Can a degenerative spinal disease be cured? Few think about it, but everyone wants symptom relief.
What to do if you are in pain: try all the methods individually at home or see a doctor? The main treatment for osteochondrosis is to block the pain and relieve inflammation at the site of the damaged area of the spine, and then perform restorative measures. Depending on the causes of the osteochondrosis, treatment may consist of relieving vascular spasms, restoring nutrition to the intervertebral discs, eliminating the curvature of the spine, etc. Perhaps all you need to do is see a chiropractor and put the dislocated vertebrae "in place" as it may beit's time to remove the hernia.
There is no consensus among doctors on how to treat osteochondrosis. This is due to the complexity of the processes in the vortex structures. Just as it is impossible to "heal" the age of the entire organism, so it is impossible to "heal" the destructive processes of the aging spine. However, proper prevention will help stop the process of degradation of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs - osteochondrosis. Treatment consists not only of helping with immediate needs - getting rid of unpleasant symptoms, but also developing the habit of taking care of your spine. This should be especially considered if you have an unfavorable inheritance.
How and how to treat osteochondrosis at home
Some people think that if the back hurts a little, there is no need to see a doctor, it is easier to self-medicate. Before treating osteochondrosis, you just need to be examined! A thorough diagnosis of the spine avoids gross mistakes in home treatment, which can lead to the worsening of the condition (joint swelling, hernia).
What can we do alone with an attack of osteochondrosis? If the pain syndrome bothers you regularly, and you already know exactly why it is, then home treatment for osteochondrosis becomes a habit. Compresses and ointments, massages, relaxation meditations, muscle strengthening are procedures that can be used at home.
Pay special attention to the right diet. Fats are needed to keep the joints running, so butter is the best breakfast food. Protein is also important, but it is better to consume it not in the form of meat, but in the form of cereals and legumes. These are all grains, peas, beans, and nuts. Sufficient water has a positive effect on the blood vessels and metabolic processes in the body. Therefore, drink clean water (from a filter) between meals.
Treatment of osteochondrosis in humans
By folk remedies, we mean natural products, not drugs. Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies is aimed at relieving pain, local inflammation and "dissolving" salts in the joints.
- Black currant leaves are an excellent diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. Your infusion is useful for muscle and joint pain. Pour boiling water over a handful of currant leaves and simmer in a water bath for 10 minutes. Drink half a glass 2-3 times a day.
- For head and neck pain, try horseradish leaves. Pour boiling water over the sheet, apply a warm one on the neck, cover with plastic and a warm cloth. Keep for up to 1 hour.
If you have back pain, you can rub horseradish juice and cut it in half with vodka. It is essential to cover the sore spot with a warm, preferably woolen scarf and lie down for up to 1 hour. - Painful sensations are relieved by burning food. Red pepper, mustard, garlic mixed with pork fat 1: 2 are suitable for these purposes. Do not overdo it, with a strong sting, remove the compress immediately.
Many people perceive osteochondrosis as a disease associated with the deposition of salts. Hence, the following products are useful in removing them.
- Pumpkin - promotes the elimination of chlorides and cholesterol as it contains a lot of pectin. Eat raw before meals and drink pumpkin juice 15 minutes before meals.
- Celery - Squeeze the juice out of the whole plant (stem, leaves and root) and drink 2 tablespoons at a time. 3 times a day. You can "wring" a compress of celery: grease the sore area with vegetable oil, apply cake, tie it with a cotton cloth, and then with a woolen cloth.
- Brew cranberry leaves in a thermos with boiling water for at least 1 hour and drink a quarter glass of broth 4-5 times a day.
- Pour two tablespoons of birch into a "water bath" with a glass of boiling water and steam for 15 minutes, dispense and drink chilled morning and noon before meals.
Pay special attention to traditional methods of treating osteochondrosis with herbs. Herbs contain many chemicals which, in combination with medicinal products, can increase their effects or, conversely, are incompatible and harmful. Therefore, ask your doctor, even if you use individual herbs.
Keeping in mind that all diseases are caused by nerves, treating osteochondrosis at home also includes removing emotional stress and relieving stress.
