How to treat osteochondrosis at home

It is easier to prevent osteochondrosis than to treat it for a long time. Prevention includes adherence to posture, fitness exercises, exercise equipment, walking, yoga, swimming. It is necessary to sit correctly at the table and at the computer, it is not possible to throw your head back for a long time or tilt when lifting weights. When writing or reading, it is not recommended to lean low on the surface of the table, and it is advisable to use an orthopedic pillow while sleeping.

Osteochondrosis is manifested by unpleasant symptoms. Patients complain of pain in the spine, muscle aches, and numbness in the arms or legs for no reason. In some cases, loss of consciousness or frequent dizziness is also possible. If the disease is not treated, it gradually leads to atrophy of muscle tissue, disruption of nerve impulses, dysfunction of a number of internal organs.

The causes of the onset of the disease are hidden in a passive lifestyle, lack of sufficient load on the spine and a developed muscle structure. Concomitant factors are also an unhealthy diet, hormonal disorders, posture problems, insufficient fluid intake, hereditary predisposition, infections, obesity and bad habits.

Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is possible if the patient does not use folk remedies as the only therapy and consulted a doctor regarding the complex effect on pathology. The main ways to eliminate the problem are:

• Pharmacological therapy.
• Massage and physiotherapy.
• Gymnastics.
• Traditional medicine.

It is impossible to cure osteochondrosis quickly, as the affected cartilage tissue regenerates slowly. It will take at least three months to complete complex measures and it will take about a year for the rehabilitation period. The result obtained from treatment largely depends on the patient himself, on his diligence in observing the prescriptions and on the stage of development of the disease.

Do you know why your spine is suffering? It is almost impossible to say for sure that the development of the disease began as a result of malnutrition or stagnation of blood, therefore, for effective therapy, a whole program is required to restore blood flow to damaged discs.

Next, we will briefly talk about the methods of treating osteochondrosis at home. We have already talked about some of them in more detail: below, in the descriptions of the methods, see the articles at the links.

• Diet. Often the cause of osteochondrosis is reduced blood flow due to the accumulation of cholesterol and the loss of vascular elasticity. Eliminating fatty foods from the diet, as well as cholesterol-rich foods, such as chicken eggs, broths, pork and chicken skins, will help correct the situation. Strong drinks can play an important role in the activity of blood vessels and even those that do not contain alcohol: regular coffee and tea. Regular intake of nicotine in the body also leads to vasospasm. The decision is unequivocal: if you are being treated for osteochondrosis, you should completely abandon bad habits and lead a healthy lifestyle.
• Restoration of blood circulation in the area of ​​the pathological process is the most important condition for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home. There are many ways - from physiotherapy exercises to rubbing and wraps, but you need to choose several and take action.
• Orthopedic supplies for sleeping. The spine is the axis of the human body, which undergoes loads during the day, dynamic when moving and static when sitting. But, like any other part of the body, it needs adequate rest, which can only be provided by even a correct position during sleep. A quality orthopedic mattress and pillow create ideal conditions for normal blood circulation during sleep and rest.

Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects the spine, or rather, the intervertebral discs. As it develops, the soft elements of the discs are damaged and ossified, and the vertebrae begin to touch each other, while squeezing the blood vessels and nerve fibers located nearby.

Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most common types of spinal injuries that can occur in both the elderly and those around the age of 20.

In the process of developing the disease, experts distinguish 4 stages:

• Stage I. In this stage, the intervertebral discs are displaced and their stability is disturbed. In this case, a person may feel muscle tension in the affected area and a slight pain. Due to mild symptoms, as a rule, this stage passes almost imperceptibly.
• Phase II. The destruction of the fibrous ring begins, the distance between the vertebrae decreases. Symptoms are pain localized to certain points and aggravated by bending or rotating the head. An increase in fatigue may also appear at this stage.
• Phase III. The fibrous ring is completely destroyed, a hernia is formed. In this case, the spine is deformed, the pain becomes much stronger. To reduce discomfort, a person is forced to limit movement. The obvious signs are frequent dizziness, tiredness.
• Phase IV. This stage is characterized by complete immobility of the damaged area of ​​the spine. Periodically, the pain may fade, but subsequently it will necessarily return, increasing several times.

The earlier cervical osteochondrosis begins, the stronger the possible complications can be. If a disease occurs at a young age, the following consequences are possible:

• herniated intervertebral disc;
• radiculopathy of the cervical roots;
• intervertebral protrusion in the cervical region (protrusion);
• vertebral neck pain, etc.

