens after doing household chores or gardening, increased physical effort, hypothermia. In such cases, the first priority is to get rid of strong feelings of pain that interfere with normal movement.
One way to stop an attack quickly is to take medication (analgesics) or injections to relieve the pain. After the acute pain subsides, you can use other methods of treating osteochondrosis of the spine. Home therapy includes:
- taking drugs of different groups;
- warming and rubbing;
- exercise;
- massage and self-massage.
Medical treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine at home is carried out using various gels and ointments. The procedure improves blood circulation, relaxes tense muscles and relieves inflammation. There are a number of special medications on the pharmaceutical market that can be used to relieve the symptoms of pain in osteochondrosis.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs alleviate primary symptoms. Chondroprotectors should be used to repair worn intervertebral discs.
Chondroprotectors aim to stimulate the formation of inter-articular fluid and restore cartilage structure.
Alternative Medicine
Self-treatment of osteochondrosis at home can be quite effective.
However, you should not use the advice without consulting a specialist. An examination is also needed to confirm the correct diagnosis.
Folk methods of treating osteochondrosis are usually based on the use of plant or animal raw materials, bee products and chemicals. The latter include ethyl alcohol, kerosene, turpentine. These liquids are used to make medicinal compresses, tinctures or ointments.
Grinding compound
A simple solution at home helps to stop the onset of pain during the worsening of osteochondrosis. To prepare it, you need:
- Alcohol or vodka 1, 5 cups.
- Iodine solution 2 tsp.
- Camphor 2 tbsp. spoons.
Mix liquid components, shake. Use as needed, but no more than twice a day. It is important to keep your lower back warm after rubbing.
Medicinal baths
Treatment of osteochondrosis folk remedies also includes water procedures. Coniferous baths will help relieve muscle tension and calm the nervous system. Medicinal raw materials can be prepared independently or ready-made extracts can be purchased. For the first method you will need pine cones and spruce, pine or fir branches, which are first cooked for half an hour and then insisted for a day. To prepare the bath, you must add a glass of infusion or 50 grams of the finished dry extract to the water at a temperature of 37-39 degrees.
Turpentine emulsion is often used in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system at home. The composition includes the following ingredients:
- white emulsion 550 grams;
- purified water 0, 5 liters;
- salicylic acid 75 grams;
- soap shavings 30 grams.
Heat water to boiling, dissolve soap in it, add salicylic acid and mix with turpentine. Pour the prepared mixture into the bath at about 40 ° C.
The duration of the procedure is about half an hour. The temperature should be constant, for this you need to occasionally add hot water to the bath. The duration of treatment is 5-7 days. Doctors do not recommend baths during the worsening of osteochondrosis, accompanied by severe pain.
You can also treat osteochondrosis at home with dry heat. Buckwheat or salt is used for such a procedure, the products are preheated in a pan. After spreading the hot mass on a clean piece of cloth, the application is applied to the lower back, insulated with a blanket and left to cool. The warm-up is performed in two or three steps, about 45 minutes.
Despite the fact that all folk remedies are based on natural ingredients, they can not be called absolutely safe. Don't forget about individual intolerance. It is obvious that turpentine or kerosene are not suitable for people with sensitive skin.
Herbal preparations
Non-traditional treatment of osteochondrosis at home is not completely without a prescription for herbal medicine. And they are as follows:
- For wraps you can use a herbal blend consisting of St. John’s wort, dandelion root and burdock leaves. Dried, crushed raw materials (20 grams each) are poured over boiling water, insisted in a closed vessel and a piece of cloth folded in several layers is impregnated with a cold solution. Put the bandage on the sore spot for 20-30 minutes.
- Mint and sage in equal proportions, add water and cook for 10 minutes. The broth is taken orally twice a day in half a glass or applied to the site of localization of osteochondrosis in the form of compresses. To prepare, take 3 tablespoons of crushed raw materials per liter of water.
- Mother and stepmother flowers are poured with 4% ammonia, insist for 30 days in the dark. It is used as a rub to relieve pain and swelling during the worsening of osteochondrosis.
Massage and self-massage
The traditional way of treatment - massage - will help get rid of osteochondrosis. Thanks to this procedure, the muscles of the neck and the entire shoulder girdle are completely relaxed. It is also important that a properly done massage helps to eliminate pain and improve metabolic processes. At the same time, the patient's blood pressure also normalizes.
Osteochondrosis at home can be treated in this way only if there is a good masseur who knows all the subtleties of this procedure. But self-massage can be a good substitute. The methodology for its application is studied and mastered quite simply. To avoid hurting yourself, you need to know a few simple rules:
- Proper self-massage for osteochondrosis should be performed only with the fingers. In that case, the movement of the fingers must start from the spinal column to the periphery.
- Movements should be light and light, without force. It is very important not to make sudden movements and not to rush.
An example of a classic self-massage might look like this:
- Warm the skin with rubbing and stroking movements.
- After that, while in a sitting position, you should smooth your hands in the area affected by osteochondrosis.
- Light finger movements and ironing should be done for 3 minutes.
These procedures must be performed daily throughout the treatment of osteochondrosis. If possible, a family member can perform a massage, but it is very important to apply minimal force of movement.
Physiotherapy exercises
Another method of dealing with osteochondrosis is corrective gymnastics. This procedure is mandatory for home treatment, because it helps strengthen the muscles of problem areas. Performing the exercises, the patient's muscles tense and relax, creating the necessary load on the problem areas.
Important!All exercises should be done slowly, otherwise exercise therapy can be harmful.
Slow turns of the head to the side are most effective for treating cervical osteochondrosis. Depending on the affected area, exercises can be used to strengthen the muscles of the upper and lower extremities. And with the help of hand movements in the shoulder joint, the tension of the cervical muscles is noticeably reduced.
To properly compose a series of exercises to treat osteochondrosis, you need to consult a specialist. They will select a complex that will tell and show which of the exercises will be most effective for each individual case, because depending on the affected area, certain muscle groups must be involved. It is very important to follow your doctor’s instructions so that the treatment is beneficial and not harmful. In case of painful sensations during gymnastics, you should stop the exercises and inform the specialist to correct the set of exercises. To achieve the maximum effect, regardless of the complexity of the case, in addition to gymnastics, you should also use an applicator, do self-massage and use medications to treat osteochondrosis.
Helpful Hints
When osteochondrosis is diagnosed, a neurologist prescribes complex therapy. Home treatment alternates with physiotherapy, massage, injections and medications. Exercise therapy experts warmly recommend not to limit yourself to bed rest, even during the period of worsening osteochondrosis. Moreover, they claim that some exercises can help relieve pain as well as drugs.
It should be noted that the modern approach to the treatment of osteochondrosis differs from the methods used several decades ago. Patients practice relaxation and meditation to relieve stress. The disease is treated not only by a neurologist, but also by a psychotherapist.
Here are some tips for relieving osteochondrosis:
- It is worth strengthening the muscles of the back and abdomen, they will create a kind of support framework. To do this, you need to do stretching and flexibility exercises every day. It is also important to monitor your posture while working or walking.
- Everyone should choose the correct sleeping position to relax their spine as much as possible. If the person is sleeping on their back, it is helpful to put an extra pillow under their feet in the knee area. Lying on your side, squeeze it between your thighs.
- To get rid of osteochondrosis, therapy alone is not enough. Doctors recommend quitting smoking and alcohol that destroy joint tissue. It is also worth maintaining a healthy weight.