One of the most common pathologies of the spine is osteochondrosis. It occurs in 60% of all inhabitants of planet Earth and can also develop in young people under the age of 30-35. The disease is a disorder of the intervertebral discs and their systemic destruction, leading to the inability of the spine to perform musculoskeletal function. To combat the pathology, doctors suggest surgery or drug therapy, but in some cases osteochondrosis can be treated at home.
Brief description of the disease
Osteochondrosis manifests itself with unpleasant symptoms. Patients complain of spinal pain, muscle aches, and numbness in the arms or legs for no reason. In some cases, loss of consciousness or frequent dizziness are also possible. If the disease is not treated, it gradually leads to atrophy of muscle tissue, disruption of nerve impulses and dysfunction of numerous internal organs. Protrusions, intervertebral hernias and radiculitis are considered serious complications of the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to start treatment as soon as possible, when the first signs of pain appear.
The causes of the disease are hidden in a passive lifestyle, lack of sufficient load on the spine and a developed muscular structure. Concomitant factors also include poor nutrition, hormonal imbalances, posture problems, insufficient fluid intake, hereditary predisposition, infectious diseases, obesity and bad habits.
Features of the fight against the disease
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is possible if the patient does not use folk remedies as the only therapy and has consulted a doctor about the complex effect on the pathology. The main ways to eliminate the problem are:
- Pharmacological therapy.
- Massages and physiotherapy.
- Gymnastics.
- Ethnoscience.
It is impossible to cure osteochondrosis quickly, since the affected cartilage tissue is slowly restored. It will take at least three months to complete the complex measures and about a year will be devoted to the rehabilitation period. The result obtained from treatment largely depends on the patient himself, his diligence in following the instructions and the stage of development of the disease.
Medicines
Chondrosis can be treated at home only after the doctor has prescribed a course of medications. They are aimed at relieving back pain, eliminating inflammatory processes and restoring the mobility of cartilaginous tissue. After examination and diagnostics, the specialist prescribes the following groups of drugs:
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Painkillers.
- Vasodilators.
- Muscle relaxants.
- Sedatives (valerian extract, motherwort decoction).
- Multivitamins.
They must be taken in strict accordance with the instructions. Medicines improve the patient's well-being and restore metabolism. Therefore, after a few weeks the patient feels significantly better, but we must not forget that osteochondrosis is a systemic disease and should only be treated comprehensively. Pills alone cannot solve the problem.
Massages and therapeutic baths
Self-massage sessions are very useful in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. You can perform them at home without the involvement of a specialist. Thanks to constant exposure to gentle compression of soft tissues in the area of development of pathology, blood circulation is activated, the supply of oxygen and beneficial microelements to the tissues of the discs and other cartilage is improved. The complex is performed as follows:
- The process should begin with a light, gentle caress of the problem area. It is better not to take additional devices, the impact of the palms and fingers will be enough.
- After rubbing, they move on to a greater impact on the area. You can grab a fold of skin with your fingers and squeeze it gently.
- Kneading of muscles and soft tissues should occur in the paravertebral region; the ridge itself may not be affected. The movements can be patted, circular or with pressure.
- The session should be completed with tapping, vibration and stroking.
This self-massage of the back can be performed every day even without special knowledge and skills. The effect on the muscles of the chest, hips, shoulders and lower back has a beneficial effect on the treatment of osteochondrosis in general.
In addition to massage, medicinal baths also help to cope with the disease. They are contraindicated during the flare-up period, but become indispensable during the remission phase. Correct and regular exercise allows you to increase blood flow, relax muscles, improve mood and well-being. You can use only hot water in the process (hot water will only hurt), to which decoctions of medicinal herbs are added. Thyme, string, thyme, lemon balm and chamomile have proven effective. You should take a medicinal bath 20 minutes before going to sleep.
Physiotherapy
Simple exercises are useful for the spine in case of cartilaginous tissue dysfunction. The doctor selects them individually for each patient, taking into account the general condition, physical fitness and age. They are performed daily and are an integral part of the therapy. The simplest activities are reminiscent of school exercises, but their importance for the body during the treatment period should not be underestimated. They are intended to warm up muscles, improve blood circulation, stretch and relax muscles where there are blockages.
During the implementation process, the following recommendations should be followed:
- Do not perform exercises quickly, placing a lot of stress on bone tissue and muscles.
- Everything is done smoothly, carefully, with control of sensations in the body.
- Classes are completely stopped if the patient feels pain and cannot straighten up.
- Strength complexes are always alternated with breathing exercises so that the tissues receive a sufficient amount of oxygen.
- Classes should be carried out only in a well-ventilated room or in the open air.
It should be remembered that the attending physician prescribes exercises, some effects on the spine are dangerous in case of diseases such as osteoporosis. They can cause serious complications. Physical therapy is an excellent tool for combating back conditions and is often used as a preventative measure for a variety of high-risk problems. The complexes include yoga exercises or oriental techniques. You need to do this regularly, at least 3 times a week.
ethnoscience
Treatment of lumbar or other localization osteochondrosis at home is possible by means widely known to the people. They are highly effective and safe for human health. Finding a large number of recipes for decoctions, ointments, infusions and compresses with medicinal herbs is not difficult. They are easy to prepare independently and at the same time saturate the body with useful substances, providing a general strengthening effect. It is recommended to use this technique under the supervision of the attending physician and to use it only in combination with the traditional approach.
Decoctions and infusions
It is better to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis from the inside, influencing the body with healing drinks. They are prepared with plants collected in an environmentally friendly place or purchased in a pharmacy. Parsley seeds, pine cones or spruce cones, thyme and cinquefoil have proven effective. Simple recipes for cooking:
- Take 200 g of cinquefoil root, chop it carefully, mix it with 100 g of Potentilla erecta and pour 1 liter of vodka. Leave for 2-3 weeks in a cool, dark place. Then filter the infusion through gauze. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day for a month.
- Take 30 spruce cones, wash them from dirt and pour boiling water over them. Strain and drink the resulting broth in two steps. One part is taken in the morning, the second in the evening. This repeats every day for a month.
- Dried bay leaf 5 g is poured with boiling water and left for 5 minutes. It is best to do this in a thermos. You should drink it within three days.
Decoctions can be prepared with pear branches, nettle leaves, lemon and celery. It is very important to comply with the recommendations and dosage specified in the recipe. For women the amount may be reduced based on age and weight.
Tablets and applications
To relieve pain, relieve inflammation and treat back pain, lotions with various components are widely used. Their regular implementation allows you to normalize the movement of biological fluids in the body, eliminate muscle spasms, improve the condition and warm up soft tissues. Compresses are made as follows:
- Thoroughly chop fresh horseradish root and apples of any variety.
- Squeeze the resulting mass out of the juice a little.
- Form a tight lump.
- Stick it on the affected area.
- Cover with a clean towel or cloth.
- Leave on until the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
The procedure is repeated daily. In addition to tablets, applications are also used. With their help, the functionality of nerve endings and normal joint mobility is restored. Aloe juice, natural honey and vodka are used for lotions. They are mixed in the proportion of 50 g: 100 g: 100 ml, respectively. And after infusion for 5 days, the mixture is applied to the affected area and covered with polyethylene. It is better to carry out the procedure several times a day.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is carried out with great care. The patient should not voluntarily change the prescribed course of medications or add strength training without the doctor's knowledge. An integrated approach and compliance with specialist recommendations are the key to an effective fight against the pathology. Traditional recipes give greater results if supported by physical exercise, massage and friction.