One of the most common pathologies of the spine is osteochondrosis. It occurs in 60% of the population of the planet Earth, and it can even develop in young people under the age of 30-35. The disease is a disorder and systemic destruction of the intervertebral discs, which leads to the inability to perform the locomotor functions of the spine. To overcome the pathology, doctors recommend surgical intervention or drug therapy, but in some cases, osteochondrosis can be treated at home.
Brief description of the disease
Osteochondrosis is manifested by unpleasant symptoms. Patients complain of spinal pain, body aches, and unexplained numbness in the arms or legs. In some cases, even loss of consciousness or frequent dizziness is possible. If the disease is not treated, it gradually leads to atrophy of muscle tissue, disruption of nerve impulses and dysfunction of many internal organs. Sprains, intervertebral hernia and radiculitis are serious complications of the disease. Therefore, treatment should be started as early as possible when the first signs of pain appear.
The causes of the disease are hidden in a passive lifestyle, insufficient load on the spine and a developed muscular skeleton. Accompanying factors also include poor diet, hormonal imbalance, posture problems, insufficient fluid intake, hereditary predisposition, infectious diseases, obesity and bad habits.
Characteristics of the fight against the disease
Home treatment of osteochondrosis is possible if the patient does not use folk remedies as the only therapy and has consulted his doctor about the complex effect on the pathology. The main ways to get rid of this problem are as follows:
- Drug therapy.
- Massage and physiotherapy.
- Gymnastics.
- Ethnoscience.
A quick cure for osteochondrosis is impossible, as the affected cartilage tissue recovers slowly. The implementation of complex measures will take at least three months, and the rehabilitation period will take about a year. The obtained treatment result depends to a large extent on the patient himself, on the diligence of following the instructions, as well as on the stage of development of the disease.
Medicines
Home treatment of chondrosis is possible only after medication prescribed by a doctor. Their goal is to alleviate back pain, eliminate inflammatory processes and restore the mobility of cartilage tissue. After the examination and diagnosis, the specialist prescribes the following drug groups:
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Pain relievers.
- vasodilators.
- Muscle relaxants.
- Tranquilizers (valerian extract, motherwort decoction).
- Multivitamins.
These should be taken strictly as directed. Medicines improve the patient's well-being and restore metabolism. Therefore, after a few weeks, the patient feels significantly better, but one must not forget that osteochondrosis is a systemic disease and should only be treated comprehensively. Pills alone cannot solve the problem.
Massage and spas
Self-massage is very useful in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. You can do these at home without the involvement of a professional. Thanks to the gentle compression of the soft tissues, blood circulation is activated in the area of pathological development, the supply of oxygen and useful microelements to the discs and other cartilaginous tissues is improved. The complex is performed as follows:
- The process should begin with light, gentle stroking of the problem area. It is better not to buy additional tools, your palm and fingers will be enough.
- After rubbing, they proceed to the increased effect on the area. You can grab a fold of skin with your fingers and gently squeeze it.
- The muscles and soft tissues should be kneaded in the paravertebral region, the spine itself should not be affected. The movements can be percussive, circular or pressure.
- Training should be completed by tapping, vibrating 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, spas also help in coping with the disease. Contraindicated in the period of exacerbation, but they become indispensable in the remission phase. Adequate and regular physical exercise makes it possible to increase blood flow, relax muscles, and improve mood and well-being. During the procedure, you can use only warm water (hot water only harms), to which a decoction of herbs is added. Thyme, fenugreek, thyme, lemongrass and chamomile work well. Take a spa bath 20 minutes before going to bed.
Physiotherapy
Simple exercises are useful for the spine in case of cartilage 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 therapy. The simplest activities are reminiscent of school exercises, but their importance for the body during the treatment period should not be underestimated. Their purpose is to warm up the muscles, improve blood circulation, stretch and relax the muscles where there are blocks.
The following recommendations should be followed during the implementation process:
- Do not perform exercises quickly, which means a large load on bone tissue and muscles.
- Everything happens smoothly, thoughtfully, while controlling the sensations in the body.
- The classes are stopped completely if the patient feels pain and cannot stand upright.
- Strengthening complexes are always alternated with breathing exercises so that the tissues receive a sufficient amount of oxygen.
- Lessons should only be done in a well-ventilated room or in fresh air.
It should be remembered that the attending physician prescribes exercises, some effects on the spine are dangerous in the case of a disease such as osteoporosis. They can cause serious complications. Exercise therapy is an excellent tool to combat back pathologies and is often used as a preventive measure for many high-risk problems. The complexes include yoga exercises or oriental techniques. It should be done regularly, at least 3 times a week.
ethnoscience
Home treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis or other localization is possible with means widely known among people. They are very effective and safe for human health. It is not difficult to find a large number of recipes for decoctions, ointments, infusions and poultices from herbs. They can be easily prepared independently and at the same time saturate the body with useful substances, providing a general strengthening effect. It is advisable to use this technique under the supervision of the attending physician and 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. It is made from plants collected in environmentally friendly places or bought in a pharmacy. Parsley seeds, pine cones or spruce cones, thyme and cinnamon work well. Simple recipes for cooking:
- Take 200 g of pine root, chop it carefully, mix it with 100 g of Potentilla erecta and pour 1 liter of vodka. Leave in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks. After that, filter the infusion through cheesecloth. Take 1 spoon three times a day for a month.
- Take 30 pine cones, wash them of dirt and pour boiling water over them. Filter and drink the resulting broth in two steps. One part in the morning, the second part in the evening. This is repeated every day for a month.
- 5 g of dried bay leaves are poured with boiling water and left to stand for 5 minutes. It is better to do this in a thermos. It must be drunk within three days.
Potions can be made from pear branches, nettle leaves, lemon and celery. It is very important to follow the recommendations and dosage given in the recipe. For women, the dose can be reduced depending on age and weight.
Compressions and applications
Body lotions containing various ingredients are widely used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and treat back pain. Their regular implementation allows the normalization of the movement of biological fluids in the body, the elimination of muscle spasms, the improvement of the condition and the warming of soft tissues. Compresses are made as follows:
- Thoroughly chop the root of fresh horseradish and any type of apple.
- The resulting mass is squeezed out of the juice a little.
- Form a tight knot.
- Stick it on the affected area.
- Cover with a towel or clean cloth.
- Leave it in place until the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
The procedure is repeated daily. In addition to compressions, applications are also used. With their help, the functionality of the nerve endings and normal joint mobility are restored. Aloe juice, natural honey and vodka are used in body lotions. Mix in the ratio of 50 g: 100 g: 100 ml. And after 5 days of infusion, the mixture is applied to the affected area and covered with polyethylene. It is better if the procedure is carried out several times a day.
Home treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out with great care. The patient should not voluntarily change the prescribed medication or take up strength training without the doctor's knowledge. An integrated approach and compliance with specialist recommendations is the key to a successful fight against pathology. Traditional recipes give better results when supported by physical exercises, massage and rubbing.