Today, not only the elderly, but also young people under the age of 45 experience severe neck and back pain.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 pathologies are not treated, the risk of disability is high.Therefore, every person who leads a sedentary lifestyle and experiences discomfort in the lumbar and cervical regions should know how to treat intervertebral osteochondrosis at home..But first, it is worth studying the causes and symptoms of the disease, which will allow timely diagnosis of the pathology and prevention of surgical intervention and the development of disability.
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 disc.As it progresses, the remaining parts of the spine and the 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 passes through four stages:
- In the initial stage, the degenerative process is concentrated in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc.Increased load leads to dehydration of the core, which causes the change in disc height and the appearance of cracks in the annulus fibrosus.
- In the second stage, a change in the parameters of the intervertebral disc contributes to the reduction of ligaments, muscle tissue and a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae.This leads to high motor activity of the latter together with atrophied discs, which often ends with their slipping or displacement.
- In the third stage, protrusions and prolapses of the intervertebral discs are formed, which are often accompanied by arthrosis or subluxation of the joints.
- In the final stage, the body tries to adapt to the deformation of the spine and osteophytes appear in the affected areas, also supporting the vertebrae.But bone formations damage them or lead to pinched nerves.The result of all dystrophic changes is fibrous ankylosis.
You can prevent the absolute deformation of the back if you know how to treat osteochondrosis of the spine at home.But before using alternative medicine prescriptions, it is worth getting to know the etiology and clinical picture of the disease.
Causes and symptoms
The structure of the spine is such that it can withstand heavy loads.For it to function normally, a person should not forget about physical activity.A number of factors lead to 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 lifting heavy weights.
Other factors that lead to the degeneration of articular cartilage:
- inheritance;
- aging;
- wrong posture;
- injuries and congenital pathologies of the spine;
- flat feet;
- infections;
- the impact of chemicals;
- metabolic disorders.
People who are overweight, office workers and drivers are more susceptible to developing osteochondrosis.The possibility of developing the 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 the pathology:
| stages | The signs |
|---|---|
| preclinical | There are practically no complaints.Sometimes there is slight discomfort, back muscles get tired quickly. |
| The beginning of dystrophy in the core of the intervertebral disc | Pain appears, intensifying with intense and prolonged physical activity. |
| Destruction of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus | The discomfort becomes unbearable.It does not go away and spreads to other parts of the ridge.There is a violation of sensitivity, stiffness of movements. |
| Disk regeneration phase | Spinal pain radiates to the abdomen and ribs.Unpleasant sensations intensify during body movement and coughing.Neuralgia, numbness in the legs, decreased muscle tone and dysfunction of the genitourinary system appear. |
Basic rules of treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is possible when the disease is in stage 1 or 2 of development.Properly selected complex therapy will help eliminate pain and prevent further progression of the pathological process.In advanced cases, an operation involving plastic surgery of the intervertebral disc is necessary.
In order for home treatment to help relieve discomfort in the lower back and cervical spine, in addition to using folk remedies, it is important to follow a number of recommendations.Thus, any prescription for alternative medicine should be agreed with a doctor, even despite the minimal risk of side effects.It is equally important to stick to your diet and daily routine..
For a complete recovery, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive treatment, including manual therapy, gymnastics, rubbing, applying compresses and taking medications prescribed by the doctor.It is recommended to use bandages or orthoses that support the spine, as well as the use of an orthopedic mattress and pillow.
Treatment at home
When you turn to the methods of traditional medicine for diseases of the spine, it is worth remembering that alternative therapy requires an integrated approach and the recovery process will be long.But before you find out how to cure acute osteochondrosis at home, you should visit a doctor and undergo all the tests he has prescribed.After which the doctor will prescribe medications, without which traditional medicine for a herniated disc will be ineffective.
MEDICINES
How to treat osteochondrosis at home?The main drugs used to relieve the symptoms of the disease are described below.
| Name of the drug group | Actions and features of the application |
|---|---|
| Muscle relaxants | It is prescribed together with diuretics, which allows you to restore muscle tone and remove tissue swelling. |
| Anti-inflammatory medications | Nonsteroidal drugs have an analgesic effect.The dose is divided into 4 doses per day.Tablets are taken after meals with water. |
| Herbal sedatives (teas, tinctures), sedatives (antidepressants) | They prevent neuroticism, which reduces the intensity of painful sensations. |
| Multivitamin complexes | Restores the structure of nerve fibers.Medicines are 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 directly target the inflamed area.After several sessions, the mobility 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 physiotherapeutic procedures that are performed in sanatoriums and clinics.Therapeutic baths, physical exercises and massage are used at home.
