How to treat osteochondrosis at home

Walking upright frees a person's hands to perform work operations - this is undoubtedly a plus. At the same time, the load on the spine has increased, which leads to the development of serious diseases, and this is a colossal minus. Osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the spine. It affects 60% of the world's population aged 35 and over. Surgical intervention is one of the methods of treatment, but an alternative is possible in the early stages of the development of the disease. You can treat osteochondrosis at home. The spectrum of effective therapeutic measures is broad and affordable.

What is osteochondrosis?

Dysfunction and destruction of intervertebral discs and vertebral tissues is a disease of the musculoskeletal system called osteochondrosis. Osteocytes are bone cells and chondrocytes are cartilage cells. Based on these names, the origin of the term "osteochondrosis" is clear. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine have a negative effect on the general condition of the body.

As the disease progresses, the muscles atrophy, the nerve impulse conduction is disturbed, physiological systems and individual internal organs fail. The appearance of pain in the back and neck is the first sign of the disease. Depending on the position of the lesion focus, osteochondrosis is:

• Main symptoms: pain in shoulders, arms, neck; Dizziness, tinnitus, spots in front of the eyes.
• Characterized by dull pain or lumbago in the chest area.
• There is pain in the hip joints, lower back and sacrum. The functionality of the lower extremities is limited.
• It develops in several parts of the spine at the same time. It is accompanied by severe pain.

Effective home treatment for osteochondrosis is possible with a timely diagnosis of the disease. It goes through 4 degrees (or steps):

1. The pathological process begins with the dehydration of the central part of the intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus). As a result, the structure deteriorates, cracks appear in the outer part of the disc (annulus fibrosus). This stage is almost invisible to the patient. Slight complaints are expressed in an uncomfortable position or during vigorous physical activity.
2. The distance between adjacent vertebrae decreases due to the sinking of the intervertebral disc. Ligaments and muscles sag. The vertebrae get additional mobility. Because of this, they are evicted. This condition is known as spondylolisthesis. With a heavy load, the patient feels uncomfortable, sometimes pain in the localization of the pathology.
3. The formation of prolapse (hernias), protrusions (uneven protrusions) of the intervertebral discs, subluxations and osteoarthritis of the intervertebral joints are the main pathological changes in the third stage of the disease. The patient's movements are restricted, numbness and tingling in the limbs occur. Pain is present, its localization depends on the location of the focus of the disease.
4. To avoid excessive mobility of the vertebrae, the body forms neoplasms of the bone tissue (osteophytes) in the spine. Their formation takes place chaotically, depending on the location, they can injure the nerve endings of the spinal cord, neighboring vertebrae. Processes of pronounced structural changes (fibrous ankylosis) begin in the intervertebral joints. The vortex motor segment looks like "walled in". Signs of osteochondrosis are practically not felt at this stage.

How to treat cervical osteochondrosis at homeHow can you provide first aid at home?

Home treatment for cervical osteochondrosis includes:

1. medicinal products;
2. physiotherapy;
3. massage;
4. medical gymnastics;
5. diet correction.

In combination, the therapeutic methods enable good results in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. Symptoms can be very uncomfortable, so you need to know how to provide first aid.

Medicines

Various drugs are used to manage the symptoms of the disease. They should be prescribed by a doctor specializing in the treatment of osteochondrosis - a neuropathologist or a vertebrologist.

Medicines

1. If you are in severe pain, you can take a pain reliever such as metamizole sodium. If they don't work, NSAIDs can be taken.
2. Sometimes "distractions" are used, e. g. B. a pepper plaster. In itself, it does not heal, but rather heats the inflamed area and relieves pain.
3. Herbal infusions and diuretics are useful for edema in the area of ​​inflammation.

The following groups of drugs are prescribed to treat SHS:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nimesulide, ketoprofen, meloxicam, diclofenac, and others). They relieve pain, swelling and inflammation of the affected nerve root.
• Vitamins of group B. They help to improve metabolic processes in nervous tissue.
• chondroprotectors. Promotes the restoration of cartilage tissue.
• muscle relaxants (tizanidine, tolperisone hydrochloride). Helps with muscle cramps.
• Medicines to improve the rheological properties of blood flow and blood. They help improve the process of blood supply to the brain and nutrition of the affected nerve endings.

Intramuscular injections may also be indicated.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine at home. Overview of home treatments

Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine, if neglected, leads to a disability. Signs of pathology:

• Pain in the affected area (neck, chest) with light exertion, sudden movements;
• headache;
• dizziness;
• Shortness of breath and shortness of breath;
• tiredness.

If alarming symptoms occur, you need to see a doctor for further diagnosis. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will determine the stage and prescribe treatment.

Treatment of thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis includes a conservative technique and surgery. At home, you can deal with treatment in the first and second stages of development. With the deterioration of the condition, an even greater displacement of the vertebrae, their merging, the defect is eliminated during the operation.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest and cervix at home is carried out with the help of pharmaceutical preparations, a complex of light physical exercises, a folk recipe for rubbing and compresses. Doctors recommend visiting the pool, massage therapists, physical therapy rooms. Measures are aimed at alleviating the symptoms:

• muscle relaxation;
• stimulation of cartilage layers for regeneration;
• Return of the displaced vertebrae to their original position;
• Release of trapped nerve fibers.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine at home is effective if all the recommendations of the doctor are followed.

