Osteochondrosis is a disorder of the articular cartilage. Most often, this disease affects the intervertebral discs.
Depending on the location zone, the following are distinguished:
- cervical,
- chest,
- lumbar osteochondrosis.
Cervical osteochondrosis is most common because the joints in the neck are the most mobile.
80% of the world's population is familiar with back pain. The main cause of the disease is believed to be upright gait. A person contracted this disease when he stood on two limbs. The main problem is the uneven distribution of the load on the spine. In places where physical activity is excessive, a change in the structure of the articular cartilage gradually occurs.
Before treating a disease, you need to know it better.
With this disease, the so-called salt deposition (deposition of calcium compounds) occurs. It occurs due to curvature of the spine or a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, as well as when the blood supply to the joints is impaired. The reasons for the development of this disease can be factors such as excess weight, joint injuries and bruises, heavy loads on the joints, as well as other joint diseases and a number of other factors.
A little theory
We have discussed the causes and signs of osteochondrosis in other articles; here we also collect treatment methods that you can apply yourself. It is worth noting that home treatment can only be an auxiliary method, but not the main one. For the most effective and safe treatment, you should consult a doctor. Only a specialist can determine the causes of the disease, as well as prescribe the safest and most effective method of treatment.
There are a large number of non-drug treatment methods, such as acupuncture, leech treatment, back exercises, massages, compresses, tinctures, diets, exercise.
Symptoms:
- back pain
- pain, numbness, cold in the limbs
- possible dizziness, even loss of consciousness
From the above it follows that the main way to combat osteochondrosis, as well as a measure to prevent it, is gymnastics. Exercises allow you to evenly develop and strengthen muscles to avoid uneven load on joints.
The main cure for osteochondrosis is physical education.
Immobility destroys the spine. Medications only alleviate the symptoms of osteochondrosis and relieve pain. Only physical exercise can completely restore the joints and spine.Exercises that can be done for osteochondrosis:
- tilt,
- turns,
- cheering,
- swinging on your back,
- pressing your knees with your hands.
- Spine stretching exercises are of great importance: hanging from the bar, gymnastics from the yoga arsenal,
- exercises that develop the muscles that support the spine: push-ups, pull-ups, exercise machines.
What exercises cannot be done with osteochondrosis.
- If you feel sharp pain in your lumbar spine, you should not do twisting exercises.
- Jumping and fast running are undesirable, it is better to practice walking, swimming, skiing and cycling.
- Please note that some doctorsCircular head movements are not recommendedwith cervical osteochondrosis.
Unlike medications, which quickly alleviate the symptoms of the disease, but do not bring about an improvement in the condition of the spine, gymnastics requires self-discipline and willpower, as exercising 2-3 times a month does not eliminate osteochondrosis.Exercises for osteochondrosis should be done every day.There is a wonderful complex of Academician Amosov - 1000 movements, which requires only 15 minutes a day, the wonderful achievements of Dr. Bubnovsky, who cures all joint diseases at any degree of neglect in his center with exercises.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis.
The exercises are simple and known to everyone:
- Exercise 1.Nodding your head up and down (20-40 times)
- Exercise 2.Head tilted left and right (20-60 times)
- Exercise 3.Turns head left and right (20-40 times)
- Exercise 4.Circular movement of the head left and right (40 times)
- Exercise 5.Sit on the floor, bend your knees in front of you, place your forehead on your knees and freeze for 20 to 50 seconds. This exercise stretches the spine well in the cervical region and is a good prevention of osteochondrosis.
How we can cure osteochondrosis with physical exercise. The man fell ill at the age of 40, massages and rubbing didn't help him much and he decided to go to the hospital to treat his back. There he received injections, massages, physical procedures and was then sent to the regional center, where baths and extracts were prescribed. As a result of the treatment, after 4 months, he was discharged home on a stretcher: his spine was completely curved, one leg was 7 cm longer than the other, the muscles in this leg were completely atrophied, there was hellish pain. I received group 2 disability. A man in line said that the spine can be restored by fulfilling two conditions:
- build a muscular corset around it,
- lengthen your spine so that the discs fit together.
