Can degenerative spine disease be cured? Few think about it, but everyone wants symptom relief.
What to do if it hurts: try all the methods one by one at home or see a doctor? The main treatment for osteochondrosis is to block pain and relieve inflammation at the site of the damaged area of the spine, and then perform restorative measures. Depending on the causes of osteochondrosis, the treatment may be to relieve vascular spasms, restore nutrition to the intervertebral discs, remove curvature of the spine, etc. it may be 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 occurring in the vertebral structures. Just as it is impossible to "cure" old age from the whole organism, it is impossible to "cure" the destructive processes of the aging spine. But reasonable prevention will help stop the process of degradation of vertebrae and discs - osteochondrosis. Treatment involves not only meeting immediate needs - eliminating unpleasant symptoms, but also making a habit of taking care of your spine. This should be remembered especially if you have an unfavorable inheritance.
How and how to treat osteochondrosis at home
Some people think that if the back hurts a little, it is not necessary to go to the doctor, it is easier to self-heal. Before you treat osteochondrosis, you just need to be examined! A thorough diagnosis of the spine avoids gross errors of treatment at home, which can lead to a worsening of the condition (swelling of the joints, hernia).
What can we do on our own in an attack of osteochondrosis? If the pain syndrome periodically bothers you, and you already know for sure what the cause is, treatment of osteochondrosis at home becomes a habit. Compresses and ointments, massages, relaxation meditations, muscle building are some procedures that can be used at home.
Pay special attention to good nutrition. Fat is needed for joints to function, so butter is the best breakfast food. Protein is also vital, but it is best to consume it not in the form of meat, but in the form of grains and legumes. These are all grains, peas, beans and nuts. Adequate water is beneficial for blood vessels and metabolic processes in the body, so drink clean water (from a filter) between meals.
Treatment of osteochondrosis in people
By folk remedies we mean natural products, not drugs. Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies is aimed at relieving pain, local inflammation, "dissolving salts" in the joints.
- Blackcurrant leaves are an excellent diuretic and anti-inflammatory. Their infusion is useful for muscle and joint pain. Pour boiling water over a handful of blackcurrant leaves and simmer in a double boiler for 10 minutes. Drink half a glass 2-3 times a day.
- For headaches and neck aches, try horseradish leaves. Pour boiling water on the leaf, apply a hot one to the neck, cover with plastic and a warm cloth. Keep for up to 1 hour.
For back pain, you can rub horseradish juice, you can mix it in half with vodka. It is imperative to cover the wound with a warm scarf, preferably woolen, and to lie down for up to 1 hour. - Painful sensations are relieved by burning food, red pepper, mustard, garlic mixed with 1: 2 pork fat are suitable for these purposes. Do not overdo it, with a strong burning sensation, remove the compress immediately.
Many people perceive osteochondrosis as a disease associated with the deposition of salts, so the following products are helpful in eliminating them.
- Pumpkin - promotes the elimination of chlorides and cholesterol because it contains a lot of pectin. Eat raw before meals and drink pumpkin juice 15 minutes before meals.
- Celery - extract the juice from the whole plant (stem, leaves and root) and drink 2 tablespoons each. 3 times a day. You can make a celery compress "wring out": grease the wound with vegetable oil, apply the cake, tie it with a cotton cloth, then a woolen cloth.
- Infuse the lingonberry leaves in a thermos with boiling water for at least 1 hour and drink a quarter of a glass of broth 4 to 5 times a day.
- Pour two tablespoons of birch with a glass of boiling water and steam in a "bain-marie" for 15 minutes, filter and drink cool in the morning and at noon before meals.
Pay special attention when using traditional herbal methods of treating osteochondrosis. Herbs contain many chemicals which, when combined with drugs, can enhance their effect, or vice versa, be incompatible and harmful. Therefore, consult your doctor even if you are using individual herbs.
Remembering that all diseases are caused by the nerves, the treatment of osteochondrosis at home also involves the elimination of emotional stress, the elimination of stress.
The mechanism of this process is simple: under stress, our body prepares to repel an attack, it is biologically inherent, which means that the muscles are tense. The muscles of the neck and back are in a constant state of tension and start to ache from the spasm. But it'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 break down (break down).
To completely clarify how to treat osteochondrosis, we remind once again that the main efforts are aimed at reducing the processes of destruction of vertebral structures. Our job is to slow them down or stop them. Then we turn to preventive measures, namely the strengthening of the back muscles and the development of mobility of the spine.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home with gymnastics
Everyone knows that keeping your joints moving requires an active lifestyle. But active sports are only useful for healthy people. In case of dysfunctions of the spine, therapeutic exercises are indicated without a strong load.
Basics:
The main thing when doing exercises is to relieve the spine, so that all exercises are performed standing on all fours or lying down. The efforts are made in two directions: exercises to relax the muscles and to strengthen them.
In case of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, home treatment is contraindicated in any form, especially with the help of physical activity, since it is necessary to diagnose and find thecause of pain. Even during the period of remission, exercises associated with a strong stretching of the back muscles are prohibited, such as tilting the trunk more than 20 degrees (they create unnecessary pressure on the discs, their injury is possible).
With the help of gymnastics, the treatment of osteochondrosis at home is effective at 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, as a result, the nutrition of the tissues of the discs and vertebrae.
The safest and most rewarding activity is hanging onto a horizontal bar. In this case, the spine is stretched, the intervertebral discs are released, and with them the vessels and nerve roots are pinched. You can make very small torso turns while doing this, which improves the blood supply to the spine.
Home treatment involves a sustained effort. Gymnastics takes 10-30 minutes a day, only then can we talk about recovery.
Medicines for osteochondrosis
Before treating osteochondrosis with drugs, it is better to consult a specialist: a vertebrologist or neurologist. Osteochondrosis is characterized by severe pain - the most important factor for patients, causing a lot of problems and disrupting work. Therefore, 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-inflammatories:
- injections, injections: diclofenac, meloxicam, metamizole sodium. Tablets
- : nimesulide, ibuprofen, celecoxib.
- ointments and gels: Diclofenac.
Remember that medication taken alone is not effective. An integrated approach is necessary, a medical consultation is therefore imperative!
The doctor may prescribe additional medicines, for example to prevent side effects or to strengthen the action of basic medicines, antioxidants and vitamin complexes. Sometimes sedative (sedative) drugs are prescribed to eliminate neurological disorders that are one of the causes of spine disease.
Muscle relaxants are used - drugs to eliminate muscle tone, relax spastic tissue. They are an important part of the treatment of osteochondrosis, in which muscle tension is a characteristic and frequent phenomenon.
Angioprotectors are mandatory - drugs that restore the work of blood vessels and blood circulation.
Drug treatment for 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 during this period, since 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, edema, muscle tone, accelerating tissue metabolism and normalizing blood circulation. Treatment of osteochondrosis with physiotherapy involves such procedures as electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, mud, baths, acupuncture.
Thermal treatment of osteochondrosis
It is impossible to miss such a fact that the treatment of osteochondrosis in a sanatorium is a popular service in any resort. All the same physiotherapy and massage are offered. Sanatoriums are primarily intended for the prevention of this disease and the strengthening of the general well-being of the patient.
You can choose your own method of treating osteochondrosis and consult your doctor about whether it is appropriate.