Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is part of a complex therapy. It is performed if the patient does not have permanent polymorphic headaches, accompanied by dizziness, tinnitus and visual disturbances. Recurrent numbness and weakness in the arms, unstable blood pressure and heart rate are also considered contraindications for home therapy.
Osteochondrosis is caused by bone growths of the vertebral bodies with the formation of osteophytes and dryness of the intervertebral cartilage. Particularly dangerous is the formation of intervertebral hernias, which press on the nerves and blood vessels. In advanced cases of osteochondrosis, an acute violation of cerebral circulation is possible, which is fraught with serious consequences for the patient.
Medicines for the home treatment of osteochondrosis
During the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home, doctors prescribe the following drugs, taken orally or injected into the muscles:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Diclofenac, Meloxicam;
- muscle relaxants - Tolperisone hydrochloride;
- group vitamins - Thiamine hydrochloride;
- pain relievers;
- antispasmodics - Drotaverine hydrochloride.
In addition, topical preparations applied to the affected area are a good help for the rapid treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. So, gels and creams containing NSAIDs, as well as ointments with a warming or cooling effect, are widely used.
Drugs are indicated for exacerbations of osteochondrosis, including the appearance of persistent pain in the cervical spine, numbness and cramps in the hands. The same drugs are used in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis at home.
When thoracic osteochondrosis is detected, treatment at home is preliminarily agreed with a cardiologist to exclude heart pathology.
In the remission stage of osteochondrosis, chondroprotectors and calcium derivatives will help.
Alternative treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis by folk methods involves the use of recipes proven for centuries to relieve pain and restore mobility in various parts of the spine.
Compresses for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home
Compresses with bischofite, which is a natural combination of potassium, magnesium, calcium and other trace elements, helps relieve pain in cervical osteochondrosis. Previously, the agent must be warmed up to body temperature and massaged into the painful area with light circular movements.
Next, apply a bandage soaked in a healing solution to the spine affected by osteochondrosis, cover it with cellophane on top and isolate it with a woolen cloth. It is optimal to carry out the procedures before going to bed, after treatment, thoroughly rinse the remnants of the product with warm water.
Treatment with such a popular remedy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be carried out every other day, as it can provoke allergic reactions and exacerbation of the pathology of various organs. The course of therapy is at least 12 sessions. In case of unwanted reactions and poor tolerance, the procedure time is reduced to 3 hours or the doctors look for another way to help the patient.
Other popular recipes for compresses for osteochondrosis:
- Burdock leaves.Pour over the boiling water and apply to the affected area. Wrap with a woolen cloth for 40 minutes.
- Raw potatoes and honey.Mix the grated vegetable root in equal proportions with honey, put it on the diseased spine, insulating it with polyethylene and wool. The duration of the procedure for osteochondrosis is approximately 2 hours.
- Dandelion, St. John's wort and burdock.Take the leaves of plants in equal quantities, pour boiling water for half an hour. Fix the compress from the hot infusion with a bandage for 3 hours.
- Aloe.Mix the crushed leaves of a medicinal plant with honey and vodka, the amount of which should be 2 times the weight of aloe. Insist for a week. Apply to the painful part of the spine, wrap. The compress is stored for 3 hours or overnight with good tolerance.
Infusions and decoctions for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home
At home, chondrosis can be treated using herbal medicine. Infusions and decoctions are usually prepared for these purposes. Healing plants help improve microcirculation, strengthen the tendon-ligament apparatus, stop the destruction of cartilage. They also relieve inflammation and normalize the metabolism of minerals in the body.
Effective methods of using medicinal plants for osteochondrosis:
- Pour 0. 5 liters of boiling water with 40 g of dried horsetail leaves for 1 hour. After exertion, drink 70ml before meals for 3 weeks. A week later, it is possible to resume the treatment of the course of osteochondrosis.
- Take 25 g of chamomile and mint flowers each, pour boiling water in a volume of 300 ml, hold in a water bath for 15 minutes. Apply 2 times a day, 100 ml. The treatment lasts 3 weeks.
- Pour the finely chopped parsley root (100 g) with a liter of water. Keep on low heat for about an hour. With osteochondrosis, drink one tablespoon 2 times a day for a month.
- A mixture based on lemon balm (15 grams), chopped orange peel (30 grams), pour hot water (0, 5 liters) for an hour. Then add a teaspoon of honey and 15 drops of valerian tincture. Drink 1 glass twice a day for at least a month.
Applications for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home
This method of treatment with folk remedies is often used for osteochondrosis of the chest. The applications have a distracting and analgesic effect, relieve inflammation and improve local blood circulation.
Pepper plaster is used for the pathology of any part of the spine, including osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree of the lumbar spine. The skin should be pretreated with alcohol-containing solutions and dried. The application is applied with the capture of the entire affected area or small rounded pieces of a patch are glued to the most painful points near the vertebrae. The patch is replaced after 48 hours.
Mustard plasters give the same effect in cervical osteochondrosis. At home, a simple procedure helps reduce pain, improve cerebral blood flow and lymphatic circulation in the head and neck area.
