Walking in a standing position freed a person's hands to perform labor operations - this is an undoubted advantage. Along with this, the load on the spine is increased, which leads to the development of serious diseases, and this is a colossal drawback. Osteochondrosis is one of the most common pathologies of the spine. It affects 60% of the world's inhabitants aged 35 and over. Surgical intervention is one of the methods of treatment, 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 therapeutic measures is wide and affordable.
What is osteochondrosis
Dysfunction and destruction of the 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, 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 the shoulders, arms, neck; dizziness, tinnitus, spots in front of the eyes.
- Chest. It is characterized by dull pain or low back pain in the chest area.
- Lumbosacral. There are pains in the hip joints, lower back, sacrum. The functionality of the lower limbs is limited.
- It develops in several parts of the spine 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 the dehydration of the central part of the intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus). As a result, the structure subsides, cracks appear in the outer part of the disc (fibrous ring). This phase is almost invisible to the patient. Slight discomfort manifests itself in an uncomfortable position or during active physical activity.
- The distance between adjacent vertebrae decreases due to the failure of the intervertebral disc. Ligaments and muscles go limp. 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 localization of the pathology.
- The formation of prolapses (hernias), protrusions (irregular protrusions) of the discs, subluxations and arthrosis of the intervertebral joints are the main pathological changes in the third stage of the disease. The patient's movements are limited, numbness occurs, tingling in the limbs. Pains are present, their localization depends on the location of the focus of the disease.
- To eliminate the excessive mobility of the vertebrae, the body forms neoplasms of the bone tissue (osteophytes) in the spinal column. Their formation occurs in a chaotic way, depending on the location, they can injure the nerve endings of the spinal cord, the adjacent 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 in the body begin. 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 consists of young people aged 20-30 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 during work operations, exercise, static body positions (standing, sitting) increase the risk of developing osteochondrosis. According to most doctors, the occurrence of pathological processes in the spine is provoked 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;
- posture problems;
- flat feet;
- toxic damage to the body;
- infectious diseases;
- trauma, contusions of the spine and of the musculoskeletal system in general;
- pregnancy;
- age-related changes;
- harmful working conditions;
- overweight;
- bad nutrition;
- Bed organized incorrectly;
- bad habits;
- frequent stress.
Treatment methods
Osteochondrosis therapy is a long process. It includes a series of activities that take 1-3 months. At this stage, it is necessary to add a rehabilitation period, its duration is about 1 year. The success of the treatment largely depends on the patient himself. 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, he continues 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.
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 is aimed at eliminating pain, restoring spine function and preventing structural changes in the intervertebral joints. The series of activities includes:
- drug therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- massage (paravertebral);
- manual therapy;
- using a needle applicator;
- Spinal traction.
The decision on the surgical treatment of the disease is made by a board of doctors in the absence of a result of conservative treatment or in case of severe injuries of 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
Considering 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 consider that this is an unusual disease and it is impossible to achieve a positive result only with the help of medicines. It is necessary to regularly use a number of measures that can be taken as directed by a doctor at home.
Drugs
Drugs 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, so drug treatment solves a number of tasks:
- pain relief;
- relieve inflammation;
- restore metabolic reactions;
- improves blood circulation in the affected areas;
- restore cartilage tissue;
- to restore joint mobility;
- eliminates depression caused by severe pain.
Drug therapy includes several groups of drugs.
Group |
Action |
Pharmacological forms |
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory |
Relief from inflammation and pain (inhibits prostaglandins) |
Capsules, tablets, gels, ointments, patches, injections |
Analgesics, anesthetics |
Pain relief |
Pills, injection |
Vasodilators |
Improve 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, injection |
Chondroprotectors (glucosamine, chondroitin) |
Stabilize the process, prevent further destruction |
Capsules, tablets, gels, ointments, injections |
Sedatives |
Removal of depression, increased resistance to stress, improvement of sleep quality, stabilization of the emotional state |
Tinctures, tablets |
Vitamins (antioxidants) |
Restoration of sensitivity of the affected nerve endings, reduction of pain |
Pills, injection |
Vitamin and mineral complexes |
General strengthening of the body |
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 complexes of physiotherapy exercises, you can use the recommendations and draw up an individual training program.