The man built a simulator: he removed the door, covered it with a blanket and placed it at an angle. I made loops on the top of the board to secure my arms under the arms. In the upper part I also stretched polyethylene, to which my bare back stuck during stretching. I hung from these straps for as long as possible, stretching my spine. With incredible pain, I went to the gym, exercised the muscles on my swollen leg with the help of an elastic bandage and did abdominal exercises. Soon he began moving around the apartment with crutches, then with a cane, and then abandoned that too. But he continued to exercise and gym for another year. Soon his disability was removed. Now he lives a full life.
Here are some simple exercises that are helpful for osteochondrosis.
- Exercise #1.Stand with your back to the wall, press the back of your head, shoulder blades, buttocks and heels against the wall. The entire body, except the abdominal muscles, is relaxed. Stay in this position for as long as possible. Every day add 5 seconds. The goal is 5 minutes.
- Exercise number 2.Lie on your back and stretch your legs. Move one sock away from you, the other towards you, then with both socks, then separate the socks and put them together.
- Exercise number 3.Lie on your back, with your arms at your sides or behind your head, bend your knees. Bend your knees to the right, head to the left, hold this position for 30 seconds, then knees to the left, head to the right.
- Exercise number 4.Lie on your back and bend your knees. Release and lift your pelvis, supporting yourself with your feet and shoulder blades.
- Exercise number 5.Lying on your side, swing your straight leg back and forth.
- Exercise number 6.Get on all fours. Bend and arch your back
- Exercise #7.Lie on your back and bend your knees. Pull your right knee to your left elbow and your left knee to your right elbow.
All types of hangings, stretching on the stomach and back with the limbs and head raised from the floor are very useful for osteochondrosis.
How to relieve osteochondrosis pain at home.
- This remedy helps to relieve back pain for several months. Treatment of osteochondrosis is planned for 12 days. Before treatment, two mixtures must be prepared:Recipe 1:50 g of camphorated alcohol, 50 g of vodka, 50 g of dry mustard and 3 egg whites - beat and leave for one night.Recipe 2:50 g of aloe vera juice, 100 g of honey, 150 g of vodka, mix. Make compresses with mixture No. 1 twice a day (or simply lubricate the spine) for three days. Then make compresses with mixture No. 2 for three days. Then use mix #1 again for three days and mix #2 for three days. After such treatment, osteochondrosis disappears for a long time.
- Here is a recipe that relieves pain very quickly, but the effect lasts only a few days: mix 300 g of grated raw potatoes and 1 tbsp. I. honey, apply to the spine, remove the film and warm cloth, keep the compress for 1 hour.
- Rub for osteochondrosis and joint pain. The woman fell ill at the age of 35. A friend suggested a way to overcome the disease with folk remedies. You need to mix triple cologne, valerian tincture, half a bottle of iodine and 6 analgin tablets. Stir everything and leave for 5 days. Rub the mixture into the affected area until it is absorbed. Then cover with a flannel and secure with a warm scarf overnight. 7 procedures were enough for the woman to forget about her back pain forever, even though 25 years had already passed. Oda gave this recipe to a friend who had joint pain. This folk remedy also helped her.
- Grandma's massage. Another similar recipe for osteochondrosis and joint pain is "grandmother's scrub": 300 g of alcohol, 10 ml of camphor alcohol, 10 ml of iodine, 10 analgin tablets - mix and infuse. Rub into sore spots. In two days, the woman's back pain disappeared. Another woman, using this recipe in 4 procedures, cured osteochondrosis, which she could not cure with any other means.
These folk remedies for the treatment of osteochondrosis give quick results.
- Home treatment with bottle massage. Fill a 1. 5 liter plastic bottle with warm water, place it on the floor, lie on your back on the bottle and roll it on the floor. 10-15 minutes a day is enough for osteochondrosis to disappear forever. But to prevent the disease from returning, this exercise must be continued.
