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 younger than 30-35 years. The disease is a disorder of the intervertebral discs and their systemic destruction, which causes the spinal column to be unable to perform its support function. To combat the pathology, doctors suggest surgical intervention or drug treatment, but in some cases, osteochondrosis can be treated at home.
Brief description of the disease
Osteochondrosis manifests itself with unpleasant symptoms. Patients complain of backaches, body aches, and numbness in the arms or legs for no apparent 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 disruption of the functions of a number of internal organs. Protrusions, intervertebral tears and radiculitis are considered serious complications of the disease. Therefore, when the first signs of pain appear, treatment should be started as soon as possible.
The causes of the disease are hidden in a passive lifestyle, insufficient load on the spine and a developed muscle frame. It also includes poor nutrition, hormonal imbalance, posture problems, insufficient fluid intake, genetic predisposition, infectious diseases, obesity and bad habits.
Features 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 consults the doctor about the complex effect on the pathology. Here are the main ways to get rid of the problem:
- Drug therapy.
- Massage and physiotherapy.
- Gymnastics.
- Ethno Muslim.
It is not possible to treat osteochondrosis quickly, because the affected cartilage tissue regenerates slowly. It will take at least three months to complete the complex measures, and about a year will be spent on the rehabilitation period. The obtained treatment result mainly depends on the patient himself, diligence in following the instructions, as well as the stage of development of the disease.
Medicines
Chondrosis can be treated at home only after a doctor prescribes a course of medication. They aim to relieve back pain, eliminate inflammatory processes and restore cartilage tissue mobility. After examination and diagnosis, the specialist prescribes the following drug groups:
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Pain relievers.
- Vasodilators.
- Muscle relaxants.
- Tranquilizers (valerian extract, motherwort decoction).
- Multivitamins.
They should be taken strictly according to 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 it 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 do them at home without the participation of a specialist. Due to constant exposure to gentle compression of soft tissues in the area of development of pathology, blood circulation is activated, the supply of oxygen and useful trace elements to the tissues of discs and other cartilages is improved. The complex is implemented as follows:
- The process should begin with a light, gentle tap on the problem area. It is better not to take additional devices, the effect of your palms and fingers will be enough.
- After rubbing, they have an increased effect on the area. You can grab a layer of skin with your fingers and squeeze it gently.
- Kneading of muscles and soft tissues should occur in the paravertebral region, the ridge itself cannot be affected. Movements can be percussive, circular or pressure.
- The session should be completed with tapping, vibration and stroke.
This self-massage of the back can be performed every day even without special knowledge and skills. The effect on the muscles of the chest, hips, shoulders and back generally has a beneficial effect in the treatment of osteochondrosis.
In addition to massage, therapeutic baths also help to overcome the disease. They are contraindicated in the period of exacerbation, but they are indispensable in the period of remission. Proper and regular exercise allows you to increase blood flow, relax muscles, and improve your mood and well-being. In the process, you can use only hot water (hot water will only harm), to which decoctions of medicinal plants 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 useful 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 therapy. The simplest activities are reminiscent of school exercises, but their importance for the body during treatment cannot 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 followed during the implementation process:
- Do not do exercises too quickly, putting too much load on bone tissue and muscles.
- Everything is done smoothly, thoughtfully, controlling the sensations in the body.
- If the patient feels pain and cannot stand up, the lessons are completely stopped.
- Power complexes are always replaced by breathing exercises so that the tissues receive a sufficient amount of oxygen.
- Classes should be held only 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 the case of a disease such as osteoporosis. They can cause serious complications. Exercise therapy is an excellent tool for combating underlying pathologies and is often used as a preventive measure for a number of problems with increased risks. Complexes include exercises from yoga or oriental techniques. This should be done regularly at least 3 times a week.
ethnoscience
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis or other localization at home is possible with means widely available among the people. They are highly effective and safe for human health. It is not difficult to find a large number of recipes for decoctions, ointments, infusions and compresses using medicinal plants. They are easy to prepare independently and at the same time saturate the body with useful substances, have a general strengthening effect. It is advisable to use this technique under the supervision of the attending physician and only in conjunction with the traditional approach.
Decoctions and infusions
It is better to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis from the inside, which affects the body with healing drinks. They are made from plants collected in an ecologically clean place or purchased at a pharmacy. Parsley seeds, pine cones or spruce cones, thyme and cinquefoil have proven themselves well. Simple recipes to eat:
- Take 200 g of shalvar root, chop it carefully, mix it with 100 g of Potentilla erecta and pour 1 liter of vodka. Leave in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks. After that, filter the infusion with cheesecloth. Take 1 spoon 3 times a day for a month.
- Take 30 spruce cones, wash them from dirt and pour boiling water over them. Filter the resulting broth in two steps and drink it. One part is taken in the morning and the second 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. It should be drunk within three days.
Decoctions can be made from pear twigs, nettle leaves, lemon and celery. It is very important to follow the recommendations and dosage indicated in the prescription. For women, the amount may be reduced depending on age and weight.
Compresses and applications
Lotions with various components are widely used to relieve pain, relieve inflammation and treat back pain. Their regular implementation allows you to normalize the movement of biological fluids in the body, eliminate muscle spasms, improve your condition and warm soft tissues. Compresses are prepared as follows:
- Thoroughly chop all types of fresh horseradish root and apples.
- Squeeze the resulting mass a little from the juice.
- Make a tight dough.
- Paste 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 every day. In addition to compresses, applications are also used. With their help, the functionality of nerve endings and normal joint mobility are restored. Aloe juice, natural honey and vodka are used for lotions. They are mixed in the ratio of 50 g: 100 g: 100 ml, respectively. And after 5 days of infusion, 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 very carefully. The patient should not voluntarily change the prescribed drug course or add strength training without the knowledge of the doctor. An integrated approach and compliance with specialist recommendations is the key to a successful fight against pathology. Traditional recipes give greater results when supported by physical exercise, massage and rubbing.