Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is part of complex therapy. It is performed when the patient does not have a permanent polymorphic headache, along with dizziness, tinnitus, and blurred vision. Recurrent numbness and weakness of the arms, instability of blood pressure, and pulse are also contraindications in home therapy.
Osteochondrosis is caused by bone growths in the vertebral bodies, with the formation of osteophytes and dehydration of the intervertebral cartilage. The formation of intervertebral hernias, which press on the nerves and blood vessels, is particularly dangerous. In advanced cases of osteochondrosis, acute violation of cerebral circulation is possible, with serious consequences for the patient.
Medications for home treatment of osteochondrosis
For home treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, doctors prescribe the following medications orally or by injection into the muscles:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Diclofenac, Meloxicam;
- muscle relaxants - tolperisone hydrochloride;
- group of vitamins - thiamine hydrochloride;
- analgesics;
- anticonvulsants - Drotaverine hydrochloride.
In addition, topical preparations applied to the affected area are a good help in the rapid treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. Thus, gels and creams containing NSAIDs as well as warming or cooling ointments are widely used.
The drugs are indicated for exacerbation of osteochondrosis, including the appearance of persistent cervical spine pain, numbness and convulsions in the hands. The same drugs are used to treat lumbar osteochondrosis at home.
When chest osteochondrosis is detected, home treatment is pre-arranged with a cardiologist to rule out cardiac pathology.
In the remission phase of osteochondrosis, chondroprotectors and calcium derivatives help.
Alternative treatment
Treating osteochondrosis by folk methods involves using recipes that have been proven for centuries to relieve pain and restore mobility in different parts of the spine.
Compressors for home osteochondrosis
Compression with biscophite, a natural combination of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and other trace elements, helps relieve pain in cervical osteochondrosis. Previously, the active ingredient should be warmed to body temperature and rubbed into the painful area with light circular motions.
A bandage soaked in a healing solution should then be placed on the spine affected by osteochondrosis, the top covered with cellophane, and insulated with a woolen cloth. Optimal procedure before going to bed, after treatment, rinse the product residue thoroughly with warm water.
Treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis with such a folk remedy should be performed every other day as it can cause allergic reactions and exacerbation of pathology of various organs. The therapy process is at least 12 sessions. In case of adverse reactions and poor tolerance, the duration of the procedure is reduced to 3 hours, or doctors look for another way to help the patient.
Other popular recipes for compressing osteochondrosis:
- She leaves the burdock.Pour boiling water and apply to the affected area. Wrap in woolen cloth for 40 minutes.
- Raw potatoes and honey.Mix the grated root vegetables in equal proportions with honey, place on the patient’s spine, insulated with polyethylene and wool. The duration of treatment for osteochondrosis is about 2 hours.
- Dandelions, St. John's wort and burdock.Take the leaves of the plants in equal amounts, pour boiling water for half an hour. Fix the compress from the warm infusion with a bandage for 3 hours.
- Aloe.Mix the crushed leaves of the herb with honey and vodka, the amount of which should be twice the weight of the aloe. Insist for a week. Apply to the painful part of the spine, wrap it. The compress is kept for 3 hours or overnight with good tolerance.
Infusions and decoctions for home osteochondrosis
At home, chondrosis can be treated with herbal medicines. Infusions and decoctions are usually prepared for these purposes. Healing plants help increase microcirculation, strengthen tendon-ligament devices, and stop cartilage destruction. They also relieve inflammation and normalize the metabolism of minerals in the body.
Effective methods of using herbs in osteochondrosis:
- Pour 0, 5 liters of boiling water with 40 g of dried horseradish leaves for 1 hour. After exertion, drink 70 ml for 3 weeks before meals. Treatment for osteochondrosis can be resumed one week later.
- Take 25 g of chamomile and mint flowers, pour boiling water in a volume of 300 ml, keep in a water bath for 15 minutes. 2 times a day, 100 ml. The treatment lasts for 3 weeks.
- Pour chopped parsley root (100 g) with a liter of water. Keep on low heat for about an hour. For osteochondrosis, drink one tablespoon twice a day for a month.
- Using a mixture of lemongrass herb (15 grams), chopped orange peel (30 grams), pour hot water (0, 5 liters) for one 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 in osteochondrosis of the chest. The applications have a disturbing, analgesic effect, relieve inflammation and improve local blood circulation.
Pepper plaster is used for pathology of any part of the spinal column, including osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. The skin should be pre-treated and dried with alcoholic solutions. The application is applied by covering the entire affected area or gluing small rounded pieces of a patch to the most painful points near the vertebrae. The patch will be replaced after 48 hours.
Mustard plasters provide the same effect in cervical osteochondrosis. At home, a simple procedure will help reduce pain, improve cerebral blood flow and lymphatic circulation in the head and neck area.
Dimethyl sulfoxide 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 one procedure only. You can add niacin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.
