Osteochondrosis is a disorder of articular cartilage. Most often, this disease affects the intervertebral discs.
Depending on the localization area, the following are distinguished:
- cervix,
- chest,
- lumbar osteochondrosis.
Cervical osteochondrosis is the most common, since the joints of the neck are the most mobile.
80 percent of the world's population is familiar with back pain. It is believed that the main cause of the disease is walking upright. One person got this disease while standing on two limbs. The main problem is the uneven distribution of the load on the spine. In those 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 the curvature of the spine or a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, as well as when the blood supply to the joints is damaged. 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 discuss the causes and signs of osteochondrosis in other articles; here we have also collected 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, exercises.
Symptoms:
- pain in the back
- pain, numbness, coldness of the limbs
- possible dizziness, up to loss of consciousness
From the above it follows that the main way to fight osteochondrosis, as well as a measure for its prevention, is gymnastics. Exercises allow you to develop and strengthen your muscles evenly to avoid uneven load on your joints.
The main cure for osteochondrosis is physical education.
Immobility destroys the spine. Medicines only soften the symptoms of osteochondrosis and relieve pain. Only physical exercises can fully restore the joints and spine.Exercises that can be done for osteochondrosis:
- anime,
- returns,
- twist,
- swaying on the back,
- clutching his knees with his hands.
- Exercises for stretching the spine are of great importance: hanging on the bar, gymnastics from the yoga arsenal,
- exercises that develop the muscles that support the spine: pull-ups, push-ups, exercise machines.
What exercises cannot be done with osteochondrosis.
- If you have acute pain in the spine, you should not do twisting exercises.
- Jumping and running fast are undesirable; it is better to practice walking, swimming, skiing and cycling.
- Please note that some doctorsCircular movements of the head are not recommendedwith cervical osteochondrosis.
Unlike medications, which quickly relieve the symptoms of the disease, but do not improve the condition of the spine, gymnastics requires self-discipline and willpower, because doing exercises 2-3 times a month will not save you from osteochondrosis.Exercises for osteochondrosis should be done every day.There is a wonderful complex of Akademik Amosov - 1000 movements, requiring only 15 minutes a day, the wonderful achievements of Dr. Bubnovsky, who cures all joint diseases of any degree of neglect in his exercise center.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis.
The exercises are simple and familiar to everyone:
- Exercise 1.Shaking the head up and down (20-40 times)
- Exercise 2.Head tilts left and right (20-60 times)
- Exercise 3.Turn your 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, put your forehead on your knees and lift for 20-50 seconds. This exercise stretches the spine well in the cervical region and is a good prevention of osteochondrosis.
How we managed to cure osteochondrosis with physical exercises. The man fell ill at the age of 40, massages and rubbing did not help him much, and he decided to go to the hospital to treat his spine. There they were given injections, massages, physical procedures, then they sent them 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: the spine was completely curved, one leg was 7 cm longer than the other, the muscles of this leg were completely atrophied, there was excruciating pain. I was given group 2 disability. A man in line said that the spine can be restored by meeting two conditions:
- build a muscle corset around it,
- straighten the spine so the discs fall into place.
The man built a simulator: he removed the door, covered it with a blanket and put it in a corner. I made loops on the top of the board to secure my arms under the arms. In the upper part I also laid polyethylene, on which the bare back stuck during the laying. I hung onto these loops as long as possible, stretching my spine. Through the excruciating pain, I did gymnastics, worked the muscles of the swollen leg with an elastic bandage and did abdominal exercises. Soon he began moving around the apartment with crutches, then a cane, then abandoned that as well. But he continued to do training and gymnastics for another year. His disability was soon lifted. Now he lives a full life.
Here are some simple exercises that are useful for osteochondrosis.
- Exercise no. 1.Stand with your back to the wall, press the back of your head, shoulder blades, buttocks and heels into the wall. The whole 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 no. 2.Lie on your back, stretch your legs. Pull one sock away from you, the other towards you, then with both socks, then spread the socks and bring them together.
- Exercise no. 3.Lie on your back, arms at your sides or behind your head, bend your knees. Bend the knees to the right, the head to the left, fix this position for 30 seconds, then the knees to the left, the head to the right.
- Exercise no. 4.Lie on your back, bend your knees. Release and lift your pelvis, resting on your feet and shoulder blades.