The mechanism of this process is simple: under stress, our body prepares to repel an attack. This is biologically inherent, which means that the muscles are tense. The muscles in the neck and back are in a constant state of tension and start to hurt due to the cramp. But that's not that bad. In turn, the blood flow and the supply of nutrients to the structures of the spine are disturbed, they begin to deteriorate (collapse).
To make it very clear how to treat osteochondrosis, let us recall once again that the main effort is aimed at reducing the processes of destruction of the vertebral structures. Our job is to slow it down or stop it. Then we turn to preventive measures, namely strengthening the muscles of the back and developing the mobility of the spine.
Osteochondrosis treatment at home through gymnastics
Everyone knows that keeping your joints moving takes an active lifestyle. However, active exercise is only useful for healthy people. In the case of functional disorders of the spine, therapeutic exercises without excessive stress are indicated.
Basic principles:
The main thing in exercise is to relieve the spine so that all exercises are performed standing on all fours or lying down. Efforts are made in two directions: exercises to relax and strengthen the muscles.
In case of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, home treatment in any form is contraindicated, especially with the help of physical activity, since it is necessary to diagnose and find the cause of the pain. Even during the period of remission, exercises that involve significant stretching of the back muscles are prohibited, e. g. B. tilting the trunk more than 20 degrees (they create unnecessary pressure on the intervertebral discs, their injury is possible).
With the help of gymnastics, treatment of osteochondrosis at home is effective in the early stages of the disease. Gentle exercises guarantee the safety of the spine. At the same time, they restore the microcirculation of blood flow and, consequently, the nutrition of the tissues of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae.
The safest and most rewarding activity is hanging on a horizontal bar. In this case, the spine is stretched, the intervertebral discs are released and with them the vessels and clamped nerve roots. You can make very small revolutions of the trunk, which improves the blood supply to the spine.
Home treatment requires sustained effort. Exercise lasts 10 to 30 minutes a day, only then can we talk about recovery.
Medicines against osteochondrosis
Before treating osteochondrosis with medication, you should consult a specialist: a vertebrate or a neurologist. Osteochondrosis is characterized by severe pain - the main factor for patients, causing a lot of anger and disrupting work. Therefore, drugs are primarily aimed at relieving pain. When symptoms worsen, anti-inflammatory drugs are used in pills and injections. The so-called NSAIDs have an analgesic effect.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with medication
Here are some popular anti-inflammatory drugs:
- Injections, injections: diclofenac, meloxicam, metamizole sodium.
- tablets: nimesulide, ibuprofen, celecoxib.
- Ointments and gels: Diclofenac.
It should be noted that a drug taken alone is not effective. An integrated approach is required, so medical advice is essential!
The doctor can prescribe additional medication, for example to prevent side effects or to improve the effectiveness of basic medication, antioxidants and vitamin complexes. Sedatives are sometimes prescribed to help get rid of neurological disorders that are one of the causes of spinal disorders.
Muscle relaxants are used - drugs used to remove muscle tone and relax spasmodic tissues. They are an important part of the treatment of osteochondrosis, where muscle tension is a characteristic and common occurrence.
Angioprotectors are mandatory - drugs that restore the work of blood vessels and blood flow.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis is not complete without chondoprotectors - drugs that restore cartilage tissue. However, their effectiveness is a controversial issue when it comes to the spine. Therefore, their application depends on your considerations.
Drugs that improve metabolism and vitamins are useful at this time, since the fight against any disease requires a lot of energy from the body. It won't be redundant to support your immunity.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy also aims to relieve inflammation, edema, muscle tone, accelerate tissue metabolism and normalize blood circulation. Treatment of osteochondrosis with physical therapy includes procedures such as electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, mud therapy, baths, acupuncture.
Spa treatment for osteochondrosis
It is impossible to overlook such a fact, since the treatment of osteochondrosis in a sanatorium is a popular service in any resort. Nevertheless, physiotherapy and massage are offered. Sanatoriums are primarily used to prevent this disease and to strengthen the general well-being of the patient.
You can choose your own type of treatment for osteochondrosis and ask your doctor about its appropriateness.