One of the most common pathologies of the spine is osteochondrosis. It occurs in 60% of all inhabitants of planet Earth and can develop even in young people under 30 to 35 years of age. The disease is a disorder of the intervertebral discs and their systemic destruction, leading to the inability of the spine to perform musculoskeletal function. To combat the pathology, doctors suggest surgical intervention or drug therapy, but in some cases osteochondrosis can be treated at home.
Brief description of the disease.
Osteochondrosis manifests itself with unpleasant symptoms. Patients complain of spinal pain, body aches and numbness in arms or legs for no reason. In some cases, even loss of consciousness or frequent dizziness is possible. If the disease is not treated, it gradually leads to atrophy of muscle tissue, disruption of nerve impulses and dysfunction of various internal organs. Protrusions, intervertebral hernias and radiculitis are considered serious complications of the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to start treatment as soon as possible, when the first signs of pain appear.
The causes of the disease are hidden in a passive lifestyle, a lack of sufficient load on the spine and a developed muscular structure. Concomitant factors also include poor nutrition, hormonal imbalances, postural problems, insufficient fluid intake, hereditary predisposition, infectious diseases, obesity and bad habits.
Features of the fight against the disease.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is possible if the patient does not use folk remedies as the only therapy and has consulted with a doctor about the complex effect on the pathology. The main ways to get rid of the problem are:
- Drug therapy.
- Massage and physiotherapy.
- Gym.
- Ethnoscience.
It is impossible to quickly cure osteochondrosis, since the affected cartilage tissue recovers slowly. It will take at least three months to complete complex measures and about a year for the rehabilitation period. The result of the treatment obtained depends largely on the patient himself, his diligence in following the instructions, as well as the stage of development of the disease.
Medicines
Chondrosis can be treated at home only after a doctor has prescribed medication treatment. Its goal is to relieve back pain, eliminate inflammatory processes and restore the mobility of cartilage tissue. After examination and diagnosis, the specialist prescribes the following groups of medications:
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Analgesics.
- Vasodilators.
- Muscle relaxants.
- Sedatives (valerian extract, motherwort decoction).
- Multivitamins.
They must be taken strictly according to the instructions. Medicines improve the patient's well-being and restore metabolism. Therefore, after a few weeks the patient feels much better, but we must not forget that osteochondrosis is a systemic disease and should only be treated comprehensively. Pills alone cannot solve the problem.
Massages and therapeutic baths.
Self-massage sessions are of great help in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. You can do them at home without the intervention of a specialist. Due to constant exposure to gentle compression of soft tissues in the area of development of pathology, blood circulation is activated, the supply of oxygen and beneficial microelements to the tissues of the discs and other cartilage is improved. The complex is made as follows:
- The process should begin with light, gentle stroking of the problem area. It is better not to carry additional devices, the impact of palms and fingers will be enough.
- After rubbing, they move on to a greater impact on the area. You can grab a fold of skin with your fingers and gently squeeze.
- Kneading of muscles and soft tissues must occur in the paravertebral region; the ridge itself cannot be affected. The movements can be patting, circular or with pressure.
- The session should be completed with tapping, vibrations and caresses.
This self-back massage can be done even without special knowledge and skills every day. The effect on the muscles of the chest, hips, shoulders and lower back has a beneficial effect on the treatment of osteochondrosis in general.
In addition to massage, medicinal baths also help to cope with the disease. They are contraindicated during exacerbation, but become indispensable during the remission stage. Proper and regular exercise allows you to increase blood flow, relax muscles, improve your mood and well-being. In the process, you can only use warm water (hot water will only cause harm), to which decoctions of medicinal herbs are added. Thyme, thread, thyme, lemon balm and chamomile have proven effective. You should take a medicinal bath 20 minutes before going to bed.
Physiotherapy
Simple exercises are useful for the spine in case of dysfunction of the cartilage tissue. The doctor selects them for each patient individually, taking into account the general condition, physical shape and age. They are done daily and are an integral part of the therapy. The simplest activities are reminiscent of school exercises, but their importance for the body during the treatment period should not be underestimated. They aim to warm up the muscles, improve blood circulation, stretch and relax the muscles where there are blockages.
During the implementation process, the following recommendations should be followed:
- Do not do exercises quickly, as they put a lot of pressure on bone tissue and muscles.
- Everything is done smoothly, thoughtfully, with control of the sensations of the body.
- Classes are stopped completely if the patient feels pain and cannot straighten up.
- Strength complexes are always alternated with breathing exercises so that the tissues receive a sufficient amount of oxygen.
- Classes should only be held in a well-ventilated room or outdoors.
It must be remembered that the treating doctor prescribes exercises, some effects on the spine are dangerous in case of a disease such as osteoporosis. They can cause serious complications. Exercise therapy is an excellent tool to combat pathologies in the back and is often used as a preventative measure for a number of problems with higher risks. Complexes include yoga exercises or oriental techniques. You should do it regularly, at least 3 times a week.
ethnoscience
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis or other localization at home is possible with means widely known among the people. They are very effective and safe for human health. It is not difficult to find a large number of recipes for decoctions, ointments, infusions and compresses with medicinal herbs. They are easy to prepare yourself and at the same time saturate the body with useful substances, providing a general strengthening effect. It is advisable to use this technique under the supervision of the treating doctor and to use it only in combination with the traditional approach.
Decoctions and infusions
It is better to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis from the inside, influencing the body with healing drinks. They are prepared from plants collected in an environmentally friendly place or purchased at a pharmacy. Parsley seeds, pine cones or spruce cones, thyme and cinquefoil have proven themselves well. Simple recipes to cook:
- Take 200 g of cinquefoil root, carefully chop it, mix with 100 g of Potentilla erecta and pour 1 liter of vodka. Leave for 2-3 weeks in a cool, dark place. After this, strain the infusion through cheesecloth. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day for a month.
- Take 30 pineapples, wash them to remove dirt and pour boiling water over them. Strain and drink the resulting broth in two steps. One part is taken in the morning and the second at night. This is repeated every day for a month.
- 5 g of dry bay leaves are poured with boiling water and left for 5 minutes. It is best to do this in a thermos. You should drink it within three days.
Decoctions can be prepared from pear branches, nettle leaves, lemon and celery. It is very important to follow the recommendations and doses specified in the recipe. In the case of women, the amount may be reduced depending on age and weight.
Compresses and applications
To relieve pain, relieve inflammation and treat back pain, lotions with various components are widely used. Its regular implementation allows you to normalize the movement of biological fluids in the body, eliminate muscle spasms, improve your condition and warm up soft tissues. The pads are manufactured as follows:
- Finely chop fresh horseradish root and apples of any variety.
- Squeeze the resulting mass a little from the juice.
- Form a tight lump.
- Paste it on the affected area.
- Cover with a clean towel or cloth.
- Leave it on until the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
The procedure is repeated daily. In addition to compresses, applications are also used. With its help, the functionality of nerve endings and normal joint mobility are restored. Aloe juice, natural honey and vodka are used for lotions. They are mixed in the proportion of 50 g: 100 g: 100 ml, respectively. And after infusion for 5 days, the mixture is applied to the affected area and covered with polyethylene. It is better to carry out the procedure several times a day.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is carried out very carefully. The patient should not voluntarily change the prescribed medication regimen or add strength training without the doctor's knowledge. An integrated approach and compliance with the recommendations of specialists are the key to a successful fight against pathology. Traditional recipes give greater results if they are supported by physical exercise, massages and rubbing.