- Treatment of osteochondrosis with salt compresses. The man felt pain in his shoulders and spine. Ointments and rubs didn't help. In five procedures, a simple folk remedy helped to cure osteochondrosis. It is necessary to take 1 kg of salt, preferably coarsely ground, mix with 3 tbsp. I. dry mustard, add 100 g of water, mix and heat this paste to 50 degrees, stirring constantly. Apply the mixture to the painful area, cover with oilcloth or polyethylene and cover with a warm scarf. Lie down until it cools, remove the mixture, clean the body with a damp cloth, dry and lie warm for another 2 hours. 5 procedures were enough for that man and the back pain disappeared.
- Homemade treatment with bath and honey. The woman had cervical osteochondrosis and lost her arms. She was advised to undergo a treatment that helped her within a month - she should go to the bathhouse 1-2 times a week and in the steam room, lubricate her neck and hands with honey, sit in the sauna for 5-10 minutes. Then go to the dressing room, wrap yourself in a warm sheet and drink tea, sweating. Make three of these passes. At home, just lie under the blanket and sweat.
- A quick traditional method of heat treatment. A 30-year-old man suffered a lot from back pain and was unable to bend over or sit down. The old men at the entrance gave him the following recipe: he kneaded a thin rye dough with yeast, let it rise and come down. Put the gauze on the back, cover the gauze with a 5-6 mm layer of putty. Place a fist-sized piece of burlap over the dough, place on the heat and roll over the dough with a fork, heating the spine evenly. That man had neither rye flour nor tow, so he heated the stove and sat with his back to the coals, burning with heat, warming his back with the utmost patience. After two procedures, spinal osteochondrosis left him forever.
- Cervical osteochondrosis - traditional treatment with honey massage. The woman couldn't turn her head, the pain spread to her left shoulder and arm, she couldn't even move it. The doctor prescribed injections and physiotherapy, but nothing helped. Then, on the advice of a neighbor, the woman tried to be treated with folk remedies, namely massage with honey. Before the procedure, she warmed her arm, shoulder and neck under hot running water for 10 to 15 minutes, then quickly dried herself off and applied honey. She rubbed honey on her neck, collarbone, arm and shoulder. Then she did a honey massage: she pressed her palm and pulled it away from the skin with force. I massaged until my palm stopped sticking to the skin. Then she applied compresses, gauze, and a warm scarf to these areas and went to bed. In the morning I washed off the honey. After two procedures the pain went away. Soon she was able to completely get rid of the pain.
- Traditional method of treatment with cold water A woman managed to cure osteochondrosis of the spine by taking cold baths: she filled the bathtub with tap water and lay in it for 30 seconds. In winter she did this procedure once a day and in summer twice.
- Turpentine in the treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies. The woman used a popular recipe found in a newspaper. It is necessary to knead the dough from 70-100 g of yeast, 500 g of water and rye flour, not very thick. Store for 7 days in a cool place, kneading constantly. Before going to bed, drink a glass of hot milk with 1 tsp. soda, then apply 1 teaspoon to the sore spine three times. turpentine, rubbing it into the skin. Spread the dough on cheesecloth, apply it to the spine, cellophane, cheesecloth and towel on top. Lie down for 40-60 minutes and remove the compress. After 7 days, repeat the treatment. You can use the same mass for treatment. After this popular treatment, 25 years have passed and that woman's back still doesn't hurt.
Effective folk remedies for the treatment of osteochondrosis, newspaper recipes.
- How to treat osteochondrosis at home with Indian onion. You can quickly relieve pain with a houseplant, the Indian onion. To do this, take a piece of leaf 10-15 cm long, chop it very finely and rub the wounds with this mass. It will burn, but it will soon go away along with the pain in your back.
- Traditional parsley treatment. The man suddenly felt a sharp pain in his spine. The reagent showed deposition of salts - in the photo they looked like layers of transparent needles between the vertebrae. The doctor prescribed several medications, but on the way to the pharmacy the patient met a friend who advised him to treat his back with folk remedies, namely parsley. The man ate parsley three times a day for a whole month and the pain in his back gradually disappeared. Now he is 90 years old, but after that parsley treatment his back never hurt again.