Also, in case of advanced osteochondrosis, problems with the vertebral arteries, development of paresis and other concomitant diseases are possible.

The main symptom of osteochondrosis is back pain. There may also be a feeling of numbness in the limbs. Pain can get worse with movement. Patients may also complain of headaches, dizziness, pain in the internal organs.

First signs

Cervical osteochondrosis at the onset of the disease may not appear at all. The disease makes itself felt already in a neglected form with frequent pains in the head and neck when moving. When a violation of cerebral circulation occurs with cervical osteochondrosis, a person has the following symptoms:

• regular headaches;
• violation of the sensitivity of the facial muscles;
• increased fatigue;
• noise in the head;
• ringing in the ears;
• arterial hypertension;
• loss of coordination;
• frequent dizziness;
• wobbly gait.

If osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae takes a chronic form, the pain is permanent and any movement of the head is difficult due to the tension of the neck muscles. The patient begins to suffer from cervical migraines and the headache is sometimes accompanied by vomiting, nausea and even loss of consciousness. If cervical osteochondrosis is not treated in time, the person may be accompanied by pharyngeal symptoms: difficulty swallowing, a feeling of dry throat, itching and tickling. Over time, this disease can lead to a herniated disc.

Due to the fact that the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine are not very high, even slight damage to them causes the development of the disease. The start of problems can be indicated by:

• hoarseness, hoarseness;
• increased dental problems (you have to visit the dentist more often than usual, for example, due to partial caries);
• blurred vision;
• burning sensation between the shoulder blades;
• sore throat as in sore throat;
• pain in the shoulder, occipital region, along the entire length of the arms;
• weakness of the forelimbs;
• lack of coordination, expressed in an irregular gait;
• frequent dizziness, which can cause fainting;
• decreased resistance;
• feeling tired immediately after sleep;
• recurrent headaches in the left chest, radiating to the arm;
• limitation of neck mobility, creaking when turning and tilts.

Experts distinguish between several types of syndromes characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis, including:

1. Spine. It develops as a result of a pinched nerve. In this case, a person feels a sharp pain that spreads from the neck to the shoulders, then to the forearms and so on up to the fingers (or hand). Also, radicular syndrome is characterized by tingling or "spots" on the skin, pale skin, and slight swelling.
2. Vertebral artery syndrome. The main symptom is a headache in the girdle. Most often, this pain is constant, but in some cases it can also be periodic. An increase in pain occurs after increased activity or after a long period in an uncomfortable position. With a simultaneous decrease in immunity, headache can be accompanied by nausea and loss of consciousness. Also in this case, hearing, sight and vestibular problems are possible.
3. Cervical migraine syndrome. In this case, due to changes in the position of the vertebrae and discs between them, the blood circulation of the brain is disturbed, which is accompanied by ringing in the ears or their congestion, tachycardia, noise in the head, etc.
4. Hypertensive. It is characterized by an increase in intracranial pressure. The patient is concerned about severe headache attacks, often accompanied by a feeling of nausea.

Often, with an exacerbation of the disease, the patient's body temperature may rise.

How to treat osteochondrosis at home: folk remedies

Chondrosis can only be treated at home 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 tissues. After examination and diagnostics, the specialist prescribes the following groups of drugs:

• Anti-inflammatory.
• Painkillers.
• Vasodilators.
• Muscle relaxants.
• Sedatives.
• Multivitamins.

They must be taken in strict accordance with the regulations. Drugs improve the patient's well-being, restore metabolism. Therefore, after a few weeks, the patient feels much better, but it should not be forgotten that osteochondrosis is a systemic disease and only needs to be treated comprehensively. The pills alone cannot solve the problem.

The question of how to treat osteochondrosis at home is a growing concern. It is important to understand that osteochondrosis is an unusual disease that will go away after taking the pill. Osteochondrosis is, first of all, changes in the vertebrae and cartilage. To be cured, you need to take a number of actions. The tablets listed above must be drunk without fail, but cannot be discarded.

Below we will consider the possibilities of treating osteochondrosis at home. But before using this or that recipe, you need to consult with your doctor so as not to harm yourself.

The first thing to do is to relieve the pain. This can be done with medication. But it is important to understand that regular use of pain relievers will lead to problems with the intestines, liver and pancreas. That is why an experienced doctor will certainly recommend those folk remedies that can be safely used at home.

