Can degenerative spinal disease be cured? Few people think about it, but everyone wants relief from the symptoms.
What to do if you have pain: try all the methods one by one at home or visit a doctor? The main treatment for osteochondrosis is to block the pain and relieve the inflammation at the site of the damaged area of the spine and then perform restorative measures. Depending on the causes of osteochondrosis, treatment may consist of relieving vascular spasms, restoring nutrition to the intervertebral discs, eliminating the curvature of the spine and more. Maybe you just need to visit a chiropractor and "put in place" the displaced vertebrae, or maybe it'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 taking place in the spinal structures. Just as it is impossible to "cure" the old age of the whole organism, so it is impossible to "cure" the destructive processes of the aging spine. But reasonable prevention will help stop the process of degradation of the vertebrae and discs - osteochondrosis. The treatment consists not only in helping with immediate needs - eliminating unpleasant symptoms, but also in forming the habit of taking care of your spine. This should be remembered, especially if you have an unfavorable heredity.
How and how to treat osteochondrosis at home
Some people think that if your back hurts a little, then you don't need to see a doctor, it's easier to treat yourself. Before treating osteochondrosis, you just need to be tested! The overall diagnosis of the spine avoids gross errors in home treatment, which can lead to worsening of the condition (swelling of the joints, hernia).
What can we do on our own in an osteochondrosis attack? If the pain syndrome bothers you periodically and you already know for sure what the cause is, then treating osteochondrosis at home becomes a habit. Compresses and ointments, massage, relaxing meditations, muscle strengthening are procedures that can be used at home.
Pay special attention to proper nutrition. Fat is needed to keep joints working, so butter is the best food for breakfast. Protein is also vital, but it is better to eat it not in the form of meat, but in the form of cereals and legumes. These are all grains, peas, beans and nuts. Adequate water is good for blood vessels and metabolic processes in the body, so drink clean water (from a filter) between meals.
Treatment of osteochondrosis in humans
By folk remedies we mean natural products, not medicines. Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies is aimed at relieving pain, local inflammation, "dissolution of salts" in the joints.
- Blackcurrant leaves are an excellent diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. Their infusion is useful for muscle and joint pain. Pour a handful of blackcurrant leaves with boiling water and simmer in a water bath for 10 minutes. Drink half a cup 2-3 times a day.
- For headaches and neck pain, try horseradish leaves. Pour the leaves with boiling water, apply warm on the neck, cover with plastic and a warm towel. Hold up to 1 hour.
For back pain you can rub horseradish juice, you can mix it in half with vodka. It is mandatory 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, for these purposes are suitable red pepper, mustard, garlic mixed with lard 1: 2. Do not overdo it, with a strong burning sensation, immediately remove the compress.
Many people perceive osteochondrosis as a disease associated with salt deposition, so the following products are useful for their removal.
- 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 from the whole plant (stem, leaves and root) and drink 2 tbsp. 3 times a day. You can make a compress of celery "squeeze": smear the sore spot with vegetable oil, apply the cake, tie it with a cotton cloth and then woolen cloth.
- Boil cranberry leaves in a thermos with boiling water for at least 1 hour and drink a quarter cup of broth 4-5 times a day.
- Pour two tablespoons of birch with a glass of boiling water and boil in a "water bath" for 15 minutes, strain and drink chilled in the morning and at lunch before meals.
Pay special attention when using traditional methods of treating osteochondrosis with herbs. Herbs contain many chemicals that, when combined with drugs, can enhance their effect or, conversely, be incompatible and harmful. Therefore, consult your doctor, even if you use individual herbs.
Remembering that all diseases are caused by nerves, the treatment of osteochondrosis at home includes the elimination of emotional stress, relief from stress.
The mechanism of this process is simple: under stress our body prepares to repel an attack, it is inherently biological, which means that the muscles are tense. The muscles of the neck and back are in a constant state of tension and begin to ache due to spasm. But it's not that bad. In turn, the blood flow and the supply of nutrients to the structures of the spine are disrupted, they begin to break down (break down).
