Walking upright freed a person's hands to perform work operations; this is an undoubted advantage. Along with this, the load on the spine has increased, which leads to the development of serious diseases, and this is a colossal disadvantage. Osteochondrosis is one of the most common pathologies of the spine. It affects 60% of the world's population aged 35 and over. Surgical intervention is one of the treatment methods, but an alternative is possible in the early stages of the development of the disease. You can treat osteochondrosis at home. The range of effective treatment measures is wide and affordable.
What is osteochondrosis
Dysfunction and destruction of intervertebral discs, vertebral tissues is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, which is called osteochondrosis. Osteocytes are bone cells and chondrocytes are cartilage cells. Based on these names, the origin of the term "osteochondrosis" is clear. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine adversely affect the general condition of the body.
As the disease progresses, muscles atrophy, the conduction of nerve impulses is disrupted, physiological systems and individual internal organs malfunction. The appearance of pain in the back and neck is the first sign of the disease. Depending on the location of the lesion focus, osteochondrosis is:
- Cervical. The main symptoms are: pain in shoulders, arms, neck; dizziness, tinnitus, spots before the eyes.
- Chest. It is characterized by a dull pain or low back pain in the chest area.
- Lumbosacral. There are pains in the joints of the hip, lower back, sacrum. The functionality of the lower extremities is limited.
- It unfolds in several parts of the column at the same time. It is accompanied by severe pain.
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis at home is possible with timely diagnosis of the disease. Go through 4 degrees (or stages):
- The pathological process begins with dehydration of the central part of the intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus). As a result, the structure gives way, cracks appear on the outer part of the disc (fibrous ring). This stage is almost invisible to the patient. A slight discomfort manifests itself in an uncomfortable posture or during active physical activity.
- The distance between adjacent vertebrae decreases due to collapse of the intervertebral disc. Ligaments and muscles sag. The vertebrae acquire additional mobility. For this reason, they are displaced. This condition is called spondylolisthesis. With a strong load, the patient feels discomfort, sometimes pain in the location of the pathology.
- The formation of prolapses (hernias), bulges (uneven protrusions) of the discs, subluxations and osteoarthritis of the intervertebral joints are the main pathological changes in the third stage of the disease. The patient's movements are constricted, numbness, tingling in the extremities occurs. The pains are present, their location depends on the location of the focus of the disease.
- To eliminate excessive mobility of the vertebrae, the body forms neoplasms of bone tissue (osteophytes) in the spine. Their formation occurs in a chaotic manner, depending on their location, they can injure the nerve endings of the spinal cord, neighboring vertebrae. The processes of pronounced structural changes (fibrous ankylosis) begin in the intervertebral joints. The vertebral-motor segment appears "walled". Signs of osteochondrosis at this stage are practically not felt.
The risk of developing the disease increases with age. After 40 years, irreversible changes begin in the body. Osteochondrosis affects 80% of people who have reached the age of 60. This is due to a decrease in the level of metabolic processes, physical activity, chronic diseases and other reasons. The risk group is made up of young people between 20 and 30 years old who lead a sedentary lifestyle, are overweight and have a weak muscular system. There is a direct connection between pathological changes in the spine and the functionality of the body.
Reasons
Medicine has not determined the exact cause of the disease. Walking upright, improper load distribution when performing work operations, physical exercises, static body positions (standing, sitting) increase the risk of developing osteochondrosis. According to most doctors, the appearance of pathological processes in the spine is caused by a group of factors:
- violation of metabolic processes;
- dehydration of the body;
- genetic predisposition;
- hormonal failure;
- insufficient physical development;
- degenerative processes of the muscular system;
- problems with posture;
- flat feet;
- toxic damage to the body;
- infectious diseases;
- trauma, contusions of the spine and the musculoskeletal system in general;
- pregnancy;
- age-related changes;
- harmful working conditions;
- overweight;
- improper nutrition;
- poorly organized sleeping place;
- bad habits;
- frequent stress.
Treatment methods
Osteochondrosis therapy is a long process. It includes a set of activities that last from 1 to 3 months. At this time, you need to add a rehabilitation period, its duration is about 1 year. The success of the treatment depends largely on the patient himself. You must strictly follow the doctor's recommendations. With partial compliance, the prognosis for recovery is minimal.
