Effective methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is called degenerative changes in the articular cartilage. If we present this process in a few words, then the soft "spacer" between the bones becomes thinner and ceases to fully perform the functions of a shock absorber assigned to it. As a result of pinching the nerve endings, pain occurs, mobility is impaired. The process extends to the surrounding muscles, affects the internal organs.

The therapeutic treatment of osteochondrosis at home is aimed at relieving the patient's condition and returning him to active life. Let's take a look at popular and affordable methods to help you get rid of the attack and avoid a recurrence.

Causes of the disease

Doctors joke that spinal deformity is humanity's cost of being able to walk upright. There is, of course, some truth to this ironic statement, but most often the patient himself is the real culprit. The most common causes of osteochondrosis are sedentary lifestyle, overweight, stress.

Contributes to the hobby of alcoholic beverages and smoking. Nicotine makes bones fragile, inhibits the synthesis of collagen, which is responsible for the elasticity of cartilage tissue. Alcohol causes tissue dehydration, promotes calcium extraction. No less harmful is the passion for strict diets that limit the intake of minerals and vitamins.

Heredity and age-related changes play a significant role in the development of osteochondrosis. In addition, flat feet wearing 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, movers. However, members of sedentary occupations suffer from osteochondrosis no less often.

Medicine

Osteochondrosis of the spine often worsens after housework or gardening, increased physical activity, hypothermia. In such cases, the first priority is to get rid of the strong pain that interferes with normal movement.

One way to quickly stop an attack is to take medications (analgesics) or injections to relieve the pain. Once the acute pain subsides, other treatments for osteochondrosis of the spine can be used. Home therapy includes:

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

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

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieve primary symptoms. Chondroprotectors need to be used to repair worn intervertebral discs.

Chondroprotectors aim to stimulate the formation of inter-articular fluid and restore the structure of cartilage.

Alternative Medicine

Self-treatment of osteochondrosis at home can be quite effective.

However, you should not use advice without consulting a specialist. It is also necessary to perform an examination to confirm the correct diagnosis.

As a rule, folk 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 prepare medicated compresses, tinctures or ointments.

Sanding compound

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

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

Mix liquid components, 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 water treatments. Coniferous baths will help relieve muscle tension and calm the nervous system. Medicinal raw materials can be prepared independently or a ready-made extract can be purchased. For the first method you will need cones and branches of spruce, pine or fir, which are first boiled for half an hour and then insist for a day. To prepare a bath, you need to add a glass of infusion or 50 grams of ready-made dry extract to water at a temperature of 37-39 degrees.

Turpentine emulsion is often used in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system at home. The composition includes the following ingredients:

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

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

The duration of the procedure is about half an hour. The temperature should be constant, so you should periodically add hot water to the bath. 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. Buckwheat or salt is used for such a procedure, the products are preheated in a pan. After distributing the hot mass on a clean piece of cloth, the application is applied to the lower back, insulated with a blanket and allowed to cool. Heating is done in two or three steps, about 45 minutes.

Despite the fact that all folk remedies are based on natural ingredients, they can not be called absolutely safe. Do not 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 an herbal mixture consisting of St. John's wort, dandelion roots and burdock leaves. The dried, crushed raw materials (20 grams each) are poured with boiling water, insisted in a closed vessel and a piece of cloth folded in several layers is impregnated with a cold solution. Apply a compress on the affected area for 20-30 minutes.
2. Mint and sage in equal proportions, pour water and boil for 10 minutes. The broth is taken orally twice a day for half a cup or applied to the site of osteochondrosis in the form of a compress. To prepare, take 3 tablespoons of crushed raw materials per liter of water.
3. Mother-and-stepmother flowers are flooded with 4% ammonia, insist for 30 days in the dark. It is used as a rub to relieve pain and swelling during the exacerbation of osteochondrosis.

Massage and self-massage

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

It is possible to treat osteochondrosis at home in this way only if there is a good masseur who knows all the intricacies of this procedure. But self-massage can be a good substitute. The methodology for its application is studied and mastered quite simply. In order not to harm yourself, you need to know a few simple rules:

1. Proper self-massage for osteochondrosis should be performed exclusively with the fingers. In this case, the movement of the fingers should start from the spine to the periphery.
2. Movements should be smooth and light, without the use of force. It is very important not to make sudden movements and not to rush.

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

1. Warm the skin with rubbing and stroking movements.
2. Then, while sitting, you should gently stroke your hands in the area affected by osteochondrosis.
3. Gentle finger movements and stroking should be done for 3 minutes.

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

Physiotherapy exercises

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

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

Slow rotations of the head to the sides are most effective in treating cervical osteochondrosis. Depending on the affected area, exercises can be used to strengthen the muscles of the upper and lower limbs. And with the help of hand movements in the shoulder joint, the tension of the neck muscles is significantly reduced.

For the correct compilation of a set of exercises for the treatment of osteochondrosis, you need to contact a specialist. He will choose a complex that will say and show which of the exercises will be most effective for each 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 useful and does not harm your health. In case of painful sensations during gymnastics, you should stop the exercises and inform the specialist so that he can adjust the set of exercises. To get the maximum effect, regardless of the complexity of the case, in addition to gymnastics, you should use an applicator, do self-massage and use drugs to treat osteochondrosis.

Helpful Hints

When osteochondrosis is diagnosed, a neurologist prescribes complex therapy. Home treatment alternates with physiotherapy, massage, injections and medications. Exercise therapists strongly recommend not to rest in bed even during periods of exacerbation of osteochondrosis. Moreover, they claim 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 several decades ago. 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 for relieving osteochondrosis:

1. It is worth to strengthen the muscles of the back and abdomen, they will create a kind of support frame. This requires daily stretching and flexibility exercises. It is also important to monitor your posture while working or walking.
2. Everyone should choose the right sleeping position in which the spine will be maximally relaxed. If a person sleeps on his back, then it is useful to put an extra pillow under his feet in the knee area. Lying on your side, squeeze it between your thighs.
3. To get rid of osteochondrosis, therapy alone is not enough. Doctors recommend quitting smoking and alcohol, which destroy joint tissue. It is also worth maintaining a healthy weight.