Today, not only the elderly, but also young people under the age of 45 experience severe neck and back pain.The cause of 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 prevent surgical intervention and the development of disability.
What is osteochondrosis
The name of the disease combines the Greek word "bone" and the Latin word "cartilage".Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial degenerative disease of the motor spinal segment, which initially affects the intervertebral disc.As this progresses, the remaining parts of the spine and the nervous system take part 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 initial stage, the degenerative process is concentrated in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc.The increased load leads to desiccation of the nucleus, as a result of which the height of the disc changes and cracks appear in the annulus fibrosus.
- In the second stage, the change in the parameters of the intervertebral disc contributes to the sagging of the ligaments and muscle tissue and the reduction of the distance between the vertebrae.The latter leads to high motor activity of the latter, as well as atrophied discs, which often ends in slipping or dislocation.
- In the third stage, protrusions and prolapses of the intervertebral discs are formed, which is 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, which also support the vertebrae.But bone formations injure them or lead to pinching of nerves.All dystrophic changes result in 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 the recipes of alternative medicine, 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 high loads.In order to function normally, a person should not forget about physical activity.Many 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 spinal problems.
related to lifting heavy weights.
Other factors that lead to degeneration of articular cartilage:
- heredity;
- aging;
- incorrect posture;
- injuries and congenital pathologies of the spine;
- flat feet;
- infections;
- effect of chemicals;
- metabolic disorders.
Overweight people, office workers and drivers are more prone to developing osteochondrosis.The likelihood of developing the disease increases due to smoking, hypothermia, constant stress and wearing uncomfortable shoes.
You can diagnose osteochondrosis at home if you pay attention to the typical symptoms of the pathology:
| Stadiums | Signs |
|---|---|
| Preclinical | Practically no complaints.Sometimes there is slight discomfort, the back muscles tire quickly. |
| The development of dystrophy in the core of the intervertebral disc | Pain appears, which increases 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 spine.There is a violation of sensitivity, stiffness of movements. |
| Disk regeneration phase | Spinal pain radiates to the abdomen and ribs.Unpleasant sensations intensify during exercise and coughing.Neuralgia, numbness of the legs, decreased muscle tone and dysfunction of the urogenital system appear. |
Basic rules of treatment
Home treatment of osteochondrosis is possible if the disease is in the 1st or 2nd stage of development.Correctly selected complex therapy helps to eliminate pain and prevent further progression of the pathological process.In advanced cases, surgery with disc plastic surgery is necessary.
In order for home treatment to help relieve discomfort in the lower back and cervical spine, a number of recommendations must be followed in addition to the use of folk remedies.Therefore, all prescriptions of alternative medicine should be consulted with a doctor, even despite the minimal risk of side effects.It is equally important to follow your diet and daily routine..
For a complete recovery, a comprehensive treatment should be carried out, including manual therapy, gymnastics, rubbing, poultices and taking medications prescribed by the doctor.It is recommended to wear a bandage or orthosis to support the spine, as well as to use an orthopedic mattress and pillow.
Treatment at home
When resorting to traditional methods of treatment for spinal diseases, it is worth noting 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 need to see a doctor and do all the tests prescribed by him.After that, the doctor prescribes medicines, without which the traditional treatment of a herniated disc will be ineffective.
Medicines
How to treat osteochondrosis at home?The leading drugs used to relieve the symptoms of the disease are described below.
| The name of the drug group | Operational and application characteristics |
|---|---|
| Muscle relaxants | It is prescribed together with diuretics, which allows you to restore muscle tone and remove tissue swelling. |
| Anti-inflammatory drugs | Nonsteroidal drugs are pain relievers.The dose is divided into 4 doses per day.The tablets should be taken with water after a meal. |
| Herbal sedatives (teas, tinctures), sedatives (antidepressants) | They prevent neuroticism, which reduces the intensity of painful feelings. |
| Multivitamin complexes | Restoring the structure of nerve fibers.Medicines must be taken orally for 21 days. |
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures are one of the most effective and gentle ways to treat chondrosis at home.Natural treatments can target the inflamed area directly.After several treatments, the mobility of the damaged vertebrae is restored, swelling and discomfort disappear, immunity increases, and blood circulation in the affected area is activated.
Various physiotherapy procedures are performed in sanatoriums and clinics.At home, therapeutic baths, exercise and massage are used.
Therapeutic baths
This procedure significantly improves the well-being of osteochondrosis: it relieves inflammation and pain, activates metabolism, expands blood vessels, and eliminates muscle spasms.In case of spine diseases, it is recommended to add chamomile, birch buds and leaves, mint, chestnut, pine needles, thyme, horsetail, horsetail, string, lemongrass to the bath.
