Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease that is more common in adult patients. If treatment is not started on time, complications can lead to spinal immobilization and disability. Folk remedies for osteochondrosis are an adjunctive treatment, they are prescribed simultaneously with medication, diet, massage course and a set of special exercises. You can extend the remission period according to medical recommendations.
What is osteochondrosis
It is a disease of the musculoskeletal system in which the intervertebral discs and vertebral tissues are gradually destroyed. Muscles gradually become atrophied, the conduction of nerve impulses, the functioning of physiological systems and individual internal organs are disrupted. The disease has been asymptomatic for a long time. Then the patient complains of back and neck pain. This is the first sign of osteochondrosis. Other symptoms depend on the location of the pathological focus. General symptoms of the disease:
- static syndrome: impaired posture, stiffness in the spine, more often back pain;
- trophic syndrome: formation of trophic ulcers on the skin due to disruption of 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 "crawling on the skin", numbness of the limbs.
In the absence of timely treatment, attacks of nausea and dizziness become more frequent, and the patient may even lose consciousness. Due to atherosclerotic narrowing of blood vessels, certain parts of the brain experience oxygen starvation and die. In addition, the patient complains of a sharp decrease in visual acuity, "gas bubbles" trembling in front of the eyes.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home
Treatment is performed by a neurologist, 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, possible health complications. Treatment of osteochondrosis is conservative or operative. In the first case, in addition to a therapeutic diet and medication, a comprehensive approach is required:
- therapeutic gymnastics and physical education;
- change in normal lifestyle;
- reflexology;
- hand therapy;
- physiotherapy methods;
- massage course;
- traditional medicine methods.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis or any other spine is a long process. The main goal is to stop the pain syndrome, restore the structure and function of the vertebrae, prolong the remission period. The set of therapeutic measures proposed by the specialist is intended for 1-3 months, depending on the severity of the pathological process. The rehabilitation period is 1 year. Effective treatment can be done at home according to medical prescriptions.
Medications
Taking the drug is appropriate in the acute phase when the patient suffers from severe pain in the spine, is unable to move fully and sleep. The doctor prescribes tablets, ointments, gels for external use. Complex treatment of osteochondrosis includes drugs of several pharmacological groups:
| Name of the pharmacological group | The principle of action in the focus of pathology | Release forms of medicines |
|---|---|---|
| non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (hereinafter NSAIDs) | blockade of prostaglandin synthesis (suppression of inflammatory process and acute pain attack) | capsules, injections, tablets, gels, plasters, ointments |
| vasodilator drugs | nourishment of vertebral tissues, accelerating 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 pathological focus | injections, tablets |
| chondroprotectors | restoration of the structure of bone and cartilage tissues, prevention of their further destruction | capsules, tablets, gels, ointments, injections |
| sedatives | Improving sleep quality, achieving emotional balance | tinctures, tablets |
| antidepressants | to relieve anxiety and depressive states due to acute pain and impaired mobility of the vertebrae | tablets |
| glucocorticosteroids | It is prescribed in complex clinical cases to eliminate inflammation, reduce the intensity of pain syndrome, restore vertebral function. | 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 complexes | strengthening the spine, increasing immunity | tablets |
Tablets
Oral drugs are available in the form of tablets, capsules, pills and have a complex effect on the body. In this way, you can eliminate inflammation, suppress the onset of pain, restore the damaged structure of the vertebrae, and ensure that the tissues are nourished with vital oxygen. Symptomatic treatment of osteochondrosis at home involves oral administration:
- NSAIDs;
- vasodilator drugs;
- muscle relaxant;
- analgesics;
- chondroprotectors;
- sedatives;
- antidepressants and tranquilizers;
- glucocorticosteroids;
- phytopreparations;
- antioxidants;
- multivitamin complexes.
