Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is part of a complex therapy. It is carried out if the patient does not have permanent polymorphic headaches, accompanied by dizziness, tinnitus, and visual disturbances. Recurrent numbness and weakness in the arms, instability of blood pressure and heart rate are also considered contraindications to home therapy.
Osteochondrosis is caused by bony growths of the vertebral bodies with the formation of osteophytes and drying of the intervertebral cartilage. Particularly dangerous is the formation of intervertebral hernias, pressing on 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.
When treating 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;
- vitamins from the group - thiamine hydrochloride;
- analgesics;
- antispasmodics - Drotaverine hydrochloride.
Also, topical preparations applied to the affected area are a good help for the rapid treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. Therefore, gels and creams containing NSAIDs, as well as ointments with a warming or cooling effect, are widely used.
Medications are indicated for exacerbations of osteochondrosis, including with 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, home treatment is preliminarily agreed with a cardiologist to exclude cardiac pathology.
In the remission stage of osteochondrosis, chondroprotectors and calcium derivatives will help.
Alternative treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk methods involves the use of centuries-proven recipes to relieve pain and restore mobility in various parts of the spine.
Compresses for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home.
Bischofite compresses, which is a natural combination of potassium, magnesium, calcium and other trace elements, help relieve pain in cervical osteochondrosis. Previously, the agent should be warmed up to body temperature and rubbed into the painful area with light circular motions.
After that, apply a bandage soaked in a healing solution on the spine affected by osteochondrosis, cover it with cellophane on top and insulate it with a woolen cloth. It is optimal to perform the procedures before going to bed, after the treatment, rinse the remains of the product well with warm water.
Treatment with such a folk remedy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be carried out every other day, as it can lead to allergic reactions and exacerbation of the pathology of various organs. The course of therapy is at least 12 sessions. In case of undesirable 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 compress recipes for osteochondrosis:
- Burdock leaves.Pour boiling water and apply it on the affected area. Wrap with a woolen cloth for 40 minutes.
- Raw potatoes and honey.Mix the grated root vegetable in equal proportions with honey, put it on the diseased column, insulating it with polyethylene and wool. The duration of the procedure for osteochondrosis is about 2 hours.
- Dandelion, St. John's wort, and burdock.Take the leaves of the plants in equal quantities, pour boiling water for half an hour. Secure the warm infusion compress 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 stays on for 3 hours or overnight with good tolerance.
Infusions and decoctions for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home.
At home, chondrosis can be treated with herbal medications. In general, infusions and decoctions are prepared for these purposes. Healing plants help improve microcirculation, strengthen the tendon-ligamentous 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 straining, drink 70 ml before meals for 3 weeks. A week later, the treatment of the course of osteochondrosis can be resumed.
- Take 25 g of chamomile and mint flowers each, pour boiling water in a volume of 300 ml, keep 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 a tablespoon 2 times a day for a month.
- A mixture with lemon balm grass (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 an analgesic effect that distracts, relieves inflammation and improves local blood circulation.
Pepper plaster is used for the pathology of any part of the spine, including osteochondrosis of the second degree of the lumbar spine. The skin must be pre-treated with solutions containing alcohol and dried. The application is applied with the capture of the entire affected area or small rounded pieces of a patch are glued on 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.
Dimethylsulfoxide applications 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 solution obtained should be calculated for a single procedure. To increase the effectiveness of treatment, you can add niacin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers.
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, proprietary needle applicators are used for this.
These devices are used both in the exacerbation of osteochondrosis and in the process of extinction. They reduce pain in the spine, have a harmonizing effect on the body, improving the psycho-emotional 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 the age, the degree of destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Rubbing 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, melt and mix with the same volume of chopped hop cones. Let it act for a few hours. Lightly warm, gently rub into sore area, preferably before bedtime.
- Mix chopped bay leaves with chopped pine or fir needles in a 1: 5 ratio. Add butter to get the consistency of an ointment. Place 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 in the most painful area.
- Mix the calendula leaves and flowers with an equal amount of vodka and camphor alcohol. Leave in a dark place for 10 days. Shake well before use.
Home remedies for chondrosis reduce muscle spasms and pain, normalize blood circulation, and relieve inflammation. To achieve stable positive results, you must repeat the course of treatment in consultation with your doctor.
Baths for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home.
When treating the back at home, water treatments are effective. Hot sea salt baths are popular.
The addition of essential oils (lavender, valerian, laurel, pine) has a positive effect. Baths relax muscles, relieve pain, and calm the person.
The duration of the procedure for osteochondrosis is half an hour, you need to take baths within a month. The frequency of the sessions will be recommended by the doctor.
Exercise therapy
Physiotherapy will help to eliminate osteochondrosis at home.
Exercise has the following effects:
- strengthen the muscles of the back, which increases the tolerance of the spine to sudden movements, weight lifting, physical overload;
- improvement of blood and lymphatic circulation in paravertebral muscles and ligaments;
- restoration of cartilage and tendon tissue.
The doctor selects a suitable complex depending on the spine affected by osteochondrosis and the general condition of the patient. Exercise therapy is prescribed at any stage of osteochondrosis. It is strictly forbidden to select exercises on your own.
You cannot participate in medical gymnastics in the following cases:
- pronounced pain syndrome with exacerbation of osteochondrosis;
- recovery from pathology in the form of intervertebral hernia, compressing the nerve endings and vessels of the spinal cord and surrounding muscles;
- verified 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 exercising for osteochondrosis:
- the duration of the daily classes does not exceed 30 minutes;
- the minimum course lasts 90-100 days;
- classes are held in a warm, airy and clean room;
- Sudden 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 dietitian will help you regulate it at home.
Therapeutic nutrition postulates for osteochondrosis:
- low calorie content;
- emphasis on dairy and vegetable products;
- balance in the main food components, minerals, vitamins;
- the products are eaten 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.
Allowed products include lean meats and fish, eggs, cereals, herbs, vegetables, fruits, seafood, high-quality soft cheese.
With osteochondrosis, you need to limit the use of coffee, cakes, carbonated and alcoholic beverages, sweets, spicy, fatty and canned foods. Fatty meat broths, smoked meats and sausages are prohibited.
You can not 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. Do not rely solely on the advice of healers and healers. The choice of folk remedies used at home should be agreed with the doctor after 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 can only be achieved 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 drugs, physiotherapy procedures, exercise therapy and diet. At home, it accelerates the onset of remission, restores work capacity, and normalizes the patient's emotional tone.