Walking upright freed a person's hands to perform work operations; this is an undoubted advantage. Along with this, 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 population aged 35 and over. Surgical intervention is one of the treatment methods, but an alternative is possible in the early stages of the development of the disease. You can treat osteochondrosis at home. The range of effective therapeutic measures is wide and affordable.
What is osteochondrosis
Dysfunction and destruction of intervertebral discs, vertebral tissues 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, muscles atrophy, the conduction of nerve impulses is disrupted, physiological systems and individual internal organs malfunction. The appearance of pain in the back and neck is the first sign of the disease. Depending on the location of the focus of the injury, osteochondrosis is:
- Main symptoms: pain in shoulders, arms, neck; dizziness, tinnitus, spots before the eyes.
- Characterized by dull pain or lumbago in the chest area.
- There are pains in the hip joints, lower back, sacrum. The functionality of the lower extremities is limited.
- It unfolds in several parts of the column at the same time. It is accompanied by severe pain.
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis at home is possible with timely diagnosis of the disease. Go 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 gives way, cracks appear on the outer part of the disc (fibrous ring). This stage is almost invisible to the patient. A slight discomfort manifests itself in an uncomfortable posture or during active physical activity.
- The distance between adjacent vertebrae decreases due to collapse of the intervertebral disc. Ligaments and muscles sag. The vertebrae acquire additional mobility. For this reason, they are displaced. This condition is called spondylolisthesis. With a strong load, the patient feels discomfort, sometimes pain in the location of the pathology.
- The formation of prolapses (hernias), bulges (uneven protrusions) of the discs, subluxations and osteoarthritis of the intervertebral joints are the main pathological changes in the third stage of the disease. The patient's movements are constricted, numbness, tingling in the extremities occurs. The pains are present, their location depends on the location of the focus of the disease.
- To eliminate excessive mobility of the vertebrae, the body forms neoplasms 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, neighboring vertebrae. The processes of pronounced structural changes (fibrous ankylosis) begin in the intervertebral joints. The vertebral-motor segment appears "walled". Signs of osteochondrosis at this stage are practically not felt.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home. How to give first aid at home?
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home includes:
- medications;
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- medical gymnastics;
- diet correction.
It is in combination that the therapy methods allow to achieve good results in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. Symptoms can be very uncomfortable, so you need to know how to give first aid.
Medications
Various medications are used to combat the symptoms of the disease. They should be prescribed by a doctor who specializes in the treatment of osteochondrosis - a neuropathologist or a vertebrologist.
Medications
- For severe pain, you can take pain relievers such as metamizole sodium. If they don't work, NSAIDs can be taken.
- Sometimes "distractions" such as pepper plaster are used. By itself, it does not heal, but it warms the inflamed area and relieves pain.
- Herbal infusions and diuretics are helpful for edema in the area of inflammation.
The following groups of drugs are prescribed for the treatment of SHS:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nimesulide, ketoprofen, meloxicam, diclofenac, and others). Helps relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation of the affected nerve root.
- Vitamins of group B. They help to improve metabolic processes in nervous tissues.
- Chondroprotectors. Promote the restoration of cartilage tissue.
- Muscle relaxants (tizanidine, tolperisone hydrochloride). Helps reduce muscle spasms.
- Medicines intended to improve the rheological properties of blood flow and blood. They help 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. Summary of home treatments
Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine, if neglected, leads to disability. Signs of pathology:
- pain in the affected area (neck, chest) with slight exertion, sudden movements;
- headaches;
- dizziness;
- shortness of breath and shortness of breath;
- tiredness.
If alarming symptoms appear, you should visit a doctor for a more detailed diagnosis. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will determine the stage and prescribe the treatment.
Treatment of cervical and thoracic osteochondrosis includes conservative technique and surgical intervention. At home, you can cope with treatment in the first and second stages of development. With the deterioration of the condition, an even greater displacement of the vertebrae, their fusion, the defect is eliminated during the operation.
Treatment of thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis at home is carried out with the help of pharmaceutical preparations, a complex of light physical exercises, popular recipe for rubbing, compresses. Doctors recommend visiting the pool, masseuse, physiotherapy rooms. Actions are intended to alleviate symptoms:
- muscle relaxation;
- stimulation of cartilage layers for regeneration;
- return of the displaced vertebrae to their original position;
- release of pinched nerve fibers.
Home treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine will be effective if all the doctor's recommendations are followed.