After taking such drugs, the movement of the vertebrae is restored orally, the acute pain attack disappears:
Ointment
Remedies for topical use have analgesic, irritating and distracting properties, are intended for external use - directly at the center of the pathology. With local exposure, the risk of contraindications and side effects is minimal, the therapeutic effect is noticeable 15-20 minutes after administration of a single dose of the selected drug:
- painkillers;
- NSAIDs;
- chondroprotectors;
- homeopathic ointments.
These medications can cause local and allergic skin reactions, so you should consult a specialist before using them at home.
Injections
The main purpose of injections is to relieve spasms, reduce the increased excitement of the nerve endings, and suppress the onset of pain that deprives the patient of sleep and rest. For the successful treatment of osteochondrosis, drugs of several pharmacological groups are suitable for intramuscular use:
- NSAIDs;
- analgesics;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxant;
- paravertebral blockade.
Most of these injections are for intramuscular administration. You can inject at home.
Diet
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis at home necessarily involves a healthy diet, so the patient must make some adjustments to the usual daily diet. A prerequisite is to reduce the total caloric content of foods and the amount of nutrients that increase blood cholesterol. It is recommended to follow a balanced diet, eat more fermented milk and plant products, control water intake, intake of natural vitamins and antioxidants.
| Healthy food | Prohibited food |
|---|---|
| milk 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, all kinds of cabbage) | table salt, spices |
| fruits (peaches, apricots, citrus fruits) | sausage, smoked meat |
Charger
With osteochondrosis should start with morning exercise. Patients engage 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, prolong the remission of the underlying disease. Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis at home helps to relax the tense muscles of the back and neck, widens intervertebral fissures and relieves constricted spinal nerves. General recommendations of experts:
- Therapeutic gymnastics should start with warming up.
- Twisting is contraindicated if acute pain syndrome is felt in the lumbar region.
- With cervical osteochondrosis, it is advisable to avoid 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, they should be performed daily.
- It is necessary to monitor breathing (should be equal) and heart rate, to control the physical load on the body.
If you do simple exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervix or other spine on a regular basis, you can forget about the unbearable pain for a long time. Home training complex:
- Sit in a chair, lock your hands behind your head, lean forward. Press your hands behind your head so that the head is lowered evenly and the chin touches the thoracic region. Hold this position for a few seconds, feel the maximum muscle tension.
- While sitting, touch your right cheek with your right palm and slowly turn your head first to the left, then your hand and to the right. It is recommended to complete 15-20 approaches on each side.
- Sit in a chair so that you can hold the edge of it with your hands. Then slowly lower your head, spread your shoulder blades and shoulders. Then return to the starting position and repeat the same action 15-20 more times.
- In a sitting position with your feet flat on the floor, bend forward to reach your toes without bending your knees. Freeze in this position for a few minutes, then breathe in and relax.
- Lie on your back with your legs bent at the knees. Lift the bowl off the ground and slowly turn the bridge upside down. Freeze for 5-10 seconds at maximum point. Such a training for osteochondrosis as part of an advanced training complex is a well-known specialist S. M. Bubnovsky.
Massage
Doctors with osteochondrosis recommend a course of massage to quickly relieve muscle spasms, increase microcirculation, strengthen the spine and improve the overall condition of the patient. You can perform each procedure yourself at home. The main condition is to work intensively on the cervical and lumbar spine to activate local blood circulation. No matter the technique, you can choose to knead, rub or press the skin:
- Start the massage with light strokes to warm up your muscles.
- Then continue to rub and knead. Hold a layer of skin and slowly move from bottom to top.
- Press with your fingertips on the longitudinal muscles of the back, make circular motions.
- Stretch the muscles of the chest, thighs, shoulder girdle, avoid increasing pressure on the spine.
- Finish the procedure by tapping, shaking and beating. Depending on the severity of the disease, perform such manipulations with the pads of the fingers, the edge or the whole palm.