- Treatment of osteochondrosis at home with horseradish. Horseradish quickly removes salts from the spine. Before going to bed, fresh horseradish leaves are dipped in boiling water, cooled a little and pressed against the spine, then polyethylene and a handkerchief. In the morning, remove the compress, a white layer may remain on the skin - this is the release of salts. It is necessary to carry out 10 of these procedures. It is advisable to combine this folk remedy for the treatment of osteochondrosis with cleansing joints with rice.
- How to treat cervical osteochondrosis with cinquefoil. The man felt pain in the cervical spine, the pain did not go away all the time, so he decided to treat cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies. I made a tincture with cinquefoil stems and roots. I took 1 tablespoon of tincture. I. three times a day. I didn't notice any side effects and decided to add cinquefoil tea to the treatment. After a month of this treatment, the weight and back pain disappeared.Sabelnik tincture: Pour 200 g of cinquefoil roots and 100 g of cinquefoil or elecampane roots into a three-liter jar, top up with vodka, leave for 21 days in the dark. Take 1 tbsp. I. three times a day before meals. After 30 days of treatment – 10 day break. For complete success, you need to drink all three liters of tincture. Rub the joints with an ointment prepared from the same rhizomes: 200 g of cinquefoil, 50 g of galangal, 50 g of elecampane - finely chop the dry rhizomes into powder, heat together with 1 kg of vegetable oil or lard.
- Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies. The woman felt pain in her knee joints, it took a year for treatment, but the condition only got worse. It got worse to the point where she could barely move. I suffered from pain in my hip joints and lower back, and bedsores developed. Diagnosis: osteochondrosis, deforming arthrosis of the hip joints with 2nd degree bone growths. There was a terrible depression, I wanted to die. But a neighbor brought the "Healthy Lifestyle Bulletin" and the patient decided to fight for her health. I began to use various folk remedies: stretching on an inclined board, burdock root tincture, rosehip decoction, rubbing bischofite and fir oil into the spine and joints. As a result, she was able to get out of her wheelchair and now walks 5 km every day and climbs to the fifth floor.
It is known that to get rid of osteochondrosis, it is important to constantly attend physiotherapy, massage, physiotherapy classes and reflexology without interruption. Only complex methods and regular therapy can cure damage to the intervertebral cartilage and return the patient to a full and active life.
But how to combine daily procedures, which can take several hours, with regular household and work tasks? To save time and money, osteochondrosis is treated at home.
Folk remedies for osteochondrosis are based on the same principles that medical methods suggest. This improves blood circulation and trophism in the intervertebral cartilage, stimulates the outflow of stagnant blood, eliminates pinched nerves and blood vessels in the affected area, and improves tissue regeneration.
To cure osteochondrosis, use the following traditional medicine recipes:
- Taking decoctions and tinctures internally.
- Medicinal herbs for external use: rubs, ointments, compresses and baths.
- Self-massage.
- Therapeutic exercises.
- Physiotherapeutic procedures at home.
Compresses
Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies involves the mandatory use of warm compresses. They are applied to any part of the spine, helping to eliminate blood stagnation.
To prepare compresses, use radish juice, raw potatoes, celery root or birch leaves. The ingredients are crushed until they become pasty and then mixed with heated honey. When applying the product to the affected part of the spine, it is covered with cellophane and wrapped in wool to retain heat.
Recipes for osteochondrosis based on mustard are also used as compresses. To do this, mix it with beaten egg whites and add two glasses of vodka. Since this product has a pronounced irritating effect, before applying it, it is advisable to lubricate the skin with any oil to avoid burns.
Compresses with aloe vera, honey and vodka are milder. They can even be used for skin conditions.
Self-massage
The self-massage method at home allows you to relieve muscle spasms, pain and normalize blood flow. It is especially effective for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
It uses the same techniques as professional massage. First, the strikes are performed from top to bottom. They can be performed simultaneously with both hands or alternately on each side of the neck. Then they begin rubbing to warm and soften the muscles in the cervical spine. They are performed with a flat palm or the edge of the palm until a sensation of heat appears.
