Treating osteochondrosis at home is part of a complex therapy. It is performed if the patient does not have permanent polymorphic headaches, followed by dizziness, tinnitus and visual disturbances. Recurrent numbness and weakness of the hands, instability of blood pressure and heart rate are also considered contraindications for home therapy.
Osteochondrosis is caused by growths of the bones of the spinal bodies with the formation of osteophytes and drying of the intervertebral cartilage. The formation of intervertebral hernias is especially dangerous, pressing on the nerves and blood vessels. In advanced cases of osteochondrosis, acute violation of cerebral circulation is possible, which is burdened with serious consequences for the patient.
Home remedies for osteochondrosis
When treating cervical osteochondrosis at home, doctors prescribe the following medications to be taken by mouth or injected into the muscles:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - diclofenac, meloxicam;
- muscle relaxants - Tolperisone hydrochloride;
- vitamins in the group - thiamine hydrochloride;
- painkillers;
- antispasmodics - Drotaverine hydrochloride.
In addition, topical preparations applied to the affected area are a good aid for the rapid treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. Thus, gels and creams containing NSAIDs, as well as ointments with a warming or cooling effect, are widely used.
Medications are indicated for worsening osteochondrosis, including the appearance of persistent pain in the cervical spine, numbness and cramps in the hands. The same drugs are used to treat lumbar osteochondrosis at home.
When osteochondrosis in the chest is detected, treatment at home is pre-arranged with a cardiologist to rule out cardiac pathology.
Chondroprotectors and calcium derivatives will help in the phase of remission of osteochondrosis.
Alternative treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis by folk methods involves the use of centuries-proven recipes to relieve pain and restore mobility in different parts of the spine.
Compresses for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home
Compresses with bischofite, which is a natural combination of potassium, magnesium, calcium and other trace elements, help relieve pain in cervical osteochondrosis. The product must first be warmed to body temperature and rubbed into the painful area in light circular motions.
Then apply a bandage soaked in a medicinal solution on the spine affected by osteochondrosis, cover it with cellophane from above and insulate it with a woolen cloth. It is optimal to do the procedures before going to bed, after the treatment rinse the product residue thoroughly with warm water.
Treatment with such a folk remedy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be carried out every other day, because it can cause allergic reactions and exacerbation of the pathology of various organs. The course of therapy is at least 12 sessions. In case of side effects and poor tolerance, the procedure time is reduced to 3 hours or doctors are looking for another way to help the patient.
Other popular recipes for osteochondrosis compresses:
- Velcro leaves.Pour boiling water and apply to the affected area. Wrap in a woolen cloth for 40 minutes.
- Raw potatoes and honey.Mix grated root vegetables in equal proportions with honey, place it on the diseased spine, insulating 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 plants in equal amounts, pour boiling water for half an hour. Apply a bandage of warm infusion with a bandage for 3 hours.
- Aloe.Mix the crushed leaves of the medicinal plant with honey and vodka, the amount of which should be twice the weight of aloe. Insist for a week. Apply to the painful part of the spine, wrap. The compress is kept 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 remedies. Infusions and decoctions are usually prepared for this purpose. Medicinal plants help to strengthen the microcirculation, strengthen the tendon-ligament apparatus, stop the destruction of cartilage. They also alleviate inflammation and normalize mineral metabolism in the body.
Effective methods of using herbs for osteochondrosis:
- 0. 5 liters of boiling water pour 40 g of dried horsetail leaves for 1 hour. After straining, drink 70 ml before meals for 3 weeks. One week later, the course of osteochondrosis treatment can be continued.
- 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. Apply 2 times a day, 100 ml. The treatment lasts 3 weeks.
- Pour a liter of water over the finely chopped parsley root (100 g). Keep on low heat for about an hour. With osteochondrosis, drink a tablespoon 2 times a day for a month.
- A mixture that uses lemon balm grass (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. Applications have a disruptive, analgesic effect, relieve inflammation and improve local blood circulation.
Pepper plaster is used for pathology of any part of the spine, including osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree of the lumbar spine. The skin must be pre-treated with a solution containing alcohol and dried. The application is applied to the entire affected area or small rounded parts of the patch are glued to the most painful points near the vertebrae. The patch is replaced after 48 hours.