- Exercise no. 5.Lying on your side, move your straight leg forward and backward.
- Exercise no. 6.Get up on all fours. Bend and arch your back
- Exercise no. 7.Lie on your back, bend your knees. Pull your right knee into your left elbow, your left knee into your right elbow.
All kinds of hanging, lying on the stomach and back with limbs and head raised from the floor are very useful for osteochondrosis.
How to relieve pain from osteochondrosis at home.
- This medicine helps relieve pain in the spine for several months. Treatment of osteochondrosis is designed for 12 days. Before treatment, two mixtures should be prepared:Recipe 1:50 g of camphor alcohol, 50 g of vodka, 50 g of dry mustard and 3 egg whites - beat and leave overnight.Recipe 2:50 g aloe juice, 100 g honey, 150 g vodka, mix. Make compresses from mixture no. 1 twice a day (or simply lubricate the spine) for three days. Then make compresses from mixture no. 2 for three days. Then again use mixture no. 1 for three days and mixture no. 2 for three days. After such treatment, osteochondrosis subsides 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 raw grated potatoes and 1 tbsp. l. honey, apply to the back, remove the film and warm cloth, keep the compress for 1 hour.
- Rubbing for osteochondrosis and joint pain. The woman fell ill at the age of 35. A friend suggested a way to overcome the disease using folk remedies. You need to mix triple cologne, tincture of valerian, half a bottle of iodine and 6 tablets of analgin. Mix everything and leave for 5 days. Rub the mixture on the affected area until absorbed. Then cover it with a flannel cloth and secure it with a warm scarf overnight. 7 procedures were enough for the woman to forget the pain in her spine forever, although 25 years had already passed. Oda gave this recipe to a friend who had joint pain. This folk medicine also helped him.
- Grandma's rub. Another similar recipe for osteochondrosis and joint pain is "grandmother's rub": 300 g of alcohol, 10 ml of camphor alcohol, 10 ml of iodine, 10 tablets of analgin - mix and pour. Rub it on the sore spots. In two days, the woman was relieved of all pain in her spine. Another woman, using this recipe in 4 procedures, cured osteochondrosis, which could not be cured by 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 the bottle with your back and roll over it on the floor. 10-15 minutes a day are enough for osteochondrosis to go away forever. But to prevent the return of the disease, this exercise must continue.
- Treatment of osteochondrosis with a salt compress. The man had pain in his shoulders and back. Ointments and rubbing did not help. In five procedures, a simple folk remedy helped cure osteochondrosis. You need to take 1 kg of salt, preferably coarsely ground, mix with 3 tbsp. l. 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 oil cloth or polyethylene and top with a warm scarf. Lie down until cool, then remove the mixture, wipe the body with a damp cloth, then dry and lie warm for another 2 hours. That man needed 5 procedures and the pain in his spine was gone.
- Home treatment with bath and honey. The woman had cervical osteochondrosis and lost her arms. She was advised a treatment that helped her within a month - she should visit the bathhouse 1-2 times a week, and in the steam room, smear her neck and hands with honey, sit in the steam room for 5-10 minutes. Then go to the dressing room, wrap yourself in a warm sheet and drink tea while you sweat. Make three such passes. At home, just lie under the blanket and sweat.
- A fast traditional method of heat treatment. A 30-year-old man suffered from severe back pain and could not bend or sit. The elders at the entrance gave him the following recipe: knead a thin rye dough with yeast, let it rise and fall. Put the gauze on the back, cover the gauze with a 5-6 mm layer of dough. Place a fist-sized piece of dough on top of the dough, place it on the heat, and swirl it around the dough with a fork, heating the spine evenly. The man had neither rye flour nor draft, so he heated the stove and sat with his back to the coals, blazing with heat, warming his back with utmost patience. After two procedures, spinal osteochondrosis left him forever.
- Cervical osteochondrosis - traditional treatment with honey massage. The woman could not turn her head, the pain spread to her left shoulder and arm, she could not even move. The doctor gave him injections and physical therapy, 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 the arm, shoulder and neck under hot running water for 10-15 minutes, then quickly dried and applied honey. She rubbed honey on her neck, collarbone, arm and shoulder. Then she did a honey massage: she pressed her palm and sharply separated it from the skin. I massaged until my palm stopped sticking to the skin. She then applied compress paper, gauze and a warm scarf to these areas and went to bed. In the morning I washed the honey. After two procedures the pain went away. Very soon she managed to get rid of the pain completely.