The duration of treatment for osteochondrosis is at least half an hour, with good tolerance the application can be left overnight. The duration of therapy is at least 15 procedures.
Reflexology techniques are presented in the treatment of osteochondrosis. At home, branded needle applicators are used for this.
These devices are used both in the worsening of osteochondrosis and in extinction. They reduce spinal pain, have a harmonizing effect on the body, improving the patient's psychoemotional state.
The duration of the procedure and the frequency of use of the product in osteochondrosis should be discussed with your doctor. The parameters depend on age, the degree of destruction of intervertebral discs.
Rubbing for home osteochondrosis
In osteochondrosis, the agents are often used to rub the affected part of the neck or back. The following alcoholic solutions and ointments have a good effect at home:
- Take 25 g of lard, melt and mix with the same amount of chopped hop cones. Leave on for a few hours. Warm slightly, rubbing the painful area gently, preferably before going to bed.
- Mix the chopped bay leaves with chopped pine or pine needles in a ratio of 1: 5. Add butter to achieve the consistency of the ointment. Place in a cool place for a week. Use 1-2 times a day, excluding the possibility of hypothermia.
- Pour the roots of ground horseradish in equal proportions with vodka. The tincture can be applied after 5 days, rubbed into the most painful area.
- Mix marigold leaves and flowers with equal amounts of vodka and camphor alcohol. Leave in a dark place for 10 days. Shake well before use.
Folk remedies for chondrosis reduce muscle cramps and pain, normalize blood circulation and relieve inflammation. You should repeat the treatment in consultation with your doctor to achieve stable positive results.
Baths for home osteochondrosis
Water treatments are effective in treating the back at home. Warm sea salt baths are popular.
The addition of essential oils - lavender, valerian, laurel, pine - has a positive effect. Baths relax muscles, relieve pain and soothe a person.
The duration of treatment for osteochondrosis should be half an hour, bathing within one month. The frequency of sessions is recommended by your doctor.
Exercise therapy
Physiotherapy helps get rid of osteochondrosis at home.
Exercise has the following effects:
- strengthening the muscles of the back, which increases the tolerance of the spine to sudden movements, weight lifting, physical overload;
- improving blood and lymph circulation in the paravertebral muscles and ligaments;
- restoration of cartilage and tendon tissue.
The appropriate complex is selected by the physician depending on the spine affected by osteochondrosis and the general condition of the patient. Exercise is prescribed at any stage of osteochondrosis. It is strictly forbidden to select exercises independently.
You may not perform medical exercises in the following cases:
- pronounced pain syndrome with exacerbation of osteochondrosis;
- restoration of pathology in the form of an intervertebral hernia by compressing the nerve endings and vessels of the spinal cord and surrounding muscles;
- proven instability of vertebral bodies;
- infectious diseases with fever;
- vertebral hypertension with hypertension;
- oncological problems.
If you have a history of heart attack or stroke, you should not exercise at home as you need constant medical supervision.
Basic recommendations for practicing osteochondrosis:
- the duration of the daily hours shall not exceed 30 minutes;
- the minimum course lasts 90-100 days;
- the clocks are kept in a warm, ventilated and clean room;
- sharp movements and increased pain during gymnastics were ruled out;
- the complex always begins with a warm-up that prepares the muscles for later loads;
- smooth increase in frequency and range of motion.
Diet
Often, the development of osteochondrosis is provoked by improper diet. A dietitian will help you regulate at home.
Postulates of therapeutic nutrition for osteochondrosis:
- low calorie content;
- emphasis on dairy and plant foods;
- balance in the main food ingredients, minerals, vitamins;
- the products are consumed cooked or steamed;
- salt and sugar, restriction of spices;
- fragmentation of food intake in small portions;
- early dinner - 3-4 hours before bedtime;
- clean water should be drunk at least 3 liters per day.
Authorized products include lean meat and fish, eggs, cereals, herbs, vegetables, fruits, seafood, high quality light cheese.
In case of osteochondrosis, you should limit the use of coffee, cakes, carbonated and alcoholic beverages, sweets, spices, fats and preserves. Fatty broths, smoked meats and sausages are prohibited.
You should not use dubious diets with one or more products - meat, apples, kefir, rice - in excess. Fasting for osteochondrosis is contraindicated.
How not to treat
Traditional recipes used to treat osteochondrosis are only part of the treatment strategy. Don’t rely solely on the advice of healers and healers. The choice of folk remedies used at home should be discussed with the physician after diagnosis. Self-healing can be dangerous and harmful.
Only proven and safe recipes should be used at home. The patient should be aware that a positive result can only be achieved with long-term and long-term treatment.
Physical overload, hypothermia, and stress should be avoided when treating osteochondrosis.
Traditional medicine in the treatment of osteochondrosis is an effective supplement to medications, physiotherapy procedures, exercise, and diet. At home, it accelerates the onset of remission, restores work ability, and normalizes the patient’s emotional tone.