One of the most common pathologies of the spine is osteochondrosis. It occurs in 60% of all inhabitants of the planet Earth, and it can develop even in young people under the age of 30-35. The disease is a disorder of the intervertebral discs and their systemic destruction, which leads to the inability of the spine to perform musculoskeletal function. To combat the pathology, doctors suggest surgical intervention or drug therapy, but in some cases, osteochondrosis can be treated at home.
Brief description of the disease
Osteochondrosis is manifested by unpleasant symptoms. Patients complain of spine pain, body aches and numbness in the arms or legs for no reason. In some cases, even loss of consciousness or frequent dizziness are possible. If the disease is not treated, it gradually leads to atrophy of muscle tissue, disruption of nerve impulses and dysfunction of numerous internal organs. Protrusions, intervertebral hernias and radiculitis are considered serious complications of the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to start treatment as soon as possible, when the first signs of pain appear.
The causes of the disease lie in a passive lifestyle, lack of sufficient load on the spine and a developed muscular frame. Accompanying factors are poor nutrition, hormonal imbalance, posture problems, insufficient fluid intake, hereditary predisposition, infectious diseases, obesity and bad habits.
Disease fighting characteristics
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is possible if the patient does not use folk remedies as the only therapy and if he has consulted a doctor about the complex effect on the pathology. The main ways to solve the problem are:
- Drug therapy.
- Massage and physiotherapy.
- gymnastics.
- Ethnoscience.
It is impossible to cure osteochondrosis quickly, because the affected cartilage tissue slowly regenerates. It will take at least three months to implement the complex measures, and about a year will be spent on the rehabilitation period. The obtained result of the treatment largely depends on the patient himself, his diligence in following the instructions, as well as on the stage of development of the disease.
Medicines
Chondrosis can be treated at home only after the doctor has prescribed a course of medication. They are aimed at alleviating back pain, eliminating inflammatory processes and restoring cartilage tissue mobility. After examination and diagnosis, the specialist prescribes the following groups of drugs:
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Painkillers.
- Vasodilators.
- Muscle relaxants.
- Sedatives (valerian extract, lemon balm decoction).
- Multivitamins.
They must be taken strictly according to the instructions. Medicines improve the patient's well-being and restore metabolism. So, after a few weeks, the patient feels much better, but one should not forget that osteochondrosis is a systemic disease and that it can only be treated comprehensively. Pills alone cannot solve the problem.
Massage and therapeutic baths
Self-massage sessions are very helpful in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. You can perform them at home without involving an expert. Due to constant exposure to mild compression of soft tissues in the area of development of pathology, blood circulation is activated, the supply of disc tissue and other cartilage with oxygen and useful microelements is improved. The complex is performed as follows:
- The process should begin with light, gentle stroking of the problem area. It is better not to take additional devices, the impact of the palms and fingers will be enough.
- After rubbing, they switch to increased impact on that area. You can grasp the fold of skin with your fingers and gently squeeze.
- Crushing of muscles and soft tissues should occur in the paravertebral region, the ridge itself cannot be affected. Movements can be patting, circular or with pressure.
- The session should be finished with tapping, vibration and stroking.
This self-massage of the back can be performed without special knowledge and skills every day. Acting on the muscles of the chest, hips, shoulders and lower back has a beneficial effect on the treatment of osteochondrosis in general.
In addition to massage, medicinal baths also help in dealing with the disease. They are contraindicated in the period of exacerbation, but become necessary in the phase of remission. With proper and regular exercise, you can increase blood flow, relax muscles, improve mood and well-being. You can only use warm water (hot water will only harm), to which decoctions of medicinal herbs are added. Thyme, string, thyme, lemon balm and chamomile performed well. Medicinal bath should be taken 20 minutes before going to bed.
Physiotherapy
Simple exercises are useful for the spine in case of cartilage tissue dysfunction. The doctor chooses them for each patient individually, taking into account the general condition, physical condition and age. They are performed daily and are an integral part of therapy. The simplest activities are reminiscent of school exercises, but their importance for the body during the treatment period should not be underestimated. They are aimed at warming up the muscles, improving blood circulation, stretching and relaxing the muscles where the blocks are located.
The following recommendations should be followed during the implementation process:
- Do not do exercises quickly, putting a lot of stress on bone tissue and muscles.
- Everything is done smoothly, thoughtfully, with the control of sensations in the body.
- The class is completely interrupted if the patient feels pain and cannot stand up.
- Strength complexes are always alternated with breathing exercises so that the tissues receive a sufficient amount of oxygen.
- Classes should be conducted only in a well-ventilated room or in the fresh air.
It should be remembered that the doctor prescribes exercises; some effects on the spine are dangerous in case of diseases like osteoporosis. They can cause serious complications. Exercise therapy is an excellent tool for combating back pathologies and is often used as a preventive measure for a number of problems with an increased risk. Complexes include exercises from yoga or oriental techniques. You have to do it regularly, at least 3 times a week.
ethnoscience
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis or other localization at home is possible with means that are widely known among the people. They are very effective and safe for human health. Finding a large number of recipes for decoctions, ointments, infusions and poultices from medicinal herbs is not difficult. They are easy to prepare independently and at the same time saturate the body with useful substances, providing a general strengthening effect. It is recommended to use this technique under the supervision of a doctor and use it only in combination with the traditional approach.
Decoctions and infusions
It is better to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis internally, affecting the body with medicinal drinks. They are prepared from plants collected in an ecologically acceptable place or bought in a pharmacy. Parsley seeds, pine cones or juniper seeds, thyme and fennel have all performed well. Simple recipes for cooking:
- Take 200 g of potentilla root, chop it carefully, mix it with 100 g of Potentilla erecta and pour 1 liter of vodka. Leave for 2-3 weeks in a cool and dark place. After that, strain the infusion through cheesecloth. Take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day for a month.
- Take 30 spruce cones, wash them of dirt and pour boiling water over them. Strain and drink the resulting broth in two steps. One part is taken in the morning, the other in the evening. This is repeated every day for a month.
- 5 g of dried bay leaves are poured with boiling water and left for 5 minutes. It is better to do it in a thermos. You should drink it within three days.
You can prepare decoctions from pear twigs, nettle leaves, lemon and celery. It is very important to follow the recommendations and dosage specified in the recipe. For women, the amount can be reduced depending on age and weight.
Compresses and applications
To relieve pain, reduce inflammation and treat back pain, lotions with different components are widely used. Their regular use allows you to normalize the movement of biological fluids in the body, remove muscle spasms, improve your condition and warm soft tissues. Compresses are made as follows:
- Finely chop fresh horseradish root and apples of any variety.
- Drain the resulting mass a little of the juice.
- Form a firm lump.
- Stick it on the affected area.
- Cover with a towel or clean cloth.
- Leave it in place until the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
The procedure is repeated daily. In addition to coatings, applications are also used. With their help, the functionality of nerve endings and normal joint mobility is restored. Aloe juice, natural honey and vodka are used for lotions. They are mixed in the ratio of 50 g: 100 g: 100 ml. And after infusion for 5 days, the mixture is applied to the affected area and covered with polyethylene. It is better to perform the procedure several times a day.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is carried out with great care. The patient should not voluntarily change the prescribed course of medication or add strength training without the knowledge of the doctor. An integrated approach and compliance with the recommendations of specialists are the key to a successful fight against pathology. Traditional recipes give better results if they are supported by physical exercise, massage and rubbing.