The treatment of osteochondrosis at home is part of a complex therapy. It is performed if the patient does not have permanent polymorphic headache, accompanied by dizziness, tinnitus and visual disturbances. Recurrent numbness and weakness in the arms, instability of blood pressure and heart rate are also considered contraindications for therapy at home.
Osteochondrosis is caused by bone growth of the vertebral bodies with the formation of osteophytes and dryness of the intervertebral cartilage. Particularly dangerous is the formation of intervertebral hernias, pressing on nerves and blood vessels. In advanced cases of osteochondrosis, an acute violation of cerebral circulation is possible, which has serious consequences for the patient.
Medicines for home treatment of 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;
- group vitamins - thiamine hydrochloride;
- painkillers;
- antispasmodics - drotaverine hydrochloride.
In addition, topical preparations applied to the affected area are a good help for the rapid treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. Thus, gels and creams containing NSAIDs, as well as ointments with a heating or cooling effect, are widely used.
The medications are indicated for exacerbations of 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 thoracic osteochondrosis is detected, treatment at home is previously arranged with a cardiologist to exclude cardiac pathology.
In the remission phase of osteochondrosis, chondroprotectors and calcium derivatives will help.
Alternative treatment
Treating osteochondrosis with traditional methods involves using recipes that have been 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 to relieve pain in cervical osteochondrosis. Beforehand, the agent should be warmed up to body temperature and rubbed in the painful area with light circular movements.
Then apply a bandage soaked in a healing solution to the spine affected by osteochondrosis, cover with cellophane on top and insulate with a woolen cloth. The ideal is to do the procedures before sleeping, after treatment, rinse the remains of the product well with warm water.
Treatment with this folk remedy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be performed on alternate days, as 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 undesirable reactions and low tolerance, the procedure time is reduced to 3 hours or doctors look for another way to help the patient.
Other popular osteochondrosis compress recipes:
- Burdock leaves.Pour boiling water and apply to the affected area. Wrap with wool cloth for 40 minutes.
- Raw potatoes and honey.Mix the grated root vegetable in equal proportions with honey, place it on the diseased column, isolating 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 the plants in equal amounts, pour boiling water for half an hour. Fix the hot infusion compress with a bandage for 3 hours.
- Aloe.Mix the crushed leaves of a medicinal plant with honey and vodka, the amount of which must be 2 times the weight of aloe vera. 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 medicines. Usually, infusions and decoctions are prepared for these purposes. Medicinal plants help to improve microcirculation, to strengthen the tendon-ligament apparatus, to prevent 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 liter of boiling water with 40 g of dried ponytail leaves for 1 hour. After straining, drink 70 ml before meals for 3 weeks. A week later, the course of osteochondrosis treatment can be resumed.
- Take 25 g of chamomile and mint flowers each, pour boiling water in a volume of 300 ml, keep in a water bath for 15 minutes. Apply 100 ml twice a day. The treatment lasts 3 weeks.
- Pour the finely chopped parsley root (100 g) with a liter of water. Keep on low heat for about an hour. With osteochondrosis, drink one tablespoon twice a day for a month.
- A mixture of lemon balm (15 grams), chopped orange peel (30 grams), pour hot water (0. 5 liters) for an 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 thoracic osteochondrosis. The applications have an analgesic and distracting effect, relieve inflammation and improve local blood circulation.
The pepper plaster is used for pathology of any part of the spine, including for 2nd degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. The skin must be pre-treated with solutions containing alcohol and dried. The application is applied with the capture of the entire affected area or small rounded pieces of a patch are glued to the most painful points near the vertebrae. The patch is replaced after 48 hours.
Mustard plasters have the same effect on cervical osteochondrosis. At home, a simple procedure helps to reduce pain, improve cerebral blood flow and lymph circulation in the head and neck.
Dimethyl sulfoxide applications are frequently used. For the drug to have a positive effect, it must be used strictly according to the instructions: dissolve in warm boiled water in a 1: 3 ratio. The amount of solution obtained must be calculated for only one procedure. To increase the effectiveness of the treatment, you can add niacin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, pain relievers.
A treatment session for 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.
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, reflexology techniques are presented. At home, branded needle applicators are used.