1. Honey and grated potatoes. Take a few potatoes and rub them on a fine grater, then add equal parts to the honey. Mix well and put the gruel on gauze, then apply it as a compress on the sore spot. From above, you need to wrap something warm and leave in this position for an hour. This remedy quickly relieves pain, but, unfortunately, not for long.
2. Horseradish leaf. Take a sheet of horseradish and steam it with boiling water. Turn the leaf inside out towards you and attach it to the diseased area. Wrap it up tight and go to bed. In the morning you will feel that the pain has subsided.
3. Hot bottle. Take a plastic bottle and pour hot water over it, place it on the sofa or bed and lie on your back. Try rolling it under you for half an hour.
4. Parsley. For a month, you need to eat a parsley root every day.
5. Pine buds. Collect pine buds every spring, but only those two centimeters long. Wash them well, dry them and chop them in the mincer. Add sugar in a 1: 2 ratio, number 2 is the kidneys.
6. Mix everything well and leave to infuse for two weeks in the refrigerator. You can understand that the mixture is ready by its changed color, it will turn brown. The course of treatment will be three weeks. Eat a teaspoon every day.
7. Bath. You can relieve pain in thoracic osteochondrosis in a steam room. The course of treatment is ten days. Do three runs, lasting five minutes. But visit the bathroom every other day.

Massages and healing baths

• Start the process with a light and gentle caress 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 increase the effect on the area. You can grab a fold of the skin with your fingers and squeeze it lightly.
• Kneading of muscles and soft tissues should occur in the paravertebral region, it is impossible to influence the ridge itself. The movement can be touching, circular, pressing.
• To end the session, it is worth touching, vibrating, stroking.

Such self-massage of the back can be performed every day even without special knowledge and skills. The impact on the muscles of the chest, hips, shoulders, lower back, has a beneficial effect on the treatment of osteochondrosis in general.

In addition to massage, therapeutic baths help to cope with the disease. They are contraindicated during the period of exacerbation, but become indispensable in the phase of remission. Proper and regular exercise allows you to increase blood flow, relax muscles, improve mood and well-being. In the process, only hot water can be used (hot water will only harm), to which decoctions of medicinal herbs are added. Thyme, twine, thyme, lemon balm, chamomile have proven themselves well. Take a medicinal bath 20 minutes before bedtime.

Simple exercises are helpful for the spine with cartilage dysfunction. The doctor selects them individually for each patient, taking into account the general condition, physical fitness, age. They are performed daily and are an integral part of therapy. The simpler activities resemble school exercises, but their importance to the body during the treatment period should not be underestimated. They aim to warm up the muscles, improve blood circulation, stretch and relax muscles where there are blockages.

While running, you should follow these recommendations:

• Don't exercise quickly, as this will stress your bones and muscles.
• Everything is done in a fluid, thoughtful way, with control of the sensations in the body.
• Classes are stopped completely if the patient feels pain, cannot straighten up.
• Strength complexes always alternate with breathing exercises so that the tissues receive a sufficient amount of oxygen.
• Classes should only be held in a well-ventilated room or outdoors.

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. Physical therapy is a great tool for fighting back pathologies and is often used to prevent a variety of problems with increased risks. Complexes include yoga exercises or oriental techniques. You need to do this regularly, at least 3 times a week.

Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis is used in addition to the main treatment, the patient's condition improves significantly. Physiotherapy procedures act directly on the painful focus, so no side effects will occur.

1. The body's metabolism is normalizing.
2. The condition of tissues and organs is improving.
3. Immunity increases and becomes more resistant.
4. The pain is relieved.
5. Good anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effect.

Specialists often prescribe combined physiotherapy. For example, if the pain is severe, electrophoresis and diadynamic therapy are used, with the mandatory use of novocaine.

In order to simultaneously influence the biologically active points, acupuncture-reflexolaser-puncture is used. The fabric is affected by laser radiation and needles. Together with electrotherapy, mud therapy is used.

Massage

1. During the time when there is no pain, at that moment, the movements will not cause pain.
2. At the time of exacerbation.

Before the specialist begins this procedure, the patient is prepared. To do this, it is necessary to stroke the back for about 3-5 minutes, first stroking in the area of ​​the shoulder blades, then closer to the neck and shoulder girdle. After this, stroking should be replaced with kneading and shaking. At this stage, the preparation will be completed, you can proceed directly to the massage procedure.

Massage for osteochondrosis can cause severe pain. But if the body is properly prepared and relaxed, this can be avoided.

If you feel discomfort after the first few procedures, don't worry, by the third day the pain will subside and the procedure itself will become much more pleasant.

The patient must be placed on a flat surface in a horizontal position. If the massage is performed only in the neck area, the patient should be seated.

