Today, not only the elderly, but also young people under the age of 45 suffer from severe pain in the neck and back.The reason for the unpleasant symptoms lies in the presence of osteochondrosis, which is detected in 26-32% of cases.
Constant back pain reduces performance and weakens the whole body.If spinal pathology is not treated, the risk of disability is high.Therefore, everyone who leads a sedentary lifestyle and experiences discomfort in the lumbar and cervical region should know how to treat intervertebral osteochondrosis at home.But first, it is worth studying the causes and symptoms of this disease, which will allow a timely pathological diagnosis and prevent surgical intervention and the development of deformities.
What is osteochondrosis?
The name of the disease combines the Greek word for "bone" and the Latin word for "cartilage."Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial degenerative disease of the motor spine segment, which initially affects the intervertebral discs.As it progresses, parts of the spine and nervous system are involved in the pathological process.
To understand what osteochondrosis is and how to treat it at home, it is necessary to consider the dynamics of the development of the disease, which goes through four stages:
- In the early stages, the degenerative process is focused on the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc.Increased load leads to dehydration of the nucleus, which causes the disc height to change and cracks in the annulus fibrosus to appear.
- In the second stage, changes in the parameters of the intervertebral discs contribute to the sagging of ligaments, muscle tissue, and a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae.This leads to high motor activity along with atrophied discs, which often ends in their slipping or displacement.
- In the third stage, protrusions and prolapse of the intervertebral disc are formed, which are often accompanied by arthrosis or joint subluxation.
- In the final stage, the body tries to adapt to the deformation of the spine, and osteophytes appear in the affected area, additionally supporting the vertebrae.But bone formation injures them or causes pinched nerves.The result of all dystrophic changes is fibrous ankylosis.
You can prevent absolute back deformation if you know how to treat spinal osteochondrosis at home.But before using alternative medicine recipes, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the etiology and clinical picture of this disease.
Causes and symptoms
The structure of the spine is such that it can withstand heavy loads.To function normally, one cannot forget about physical activity.Several factors cause dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system.The main cause of osteochondrosis is physical inactivity.Excessive physical activity also contributes to the appearance of problems with the spine.
associated with heavy lifting.
Other factors that lead to deterioration of articular cartilage:
- descent;
- aging;
- incorrect posture;
- injuries and congenital pathologies of the spine;
- flat feet;
- infection;
- the influence of chemicals;
- metabolic disorders.
Overweight people, office workers, and drivers are more susceptible to osteochondrosis.The likelihood of developing this disease increases with smoking, hypothermia, constant stress, and wearing uncomfortable shoes.
You can diagnose osteochondrosis at home if you pay attention to the characteristic symptoms of pathology:
| Rank | Sign |
|---|---|
| Premature | No complaints.Sometimes there is a little discomfort, the back muscles get tired quickly. |
| The onset of dystrophy in the core of the intervertebral disc | Pain appears, increasing with intense and prolonged physical activity. |
| Destruction of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus | The discomfort became unbearable.It did not disappear and spread to other parts of the ridge.There is a violation of sensitivity, stiffness of movement. |
| Disk Generation Level | Spinal pain radiates to the abdomen and ribs.Unpleasant sensations increase during body movement and coughing.Neuralgia, numbness in the legs, decreased muscle tone, and dysfunction of the genitourinary system occur. |
Basic rules of treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is possible when the disease is at stage 1 or 2 of development.Correctly selected complex therapy will help relieve pain and prevent further development of the pathological process.In advanced cases, an operation involving plastic surgery of the intervertebral disc is required.
In order for home treatment to help relieve discomfort in the lower part and cervical spine, in addition to using folk remedies, it is important to follow some recommendations.Therefore, any prescription for alternative medicine must be agreed with the doctor, even if the risk of side effects is minimal.It is equally important to follow your diet and daily routine..
For a complete recovery, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive treatment, including manual therapy, gymnastics, rubbing, applying compression, and taking medicines prescribed by the doctor.It is recommended to wear bandages or orthoses that support the spine, as well as the use of orthopedic mattresses and pillows.
Treatment at home
When using traditional medical methods for spinal diseases, keep in mind that alternative therapies require an integrated approach, and the recovery process will be long.But before you find out how to cure acute osteochondrosis at home, you need to visit a doctor and undergo all the tests prescribed by him.After that the doctor will prescribe drugs, without which traditional drugs for herniated discs will not be effective.
Medicines
How to treat osteochondrosis at home?The leading medicines used to relieve the symptoms of the disease are described below.
| Name of Drug Group | Action and Application Features |
|---|---|
| Muscle relaxants | Prescribed together with a diuretic, which allows you to restore muscle tone and remove tissue swelling. |
| Anti-inflammatory drugs | Nonsteroidal drugs have an analgesic effect.The dose is divided into 4 doses per day.Tablets are taken after meals with water. |
| Herbal sedatives (tea, tinctures), sedatives (antidepressants) | They prevent neuroticism, which reduces the intensity of painful sensations. |
| Multivitamin complex | Restore the structure of nerve fibers.The medicine is taken orally for 21 days. |
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures are considered one of the most effective and gentle ways to cure chondrosis at home.Natural treatments can target the inflamed area directly.After several sessions, the movement of the damaged vertebrae is restored, swelling and discomfort disappear, immunity increases, and blood circulation is activated in the affected area.
There are many types of physiotherapy procedures performed in sanatoriums and clinics.At home, therapeutic baths, physical exercise, and massage are used.
