Today, not only the elderly, but also young people under the age of 45 experience severe pain in the neck and back.The reason for the unpleasant symptoms lies in the presence of osteochondrosis, which is detected in 26-32% of cases.
Constant back pain reduces performance and weakens the entire body.If spinal pathologies are not treated, the risk of disability is high.Therefore, every person who leads a sedentary lifestyle and experiences discomfort in the lumbar and cervical regions should know how to treat intervertebral osteochondrosis at home.But first, it is worth studying the causes and symptoms of the disease, which will allow timely diagnosis of the pathology and prevent surgical intervention and the development of disability.
What is osteochondrosis
The name of the disease combines the Greek word for “bone” and the Latin word for “cartilage.”Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial degenerative disease of the motor spinal segment, initially affecting the intervertebral disc.As it progresses, the remaining parts of the spine and the nervous system are involved in the pathological process.
To understand what osteochondrosis is and how to treat it at home, it is necessary to consider the dynamics of the development of the disease, which goes through four stages:
- At the initial stage, the degenerative process is concentrated in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc.Increased load leads to dehydration of the nucleus, which causes the height of the disc to change and cracks in the annulus fibrosus to appear.
- At the second stage, a change in the parameters of the intervertebral disc contributes to sagging of ligaments, muscle tissue, and a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae.This leads to high motor activity of the latter along with atrophied discs, which often ends with their slipping or displacement.
- At the third stage, protrusions and prolapses of intervertebral discs are formed, which is often accompanied by arthrosis or subluxation of the joints.
- At the final stage, the body tries to adapt to the deformation of the spine, and osteophytes appear in the affected areas, additionally supporting the vertebrae.But bone formations injure them or lead to pinched nerves.The result of all dystrophic changes is fibrous ankylosis.
You can prevent absolute back deformation if you know how to treat spinal osteochondrosis at home.But before using alternative medicine recipes, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the etiology and clinical picture of the disease.
Causes and symptoms
The structure of the spine is such that it can withstand heavy loads.For it to function normally, a person must not forget about physical activity.A number of factors lead to dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system.The main cause of osteochondrosis is physical inactivity.Excessive physical activity also contributes to the appearance of problems with the spine.
associated with lifting heavy weights.
Other factors leading to degeneration of articular cartilage:
- heredity;
- aging;
- incorrect posture;
- injuries and congenital pathologies of the spine;
- flat feet;
- infections;
- influence of chemicals;
- metabolic disorders.
People who are overweight, office workers, and drivers are more susceptible to developing osteochondrosis.The likelihood of developing the disease increases with smoking, hypothermia, constant stress, and wearing uncomfortable shoes.
You can diagnose osteochondrosis at home if you pay attention to the characteristic symptoms of the pathology:
| Stages | Signs |
|---|---|
| Preclinical | There are practically no complaints.Sometimes there is slight discomfort, the back muscles quickly get tired. |
| The onset of dystrophy in the core of the intervertebral disc | Pain appears, intensifying with intense and prolonged physical activity. |
| Destruction of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus | The discomfort becomes unbearable.It does not go away and spreads to other parts of the ridge.There is a violation of sensitivity, stiffness of movements. |
| Disk regeneration stage | Spinal pain radiates to the abdomen and ribs.Unpleasant sensations intensify during body movement and coughing.Neuralgia, numbness in the legs, decreased muscle tone, and dysfunction of the genitourinary system occur. |
Basic rules of treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is possible when the disease is at stage 1 or 2 of development.Properly selected complex therapy will help eliminate pain and prevent further progression of the pathological process.In advanced cases, an operation involving plastic surgery of the intervertebral disc is necessary.
In order for treatment at home to help relieve discomfort in the lower back and cervical spine, in addition to using folk remedies, it is important to follow a number of recommendations.Thus, any prescriptions for alternative medicine must be agreed upon with a doctor, even despite the minimal risk of side effects.It is equally important to adhere to your diet and daily routine..
For a complete recovery, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive treatment, including manual therapy, gymnastics, rubbing, applying compresses, and taking medications prescribed by a doctor.It is recommended to wear bandages or orthoses that support the spine, as well as the use of an orthopedic mattress and pillow.
Treatment at home
When resorting to traditional medicine methods for diseases of the spine, it is worth remembering that alternative therapy requires an integrated approach, and the recovery process will be long.But before you find out how to cure acute osteochondrosis at home, you need to visit a doctor and undergo all the tests he prescribed.After which the doctor will prescribe medications, without which traditional medicine for a herniated disc will be ineffective.
Medicines
How to treat osteochondrosis at home?The leading drugs used to relieve symptoms of the disease are described below.
| Name of drug group | Action and application features |
|---|---|
| Muscle relaxants | Prescribed together with diuretics, which allows you to restore muscle tone and remove tissue swelling. |
| Anti-inflammatory drugs | Nonsteroidal drugs have an analgesic effect.The dosage is distributed into 4 doses per day.The tablets are taken after meals with water. |
| Herbal sedatives (teas, tinctures), tranquilizers (antidepressants) | They prevent neuroticism, which reduces the intensity of painful sensations. |
| Multivitamin complexes | Restore the structure of nerve fibers.The drugs are taken orally for 21 days. |
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic procedures are considered one of the most effective and gentle ways to cure chondrosis at home.Natural treatments can target the inflamed area directly.After several sessions, the mobility of damaged vertebrae is restored, swelling and discomfort disappear, immunity is increased, and blood circulation is activated in the affected area.
There are many types of physiotherapeutic procedures performed in sanatoriums and clinics.At home, therapeutic baths, physical exercise, and massage are used.