After warming the neck, knead it by grabbing the skin with your fingers and releasing it. It is convenient to perform these clamps with the opposite hand on each side. The purpose of this technique is to eliminate compressed nerve roots, relieve pain and normalize neck movements.
The advantage of this folk remedy is the ability to use it not only at home, but also at work, when you feel fatigue in your neck muscles. The same techniques can be used for the lower back, just in a standing position.
In addition to your hands, it is convenient to use improvised means, such as a roller, for self-massage at home. It is generally used for the lumbar spine. At the same time, lying on their back, they try to turn the roller up and down, rolling over it. It is even better to have a special massager with infrared rays, which simultaneously heats and massages the tissues, and also relieves spasms.
Types of treatment for osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
One of the most common. Sedentary work (driving, using a computer) leads to the development of the disease. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include dizziness, headache, numbness in the tongue, pain in the chest, arms and darkening of the eyes. Blood pressure may increase.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Part of the thoracic spine is rarely affected. There are no sharp pains. A person feels pain in the back, the sensation of insects crawling in the chest, pain in the heart. But sometimes similar symptoms can be observed in heart attack, angina, ulcers and gastritis. In osteochondrosis, ECG readings are normal, but in the case of an impending heart attack they are different. This is the difference between diseases, even with similar symptoms.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region
Since the greatest and most basic load falls on the back region, osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is one of the most common forms of the disease. If you do not start treating the disease in time, a hernia may appear. Back (lower back) pain occurs more in autumn and spring, especially at night. A person feels sharp pain in the back, pain in the legs and numbness in the limbs. The pain often radiates to the buttocks, heels, under the knees and calves. If the sciatic nerve is compressed, the person tries not to lean towards the affected side. Lumbar osteochondrosis brings a lot of problems to a person.
Injections for osteochondrosis.
- Anti-inflammatory.
- General strengthening.
- Painkillers.
- Blocks.
Causes
- spinal injuries and congenital defects;
- genetic predisposition;
- metabolic disorders, obesity;
- infectious diseases;
- aging of the body;
- constant overload of the spine due to sports or heavy physical work;
- exposure to chemicals;
- constant vibrations, for example, from truck drivers or agricultural machinery drivers;
- flat foot;
- posture disorders.
Symptoms
Lumbar osteochondrosis:
- constant or sharp pain in the lower back;
- pain increases with physical activity or movement;
- pain can radiate to the sacrum, legs, pelvic organs;
- loss of sensation in the legs;
- Often a person is unable to turn around or bend over. He maintains the same position in which he feels less pain.
Cervical region:
- headaches that worsen with movement and do not go away after painkillers;
- dizziness when turning the head suddenly;
- pain in the arms, shoulders and chest;
- "floaters" and colored spots before the eyes;
- deterioration of vision and hearing, "ringing" in the ears;
- occasionally numbness of the tongue, change in voice.
Chest:
- pain in the chest and between the shoulder blades, when raising the arm, bending over;
- pain is felt more intensely at night, during hypothermia, spinning or intense physical activity;
- painful sensations intensify with deep inhalation and exhalation;
- numbness of certain areas of the skin, "goosebumps";
- itching, burning, cold sensation in the legs;
- attack of pain between the ribs when walking;
- sensation as if the chest were being tightened by a bow.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home
Gymnastics and exercises for osteochondrosis
For the effect of gymnastics to be effective, it must be performed daily.
- You should tilt your head forward, cross your fingers and press your crossed hands into the neck area. Stay in this position for 30 seconds.
- Make circular movements with your head. In this case, your fingertips should be in the middle of your shoulder.
Massage of the earlobes, neck and shoulders is very effective.
- While sitting, you should tilt your head back and straighten your back. You need to press your chin with your hand and gradually turn your head left and right. After each movement and turn of the head, you must hold for 15 seconds.
- You need to raise and lower your shoulders alternately and together. With each change in body position, you need to stay for 15 to 20 seconds. You need to raise your shoulders strongly so that they almost reach your ears. It is necessary to scrub the column (heating) at the beginning and end of loading.