Therapeutic baths
This procedure significantly improves well-being in osteochondrosis: relieves inflammation, pain, activates metabolism, expands blood vessels, eliminates muscle spasms.For diseases of the spine, it is recommended to add to the bath chamomile, buds and leaves of birch, mint, chestnut, pine needles, thyme, thyme, horsetail, knot thread, string and lemon balm.
Treatment of spinal chondrosis at home with natural herbal decoction is carried out according to the following scheme:
- 300 g of dry plants are poured with five liters of boiling water.
- The liquid 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 exercises improve blood circulation and eliminate muscle tension.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis:
- The patient lies horizontally, with his back 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.The 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 in a chair and alternately presses the palm of the hand 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, bend your back, bring your shoulder blades together, and rotate your torso to the left and right.
Massage and self-massage
Manual therapy is an effective method that makes the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis at home as effective as possible.Thanks to the massage, intervertebral discs and muscles are strengthened and blood circulation is improved.The classic procedure includes punching, squeezing, stretching, kneading, vibration, and percussion techniques.
Massage for osteochondrosis will be more useful if the session is carried out using honey.Before the procedure, it is recommended to take a hot shower and dry quickly.The hot areas of the body are smeared with honey, a palm is placed on them, and the palm is sharply torn.Honey massage is done until the hand stops sticking to the skin.Then you should wrap yourself in a sheet and go to bed.You should shower in the morning.
For osteochondrosis, it is useful to do self-massage at home.The essence of the procedure is massaging the neck and head with fingers from top to bottom.The duration of the session is 5 minutes on each side of the spine.
Use of ointments
Creams that can be bought at any pharmacy will help you defeat osteochondrosis at home.
Such tools include:
- gel that has a complex effect;
- ointments that eliminate painful symptoms, containing snake or bee venom, plant extracts;
- massage creams;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
How to treat back chondrosis at home with ointment made from natural ingredients?Traditional medicine suggests the use of creams made independently from vaseline, hop cones, Adam's root, bay leaves and juniper needles for deformation of the intervertebral discs.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 a compress is indicated during the aggravation of the disease to eliminate muscle spasms, to stimulate blood circulation in the intervertebral discs and to reduce the sensitivity of the nerve endings.
The following types of applications will help cure osteochondrosis:
- Apple and horseradish root.The ingredients are crushed and formed into a cake, which is applied to the affected area.Cover the area with cellophane and wrap with a warm cloth.
- Camphor.3 ml of Japanese laurel tincture is diluted in a glass of water.100 ml of ethanol, 20 drops of iodine, a pinch of red pepper are added there, where gauze folded in 3 layers is soaked 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 ground in a meat grinder, mixed with honey (50 g), vodka (100 ml).The product is injected for 7 days.Wet a piece of canvas fabric, put it on the back, covering it with polyethylene and a scarf.
The friction
Traditional medicine recommends treating osteochondrosis at home with rubs purchased at a pharmacy or made independently.Burdock and noodles, lilac flowers and berries are used to prepare the products.Each ingredient is put in vodka or alcohol for a week.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home with friction?Alcohol tinctures are applied to the affected areas, after which the areas are rolled with a warm cloth.Treatment continues until the unpleasant symptoms disappear completely.
Plants
Medicinal plants used to prepare special mixtures will help you get rid of chondrosis at home.For intervertebral disc dystrophy, the following types of medicinal plants are combined:
- sweet clover;
- knotweed;
- chamomile;
- plantain;
- calendula;
- pike;
- mint;
- native;
- St. John's wort;
- thyme;
- elecampane;
- verbena;
- purple;
- lavender;
- wise.
For back diseases, the treatment of chondrosis at home includes the preparation of a medicinal collection from the above plants.Dry plants (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.
Preventing
In order not to develop osteochondrosis of the spine, the treatment of which at home is a long and 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 fats 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 shoes with high heels and carrying heavy items.
Thus, spinal osteochondrosis can be cured at home.Although therapy will be effective only if all medical recommendations are followed, including the use of a variety of therapeutic techniques.