Physical education is the main remedy for osteochondrosis. Bending, twisting, twisting, swinging on the back are recommended exercises. It is useful to perform hanging on the bar, use yoga exercises to stretch the spine. Sufficient attention should be paid to strengthening the back muscles - pulling up, doing push-ups. There are a number of rules you need to consider in order not to harm your health:
- Remedial gymnastics should begin with a warm-up;
- twisting should not be performed in case of 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, it is necessary to take into account age, difficulty of exercises, physical fitness. It is necessary to engage in physiotherapy exercises at least 3 times a week. The proposed complex will help treat cervical osteochondrosis at home (all exercises are performed 10 times):
- Sit in a chair, straighten your back, make gentle turns of the head alternately left and right.
- The starting position is the same. Place your right palm on your right cheek and gently tilt your head to the left. Repeat the exercise in the opposite direction.
- Sit with your back straight, clasp your hands behind your head, gently lean forward. Press the back of the head with your hands, gently lower your head, touch your chest with your chin, feel the muscle tension.
- Sit down, grab the edge of the chair with your hands behind you, slowly lower your head back, spread your shoulder blades, return to the starting position.
- Shrug your shoulders, try to reach them up to your earlobes, drop your shoulders down.
Pain in the lower back is predominant. Regular uncomplicated gymnastics for lumbar osteochondrosis will bring more benefits than the constant use of pain medication (repeat the exercises 5-10 times):
- Stretch your back muscles- lie on your back, raise your arms, stretch your toes down.
- Raise the pelvis- lie on your back, bend your legs, arms to the sides, raise your pelvis (inhale), lower (exhale).
- Embryo Pose- lie on your back, bring your knees to your chest, squeezing them with your arms (inhale), pull your head to your knees (exhale).
- Cat Pose- get on all fours, exhale, turn your back, while inhaling, bend over, raise your head.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies
Folk remedies for osteochondrosis have proven themselves well. 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 amount of nutrients and have a general strengthening effect. Herbal remedies are convenient. There are known methods for treating diseases with bee stings and beekeeping products.
Compress
Tablets help reduce pain, relieve swelling and inflammation. Home treatment of the back and spine will be effective if the warming procedures are used for two weeks. They improve blood circulation, relieve pain, relieve muscle spasms. Easy to prepare a horseradish and apple wrap:
- 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;
- put on the inflamed area;
- cover with polyethylene, towel;
- wrap with a warm cloth;
- is worn at night every day until the acute 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 purpose, medicinal infusions and decoctions are used. Relieves pain, inflammation and calms the nervous system. In folk medicine, infusions of parsley leaves and seeds are used, a decoction of pine cones to heal the spine. Potentilla is effective, acts as an analgesic, restores damaged tissues. 
Tincture recipe:
- Mix 200 g of chopped cinquefoil root and 100 g of erect Potentilla;
- Pour the vegetable mixture into 1 liter of vodka;
- insist for 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 folk 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. Technique for applying honey with aloe:
- 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 the dye;
- is applied to the inflamed area;
- put polyethylene and a towel on top;
- wrap with a wool scarf;
- performs the procedure 2 times a day.
Rubbing
For effective treatment of osteochondrosis at home, you can prepare rubs 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, internal lard, medicinal plants (plantain, sage, juniper) are used to make medicinal gums.
Juniper ointment recipe with bay leaves:
- 1 teaspoon of juniper needles, 6 teaspoons of chopped bay leaves, 12 teaspoons of melted butter, mix well;
- applies the mixture to the site of inflammation;
- rub the ointment with light movements;
- wrap your back with a warm woolen cloth;
- rub in the afternoon and before going to sleep.
Healing baths
Herbal decoction baths are effective during rehabilitation. In acute conditions, this procedure is not recommended. Therapeutic baths dilate blood vessels, relax muscles and have a beneficial effect on the joint structures of the spine. For the preparation of decoctions, chamomile, lemon balm, string, thyme, horsetail, thyme and other plants are used. Medicinal raw materials can be prepared independently or purchased at the pharmacy.
The medicinal bath decoction is prepared as follows:
- take 250-300 g of dry plant material or prepare a mixture of medicinal herbs;
- boil in 5 liters of water for 20 minutes;
- filter and add to the prepared hot water;
- Take a bath 10-15 minutes before going to sleep.