Walking in an upright position frees a person's hands to perform labor operations - this is a definite plus. At the same time, the load on the spine has increased, which leads to the development of serious diseases, and this is a colossal disadvantage. Osteochondrosis is one of the most common pathologies of the spine. It affects 60% of the world's population over the age of 35. Surgery is one of the methods of treatment, but an alternative is possible in the early stages of the disease. You can treat osteochondrosis at home. The range of effective treatment measures is wide and affordable.
What is osteochondrosis
Dysfunction and destruction of the intervertebral discs, spinal tissue is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, which is called osteochondrosis. Osteocytes are bone cells and chondrocytes are cartilage cells. Based on these names, the origin of the term "osteochondrosis" is clear. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine negatively affect the general condition of the body.
As the disease progresses, the muscles atrophy, the conduction of the nerve impulse is disturbed, physiological systems and individual internal organs function. The appearance of back and neck pain is the first sign of the disease. Depending on the location of the lesion focus, osteochondrosis is:
- Main symptoms: pain in the shoulders, arms, neck; dizziness, tinnitus, spots in front of the eyes.
- Characterized by dull pain or lumbago in the chest area.
- There is pain in the hips, lower back, sacrum. The functionality of the lower limbs is limited.
- It develops in several parts of the spine at once. It is accompanied by severe pain.
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis at home is possible with timely diagnosis of the disease. It goes through 4 degrees (or stages):
- The pathological process begins with dehydration of the central part of the intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus). As a result, the structure weakens, cracks appear in the outer part of the disc (annular fibrosis). This stage is almost invisible to the patient. Mild discomfort occurs in an awkward position or during active physical activity.
- The distance between adjacent vertebrae decreases due to sagging of the intervertebral disc. Ligaments and muscles sag. The vertebrae acquire additional mobility. For this reason, they have been displaced. This condition is called spondylolisthesis. Under heavy load, the patient experiences discomfort, sometimes pain in the localization of the pathology.
- The formation of prolapses (hernias), bulges (uneven bulges) of the discs, subluxations and arthrosis of the intervertebral joints are the main pathological changes in the third stage of the disease. The patient's movements are limited, there is tingling, tingling in the limbs. The pain is present, their location depends on the location of the focus of the disease.
- To eliminate the excessive mobility of the vertebrae, the body forms new growths of bone tissue (osteophytes) in the spine. Their formation occurs chaotically, depending on the location, they can injure the nerve endings of the spinal cord, adjacent vertebrae. Processes of pronounced structural changes (fibrous ankylosis) begin in the intervertebral joints. The vertebromotor segment looks like a "walled". Signs of osteochondrosis at this stage are practically not felt.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home. How to provide first aid at home?
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home includes:
- medicines;
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- medical gymnastics;
- diet adjustment.
In combination, the methods of therapy allow to achieve good results in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. The symptoms can be very uncomfortable, so you need to know how to give first aid.
Medicines
Various drugs are used to treat the symptoms of the disease. They should be prescribed by a doctor who specializes in the treatment of osteochondrosis - a neurologist or vertebrologist.
Medicines
- For severe pain, you can take painkillers such as metamizole sodium. If they do not work, NSAIDs may be taken.
- Sometimes "distractions" are used, such as pepper patches. By itself, it does not heal, but warms the inflamed area and relieves pain.
- Herbal infusions and diuretics are useful for swelling in the area of inflammation.
The following groups of drugs are prescribed to treat SHS:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nimesulide, ketoprofen, meloxicam, diclofenac and others). They help relieve pain, swelling and inflammation of the affected nerve root.
- B vitamins. They help to improve metabolic processes in nervous tissues.
- Chondroprotectors. Promotes the recovery of cartilage tissue.
- Muscle relaxants (tizanidine, tolperisone hydrochloride). Helps reduce muscle spasms.
- Drugs aimed at improving the rheological properties of blood flow and blood. They help to improve the process of blood flow to the brain and the nutrition of the affected nerve endings.
Intramuscular injections may also be indicated.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine at home. Review of home remedies
Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine, if neglected, leads to damage. Signs of pathology:
- pain in the affected area (neck, chest) with light exertion, sudden movements;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- shortness of breath and shortness of breath;
- fatigue.
If anxiety symptoms occur, you should see a doctor for further diagnosis. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will determine the stage and prescribe treatment.
Treatment of thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis includes conservative technique and surgery. At home you can cope with the treatment of the first and second stages of development. With the deterioration of the condition, even greater displacement of the vertebrae, their fusion, the defect is removed during the operation.
The treatment of thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis at home is carried out with the help of pharmaceuticals, a complex of light physical exercises, a folk recipe for rubbing, compresses. Doctors recommend a visit to the pool, masseur, physiotherapy rooms. Actions are aimed at relieving the symptoms:
- muscle relaxation;
- stimulation of cartilage layers for regeneration;
- return the displaced vertebrae to their original position;
- release of pinched nerve fibers.
Home treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine will be effective if all the doctor's recommendations are followed.