Home treatment of chondrosis of the spine with natural herbal decoctions is carried out according to the following scheme:
- 300 g of dried plant is poured with five liters of boiling water.
- The broth is infused for 2 hours and added to the bath.
- The duration of the aqueous procedure is a maximum of 15 minutes.
- The duration of therapy is 30 days.
Therapeutic practice
Effective home treatment of chondrosis is impossible without exercise therapy.Exercise improves blood flow and relieves muscle tension.
Exercise for osteochondrosis:
- The patient lies horizontally with his back firmly pressed to the floor.One palm is on the chest, the other on the stomach.After slowly inhaling, he lifts his stomach and chest, and slowly lowers it when he exhales.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 is 10 times in each direction.
- 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 can be helpful to rotate your shoulders, arch your back, bring your shoulder blades together, and twist your trunk to the left and right.
Massage and self-massage
Manual therapy is an effective method that makes home treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine as effective as possible.Thanks to the massage, the intervertebral discs and muscles become stronger, and blood flow improves.The classic procedure involves stroking, squeezing, stretching, kneading, vibration and impact techniques.
Massage for osteochondrosis will be more useful if the session is done with honey.Before the procedure, it is recommended to take a hot shower and dry quickly.The heated body parts are smeared with honey, the palm is placed on them, the palm is sharply torn off.The honey massage is performed until the hand no longer sticks to the skin.Afterwards, you should wrap yourself in a sheet and go to bed.You have to take a shower in the morning.
Self-massage at home is useful in case of osteochondrosis.The essence of the procedure is to massage the neck and head with your fingers from top to bottom.The duration of the session is 5 minutes on both sides of the spine.
Use of ointments
Creams that can be purchased at any pharmacy will help to overcome osteochondrosis at home.
Such tools include:
- complex effect gel;
- ointments containing snake or bee venom, plant extracts, which eliminate painful symptoms;
- massage creams;
- nonsteroidal drugs that relieve inflammation.
How to treat chondrosis of the back at home with an ointment made from natural ingredients?Traditional medicine recommends the use of creams made from petroleum jelly, hop cones, Adam's root, bay leaves and juniper needles for disc deformation.The natural mixture is applied to the affected areas of the body twice a day - in the morning and before going to bed.
It compresses
The use of a multi-layer therapeutic bandage is another effective way to answer the question: how to get rid of osteochondrosis at home?The use of the poultice is recommended during the exacerbation of the disease to eliminate muscle spasms, to stimulate blood circulation of the intervertebral discs and to reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings.
The following types of applications help in the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- Apple and horseradish.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.Dilute 3 ml of Japanese laurel tincture in a glass of water.100 ml of ethanol, 20 drops of iodine and a pinch of red pepper are also added, where the gauze folded in 3 layers is moistened and applied to the diseased area.From above, we wrap everything in polyethylene and warm clothes.The poultice is removed when a strong burning sensation occurs.
- Aloe and honey.Agave leaves are ground in a meat grinder, mixed with honey (50 g) and vodka (100 ml).The product is infused for 7 days.Moisten a piece of linen cloth, place it on your back and cover it with polythene and a scarf.
Rubbing
Traditional medicine recommends treating osteochondrosis at home with a rub bought at a pharmacy or made by yourself.To prepare the products, burdock and cinquefoil, lilac flowers and elderberry are used.Any ingredient is infused in vodka or alcohol for a week.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home with rubbing?Alcoholic tinctures are applied to the affected areas and then the areas are wrapped with a warm cloth.The treatment is continued until the unpleasant symptoms disappear completely.
Herbs
Medicinal herbs used to prepare special mixtures help to get rid of chondrosis at home.In the case of dystrophy of the intervertebral disc, the following types of herbs are combined:
- sweet clover;
- knotweed;
- chamomile;
- plantain;
- marigold;
- valerian;
- mint;
- motherwort;
- St. John's wort;
- thyme;
- elecampane;
- iron grass;
- violet;
- lavender;
- sage.
In the case of back diseases, the home treatment of chondrosis involves the preparation of a medicinal collection from the above plants.Dry herbs (20 g) are placed in a thermos and poured with boiling water (0.5 liters).The infusion should be taken 4 times a day, with 100 ml.
Prevention
In order not to develop osteochondrosis of the spine, the treatment of which at home is a long, labor-intensive process, it is necessary to prevent the development of the disease.For prevention, neurologists and chiropractors recommend avoiding 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 the ligaments.Experts advise you to buy an orthopedic mattress, give up uncomfortable high-heeled shoes and carry heavy objects.
Thus, osteochondrosis of the spine can be cured at home.Although the therapy will be effective only if all medical recommendations are followed, including the use of various therapeutic techniques.