Effective methods of treating osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is called degenerative changes in the articular cartilage. If we present this process in a few words, the soft "spacer" between the bones becomes thinner and no longer fully fulfills the functions of a damper assigned to it. As a result of the clamping of nerve endings, pain occurs and mobility is impaired. The process extends to the surrounding muscles, affects the internal organs.

The therapeutic treatment of home osteochondrosis aims to relieve the patient's condition and return him to active life. Let's take a look at the popular and available methods to help you get rid of the attack and prevent recurrence.

Causes of the disease

Doctors joke that spinal deformity is the price to be paid by humanity for the ability to walk upright. Of course, there is some truth to this ironic statement, but most of the time the patient himself is the real culprit. The most common causes of osteochondrosis are sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, stress.

The hobby of alcoholic beverages and smoking also contributes. Nicotine weakens bones, inhibits collagen synthesis, responsible for the elasticity of cartilage tissue. Alcohol causes dehydration of tissues, promotes calcium leaching. No less damaging is the passion for rigid diets that limit the intake of minerals and vitamins.

The heredity factor and age-related changes play a significant role in the development of osteochondrosis. In addition, flat feet and high-heeled shoes contribute to the development of pathology.

Those whose work is stressful are at risk of developing the disease. These are builders, waiters, transporters. However, representatives of sedentary professions suffer from osteochondrosis no less frequently.

Medication

Osteochondrosis of the spine often worsens after doing housework or in the garden, increased physical effort, hypothermia In these cases, the first priority is to get rid of the strong pain sensations that interfere with normal movement.

One way to stop an attack quickly is to take medications (pain relievers) or injections to relieve pain. After the acute pain subsides, other methods of treating spinal osteochondrosis can be applied. Home therapy includes:

• taking drugs from various groups;
• heating and rubbing;
• exercise;
• massage and self-massage.

Medical treatment of spinal osteochondrosis at home is carried out with various gels and ointments. The procedure improves blood circulation, relaxes tense muscles and relieves inflammation. There are several special drugs on the pharmaceutical market that can be used to relieve pain symptoms in osteochondrosis.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs alleviate primary symptoms. To restore worn intervertebral discs, it is necessary to use chondroprotectors.

Chondroprotectors aim to stimulate the formation of interarticular fluid and restore cartilage structure.

Alternative medicine

Treating osteochondrosis on your own at home can be quite effective.

However, you should not use the advice without consulting a specialist. An examination is also required to confirm the correct diagnosis.

As a rule, traditional methods of treating osteochondrosis are based on the use of plant or animal raw materials, bee products and chemicals. The latter include ethyl alcohol, kerosene, turpentine. These liquids are used to make medicated compresses, tinctures or ointments.

Milling compound

Easy to prepare at home, the solution helps to stop pain attacks during an exacerbation of osteochondrosis. To prepare it, you need:

• Alcohol or vodka 1, 5 cups.
• Iodine solution 2 tsp.
• Camphor 2 tbsp. spoons.

Mix the liquid components and shake. Use as needed, but no more than twice a day. It is important to keep your lower back warm after rubbing.

Healing baths

Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies also includes procedures with water. Coniferous baths help to relieve muscle tension and calm the nervous system. Medicinal raw materials can be prepared independently or a ready extract can be purchased. For the first method, you will need fir, pine or spruce cones and branches, which are first boiled for half an hour and then insisted for a day. To prepare a bath, you need to add an infusion cup or 50 grams of dry extract ready to the water at a temperature of 37–39 degrees.

In the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system at home, the turpentine emulsion is often used. The composition includes the following ingredients:

• white emulsion 550 grams;
• purified water 0. 5 liters;
75 grams salicylic acid;
• soap shavings 30 grams.

Heat the water to a boil, dissolve the soap, add salicylic acid and mix with turpentine. Pour the prepared mixture into a bath at a temperature of about 40 ° C.

The procedure takes about half an hour. The temperature must be constant, for this it is necessary to add hot water to the bath periodically. The duration of treatment is 5-7 days. Doctors do not recommend taking baths during an exacerbation of osteochondrosis, accompanied by severe pain.

You can also treat osteochondrosis at home with dry heat. For this, buckwheat or salt is used, the products are preheated in a pan. After spreading the hot dough on a clean cloth, the application is applied to the lower back, isolated with a blanket and allowed to cool. The warm-up is carried out in two or three steps, about 45 minutes.

