Preventing osteochondrosis is easier than long-term treatment. Prevention includes adherence to postures, fitness exercises, exercise equipment, race walking, yoga, and swimming. It is necessary to sit at the desk and the computer correctly, and not to lean back or lean for a long time when lifting weights. When writing or reading, it is recommended not to bend too low on the table surface. It is recommended to use orthopedic pillows during sleep.
Osteochondrosis shows unpleasant symptoms. The patient complained of spinal pain, body pain, and numbness in his arms or legs for no reason. In some cases, you may even lose consciousness or often dizzy. If the disease is not treated, it will gradually lead to muscle tissue atrophy, nerve impulse destruction, and many internal organs dysfunction.
The cause of this disease is hidden in a passive lifestyle, the spine lacks sufficient load and muscles are developed. Concomitant factors include unhealthy diet, hormonal disorders, posture problems, insufficient fluid intake, genetic susceptibility, infections, obesity and bad habits.
If the patient does not use folk remedies as the sole treatment, and has consulted a doctor about the complex effects on pathology, osteochondrosis can be treated at home. The main way to solve this problem is:
- Medication.
- Massage and physical therapy.
- Gymnastics.
- Traditional medicine.
As the affected cartilage tissue regenerates slowly, it is impossible to cure osteochondrosis quickly. It takes at least three months to complete the complex measures, and the recovery period takes about one year. The treatment results obtained depend to a large extent on the patient, his diligence in complying with the prescription and the stage of disease development.
Do you know why your spine suffers? It is almost impossible to say with certainty that the development of the disease started due to malnutrition or blood stagnation. Therefore, for effective treatment, a complete procedure is required to restore blood flow to the damaged disc.
Next, we will briefly discuss the treatment of osteochondrosis at home. We have discussed some of them in more detail: in the method description below, see the article on the link.
- Eating. Generally, the cause of osteochondrosis is impaired blood flow due to accumulation of cholesterol and loss of blood vessel elasticity. Eliminating fatty foods and cholesterol-rich foods from the diet, such as eggs, broth, pork and chicken skin, will help correct this situation. Hard liquor can play an important role in vascular activity and even in non-alcoholic beverages (regular coffee and tea). Regular intake of nicotine can also cause vasospasm. The decision is clear: if you are being treated for osteochondrosis, you should completely abandon bad habits and live a healthy lifestyle.
- Restoring blood circulation in the pathological process area is the most important condition for treating osteochondrosis at home. There are many methods: from physical therapy exercises to rubbing and pressing, but you have to choose a few and take action.
- Orthopedic sleep products. The spine is the axis of the human body. It is under load all day long, moving when moving, and moving when sitting. However, like any other part of the body, he needs proper rest, and only during sleep can he provide rest through correct posture. High-quality orthopedic mattresses and pillows create ideal conditions for normal blood circulation during your sleep and rest.
Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects the spine or intervertebral discs. As it develops, the soft components of the intervertebral disc are destroyed and ossified, and the vertebrae begin to contact each other while squeezing nearby blood vessels and nerve fibers.
Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most common types of spinal diseases, which can occur in the elderly and people around the age of 20.
In the course of disease development, experts distinguish four stages:
- The first stage In this stage, the intervertebral disc is displaced, which destroys its stability. In this case, the person may feel muscle tension and slight soreness in the affected area. Usually, due to mild symptoms, this stage is hardly visible.
- The second stage. The destruction of the annulus fibrosus begins and the distance between the vertebrae decreases. Symptoms are local pain, which can be exacerbated by bending or turning the head. Also at this stage, fatigue may increase.
- The third stage. The annulus fibrosus is completely destroyed, forming a hernia. In this case, the spine deforms and the pain becomes more intense. To relieve discomfort, people are forced to restrict exercise. The obvious symptoms are frequent dizziness and fatigue.
- Phase IV. The characteristic of this stage is that the damaged area of the spine is completely fixed. The pain may disappear regularly, but then the pain must recur and increase several times.
The earlier cervical osteochondrosis starts, the more serious the possible complications. If the disease occurs at a young age, it may cause the following consequences:
- Herniated disc;
- Cervical root radiculopathy;
- Intervertebral herniation (protrusion) in the cervical region;
- Spine and neck pain, etc.
In addition, in the case of advanced osteochondrosis, vertebral artery problems, paresis and other accompanying diseases may develop.