There is another way to treat osteochondrosis with folk remedies - medicinal herbal baths. Baths can be used not only for cleaning purposes, but also for healing purposes, choosing the right medicinal herbs and their quantity. Baths, like any other alternative method of treating osteochondrosis, should be taken only after consulting a doctor. In some forms of osteochondrosis, they can be contraindicated.

To treat osteochondrosis of the spine with baths, you need to know some recipes for their correct preparation:

• Bath with birch leaves. For cooking, you need to prepare birch leaves. The bathing procedure should take about half an hour. The water should be slightly warm.
• Chestnut bath. To cook, mash the chestnut and boil it for 15 minutes. Then pour into a bath and hold it for about 20 minutes.
• Bath with pine needles. It is necessary to collect a few needles from the trees in the forest, boil them for about 20 minutes. Then pour the broth into the bath and leave it for about 25 minutes.
• Chamomile bath. It is necessary to pour boiling water over the chamomile and let the broth brew for half an hour. Then you can filter the drug and take a bath.
• Jerusalem artichoke bath. It is necessary to fill a bucket with a capacity of 10 liters of Jerusalem artichoke stems and leaves, pour boiling water over it, wait 20 minutes. Pour the liquid into a bath. The bath procedure takes 15 minutes.

For more effective treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, the treatment duration should be approximately one week. Baths have a relaxing and calming effect, relieve spasms and relieve pain. This home treatment is not only beneficial but also pleasant.

How to cure cervical osteochondrosis at home

There are several reasons for the onset and development of the disease. Among the most common:

1. hereditary predisposition;
2. posture disorders;
3. age;
4. previous spinal injuries;
5. heavy loads, including hard physical work and sports;
6. previous infectious diseases;
7. wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes or high heels;
8. unhealthy diet, including excessive addiction to junk food.

In addition, excess weight, frequent stress, a sedentary lifestyle and even severe hypothermia can contribute to the onset of osteochondrosis.

The cause of osteochondrosis can be hypothermia, a sharp inclination or turn, severe physical exertion.

Experts are sure that the main cause of osteochondrosis is the incorrect distribution of the load on the spine. As a result, in the place where there is excessive physical pressure, there is a complete or partial change in the cartilage tissue.

1. The spine is curved.
2. The patient bends over when he is sitting or walking.
3. The back muscles are weak.
4. A person leads a sedentary lifestyle, moves little.
5. There is a severe deficiency of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in the body.
6. Hereditary factors.
7. Infectious diseases of the past.
8. Severe nervous tension, depression.
9. Hormones are disturbed.
10. Injuries to the spine, can occur during a fall, an impact.
11. The position of the trunk changes frequently and abruptly.

Lifting at right angles to the torso can cause prolapse of the intervertebral disc. That is why a large load must only be taken while squatting, so the spine will be protected.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes a whole range of means and methods aimed at eliminating pain and fighting the inflammatory process in the tissues. An effective method is the daily exercise for the flexibility of the spine. As a rule, an individual exercise program is selected by a doctor after diagnostics using MRI or computed tomography and assessment of the stage of the disease. Let's see how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated.

Drug therapy is prescribed already at the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis. If the first pain can be eliminated with a regular anesthetic pill, then it will no longer help. Medical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out with new generation chondroprotectors, drugs that stimulate the restoration of cartilage tissue in the spine.

But if you need to relieve acute pain in cervical osteochondrosis, doctors prescribe a novocaine blockade or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are ointments, capsules, tablets and injections that quickly improve the general condition of the patient. But if chondroprotectors have no contraindications even with prolonged use, then NSAIDs have serious ones, so their use must be agreed with the attending physician.

To quickly anesthetize the cervical spine with osteochondrosis, special gels or ointments will help, which begin to act 10 minutes after application. There are several types:

1. Regenerating, which allows to restore the damaged cartilage tissue between the vertebrae.
2. Anti-inflammatory, based on non-steroidal substances, which eliminates pain.
3. Pain relievers that act on nerve endings, quickly relieving pain.
4. Massage ointments.

Manual therapy

The oldest, but no less effective method than modern methods of treating osteochondrosis is manual therapy. Specialists have developed many techniques that have a beneficial effect on the vertebrae, tissues and joints of the affected area. Only the chiropractor should be a good specialist in his field, so as not to carry the patient in a wheelchair. The main methods of manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are:

• segmental massage that relieves muscle tension;
• manipulations aimed at restoring the working capacity of the joints, accompanied by their creaking;
• mobilization, restoring damaged joints by stretching them.