Pharmacy Preparations
Cervical and thoracic osteochondrosis can be treated at home with the help of medications, commonly available medications that are easy to buy in pharmacies. Do not carry out the treatment without a doctor's prescription, the wrong remedy will delay 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.
Drugs slow down progression.
Medications are prescribed at home for the treatment of thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis in the chest and neck area:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help eliminate inflammation and edema at home. After the full course, a decrease in pressure is observed in the spinal artery and blood vessels in the spine.
- Pain relief tablets quickly eliminate the sensation of pain and nervous tension.
- Relaxers: drugs that relax muscle tissue and relieve pain.
- Preparations based on chondroprotectors for osteochondrosis in the thoracic and cervical spine normalize metabolic processes in the cartilaginous and bone tissues of the spine. As a result, it is possible to stimulate the regenerative properties of the tissues, increase the space between the vertebrae and allow the deformed parts to take the desired position. Under the influence of chondroprotectors, pain manifests itself less often.
- Vasodilator drugs that improve blood flow to the injury site. As a result of increased nutrition, the manifestation of symptoms decreases, the correction process is accelerated.
- Vitamins are useful helpers in treating osteochondrosis at home. Reception of group B, C, E provides the body with the substances necessary for the fight. 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.
A doctor decides to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home if the patient is not seriously ill, the symptoms are moderate, and there are no indications for hospitalization. The chosen therapy tactics are aimed at eliminating the unpleasant manifestations of the pathological process and solving the following tasks:
- Normalization of blood circulation in the affected area.
- Elimination of cerebral hypoxia.
- Sleep normalization.
- Prevention of the rapid development of the disease.
- Improved blood circulation.
- Launch of regeneration processes to restore cartilage tissue.
- Saturation of the body with vitamins and minerals.
- Eliminates anxiety, panic attacks, irritability.
- Improves the condition of the cervical crest.
It is completely impossible to cure chondrosis, but the correct approach can significantly slow down the process, restore normal health, and maintain a high quality of life for many years. For this, a comprehensive approach is used, which involves a change in diet, an increase in physical activity, taking medications and visiting a masseur.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be cured at home only with strict adherence to all the doctor's recommendations, constant monitoring of nutrition and taking medications, and conducting prescribed therapeutic exercises.
It is worth starting to treat cervical chondrosis with the elimination of pain. For this, the specialist selects the appropriate painkillers. The pharmaceutical industry offers a wide variety of products that differ in the principle of action, form and price. With acute excruciating pain, novocaine blockage is possible. Once the main symptoms disappear, alternative techniques can be used. Can be:
- Massage procedures: Eliminate spasms, pain and tension.
- Exercise therapy: strengthens muscle tissue, restores normal spinal support, and restores flexibility.
- Mud baths: warm the affected area and relieve pain syndrome for a long time.
- Manual therapy: restores metabolic processes and improves blood flow, removes oxygen starvation from the brain.
- Reflexology: reduces pain in the area, initiates regeneration processes in the cartilage tissue.
- Acupuncture - activates metabolism, improves the condition of cartilage tissue, reduces the manifestation of painful sensations in the affected area.
The most accessible treatment methods at home are ointments, rubs, baths, decoctions, compresses. These traditional medicines have been known for a long time and are famous 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 early 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;
- numbness of the limbs;
- with cold hands and feet;
- "goose bumps" in eyes, gloom;
- headaches;
- noise in head, ringing in ears;
- increased fatigue;
- irritability;
- lack of coordination;
- gait instability;
- tingling, tingling in the neck muscles.
If the disease takes a chronic form, discomfort and pain accompany the patient constantly. Main manifestations:
- painful sensations in the back of the head, neck, shoulder, arm, difficulty moving the head, creaking when turning the head or bending over;
- drawing pain in the chest area on the left, radiating to the left arm, a burning sensation between the shoulder blades;
- frequent headaches, increased fatigue, weakness, difficulty turning the head;
- neck pain spreading to shoulder and arm, numbness in fingers;
- Hearing and vision problems, numbness of the tongue and face, dizziness, impaired lung and heart function may appear.
The symptoms are divided into three groups:
- neurological manifestations (persistent pain in the neck, pain in the muscles, chest, joints);
- pathological effects on the spinal cord (weakness in arms and legs, involuntary spasms, myelopathy);
- associated with processes that occur in the brain (cerebral manifestations due to insufficient blood supply: visual disturbances, sensation of a foreign body in the throat, noise and buzzing in the ears, hearing loss, dizziness, unsteadiness when walking, fainting, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbance, decreased ability to remember).