Applications of dimethyl sulfoxide are often used. In order for the drug to have a positive effect, it must be used strictly according to the instructions: dissolve in warm boiled water in a ratio of 1: 3. The amount of the solution obtained should be calculated for only one procedure. To increase the effectiveness of the treatment, niacin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics can be added.
A treatment session for osteochondrosis lasts at least half an hour, with good tolerance, the application can be left overnight. The duration of therapy is at least 15 procedures.
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, reflexology techniques are shown. At home, needle applicators with an author's mark are used.
These devices are used both in the exacerbation of osteochondrosis and in the extinction process. They reduce pain in the spine, have a harmonizing effect on the body, improving the psychoemotional state of the patient.
The duration of the procedure and the frequency of use of the product for osteochondrosis should be agreed with the doctor. The parameters depend on age, the degree of destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Rub for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home
With osteochondrosis, agents are often used to rub the affected part of the neck or back. The following alcohol solutions, ointments have a good effect at home:
- Take 25 g of pork fat, dissolve and mix with the same volume of chopped hop cones. Leave it on for a few hours. Warm slightly, rub gently on the painful area, preferably at bedtime.
- Mix the chopped bay leaves with chopped pine or fir needles in a ratio of 1: 5. Add the butter to obtain the consistency of an ointment. Put in a cold place for a week. Use 1-2 times a day, excluding the possibility of hypothermia.
- Pour the ground horseradish root with vodka in equal proportions. The tincture can be applied after 5 days, rubbing on the most painful area.
- Mix marigold leaves and flowers with an equal amount of vodka and camphor alcohol. Leave in a dark place for 10 days. Shake well before use.
Folk remedies for chondrosis reduce muscle spasms and pain, normalize blood circulation and relieve inflammation. To achieve stable positive results, it is necessary to repeat the course of treatment in consultation with your doctor.
Baths for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home
When treating your back at home, water treatments are effective. Warm sea salt baths are popular.
The addition of essential oils - lavender, valerian, bay leaf, pine - has a positive effect. Baths relax the muscles, relieve pain and calm the person.
The duration of the procedure for osteochondrosis is half an hour, it is necessary to take a bath within a month. The frequency of the sessions will be recommended by the doctor.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy will help get rid of osteochondrosis at home.
Exercise has the following effects:
- strengthening the back muscles, which increases the tolerance of the spine to sudden movements, weight lifting, physical overload;
- improvement of blood and lymphatic circulation in the paravertebral muscles and ligaments;
- restoration of cartilage and tendon tissue.
A suitable complex is selected by the doctor based on the spine affected by osteochondrosis and the general condition of the patient. Physical therapy is prescribed at any stage of osteochondrosis. It is strictly forbidden to select exercises on your own.
You cannot practice medical gymnastics in the following cases:
- pronounced pain syndrome with exacerbation of osteochondrosis;
- recovery of pathology in the form of intervertebral hernia, compressing the nerve endings and vessels of the spinal cord and surrounding muscles;
- ascertained instability of the vertebral bodies;
- infectious diseases with fever;
- varterial hypertension with high blood pressure;
- oncological problems.
If you have a history of heart attack or stroke, you cannot exercise at home, as you need constant medical supervision.
Basic recommendations for performing exercises for osteochondrosis:
- the duration of the daily lessons is not more than 30 minutes;
- the minimum course lasts 90-100 days;
- classes are held in a warm, ventilated and clean room;
- sharp movements and increased pain during gymnastics are excluded;
- the complex always begins with a warm-up, which prepares the muscles for subsequent loads;
- smooth increase in frequency and range of motion.
Diet
Often, the development of osteochondrosis is provoked by an improper diet. A dietician will help you adjust it at home.
Postulates of therapeutic nutrition for osteochondrosis:
- low calorie;
- emphasis on dairy and plant foods;
- balance in the main food components, minerals, vitamins;
- products are consumed boiled or steamed;
- restriction of salt and sugar, spices;
- fragmentation of food intake into small portions;
- early dinner - 3-4 hours before bedtime;
- drink clean water at least 3 liters per day.
Permitted products include lean meats and fish, eggs, grains, herbs, vegetables, fruits, seafood and high-quality sweet cheese.
With osteochondrosis, you should limit the use of coffee, pastries, carbonated and alcoholic drinks, sweets, spicy, fatty and canned foods. Broths of fatty meat, smoked meats, sausages are prohibited.
It is not possible to use dubious diets with a predominance of one or more products: meat, apples, kefir, rice. Fasting with osteochondrosis is contraindicated.
How not to be treated
Traditional recipes in the treatment of osteochondrosis are only part of the treatment strategy. Don't just rely on the advice of healers and healers. The choice of folk remedies used at home should be agreed with the doctor after the diagnosis. Self-medication is dangerous and can be harmful.
At home, only proven and safe recipes should be used. The patient should be aware that a positive result is achieved only with persistent and long-term treatment.
During the treatment of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to avoid physical overload, hypothermia and stress.
Traditional medicine in the treatment of osteochondrosis is an effective addition to medications, physiotherapy procedures, physical therapy and diet. At home, it accelerates the onset of remission, restores working capacity and normalizes the patient's emotional tone.