- Traditional method of treatment with cold water A woman managed to cure osteochondrosis of the spine by taking cold baths: she filled the tub 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. You need to cook the dough from 70-100 g of yeast, 500 g of water and rye flour, not too thick. Keep it for 7 days in a cool place, kneading it constantly. Before going to bed, drink a glass of hot milk with 1 tsp. soda, then apply 1 spoon to the injured back three times. turpentine, rubbing it on the skin. Spread the dough on the gauze, apply to the spine, cellophane, gauze and towel on top. Lie down for 40-60 minutes, then remove the compress. After 7 days, repeat the treatment. You can use the same dough for treatment. After such a popular treatment, 25 years have passed and that woman's spine still does not hurt.
Effective folk remedies for the treatment of osteochondrosis, recipes from the newspaper.
- How to treat osteochondrosis at home with Indian onion. You can quickly relieve the pain with a houseplant, Indian onion. To do this, take a piece of leaf 10-15 cm long, chop it very finely and rub the sore spots with this mass. It will burn, but soon it will pass along with the pain in the spine.
- Traditional treatment with parsley. The man suddenly had a sharp pain in his spine. The reagent showed the deposition of salts - in the photo they looked like layers of transparent needles between the beads. The doctor gave him various medicines, but on the way to the pharmacy the patient met a friend who advised him to treat his spine with folk remedies, namely parsley. The man ate parsley three times a day for a whole month and the pain in his spine gradually went away. Now he is already 90 years old, but after that parsley treatment, his spine never hurts.
- Treatment of osteochondrosis at home with horseradish. Horseradish quickly removes salts from the spine. Before going to bed, fresh horseradish leaves are soaked in boiling water, cooled slightly and pressed on the spine, then polyethylene and a scarf. In the morning, remove the compress; a white layer may remain on the skin - this is the release of salts. It is necessary to perform 10 such procedures. It is recommended to combine this popular remedy for the treatment of osteochondrosis with cleaning the joints with rice.
- How to treat cervical osteochondrosis with cinquefoil. The man developed a pain in the cervical spine, the pain did not go away all the time, then he decided to treat cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies. I made a tincture from the stems and roots of lentil. I took 1 tablespoon of tincture. l. three times a day. I did not notice any side effects and decided to add cinquefoil tea to the treatment. After a month of this treatment, the heaviness and pain in the spine disappeared.Tincture Sabelnik: Pour 200 g of lentil root and 100 g of lentil or elecampane root into a three-liter jar, fill with vodka, leave for 21 days in the dark. Take 1 tbsp. l. three times a day before meals. After 30 days of treatment - 10 days off. For complete success, you must drink all three liters of solution. Rub the injured joints with an ointment prepared from the same rhizomes: 200 g of noodles, 50 g of galangal, 50 g of elecampane - finely grind the dry rhizomes into powder, heat together with 1 kg of vegetable oil or lard.
- Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies. The woman had pain in the knee joints, it took a year for treatment, but the condition only worsened. It worsened to the point where she could barely move. I suffered from pain in my hip joints and lower back and sores appeared. Diagnosis: osteochondrosis, deforming arthrosis of the hip joints with bone growth of the 2nd degree. There was terrible depression, I wanted to die. But a neighbor brought the "Healthy Lifestyle Newsletter" and the patient decided to fight for her health. I began to use various folk remedies: lying on an inclined board, burdock root tincture, rose decoction, bischofite rub and fir oil on the back and joints. As a result, she managed to get out of the wheelchair, now she walks 5 km every day and climbs to the fifth floor.
It is known that in order to get rid of osteochondrosis, it is important to constantly attend physiotherapy classes, massage, physiotherapy and a reflexologist 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 last several hours, with regular household chores and work? For reasons of saving time and money, osteochondrosis is treated at home.
Folk remedies for osteochondrosis are based on the same principles that suggest medical methods. This improves blood circulation and trophism in the intervertebral cartilage, stimulates the flow of stagnant blood, eliminates compressed nerves and blood vessels in the affected area and increases tissue regeneration.
To cure osteochondrosis, use the following recipes of traditional medicine:
- Taking decoctions and tinctures internally.