To make it completely clear how to treat osteochondrosis, we remind you once again that the main efforts are aimed at reducing the processes of destruction of spinal structures. Our task is to slow them down or stop them. Then we focus on preventive measures, namely strengthening the muscles of the back and developing the mobility of the spine.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home through gymnastics
Everyone knows that keeping your joints moving requires an active lifestyle. But active sports are only good for healthy people. When there is a dysfunction of the spine, then therapeutic exercises are indicated without heavy load.
Basic principles:
The main thing when doing exercises is to remove the load from the spine so that all exercises are performed standing or lying on all fours. Efforts are made in two directions: exercises to relax the muscles and strengthen them.
In case of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, treatment at home is contraindicated in any form, especially with the help of physical activity, as it is necessary to diagnose and find the cause of pain. Even during the period of remission, exercises associated with significant stretching of the back muscles, such as tilting the trunk by more than 20 degrees (they create unnecessary pressure on the discs, it is possible to injure them) are prohibited.
With the help of gymnastics, the treatment of osteochondrosis at home is effective in the initial stage of the disease. Gentle exercises ensure the safety of the spine. At the same time, they restore the microcirculation of blood flow and, therefore, the nutrition of the tissues of the discs and vertebrae.
The safest and most rewarding activity is to hang on a horizontal bar. In this case, the spine is stretched, the intervertebral discs are released, and with them the vessels and fixed nerve roots. While doing this, you can make very small rotations of the torso, which improves the blood supply to the spine.
Home treatment involves prolonged effort. Gymnastics takes 10 to 30 minutes a day, only then can we talk about recovery.
Cure for osteochondrosis
Before treating osteochondrosis with drugs, it is better to visit a specialist: vertebrologist or neurologist. Osteochondrosis is characterized by severe pain - the most important factor for patients, causing a lot of trouble and disrupting work. Therefore, the drugs are primarily aimed at relieving pain. When symptoms worsen, anti-inflammatory drugs are used in pills and injections. So-called NSAIDs have an analgesic effect.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with drugs
Here are some popular anti-inflammatory drugs:
- injections, injections: Diclofenac, Meloxicam, Metamizole sodium.
- tablets: nimesulide, ibuprofen, celecoxib.
- ointments and gels: Diclofenac.
It should be remembered that the drug taken alone is not effective. An integrated approach is needed, so a doctor's consultation is imperative!
Your doctor may prescribe additional medicines, for example to prevent side effects or to strengthen the action of essential medicines, antioxidants and vitamin complexes. Sedatives (sedatives) are sometimes prescribed to eliminate neurological disorders, which are one of the causes of spinal disease.
Muscle relaxants are used - drugs to remove muscle tone, relaxing spasmodic tissues. They are an important part of the treatment of osteochondrosis, in which muscle tension is characteristic and common.
Angioprotectors are mandatory - drugs that restore the work of blood vessels and blood flow.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis is not complete without chondroprotectors - drugs that repair cartilage. However, their effectiveness is a moot point when it comes to the spine. Therefore, their application depends on your considerations.
Medicines that improve metabolism and vitamins are useful during this period, as the fight against any disease requires a lot of energy from the body. It will not be superfluous to support your immunity.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is also aimed at relieving inflammation, swelling, muscle tone, speeding up tissue metabolism and normalizing blood circulation. Treatment of osteochondrosis with physiotherapy includes procedures such as electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, mud therapy, baths, acupuncture.
Spa treatment of osteochondrosis
It is impossible to miss such a fact, as the treatment of osteochondrosis in a sanatorium is a popular service in every resort. The same physiotherapy plus massage is offered. Sanatoriums are designed primarily to prevent this disease and strengthen the overall well-being of the patient.
You can choose your own way to treat osteochondrosis and consult your doctor about its appropriateness.