Therapeutic bath
This procedure improves well-being in osteochondrosis: relieves inflammation, pain, activates metabolism, expands blood vessels, eliminates muscle spasms.For spinal diseases, it is recommended to add chamomile, birch buds and leaves, mint, chestnuts, pine needles, thyme, thyme, horsetail, knotweed, string, and lemon balm to the bath.
Treatment of spinal chondrosis at home with natural herbal decoctions is carried out according to the following scheme:
- 300 g of dried plants are poured with five liters of boiling water.
- The broth is infused for 2 hours and added to the bath.
- The duration of the water procedure is up to 15 minutes.
- The course of therapy is 30 days.
Therapeutic exercises
Effective treatment of chondrosis at home is impossible without exercise therapy.Physical exercise increases blood flow and relieves muscle tension.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis:
- The patient lies horizontally, his back is firmly pressed to the floor.One palm is on the chest, and the other is on the stomach.After a slow inhalation, he raises his stomach and chest, and when he exhales, he slowly lowers them.Number of repetitions - 15 times.
- Sitting or standing position.The patient carefully turns his head to the right, back, left, forward.The number of turns in each direction is 10 times.
- The patient sits on a chair and alternately presses his palms on the back of the head, forehead, and temples.Number of repetitions - 10 times.
Also, if you have osteochondrosis at home, it is useful to make rotational movements with your shoulders, arch your back, bring your shoulder blades together, and rotate your body to the left and to the right.
Massage and self-massage
Manual therapy is an effective method that makes the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis at home as effective.Thanks to the massage, intervertebral discs and muscles are strengthened, and blood flow improves.Classic procedures involve stretching, stretching, kneading, vibration, and impact techniques.
Massage for osteochondrosis will be more useful if the session is performed using honey.Before the procedure, it is recommended to take a hot shower and dry quickly.The heated area of the body is coated with honey, the palm is placed on it, and the palm is badly damaged.The honey massage is done until the hands stop sticking to the skin.After that, you need to wrap yourself in a sheet and sleep.You must shower in the morning.
For osteochondrosis, it is useful to perform self-massage at home.The essence of the procedure is to massage the neck and head with your fingers from top to bottom.Session duration is 5 minutes on each side of the spine.
Use of ointment
Creams that can be bought at any pharmacy will help you beat osteochondrosis at home.
Those ways include:
- gel that has a complex effect;
- Ointments that relieve painful symptoms, containing snake or bee venom, plant extracts;
- Massage cream;
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
How to treat back chondrosis at home with ointments made from natural ingredients?Traditional medicine suggests using a cream made independently of vaseline, hop cones, Adam's root, bay leaves, and juniper needles for intervertebral disc deformation.The natural mixture is applied to the affected areas of the body twice a day - in the morning and before bed.
Compress
Applying a multi-layer therapeutic bandage is another effective way to answer the question: How to get rid of osteochondrosis at home?The use of compresses is indicated during the suppression of the disease to eliminate muscle spasms, stimulate blood circulation in the intervertebral discs and reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings.
The following types of applications will help cure osteochondrosis:
- Apples and radishes.The ingredients are crushed and formed into a cake, which is applied to the affected area.Cover the area with cellophane and wrap it with a warm cloth.
- Camphor.3 ml of Japanese Laurel Tincture diluted in a glass of water.100 ml of ethanol, 20 drops of iodine, a pinch of red pepper are also added there, where gauze folded in 3 layers is moistened and applied to the diseased area.From above everything is wrapped with polyethylene and warm cloth.The compress is removed when a strong burning sensation appears.
- Aloe and honey.Agave leaves are chopped in a meat grinder, mixed with honey (50 g), vodka (100 ml).This product is included for 7 days.Moisten a piece of canvas cloth, put it behind you, cover it with polyethylene and a scarf.
Scrub
Traditional medicine recommends treating osteochondrosis at home with rubbings bought at the pharmacy or made independently.To prepare the product, burdock and cinquefoil, lilac flowers and elderberry are used.Any ingredients put in vodka or alcohol for a week.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home by rubbing?An alcohol swab is applied to the affected area, after which the area is rolled with a warm cloth.Treatment is continued until the unpleasant symptoms disappear completely.
Herbs
Medicinal plants used to prepare a special mixture will help you get rid of chondrosis at home.For intervertebral disc dystrophy, the following medicinal herbs are combined:
- sweet clover;
- Knotweed;
- chamomile;
- Plantains;
- calendula;
- Valerian;
- mint;
- parent;
- St. wortJohn;
- thyme;
- elecampane;
- Verbena;
- Violet;
- lavender;
- smart
For back diseases, the treatment of chondrosis at home involves preparing a collection of medicines from the above plants.Dry herbs (20 g) are placed in a thermos and poured with boiling water (0.5 liters).The infusion is taken 4 times a day, 100 ml at a time.
Prevention
In order not to develop osteochondrosis of the spine, treatment at home is a long, labor-intensive process, the development of the disease must be prevented.For prevention, neurologists and chiropractors recommend giving up bad habits, strong tea, coffee, and foods rich in fat and cholesterol.
It is also important to monitor your posture and systematically engage in physical exercises that strengthen your muscle corset.Experts advise buying an orthopedic mattress, giving up uncomfortable high-energy shoes and carrying heavy objects.
Therefore, osteochondrosis of the spine can be cured at home.Although therapy will be effective only if all medical recommendations are followed, including the use of various therapeutic techniques.