Masseur for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
At home, the patient is advised to use a special massager to get rid of the attack of unbearable pain in the neck, relax the muscle fibers and quickly eliminate the general well-being. This will help stop the pain syndrome even in advanced cases.
Therapeutic baths
Water procedures are contraindicated in the acute phase. During rehabilitation, such home sessions have become indispensable, because 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 chamomile, lemon balm, yarn, thyme, horsetail, thyme decoction to warm water. General recommendations of experts:
- Pour 250-300 g of dry plant material or mixture with 5 liters of boiling water.
- Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.
- After insisting under the lid, strain the broth and add to the collected bath.
- Perform the procedure for 15-20 minutes before bedtime.
Compresses
Such home procedures help to eliminate the onset of acute pain in edema and osteochondrosis. In addition, they improve blood circulation, relieve pain and relieve muscle spasms. When treating osteochondrosis at home, it is necessary to take a two-week course and apply warming compresses to the attention of pathologists 1-2 times a day. Recipes for medicinal compositions:
- Chop horseradish root and apple in a fine frying pan, mix the ingredients. Squeeze the juice, make a cake from the resulting gruel. Apply to 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 take 50 g of fresh aloe juice from fresh leaves. Combine ingredients, add 50 g of mustard powder, 400 ml of vodka to the mixture and mix. Apply the composition in several layers of gauze, stick to the center of the pathology. Do not remove the fabric until it is completely dry. Perform the procedure at home every day before going to bed.
Applications
If such warm-up procedures are applied for osteochondrosis, it is possible to restore normal motor function of the spine. Applications have a reflex effect on biologically active points and zones, normalize the energy balance in the body. It is necessary to moisten the tissue with the drug, to apply to the center of pathology. Do not air for 30-40 minutes, repeat the procedure at home several times a day. When choosing the composition of the drug, you should 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 medication and apply to the center of the pathology. Secure first with cling film, then with a warm scarf. Do not smoke 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 in a dark place for 5 days, then rub the sore spots overnight, cover with adhesive film, a warm scarf.
friction
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is not complete without friction. Such procedures as massage quickly eliminate inflammation, suppress the onset of pain and stimulate blood circulation in the affected area. It is recommended to rub 2-3 times a day. Turpentine, badger oil, kerosene, nutria oil can be used as medicinal compounds. From medicinal plants, doctors advise to pay attention to the beneficial properties of juniper, plantain, sage. Time-tested recipes:
- Mix 1 tsp in a container. juniper needles, 6 tsp. pre-chopped bay leaf, 6 tbsp. l. butter. Apply a single composition to the painful area. Apply the ointment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine to the skin with light movements. Perform the procedure several times a day, avoid drafts. The course is selected individually.
- Combine 2 tbsp. l. Add pre-chopped sage and plantain, 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 with a warm scarf. Do not wash the ointment for 30-40 minutes.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies
Alternative medicine for osteochondrosis is no weaker than official medicine. The main thing is to choose the right recipe. The following are time-tested tools that restore the patient's joy of movement:
- Pass the raw, pre-peeled potatoes through a fine grater. Add 50 g of honey to the resulting gruel, mix, form a cake, apply to the center of the pathology, do not remove for 30 minutes.
- Chop the dried cinquefoil root. Then 2 tbsp. l. Pour 400 ml of boiling water over the raw material and cook on the fire for 5-7 minutes. After insisting, filter and use as a compress 3-4 times a day for up to 2 weeks. The remedy eliminates inflammation, relieves pain.
- Mix 200 g chopped cinquefoil root and 100 g Potentilla, pour 1 liter of vodka. Insist 3 weeks, then strain. Take 1 tablespoon orally. l. Before meals 3 times a day for a month.
- Chop the lingonberry leaves. 1 tablespoon. l. Fill with 1 tbsp of finished raw material. boiling water and leave for 1 hour under the lid. Divide the finished dose into 2 doses - morning and evening. Prepare a fresh dose of medication every day.