- Medicinal plants for external use: rubs, ointments, compresses and baths.
- Self-massage.
- Therapeutic exercises.
- Physiotherapy procedures at home.
compress
Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies includes the mandatory use of warm compresses. They are applied to every 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 to a soft state and then mixed with heated honey. When applying the product to the affected part of the spine, it is covered with cellophane and wrapped with wool to retain heat.
Recipes for osteochondrosis based on mustard are also used as bandages. To do this, mix 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 coat the skin with some oil to avoid burns.
Compresses with aloe, honey and vodka are gentler. They can also be used for skin diseases.
Self-massage
The method of self-massage at home allows you to relieve muscle spasms, pain and normalize blood flow. It is especially effective for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Uses the same techniques as for professional massage. First, the strokes are performed from top to bottom. They can be performed simultaneously with both hands or alternately for each side of the neck. Then they begin to rub to warm and soften the muscles of the cervical spine. They are performed with the flat part or the edge of the palm until a feeling of warmth appears.
After you have warmed the neck, cook it by grasping the skin with your fingers and releasing it. It is convenient to perform such pinching with the opposite hand for each side. The purpose of this technique is to eliminate pinched nerve roots, relieve pain and normalize neck movements.
The advantage of this popular remedy is the ability to use it not only at home, but also at work when you feel tired neck muscles. The same techniques can be used for the lower back, only in a standing position.
In addition to your hands, it is convenient to use improvised means, such as a pin, for self-massage at home. It is usually used for the lower back. At the same time, lying on their backs, they try to turn the flip up and down, rolling over it. It is even better to have a special infrared massager, which simultaneously heats and cooks the tissues, as well as relieves spasms.
Types of osteochondrosis treatment
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
One of the most common. Sedentary work (driving, computer use) leads to the development of the disease. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include dizziness, headache, numbness of the tongue, pain in the chest, arms, and blurred vision. Blood pressure may increase.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
A portion of the thoracic spine is rarely affected. There is no acute pain. A person feels aching pain in the back, a feeling of insects crawling in the chest, pain in the heart. But sometimes similar symptoms can be observed with a heart attack, angina, ulcers and gastritis. With osteochondrosis, the ECG readings are normal, but with an imminent 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 fundamental load lies in the back area, osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is one of the common forms of the disease. If you do not start treating the disease in time, a hernia may appear. Pain in the back (in the lower back) appears more in autumn and spring, mainly at night. A person feels shooting pains in the back, pain in the legs and numbness in the limbs. The pain usually 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 many problems to a person.
Injections for osteochondrosis.
- Anti-inflammatory.
- General strengthening.
- Painkillers.
- Blockade.
Causes
- injuries and congenital defects of the spine;
- 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 drivers of agricultural machinery;
- flat feet;
- posture disorders.
Symptoms
Lumbar osteochondrosis:
- constant pain or acute 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 cannot turn or bend. He keeps the same position in which he feels less pain.
Cervical region:
- headaches that worsen with movement and do not go away after analgesics;
- dizziness when turning the head suddenly;
- pain in arms, shoulders and chest;
- "floaters" and colored spots before the eyes;
- deterioration of vision and hearing, "ringing" in the ears;
- sometimes numbness of the tongue, change in voice.
Chest:
- pain in the chest and between the shoulder blades, when the arm is raised, bent;
- pain is felt more strongly at night, during hypothermia, recovery or heavy physical activity;
- painful sensations intensify with deep inhalation and exhalation;
- numbness of certain areas of the skin, "goosebumps";
- itching, burning, cold feeling in the legs;
- attack of pain between the ribs when walking;
- feeling as if the chest was being squeezed by a circle.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home
Gymnastics and exercises for osteochondrosis
For the effect of gymnastics to be effective, it must be performed every day.
- You need to tilt your head forward, cross your fingers and press your crossed hands on the neck area. Stay in this position for 30 seconds.
- Make circular movements with your head. In this case, the tips of the fingers should be in the middle of the shoulder.
Massage of the ears, 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 to the left and right. After each movement and rotation of the head, you must stand for 15 seconds.
- You should raise and lower your shoulders alternately and together. With each change in body position, you should stay for 15-20 seconds. You should lift your shoulders up so that they almost reach your ears. Rubbing the spine (warming up) at the beginning and end of charging is necessary.