The main symptom of osteochondrosis is back pain. There may also be numbness in the limbs. Exercise may exacerbate the pain. Patients may also complain of headaches, dizziness, and internal organ pain.
First signs
Cervical osteochondrosis at the onset of the disease may not appear at all. This disease makes one feel neglected and often has head and neck pain when moving. When cervical osteochondrosis invades the cerebral circulation, a person will experience the following symptoms:
- Often headache;
- Violates the sensitivity of facial muscles;
- Increased fatigue;
- Head noise;
- ringing in the ear;
- Hypertension;
- Loss of coordination;
- Often dizzy;
- Shaking gait.
If cervical osteochondrosis is in a chronic form, the pain is permanent, and any head movement is difficult due to the tension of the neck muscles. The patient started suffering from neck migraine, sometimes headache accompanied by vomiting, nausea and even loss of consciousness. If cervical osteochondrosis is not treated on time, the person may have pharyngeal symptoms: difficulty swallowing, dry throat, itching and itching. Over time, this disease can cause a herniated disc.
Because the height of the intervertebral disc of the cervical spine is not high, even a slight damage to it will lead to the development of the disease. The beginning of the problem can be indicated by:
- Hoarse voice, hoarse voice;
- The increase in dental problems (for example, you have to visit the dentist more frequently than usual due to partial tooth decay);
- Blurred vision;
- There is a burning sensation between the shoulder blades;
- Sore throat is the same as sore throat;
- Pain in the shoulder and occipital area over the entire arm length;
- The weakness of the forelimbs;
- Lack of coordination, showing uneven gait;
- Frequent dizziness, which may cause fainting;
- Decline in physical strength;
- Feel tired immediately after falling asleep;
- Repeated headaches on the left side of the chest, radiating to the arms;
- Restricts neck mobility, creaking when turning and tilting.
Experts distinguish several types of syndromes of cervical osteochondrosis, including:
- The spine. Development due to nerve compression. In this case, a person will experience severe pain, which spreads from the neck to the shoulders, then to the forearms, to the fingers (or a hand). Radical syndrome is also characterized by tingling or "spots" on the skin, pale skin and slight swelling.
- Vertebral artery syndrome. The main symptom is belt headache. In most cases, this pain is continuous, but in some cases it may be periodic. Pain will increase when activity increases or after staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time. As immunity declines at the same time, headaches may be accompanied by nausea and loss of consciousness. Similarly, in this case, hearing, vision and problems with vestibular equipment are also possible.
- Cervical migraine syndrome. In this case, due to changes in the position between the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, the blood circulation of the brain will be disturbed, accompanied by tinnitus or their congestion, tachycardia, head noise, etc.
- High blood pressure. It is characterized by increased intracranial pressure. Patients worry about severe headache attacks, often accompanied by nausea.
Generally, as the disease worsens, the patient's body temperature may increase.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home: folk remedies
Osteopathy can only be treated at home after the doctor has prescribed a course of medication. They are designed to reduce back pain, eliminate inflammatory processes and restore cartilage tissue mobility. After inspection and diagnosis, the experts prescribed the following types of drugs:
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Painkiller.
- Vasodilators.
- Muscle relaxants.
- Sedatives.
- Multivitamins.
Must be taken in strict accordance with the regulations. Drugs can improve the health of patients and 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 it must only be treated comprehensively. Pills alone will not solve the problem.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home is becoming more and more worrying. It is important to understand that osteochondrosis is a rare disease and will disappear after taking this medicine. Osteochondrosis is first of all changes in the vertebrae and cartilage. In order to be cured, you need to take some measures. The tablets listed above must be drunk, but you cannot give up.
Next, we will consider the possibility of treating osteochondrosis at home. But before using this recipe, you need to consult a doctor first to avoid harming yourself.
The first thing to do is to ease the pain. This can be done with drugs. But it is important to understand that regular use of painkillers can cause problems in the bowel, liver, and pancreas. Therefore, experienced doctors will definitely recommend folk remedies that can be used safely at home.
- Honey and grated potatoes. Take a few potatoes, rub them with a fine grater, and mix them with honey in equal proportions. Mix well, put the porridge on cheesecloth, and apply it as a compress to the sore. From above, you need to wrap something warm and leave it in this position for an hour. This therapy can quickly relieve the pain, but unfortunately, this treatment will not last long.