Pharmacy preparations
Osteochondrosis of the cervix and chest can be treated at home with the help of drugs - common drugs that are easily purchased in pharmacies. Do not carry out treatment without a doctor's prescription, the wrong medicine will slow down the healing process. It is impossible to predict the body's response to drugs. They block pain in the affected area, relieve muscle tone, increase blood circulation, improve metabolic processes and improve well-being.
Medications slow down progression.
Medicines are prescribed at home for the treatment of thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis in the chest and neck:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help eliminate inflammation and swelling at home. After completing the course in the spine there is a decrease in pressure on the vertebral artery and blood vessels.
- Pain relief pills quickly eliminate the sensation of pain and nervous tension.
- Relaxants - drugs that relax muscle tissue, relieve pain.
- Preparations based on chondroprotectors for osteochondrosis in the thoracic and cervical spine normalize metabolic processes in the cartilage and bone tissue of the spine. As a result, it is possible to stimulate the regenerative properties of the tissues, to increase the gap between the vertebrae and to allow the deformed parts to occupy the desired position. Under the influence of chondroprotectors, pain is less common.
- Vasodilators that improve blood flow to the site of injury. As a result of increased nutrition, the onset of symptoms decreases, the process of correction is accelerated.
- Vitamins are useful helpers in the treatment of osteochondrosis at home. The intake of groups B, C, E provides the body with the substances necessary for battle. They stimulate the healing of cartilage tissue, strengthen the spine and improve the permeability of nerve fibers.
How to treat osteochondrosis and myositis at home. The main goals of home treatment
The doctor decides to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home if the patient has no serious disorders, the symptoms are moderate and there are no indications for hospitalization. The chosen tactics of therapy are aimed at eliminating unpleasant manifestations of the pathological process and solving the following tasks:
- Normalize blood circulation in the affected area.
- Elimination of cerebral hypoxia.
- Normalize sleep.
- Prevent the rapid development of the disease.
- Improved blood circulation.
- Starting regenerative processes to restore cartilage tissue.
- Saturation of the body with vitamins and minerals.
- Eliminate anxiety, panic attacks, irritability.
- Improving the condition of the cervical spine.
It is completely impossible to cure chondrosis, but the right approach can significantly slow down the process, restore normal health and maintain a high quality of life for many years. This uses an integrated approach, which involves a change in diet, increased physical activity, medication and a visit to a masseur.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be cured at home only with strict adherence to all the recommendations of the doctor, constant monitoring of nutrition and medication and performance of prescribed therapeutic exercises.
It is worthwhile to start treating cervical chondrosis by eliminating the pain. Therefore, the specialist selects the appropriate painkillers. The pharmaceutical industry offers a wide variety of products that differ in principle of action, form and price. In acute unbearable pain, novocaine blockade is possible. After the relief of the main symptoms, the use of alternative techniques is allowed. Cannot be:
- Massage procedures - remove spasms, pain and tension.
- Exercise therapy - strengthens muscle tissue, restores normal support of the spine and restores its flexibility.
- Mud baths - warm the affected area and relieve pain for a long time.
- Manual therapy - restores metabolic processes and improves blood flow, eliminates oxygen starvation in the brain.
- Reflexology - reduces pain in the area, starts the processes of regeneration in cartilage.
- Acupuncture - activates metabolism, improves the condition of cartilage tissue, reduces the manifestation of painful sensations in the affected area.
The most affordable methods of treatment at home are ointments, rubs, baths, decoctions, compresses. Such traditional medicines have been known for a long time and are known for their safety, ease of use and minimal number of contraindications.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home. Symptoms of the disease
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the initial stage may not manifest itself in any way. Accompanying signs appear only in the case of an advanced form of pathology, when there is a violation of blood circulation in the brain. This process is usually accompanied by:
- dizziness;
- tingling in the limbs;
- with cold hands and feet;
- "goosebumps" in the eyes, blurring;
- headache;
- noise in the head, ringing in the ears;
- increased fatigue;
- irritability;
- lack of coordination;
- gait instability;
- tingling, tingling in the muscles of the neck.
If the disease takes a chronic form, then discomfort and pain accompany the patient constantly. Main manifestations:
- painful sensations in the back of the head, neck, shoulder, arm, difficulty moving the head, crunching when turning the head or bending;
- pulling pain in the chest area on the left with irradiation in the left arm, burning sensation between the shoulder blades;
- frequent headaches, increased fatigue, weakness, difficulty turning the head;
- soreness in the neck extends to the shoulder and arm, numbness of the fingers;
- may cause hearing and vision impairment, numbness of the tongue and face, dizziness, impaired lung and heart function.
The symptoms are divided into three groups:
- neurological manifestations (continuous neck pain, muscle, chest, joint pain);
- pathological effects on the spinal cord (weakness in the arms and legs, involuntary twitching, myelopathy);
- , related to processes occurring in the brain (cerebral manifestations due to insufficient blood supply: visual disturbances, foreign body sensation in the throat, tinnitus, tinnitus, hearing loss, dizziness, gait instability, fainting, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbance, reduced ability to remember).