Therapeutic baths
This procedure significantly improves well-being in osteochondrosis: relieves inflammation, pain, activates metabolism, dilates blood vessels, eliminates muscle spasms.For diseases of the spine, it is recommended to add chamomile, birch buds and leaves, mint, chestnuts, pine needles, thyme, thyme, horsetail, knotweed, string, and lemon balm to the bath.
Treatment of spinal chondrosis at home with natural herbal decoctions is carried out according to the following scheme:
- 300 g of dried plants are poured with five liters of boiling water.
- The broth is infused for 2 hours and added to the bath.
- The duration of the water procedure is up to 15 minutes.
- The course of therapy is 30 days.
Therapeutic exercise
Effective treatment of chondrosis at home is impossible without exercise therapy.Physical exercise improves blood flow and eliminates muscle tension.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis:
- The patient lies horizontally, his back pressed firmly to the floor.One palm is on the chest, and the other is on the stomach.After a slow inhalation, he raises his stomach and chest, and when exhaling, he slowly lowers them.Number of repetitions – 15 times.
- Sitting or standing position.The patient carefully turns his head to the right, back, left, forward.The number of turns in each direction is 10 times.
- The patient sits on a chair and alternately presses the palm of his hand on the back of the head, forehead, and temples.Number of repetitions – 10 times.
Also, if you have osteochondrosis at home, it is useful to make rotational movements with your shoulders, arch your back, bring your shoulder blades together, and twist your torso to the left and to the right.
Massage and self-massage
Manual therapy is an effective method that makes treatment of spinal osteochondrosis at home as effective as possible.Thanks to massage, intervertebral discs and muscles are strengthened, and blood flow improves.The classic procedure involves stroking, squeezing, stretching, kneading, vibration, and impact techniques.
Massage for osteochondrosis will be more useful if the session is performed using honey.Before the procedure, it is recommended to take a hot shower and dry off quickly.The heated areas of the body are smeared with honey, a palm is placed on them, and the palm is sharply torn off.The honey massage is done until the hand stops sticking to the skin.Afterwards you need to wrap yourself in a sheet and go to bed.You should take a shower in the morning.
For osteochondrosis, it is useful to perform self-massage at home.The essence of the procedure is massaging the neck and head with your fingers from top to bottom.Session duration is 5 minutes on each side of the spine.
Use of ointments
Creams that can be purchased at any pharmacy will help you defeat osteochondrosis at home.
Such means include:
- gel that has a complex effect;
- ointments that eliminate painful symptoms, containing snake or bee venom, plant extracts;
- massage creams;
- non-steroidal drugs that relieve inflammation.
How to treat back chondrosis at home with ointment made from natural ingredients?Traditional medicine suggests using creams made independently from Vaseline, hop cones, Adam's root, bay leaves, and juniper needles for deformation of intervertebral discs.The natural mixture is applied to the affected areas of the body twice a day - in the morning and before bed.
Compresses
Applying a multi-layer therapeutic bandage is another effective way to answer the question: how to get rid of osteochondrosis at home?The use of a compress is indicated during exacerbation of the disease to eliminate muscle spasms, stimulate blood circulation in the intervertebral discs and reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings.
The following types of applications will help cure osteochondrosis:
- Apples and horseradish root.The ingredients are crushed and formed into a cake, which is applied to the affected area.Cover the area with cellophane and wrap it with a warm cloth.
- Camphor.3 ml of Japanese laurel tincture is diluted in a glass of water.100 ml of ethanol, 20 drops of iodine, a pinch of red pepper are also added there, where gauze folded in 3 layers is moistened and applied to the diseased area.From above everything is wrapped in polyethylene and warm cloth.The compress is removed when a strong burning sensation appears.
- Aloe and honey.Agave leaves are minced in a meat grinder, mixed with honey (50 g), vodka (100 ml).The product is infused for 7 days.Moisten a piece of canvas fabric, place it on your back, covering it with polyethylene and a scarf.
Rubbing
Traditional medicine recommends treating osteochondrosis at home with rubbings purchased at a pharmacy or made independently.To prepare the products, burdock and cinquefoil, lilac flowers and elderberries are used.Any of the ingredients are infused in vodka or alcohol for a week.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home with rubbing?Alcohol tinctures are applied to the affected areas, after which the areas are rolled with a warm cloth.Treatment is continued until the unpleasant symptoms disappear completely.
Herbs
Medicinal plants used to prepare special mixtures will help you get rid of chondrosis at home.For intervertebral disc dystrophy, the following types of medicinal herbs are combined:
- sweet clover;
- knotweed;
- chamomile;
- plantain;
- calendula;
- valerian;
- mint;
- motherwort;
- St. John's wort;
- thyme;
- elecampane;
- verbena;
- violet;
- lavender;
- sage.
For back diseases, treatment of chondrosis at home involves preparing a medicinal collection from the above plants.Dry herbs (20 g) are placed in a thermos and poured with boiling water (0.5 liters).The infusion is taken 4 times a day, 100 ml at a time.
Prevention
In order not to develop osteochondrosis of the spine, the treatment of which at home is a long, labor-intensive process, the development of the disease should be prevented.For prevention, neurologists and chiropractors recommend giving up bad habits, strong tea, coffee, and foods rich in fats and cholesterol.
It is also important to monitor your posture and systematically engage in physical exercise that strengthens your muscle corset.Experts advise purchasing an orthopedic mattress, giving up uncomfortable high-heeled shoes and carrying heavy objects.
Thus, spinal osteochondrosis can be cured at home.Although therapy will be effective only if all medical recommendations are followed, including the use of a variety of therapeutic techniques.