Pharmacy preparations

Cervical and thoracic osteochondrosis can be treated at home with the help of drugs - commonly available drugs that are easy to buy in pharmacies. Do not perform treatment without a doctor's prescription, as the wrong remedy will delay the healing process. It is impossible to predict the body's response to drugs. They block pain in the affected area, relieve muscle tone, increase blood circulation, improve metabolic processes and improve well-being.

Drugs slow down the progression.

At home, drugs are prescribed for the treatment of thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis in the chest and neck area:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help relieve inflammation and edema at home. After the course is completed, a drop in pressure on the spinal artery and blood vessels in the spine is observed.
2. Pain relieving tablets quickly eliminate the feeling of pain and nervous tension.
3. Relaxants - drugs that relax muscle tissue and relieve pain.
4. Preparations based on chondroprotectors for osteochondrosis in the thoracic and cervical spine normalize metabolic processes in the cartilage and bone tissue of the spine. As a result, it is possible to stimulate the regenerative properties of tissues, enlarge the gap between the vertebrae and allow the deformed parts to take the desired position. Under the influence of chondroprotectors, pain occurs less often.
5. vasodilator drugs that improve blood flow to the injury site. As a result of increased nutrition, the manifestation of symptoms decreases, the process of correction is accelerated.
6. Vitamins are useful helpers in treating osteochondrosis at home. The reception of groups B, C, E provides the body with the substances necessary for combat. They stimulate the healing of cartilage tissue, strengthen the spine and improve the permeability of nerve fibers.

How to treat osteochondrosis and myositis at home. The main purposes of home treatment

A doctor decides to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home if the patient does not have severe disorders, the symptoms are moderate, and there is no evidence of hospitalization. The chosen therapeutic tactic is aimed at eliminating unpleasant manifestations of the pathological process and solving the following tasks:

• Normalization of the blood flow in the affected area.
• Elimination of brain hypoxia.
• normalization of sleep.
• Preventing the rapid development of the disease.
• Improved blood circulation.
• Start of regeneration processes to restore the cartilage tissue.
• Saturation of the body with vitamins and minerals.
• Eliminate anxiety, panic attacks and irritability.
• Improve the condition of the cervical ridge.

It is completely impossible to cure chondrosis, but the right approach can significantly slow the process down, restore normal health and maintain a high quality of life for many years. To do this, an integrated approach is used that implies changing diet, increasing physical activity, taking medication, and visiting a massage therapist.

Cervical osteochondrosis can be cured at home only with strict observance of all the recommendations of the doctor, constant monitoring of diet and use of medication, as well as performing prescribed therapeutic exercises.

It is worth starting the treatment of chondrosis of the cervix with the elimination of pain. For this, the specialist selects the appropriate pain relievers. The pharmaceutical industry offers a large number of products that differ in their mode of action, form and price. Novocaine blockade is possible in acute excruciating pain. After the main symptoms have subsided, alternative techniques can be used. It can be:

• Massage method - eliminate cramps, pain and tension.
• Exercise therapy - strengthening muscle tissue, restoring normal spinal support and restoring flexibility.
• mud baths - warm up the affected area and relieve pain syndrome for a long time.
• Manual therapy - restores metabolic processes and improves blood circulation, eliminates the lack of oxygen in the brain.
• Reflex therapy - reduces pain in the area and starts regeneration processes in the cartilage tissue.
• Acupuncture - activates the metabolism, improves the condition of the cartilage tissue and reduces the manifestation of painful sensations in the affected area.

The most accessible methods of treatment at home are ointments, rubbing, bathing, decoction, compresses. Such traditional medicines have long been known and known for their safety, ease of use and the minimal number of contraindications.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home. Symptoms of the disease

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the initial stage may not occur in any way. Accompanying signs appear only with an advanced form of the pathology, when there is a violation of blood circulation in the brain. This process is usually accompanied by:

• dizziness;
• numbness of the limbs;
• with cold hands and feet;
• "Goosebumps" in the eyes, darkness;
• headache;
• noise in the head, ringing in the ears;
• increased tiredness;
• irritability;
• lack of coordination;
• rate fluctuations;
• Tingling, tingling in the neck muscles.

When the disease takes on a chronic form, complaints and pain accompany the patient constantly. Main manifestations:

• painful sensations in the back of the head, neck, shoulder, arm, difficulty moving the head, crunching when turning or bending the head;
• drawing pains in the left chest area that radiate to the left arm, a burning sensation between the shoulder blades;
• frequent headaches, increased tiredness, weakness, difficulty turning the head;
• pain in the neck extends to the shoulder and arm, numbness in the fingers;
• Hearing and visual disturbances, numbness in the tongue and face, dizziness, and lung and cardiac dysfunction can occur.

The symptoms are divided into three groups:

1. neurological manifestations (persistent pain in the neck, pain in muscles, chest, joints);
2. pathological effect on the spinal cord (weakness in arms and legs, involuntary twitching, myelopathy);
3. in connection with processes in the brain (cerebral manifestations due to insufficient blood supply: visual disturbances, feeling of a foreign body in the throat, noise and ringing in the ears, hearing loss, dizziness, instability when walking, fainting, fatigue, irritability, insomnia, decreased ability to remember).