Self-medication complicates the treatment of osteochondrosis. The clinical picture of the disease is unclear, the patient begins to independently select drugs to alleviate the condition. By blocking the painful sensations, you continue to lead a normal life and the disease progresses at this time. When the first symptoms of the disease occur, it is necessary to consult a doctor, conduct an examination, clarify the diagnosis and begin therapeutic measures.
The treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out by two methods: conservative and surgical treatment. The general recommendations in both cases are dietary nutrition and rehabilitation. Conservative treatment aims to eliminate pain, restore the functionality of the spine, and prevent structural changes in the intervertebral joints. The set of activities includes:
- drug therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- massage (paravertebral);
- manual therapy;
- using a needle applicator;
- spinal traction.
The decision about the surgical treatment of the disease is made by the advice of physicians in the absence of a conservative treatment result or in severe injuries to the articular structures of the spine. It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner and not to start the disease. Effective treatment is possible at home. This is confirmed by the long-term practice of treating the disease.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home
Taking into account the peculiarities of the disease and the duration of recovery, the question of effective treatment of osteochondrosis at home is relevant for most patients. It is important to note that this is an unusual disease, and it is impossible to achieve a positive result only with the help of drugs. It is necessary to regularly use a set of measures that can be taken as directed by a doctor at home.
Medications
Medications are prescribed in the acute form of the disease. Osteochondrosis is a systemic disease. Its negative consequences affect the state of the body as a whole, therefore, pharmacological treatment solves a set of tasks:
- pain relief;
- relieve inflammation;
- restores metabolic reactions;
- improve blood circulation in affected areas;
- to restore cartilage tissue;
- to restore joint mobility;
- eliminate depression caused by severe pain.
Drug therapy includes several groups of drugs.
Group |
Action |
Drug Forms |
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory |
Relief of inflammation and pain (inhibits prostaglandins) |
Capsules, tablets, gels, ointments, patches, injections |
Analgesics, anesthetics |
Pain Relief |
Pills, injections |
Vasodilators |
Improves the nutrition of damaged tissues, accelerating their regeneration |
Injections, tablets (dragees), gels, creams, ointments |
Glucocorticosteroid |
Heavy artillery, powerful anti-inflammatory |
Tablets, injections, ointments |
Muscle relaxants (muscle relaxants) |
Relaxing and calming effect on muscles |
Pills, injections |
Chondroprotectors (glucosamine, chondroitin) |
Stabilize the process, avoid further destruction |
Capsules, tablets, gels, ointments, injections |
Sedatives |
Eliminate depression, increase resistance to stress, improve sleep quality, stabilize emotional state |
Tinctures, tablets |
Vitamins (antioxidants) |
Restoring the sensitivity of the affected nerve endings, reducing pain |
Pills, injection |
Vitamin and mineral complexes |
General body strengthening |
Pills |
Exercise
A sedentary lifestyle has a detrimental effect on the state of the body. Effective home treatment of the spine involves special exercises. There are author's physiotherapy exercise complexes, you can use the recommendations and draw up an individual training program.
Physical education is the main cure for osteochondrosis. Bending, twisting, twisting and rolling exercises on the back are recommended. It is useful to perform hanging on the bar, use yoga exercises to stretch the spine. Sufficient attention should be paid to strengthening the muscles of the back: pulling up, doing push-ups. There are a number of rules you should consider in order not to harm your health:
- Recovery gymnastics should begin with a warm-up;
- should not be twisted for acute pain in the lumbar spine;
- jumping, running are undesirable, it is better to replace them with walking, swimming, cycling or skiing;
- for cervical osteochondrosis, circular rotation of the head is not always recommended.
When choosing gymnastics, you must take into account age, difficulty of exercises and physical condition. It is necessary to perform physical therapy exercises at least 3 times a week. The proposed complex will help to cure cervical osteochondrosis at home (all exercises are performed 10 times):
- Sit on a chair, straighten your back, gently turn your head alternately to the right and left.
- The starting position is the same. Place the palm of your right hand on your right cheek and gently tilt your head to the left. Repeat the exercise in the opposite direction.
- Sit up straight, clasp your hands at the back of your head, gently lean forward. Press the back of the head with your hands, gently lower your head, touch the chest with your chin, feel the muscle tension.
- Sit down, grasp the edge of the chair with your hands back, slowly lower your head back, spread your shoulder blades, return to the starting position.
- Lift your shoulders, try to reach your earlobes with them, lower your shoulders.