These devices are used both in the exacerbation of osteochondrosis and in the process of extinction. They reduce back pain, have a harmonizing effect on the body, improving the patient's psycho-emotional state.
The duration of the procedure and the frequency of use of the osteochondrosis product should be agreed with the doctor. The parameters depend on the age, the degree of destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Rub for osteochondrosis treatment at home
In osteochondrosis, agents are often used to rub the affected part of the neck or back. The following solutions of alcohol and ointments have a good effect at home:
- Take 25 g of lard, melt and mix with the same volume of chopped hop cones. Leave for a few hours. Warm up lightly, rub gently on the sore area, preferably at bedtime.
- Mix the chopped bay leaves with the chopped pine or spruce needles in a 1: 5 ratio. Add the butter to obtain the consistency of an ointment. Put it in a cold place for a week. Use 1-2 times a day, excluding the possibility of hypothermia.
- Pour the horseradish root ground with vodka in equal proportions. The tincture can be applied after 5 days, rubbing in the most painful area.
- Mix the leaves and flowers of the marigold with an equal amount of vodka and camphor alcohol. Leave in a dark place for 10 days. Shake before use.
Folk remedies for chondrosis reduce muscle spasms and pain, normalize blood circulation and relieve inflammation. To obtain stable positive results, you need to repeat the course of treatment in consultation with your doctor.
Baths for treating osteochondrosis at home
When treating your back at home, water treatments are effective. Hot baths of sea salt are popular.
The addition of essential oils - lavender, valerian, laurel, pine - has a positive effect. The bath relaxes the muscles, relieves pain and soothes the person.
The duration of the procedure for osteochondrosis is half an hour, you need to bathe within a month. The frequency of the sessions will be recommended by the doctor.
Exercise Therapy
Physical therapy will help eliminate osteochondrosis at home.
The exercise has the following effects:
- strengthening of the back muscles, which increases the spine's tolerance to sudden movements, weight lifting, physical overload;
- improvement of blood and lymphatic circulation in the paravertebral ligaments and muscles;
- restoration of cartilage and tendon tissue.
A suitable complex is selected by the doctor 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 select exercises on your own.
You cannot practice medical gymnastics in the following cases:
- pronounced pain syndrome with exacerbation of osteochondrosis;
- recovery from pathology in the form of an intervertebral hernia, compressing the nerve endings and vessels of the spinal cord and surrounding muscles;
- verified instability of the vertebral bodies;
- infectious diseases with fever;
- varterial hypertension with high blood pressure;
- oncological problems.
If you have a history of heart attack or stroke, you cannot exercise at home, as you need constant medical supervision.
Basic recommendations for performing exercises for osteochondrosis:
- the duration of daily classes does not exceed 30 minutes;
- the minimum course lasts 90-100 days;
- classes are held in a warm, ventilated and clean room;
- sudden movements and increased pain during gymnastics are excluded;
- the complex always starts with a warm-up, which prepares the muscles for subsequent loads;
- smooth increase in frequency and range of motion.
Diet
Often, the development of osteochondrosis is caused by an inadequate diet. A nutritionist will help you to regulate it at home.
Therapeutic nutrition postulates for osteochondrosis:
- low calorie content;
- emphasis on dairy and plant foods;
- balance in the main components of food, minerals, vitamins;
- the products are consumed cooked or steamed;
- restriction of salt and sugar, spices;
- fragmentation of food intake into small portions;
- early dinner - 3-4 hours before bedtime;
- drink clean water at least 3 liters a day.
The permitted products include lean meats and fish, eggs, cereals, herbs, vegetables, fruits, seafood, high quality light cheeses.
In osteochondrosis, the use of coffee, pastries, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, sweets, spicy, greasy and canned foods should be limited. Fatty broths, smoked meats and sausages are prohibited.
You cannot use questionable diets with a predominance of one or more products - meat, apple, kefir, rice. Fasting with osteochondrosis is contraindicated.
How not to be treated
Traditional recipes for treating 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.
At home, only proven and safe recipes should be used. The patient should be aware that a positive result is achieved only with 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 complement to medications, physiotherapy procedures, exercise therapy and diet. At home, it speeds up the onset of remission, restores work capacity and normalizes the patient's emotional tone.