One of the most common pathologies of the spine is osteochondrosis. It occurs in 60% of all inhabitants of the planet Earth and can develop even in young people under the age of 30-35. The disease represents a violation of the intervertebral discs and their systemic destruction, which leads to the inability of the spine to perform the musculoskeletal system. To combat the pathology, doctors recommend surgical intervention or drug therapy, but in some cases, osteochondrosis can be treated at home.
Brief description of the disease
Osteochondrosis manifests itself with 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 is possible. If the disease is not treated, it gradually leads to atrophy of muscle tissue, disruption of nerve impulses and dysfunction of a number of internal organs. Protrusions, intervertebral hernias and sciatica are considered serious complications of the disease. That is why it is necessary to start the treatment as early as possible, when the first signs of pain appear.
The causes of the disease lie in the passive lifestyle, the lack of sufficient load on the spine and the developed muscular frame. Concomitant factors also include poor diet, hormonal imbalance, posture problems, insufficient fluid intake, hereditary predisposition, infectious diseases, obesity and bad habits.
Characteristics of the fight against the disease
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is possible if the patient does not use folk remedies as the only therapy and has consulted a doctor about the complex effect on the pathology. The main ways to get rid of the problem are:
- Drug therapy.
- Massage and physiotherapy.
- Gymnastics.
- Ethnoscience.
It is impossible to quickly cure osteochondrosis, because the affected cartilage tissue recovers slowly. It will take at least three months to complete the complex measures, and about a year will take the rehabilitation period. The obtained result of the treatment largely depends on the patient himself, his effort to follow 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 relieving back pain, eliminating inflammatory processes and restoring the mobility of cartilage tissue. After examination and diagnosis, the specialist prescribes the following groups of drugs:
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Pain relievers.
- Vasodilators.
- Muscle relaxants.
- Sedatives (valerian extract, oak decoction).
- Multivitamins.
They must be taken in strict accordance with the instructions. Medicines improve the patient's well-being and restore metabolism. Therefore, after a few weeks, the patient feels significantly better, but we must not forget that osteochondrosis is a systemic disease and should be treated only comprehensively. Pills alone cannot solve the problem.
Massage and therapeutic baths
Self-massage sessions are very useful in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. You can perform them at home without the involvement of a specialist. Due to the constant exposure to light compression of the soft tissues in the area of development of the pathology, blood circulation is activated, the supply of the tissues of the discs and other cartilages with oxygen and useful trace elements is improved. The complex is implemented 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 the rubbing, it is switched to an enhanced effect on the area. You can grasp a fold of skin with your fingers and gently squeeze it.
- Kneading of muscles and soft tissues should be done in the paravertebral area, the crest itself cannot be affected. The movements can be tapping, circular or pressure.
- The session should end with patting, vibration and stroking.
This self-massage of the back can be performed even without special knowledge and skills every day. The impact 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 to cope with the disease. They are contraindicated in the period of exacerbation, but become indispensable in the stage of remission. Correct and regular exercise allows you to increase blood flow, relax muscles, improve your mood and well-being. In the process, you can use only warm water (hot water will only harm), to which decoctions of medicinal herbs are added. Thyme, string, thyme, lemon balm and chamomile have proven themselves well. You should take a medicinal bath 20 minutes before going to bed.
Physiotherapy
Simple exercises are beneficial for the spine in case of cartilage tissue dysfunction. The doctor selects them individually for each patient, taking into account the general condition, physical fitness and age. They are performed daily and are an integral part of the 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 there are blocks.
The following recommendations should be observed during the implementation process:
- Do not do exercises quickly, putting a lot of stress on the bone tissue and muscles.
- Everything is done smoothly, thoughtfully, with control of sensations in the body.
- Classes are stopped completely 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 only be held in a well-ventilated room or in fresh air.
It should be remembered that the attending physician prescribes exercises, some effects on the spine are dangerous in case of a disease such as osteoporosis. They can cause serious complications. Exercise therapy is an excellent means of combating back pathologies and is often used as a preventive measure for a number of high-risk problems. Complexes include exercises from yoga or oriental techniques. You should do it regularly, at least 3 times a week.
ethnic female
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis or other localization at home is possible with means widely known among people. They are highly effective and safe for human health. Finding a large number of recipes for decoctions, ointments, infusions and compresses using medicinal herbs is not difficult. They are easy to prepare yourself and at the same time saturate the body with useful substances, providing a general strengthening effect. It is recommended that this technique be used under the supervision of the attending physician and used only in combination with the traditional approach.
Decoctions and infusions
It is better to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis from the inside, influencing the body with healing drinks. They are prepared from plants collected in an ecological place or bought in a pharmacy. Parsley seeds, pine cones or spruce cones, thyme and gentian have proven themselves well. Simple cooking recipes:
- Take 200 g of gentian root, carefully chop it, mix with 100 g of Potentilla erecta and pour 1 liter of vodka. Leave for 2-3 weeks in a cool and dark place. Then strain the infusion through cheesecloth. Take 1 tablespoon 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 second in the evening. This is repeated every day for a month.
- 5 g of dried bay leaf is poured with boiling water and left for 5 minutes. It is better to do this in a thermos. You must drink it within three days.
Potions can be made from pear twigs, nettle leaves, lemon and celery. It is very important to adhere to the recommendations and dosage indicated in the prescription. For women, the amount may be reduced depending on age and weight.
Compresses and applications
To relieve pain, relieve inflammation and treat back pain, lotions with various components are widely used. Their regular application allows you to normalize the movement of biological fluids in the body, eliminate muscle spasms, improve your condition and warm the soft tissues. Compresses are made as follows:
- Finely chop fresh horseradish root and apples of any variety.
- Squeeze the resulting mass a little from the juice.
- Form into a tight ball.
- Stick it on the affected area.
- Cover with a towel or clean towel.
- Leave in place until the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
The procedure is repeated daily. In addition to compresses, applications are also used. With their help, the functionality of the nerve endings and the normal mobility of the joints are restored. Aloe juice, natural honey and vodka are used for lotions. They are mixed in a 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 do 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 successfully combating the pathology. Traditional recipes give better results if they are supported by physical exercises, massage and rubbing.