Pain in the lower back predominates. Uncomplicated regular gymnastics for lumbar osteochondrosis will bring more benefits than constant use of painkillers (repeat exercises 5-10 times):
- Stretch your back muscles: lie on your back, raise your arms, stretch your toes down.
- Pelvic lift: lie on your back, bend your legs, arms at your sides, raise your pelvis (inhale), lower it (exhale).
- Embryo pose: lie on your back, bring your knees to your chest, squeeze them with your arms (inhale), bring your head close to your knees (exhale).
- Cat pose: get on all fours, while exhaling, circle your back, while inhaling, bend down and raise your head.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with home remedies
Home remedies for osteochondrosis have proven themselves. They are effective and safe. There are many recipes for the preparation of medicinal tinctures, ointments, rubs, decoctions. You can cook them yourself if you want. Herbal medicine eliminates the causes of the disease, herbs contain a large number of nutrients and have a general strengthening effect. Herbal remedies are affordable. There are known methods of treating diseases with bee stings and bee products.
Compress
Compresses help reduce pain, relieve swelling and inflammation. Home treatment of the back and spine will be effective if warming procedures are used for two weeks. They improve blood circulation, relieve pain, relieve muscle spasms. Easy to make a horseradish apple compress:
- horseradish contains mustard oil (warming effect), apples have a lot of organic acids (anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect);
- on a fine grater, grate a small horseradish root and an apple;
- lightly squeeze the juice;
- forms a cake;
- place yourself on the inflamed area;
- cover with polyethylene, towel;
- wrap with a warm cloth;
- put on every day at night until severe pain subsides.
Infusions and decoctions
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis at home involves not only the use of external agents, but also an effect on the body from the inside. For this, medicinal infusions and decoctions are used. They relieve pain, inflammation and calm the nervous system. In folk medicine, infusions of parsley leaves and seeds, a decoction of pineapples, are used to treat the spine. Cinquefoil is effective, acts as an analgesic, restores damaged tissues. 
Tincture recipe:
- Mix 200 g of crushed cinquefoil root and 100 g of Potentilla erecta;
- Pour the vegetable mixture into 1 liter of vodka;
- to insist 3 weeks; strain
- ;
- take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals;
- The course of treatment is 1 month.
Applications
Warm-up procedures include applications. Such treatment of the spine with home remedies helps to restore the functionality of the neuromuscular elements in the affected joints of the spine. For application, a gauze napkin is moistened with a medicinal solution and applied to the affected area, held for 30-40 minutes. The procedure can be done several times a day. Honey with aloe application technique:
- natural honey has a unique medicinal composition, aloe is a natural antibiotic, a biological stimulant;
- prepare a tincture of 100 g of honey, 50 g of aloe leaves (they must be passed through a meat grinder) and 100 ml of vodka;
- insists 1 week;
- moisten a piece of natural fabric with dye;
- apply to the inflamed area;
- put polyethylene and a towel on top;
- wrap yourself in a woolen scarf;
- perform the procedure 2 times a day.
Rub
For effective treatment of osteochondrosis at home, you can prepare ointments and ointments. The rubbing procedure is similar to massage, performed 2-3 times a day. Stimulates blood circulation, relieves inflammation, pain. Turpentine, kerosene, badger fat, lard, medicinal plants (banana, sage, juniper) are used for the preparation of medicinal rubs.
Bay Leaf Juniper Ointment Recipe:
- 1 teaspoon juniper needles, 6 teaspoons chopped bay leaves, 12 teaspoons melted butter, mix well;
- apply the mixture to the site of inflammation;
- rub the ointment with light movements;
- wrap your back with a warm woolen cloth;
- rub in the evening and before bedtime.
Healing baths
Baths with decoctions of herbs are effective during rehabilitation. In acute conditions, this procedure is not recommended. Therapeutic baths dilate the blood vessels, relax the muscles and have a beneficial effect on the articular structures of the spine. For the preparation of broths chamomile, lemon balm, string, thyme, horsetail, thyme and other plants are used. Medicinal raw materials can be prepared independently or purchased at a pharmacy.
The decoction of the medicinal bath is prepared as follows:
- take 250-300 g of dried plant materials or prepare a mixture of medicinal herbs;
- boil in 5 liters of water for 20 minutes;
- strain and add to prepared warm water;
- Take a bath 10-15 minutes before bedtime.