- Horseradish leaves. Take a piece of horseradish and steam it with boiling water. Turn the leaf inward so that the inside is facing up, and then paste it to the affected area. Pack it up and go to bed. In the morning, you will feel that the pain has eased.
- Kettle. Take a plastic bottle, pour hot water, place it on the sofa or bed, and lie on your back. Try to roll it under you for half an hour.
- Parsley. For one month, you need to eat one coriander root every day.
- Pine buds. Pine buds are collected every spring, but only two cm long buds are collected. Wash, dry, and then grind with a meat grinder. Add sugar in a ratio of 1: 2, the number 2 is the kidney.
- Mix well, take it out and soak in the refrigerator for two weeks. As you can understand, the mixture has changed color and is ready, it will turn brown. The course of treatment will be three weeks. Take one teaspoon a day.
- Bath. You can relieve the pain of chest osteochondrosis in the steam bath. The course of treatment is ten days. Do it three times for five minutes. But take a shower the next day.
Massage and rehabilitation bath
- Lightly and gently stroke the problem area to start the process. It is best not to bring other equipment, because the impact of the palm and fingers is sufficient.
- After rubbing, their effect on the area is enhanced. You can grab a piece of skin with your fingers and gently squeeze it.
- The kneading of muscles and soft tissues should be done in the paravertebral area, which is unlikely to affect the spine itself. Movement can be tapped, rounded, and pressed.
- To end the meeting, it is worth tapping, vibrating, and touching.
Even without special knowledge and skills, this self-massage of the back can be performed every day. Generally speaking, the effects on the muscles of the chest, buttocks, shoulders, and lower back have a beneficial effect on the treatment of osteochondrosis.
In addition to massage, therapeutic baths can also help with this disease. They are contraindicated in the exacerbation period, but they are essential in the remission period. Correct and regular exercise can increase blood flow, relax muscles, and improve mood and happiness. In this process, only warm water is used (it will only harm hot water), and herbal soup is added to it. Thyme, string, thyme, lemon balm, and chamomile have proven to be very good. Take a medicine 20 minutes before going to bed.
Simple exercises are useful for spine suffering from cartilage dysfunction. The doctor will individually select them for each patient based on general condition, physical health, and age. They are performed daily and are an integral part of treatment. The simplest activity is similar to school exercise, but its importance to the body should not be underestimated during treatment. Their purpose is to heat the muscles, improve blood circulation, stretch and relax blocked muscles.
During the implementation process, the following suggestions should be followed:
- Don't exercise fast, putting a lot of pressure on bone tissue and muscles.
- Everything is done smoothly and thoughtfully under the control of the human body.
- If the patient feels pain and cannot stand up, stop the class altogether.
- Strength complexes always alternate with breathing exercises to allow the tissues to receive enough oxygen.
- Classes can only be held in well-ventilated rooms or outdoors.
It should be remembered that the attending physician will prescribe exercise. If diseases such as osteoporosis occur, certain effects on the spine are dangerous. They can cause serious complications. Exercise therapy is an excellent tool to fight back diseases and is often used to prevent many problems that increase risk. These complexes include exercises from yoga or oriental techniques. You need to do it regularly, at least 3 times a week.
- The body's metabolism is normalized.
- The condition of tissues and organs is improving.
- Immunity increases and becomes more resilient.
- The pain is relieved.
- Good anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effect.
Experts often prescribe combined physical therapy. For example, if the pain is severe, electrophoresis and antikinetic therapy must be used, and novocaine must be used.
In order to simultaneously act on biologically active points, acupuncture-reflection laser puncture method is used. The tissue is affected by laser radiation and needles. Use mud therapy together with electrotherapy.
Massage
- During periods of no pain, exercise will not cause pain at this time.
- When it deteriorates.
Before the specialist starts this procedure, the patient is ready. For this, you need to stroke your back for about 3-5 minutes, first in the shoulder blade area, and then close to the neck and shoulder straps. After this, stroking should be changed to kneading and shaking. At this stage, the preparation work will be completed and you can proceed directly to the massage procedure.
Massage for osteochondrosis can cause severe pain. However, this situation can be avoided if the body is well prepared and relaxed.
If you feel unwell after the first surgery, there is no need to worry, the pain will be less about the third day and the surgery itself will become more pleasant.
The patient must be placed horizontally on a flat surface. If only the neck is massaged, the patient should be seated.
