Treating osteochondrosis at home is part of a complex therapy. It is performed if the patient does not have persistent polymorphic headaches, accompanied by dizziness, tinnitus and visual disturbances. Recurrent tingling and weakness in the hands, instability of blood pressure and heart rate are also considered contraindications for home therapy.
Osteochondrosis is caused by bony growths on the vertebral bodies with the formation of osteophytes and drying of the intervertebral cartilage. Particularly dangerous is the formation of intervertebral hernias, which compress the nerves and blood vessels. In advanced cases of osteochondrosis, an acute disturbance of cerebral circulation is possible, which is fraught with serious consequences for the patient.
Home remedies for 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;
- painkillers;
- antispasmodics - Drotaverine hydrochloride.
In addition, topical preparations applied to the affected area are a good aid for the rapid treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. So gels and creams containing NSAIDs are widely used, as well as ointments with a warming or cooling effect.
The drugs are indicated for exacerbation of osteochondrosis, including the appearance of persistent pain in the cervical spine, tingling and cramps in the hands. The same drugs are used in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis at home.
When osteochondrosis is found in the chest, treatment at home is agreed in advance with a cardiologist to rule out 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 recipes proven for centuries to relieve pain and restore mobility in various parts of the spine.
Compresses for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home
Bischofite compresses, which are a natural combination of potassium, magnesium, calcium and other trace elements, help relieve pain in cervical osteochondrosis. Before that, the agent should be warmed to body temperature and rubbed into the painful area with light circular motions.
Then apply a bandage soaked in a healing solution to the spine affected by osteochondrosis, cover it with cellophane on top and insulate it with a woolen cloth. It is optimal to do the procedures before going to bed, after treatment, thoroughly rinse the remnants of the product 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 provoke 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 tolerability, the time of the procedure is reduced to 3 hours or doctors are looking for another way to help the patient.
Other popular recipes for compresses for osteochondrosis:
- Burdock leaves.Pour boiling water and apply on the affected area. Wrap in wool for 40 minutes.
- Raw potatoes and honey.Mix the grated root in equal proportions with honey, place it on the diseased spine, 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 plants in equal amounts, pour boiling water for half an hour. Fix the compress of the warm infusion 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 on the painful part of the spine, wrap. The compress lasts 3 hours or overnight with good tolerability.
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 these purposes. Medicinal plants help to strengthen the microcirculation, strengthen the tendon-tendon 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. One week later, the course of treatment for osteochondrosis can be resumed.
- Take 25 g of chamomile and mint flowers, pour boiling water in a volume of 300 ml, hold in a water bath for 15 minutes. Apply 2 ml twice a day. The treatment lasts 3 weeks.
- Pour finely chopped parsley root (100 g) with a liter of water. Keep on low heat for about an hour. In osteochondrosis, drink a tablespoon 2 times a day for a month.
- A mixture using herb balm (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 cup 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 a distracting, 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 should be pre-treated with alcohol-containing solutions and dried. The application is applied by capturing the entire affected area or small rounded pieces of the patch are glued to the most painful points near the vertebrae. The patch is changed 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.
Dimethyl sulfoxide applications are often used. In order for the drug to have a positive effect, it should be used strictly in accordance with 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 session for the treatment of osteochondrosis lasts at least half an hour, with good tolerability, the application can be left overnight. The duration of therapy is at least 15 procedures.
Reflexology techniques are indicated in the treatment of osteochondrosis. At home, branded needle applicators are used for this.
These devices are used both in exacerbation of osteochondrosis and in the process of death. They reduce the 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 in osteochondrosis 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, means are often used to rub the affected part of the neck or back. The following alcoholic solutions, ointments have a good effect at home:
- Take 25 g of lard, melt and mix with the same volume of chopped hop cones. Leave it to act for a few hours. Warm slightly, rub gently into the sore spot, preferably at bedtime.
- Mix chopped bay leaves with chopped pine or fir needles in a ratio of 1: 5. Add oil to get the consistency of an ointment. Put in a cool place for a week. Use 1-2 times a day, except for 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 place.
- Mix the leaves and flowers of calendula 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 spasms and pain, normalize blood circulation and relieve inflammation. To achieve stable positive results, you should 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 osteochondrosis procedure 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
Physical therapy will help get rid of osteochondrosis at home.
The exercise has the following effects:
- strengthening the muscles of the back, which increases the tolerance of the spine to sudden movements, lifting weights, physical overload;
- improving blood circulation and lymphatic circulation in the paravertebral muscles and ligaments;
- restoration of cartilage and tendon tissue.
An adequate complex is chosen by the doctor depending on the spine affected by osteochondrosis and the general condition of the patient. Exercise therapy is prescribed at each stage of osteochondrosis. It is strictly forbidden to choose exercises yourself.
You cannot practice medical gymnastics in the following cases:
- pronounced pain syndrome with exacerbation of osteochondrosis;
- recovery of pathology in the form of intervertebral hernia, compression of nerve endings and vessels of the spinal cord and surrounding muscles;
- verified instability of the vertebral bodies;
- infectious diseases with high 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 more 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 a warm-up that prepares the muscles for subsequent loads;
- gradually increasing the frequency and range of motion.
Diet
Often the development of osteochondrosis is provoked by improper diet. A nutritionist will help you regulate it at home.
Postulates of therapeutic nutrition in osteochondrosis:
- low calorie content;
- emphasis on dairy and plant foods;
- balance in the main nutrients, minerals, vitamins;
- the products are consumed boiled or steamed;
- restriction of salt and sugar, spices;
- fragmentation of food intake in small portions;
- early dinner - 3-4 hours before bedtime;
- drinking clean water at least 3 liters a day.
Authorized products include lean meat and fish, eggs, cereals, herbs, vegetables, fruits, seafood, high quality soft cheese.
In osteochondrosis you should limit the use of coffee, pastries, carbonated and alcoholic beverages, pastries, spicy, fatty and canned foods. Fatty meat broths, smoked meats, sausages are forbidden.
You can not use questionable diets with a predominance of one or more products - meat, apples, kefir, rice. Fasting with osteochondrosis is contraindicated.
How not to be treated
Traditional prescriptions for the treatment of osteochondrosis are only part of the treatment strategy. Do not rely only 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 with persistent and prolonged 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 and diet. At home, it accelerates the onset of remission, restores performance and normalizes the patient's emotional tone.