Mustard patches give the same effect in cervical osteochondrosis. A simple procedure at home helps reduce pain, improves 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 only one procedure. To increase the effectiveness of treatment, you can add niacin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics.
The treatment of 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.
Reflexology techniques have been shown 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 the process of dying out. They reduce back pain, harmonize the body, and improve the patient's psycho-emotional state.
The duration of the procedure and the frequency of use of osteochondrosis products should be agreed with the doctor. The parameters depend on the age, the degree of destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Rubbing to treat osteochondrosis at home
In osteochondrosis, agents are often used to rub the affected part of the neck or back. The following alcoholic solutions, fats have a good effect at home:
- Take 25 g of lard, melt and mix with the same amount of chopped hops. Leave on for a few hours. Warm gently, rub gently into the painful area, preferably before bed.
- Mix the chopped bay leaf with the chopped pine or fir needles in a ratio of 1: 5. Add butter to get the consistency of fat. Put in the cold for a week. Use 1-2 times a day, excluding the possibility of hypothermia.
- Pour vodka over the ground horseradish root in equal proportions. The tincture can be applied after 5 days, rubbing into the most painful area.
- Mix marigold leaves and flowers with an equal amount 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. 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 your back at home, water treatments are effective. Hot baths with sea salt are popular.
The addition of essential oils - lavender, valerian, laurel, pine - has a positive effect. Baths relax the muscles, relieve pain and calm the person.
The duration of the procedure for osteochondrosis is half an hour, you need to bathe within a month. The frequency of sessions will be recommended by your doctor.
Exercise therapy
Physical therapy will help you get rid of osteochondrosis at home.
The exercise has the following effects:
- strengthening the back muscles, which increases the tolerance of the spine to sudden movements, lifting weights, physical overload;
- improving blood and lymph circulation in the paravertebral muscles and ligaments;
- cartilage and tendon tissue regeneration.
The doctor selects the appropriate 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 choose exercises on your own.
You cannot practice medical gymnastics in the following cases:
- severe pain syndrome with worsening osteochondrosis;
- recovery of pathology in the form of an intervertebral hernia, compressing the nerve endings and vessels of the spinal cord and surrounding muscles;
- confirmed instability of the vertebral body;
- infectious diseases with fever;
- high blood pressure hypertension;
- oncological problems.
If you have a history of heart attack or stroke, you cannot exercise at home because you need constant medical supervision.
Basic recommendations for performing exercises for osteochondrosis:
- the duration of daily classes is not longer than 30 minutes;
- the minimum course lasts 90-100 days;
- classes are held in a warm, ventilated and clean room;
- sharp movements and increased pain during gymnastics are excluded;
- the complex always begins with warming up, which prepares the muscles for the next loads;
- smooth increase in frequency and range of motion.
Diet
Often, the development of osteochondrosis is caused by improper diet. A dietitian will help you regulate this at home.
Postulates of therapeutic diet for osteochondrosis:
- low calorie content;
- emphasis on dairy and plant foods;
- balance in the main ingredients of food, minerals, vitamins;
- products are eaten boiled or steamed;
- restriction of salt and sugar, spices;
- fragmentation of food intake in small meals;
- early dinner - 3-4 hours before bedtime;
- drinking clean water at least 3 liters a day.
Allowed products include lean meat and fish, eggs, cereals, herbs, vegetables, fruits, seafood, high-quality mild cheese.
With osteochondrosis, you should limit the use of coffee, pastries, carbonated and alcoholic beverages, sweets, spicy, fatty and canned foods. Fatty meat soups, smoked meats, sausages are forbidden.
You can not use a suspicious diet with a predominance of one or more products - meat, apples, kefir, rice. Fasting with osteochondrosis is contraindicated.
How not to be treated
Traditional prescriptions in the treatment of osteochondrosis are only part of the treatment strategy. Don’t just rely 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.
Only proven and safe recipes should be used at home. The patient should be aware that a positive result is achieved only by 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 medications, physiotherapy procedures, exercise therapy and diet. At home, it accelerates the onset of remission, restores working ability and normalizes the patient's emotional tone.