There is another way to treat osteochondrosis with folk remedies-medicinal herbal bath. The bath can be used not only for cleaning purposes, but also for treatment, choosing the right herbs and their dosage. Like any other alternative treatment for osteochondrosis, bathing should only be done after consulting a doctor. In some forms of osteochondrosis, it may be contraindicated.
To treat osteochondrosis of the spine with the help of a bath, you need to know some correct preparation methods:
- Birch leaf bath. For cooking, you need to brew birch leaves. The bathing process takes about half an hour. The water should be a bit hot.
- Chestnut bath. When cooking, crush the chestnuts and boil for 15 minutes. Then pour into the bathtub and soak for about 20 minutes.
- Pine needle bath. It is necessary to collect some needles from the trees in the forest and boil them for about 20 minutes. Then pour the broth into the bath for about 25 minutes.
- Camomile bath. It is necessary to pour boiling water on the chamomile and let the broth brew for half an hour. Then you can filter the medicine and take a bath.
- Jerusalem artichoke bath. You must fill a 10-liter bucket, then pour the stems and leaves of Jerusalem artichoke into boiling water and wait for 20 minutes. Pour the liquid into the bath. The bathing procedure takes 15 minutes.
In order to treat spinal osteochondrosis more effectively, the treatment time should be about one week. Bathing has a relaxing and calming effect, can relieve cramps and relieve pain. This home care is not only beneficial but also enjoyable.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home
There are many reasons for the onset and development of this disease. The most common:
- Genetic susceptibility;
- Postural disorders;
- age;
- Past spinal cord injury;
- Heavy objects, including hard physical labor and exercise;
- Previous infectious diseases;
- Wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes or high heels;
- Unhealthy eating, including excessive addiction to junk food.
In addition, excessive weight, frequent stress, a sedentary lifestyle and even severe hypothermia may cause osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis may be caused by hypothermia, sharp leaning or turning, and excessive physical exertion.
Experts are convinced that the main cause of osteochondrosis is the incorrect distribution of spine load. As a result, where the body is stressed, the cartilage tissue is completely or partially changed.
- Curved spine.
- The patient feels discomfort while sitting or walking.
- Back muscle weakness.
- A person sits still for a long time and rarely moves.
- The content of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in the human body is extremely low.
- Genetic factors.
- Past infectious diseases.
- Severe nervousness and depression.
- Hormones are disturbed.
- Spine injury, which may occur during a fall or impact.
- The location of the suitcase changes frequently and suddenly.
Lifting at right angles to the trunk can cause prolapse of the intervertebral disc. This is the reason why the spine is protected by taking a large load only when squatting.
The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis includes a series of methods and methods aimed at reducing pain and fighting the inflammatory process in the tissue. An effective way is to exercise every day to improve the flexibility of the spine. Usually, after using MRI or computed tomography to diagnose and assess the stage of the disease, the doctor will choose a separate exercise program. Let us see how to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
The first signs of cervical osteochondrosis have prescribed medication. If conventional anesthetics can be used to eliminate the initial pain, it will no longer be helpful in the future. A new generation of cartilage protective agents-drugs that stimulate the recovery of spinal cartilage tissue can treat cervical osteochondrosis.
However, if you need to relieve the acute pain of cervical osteochondrosis, your doctor can create a novocaine blocker or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. These are ointments, capsules, tablets and injections that can quickly improve the overall condition of the patient. However, if there are no contraindications even if the chondroprotective agent is used for a long time, then the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are very serious, so the method of use must be agreed with the attending doctor.
The special gel or ointment starts to work after 10 minutes of use and will help to quickly anesthetize the cervical spine in the case of osteochondrosis. There are several types:
- Regeneration can restore the damaged cartilage tissue between the vertebrae.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, based on non-steroidal substances, can eliminate pain.
- Painkillers can affect nerve endings and quickly relieve pain.
- Massage ointment.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is the oldest but most effective way to treat osteochondrosis. Experts have developed many techniques that have beneficial effects on the vertebrae, tissues and joints of the affected area. Only the chiropractor should be a good expert in this field, lest the patient is in a wheelchair. The main method of manual treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is:
- Segmented massage to relieve muscle tension;
- Manipulation, aimed at restoring the working ability of the joint and accompanying its bite;
- Mobilize and restore damaged joints by stretching them.