Although all folk remedies are based on natural ingredients, they cannot be considered absolutely safe. Don't forget about individual intolerance. Obviously, turpentine or kerosene are not suitable for people with sensitive skin.

Herbal preparations

The non-traditional treatment of osteochondrosis at home is not complete without prescriptions for herbal medicines. And they are as follows:

1. For compresses, you can use a mixture of herbs made up of St. John's wort, dandelion roots and burdock leaves. Dry and crushed raw materials (20 grams each) are poured into boiling water, placed in a closed container and a piece of fabric folded in several layers is impregnated with a cold solution. Apply the compress to the painful spot for 20-30 minutes.
2. Mint and sage in equal proportions, pour over water and boil for 10 minutes. The broth is taken orally twice a day by half a glass or applied to the location of the osteochondrosis as a compress. For preparation, take 3 tablespoons of crushed raw material per liter of water.
3. The flowers of the mother and stepmother are watered with 4% ammonia, insisted for 30 days in the dark. It is used as a mop to relieve pain and swelling during the exacerbation of osteochondrosis.

Massage and self-massage

The traditional form of treatment - massage - will help to eliminate osteochondrosis. Thanks to this procedure, the neck muscles and the entire shoulder girdle are completely relaxed. It is also important that a well-done massage helps to eliminate pain and improve metabolic processes. At the same time, the patient's blood pressure also returns to normal.

It is only possible to treat osteochondrosis at home if there is a good massage therapist who knows all the subtleties of this procedure. But self-massage can be a good substitute. The methodology for its implementation is studied and mastered in a very simple way. In order not to get hurt, you need to know a few simple rules:

1. Self-massage suitable for osteochondrosis should be performed exclusively with the fingers. In this case, the movement of the fingers must be initiated from the spine to the periphery.
2. The movements must be smooth and light, without force. It is very important not to make sudden movements and not to be in a hurry.

An example of a classic self-massage might look like this:

1. Heat the skin with rubbing and caressing movements.
2. After that, while sitting, it is necessary to make gentle hand movements on the area affected by osteochondrosis.
3. Light finger movements and caresses should be done for 3 minutes.

These procedures should be performed daily throughout the treatment of osteochondrosis. If possible, a family member can do the massage, but it is very important that minimal movement force is applied.

Physiotherapy exercises

Another method of dealing with osteochondrosis is corrective gymnastics. This procedure is mandatory for treatment at home, as it helps to strengthen the muscles of problem areas. Performing exercises, the patient's muscles tension and relax, creating the necessary load in the problem areas.

Important!All exercises should be done at a slow pace, otherwise exercise therapy can be harmful.

Slow turns of the head to the sides are more effective for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. Depending on the affected area, exercises can be used to strengthen the muscles of the upper and lower extremities. And with the help of hand movements on the shoulder joint, the tension in the cervical muscles is visibly reduced.

For the correct compilation of a set of exercises for the treatment of osteochondrosis, contact a specialist. He will select a complex to count and show which of the exercises will be the most effective for each individual case, because depending on the affected area, certain muscle groups must be involved. It is very important to follow the doctor's instructions so that the treatment is beneficial and not harmful to your health. In case of painful sensations during gymnastics, the exercises should be stopped and the specialist should be instructed to correct the series of exercises. To obtain the maximum effect, regardless of the complexity of the case, in addition to gymnastics, it is necessary to use an applicator, do a self massage and use medications for the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Useful tips

When osteochondrosis is diagnosed, a neurologist prescribes complex therapy. Home treatment is alternated with physical therapy, massage, injection and medication. Exercise therapy experts strongly recommend not limiting yourself to bed rest, even during periods of exacerbation of osteochondrosis. In addition, they guarantee that some exercises can help relieve pain, as well as medications.

It should be noted that the modern approach to the treatment of osteochondrosis differs from the methods used for several decades. Patients practice relaxation and meditation practices to relieve stress. The disease is treated not only by a neurologist, but also by a psychotherapist.

Here are some tips to help relieve osteochondrosis:

1. It is worth strengthening the back and abdominal muscles, they will create a kind of support structure. This requires daily stretching and flexibility exercises. It is also important to monitor your posture while working or walking.
2. Everyone should choose the correct sleeping position to relax their spine as much as possible. If a person sleeps on his or her back, it will be helpful to place an additional pillow under the feet in the knee area. Lying on your side, squeeze it between your thighs.
3. To eliminate osteochondrosis, therapy alone is not enough. Doctors recommend giving up smoking and alcohol, which destroy joint tissue. It is also worth maintaining a healthy weight.