Spinal osteochondrosis is a complex disease that can affect the thoracic, lumbar, and cervical spines. Consider the symptoms and treatment features of the most common diseases at home.
Common symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the spine occurs in 60 - 70% of people whose age has passed the mark of 40 years. Recently, it is not uncommon for young people aged 20-30 years to develop osteochondrosis.
Depending on the part of the spine affected by the disease, its clinical picture is determined. Defeat of the cervical region is characterized by the appearance of the following symptoms:
- Dizziness that occurs spontaneously and increases when turning the head (especially with sudden movements);
- Headaches do not go away with pain medication. Pain is often provoked by motor activity in the cervical region;
- Pain in shoulder girdle and upper limb girdle;
- Violations of vision: weakness, blinking in front of the eyes of "flies" and circles of various colors;
- Hearing loss: ringing sensation in the ears;
- Episodes of loss of consciousness;
- Snoring in dreams is the result of constant tension of the neck muscle apparatus;
- In further cases, neurological symptoms occur: numbness of the tongue, changes in voice, etc.
For thoracic osteochondrosis are the following:
- Pain in the chest, shoulder blades, provoked by physical activity, hypothermia. The pain most often occurs at night. Increased pain can be triggered by deep breathing;
- Feeling of chest compression and the appearance of stabbing pain in the intercostal space (especially when changing position and body movements);
- The feeling of "crawling" in the chest and arms, sometimes - the neck. Numbness and coldness of the limbs.
The basis of the clinical symptoms of osteochondrosis, localized in the lumbar region, are symptoms such as:
- Localized pain syndrome in the lumbar region. It can be painful, permanent, or periodic in the form of "lumbago" with irradiation to the right or left leg, as well as the perineum, sacrum. Pain increases significantly with exercise and physical activity;
- Numbness and coldness in the lower part of the foot, decreased sensitivity in the foot;
- With the defeat of the motor part of the nerve chain, the development of paresis and paralysis of the legs is possible;
- Dysfunction of the organs of the genitourinary system.
How to get rid of osteochondrosis at home without medication
For the treatment of osteochondrosis at home without medication, drugs of plant and animal origin are often used. Priority is given to the following:
- bee and snake venom;
- badger fat;
- Pine essential oil;
- Camphor alcohol, etc.
These ingredients can be used as ointments, compresses, rubs.
To reduce symptoms and reduce the progression of the disease, it is recommended to use special orthopedic bedding: mattresses and pillows. In addition, special needle applicators can be used at home to increase blood circulation in tissues and relax muscles.
An important role in the treatment of osteochondrosis is given to proper nutrition. To improve the condition of cartilage and vertebrae, alcohol, coffee, tea, spicy foods, foods high in extracts (fatty meat and fish, mushrooms) should be excluded from the diet;
Add to your diet foods and dishes that help restore and maintain the integrity of cartilage tissue: lean meats and fish, dairy products.
At home, you can also enlist the help of a professional massage therapist who will help relieve muscle tension in any part of the spine. With care, you can do the massage yourself. Self -massage includes rubbing, rubbing, kneading.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home with medications
Medication treatment for any disease, including osteochondrosis, should be prescribed by a qualified specialist. Only a doctor can prescribe the correct treatment regimen, taking into account all possible contraindications to taking one or another group of pharmaceuticals. Currently, the following groups of drugs are used for the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They can be used in the form of powders, tablets - for systemic use, as well as ointments and gels - for local use. The first has a more pronounced effect;
- Analgesics (painkillers);
- Muscle relaxation and antispasmodics. Eliminates muscle spasms and pathological muscle tension;
- Preparations that improve blood microcirculation and rheology;
- Chondroprotectors. Provides cartilage resistance to the action of negative factors;
- Vitamins - especially group B (B1, B6, B12). Actively affects metabolic processes in the nervous system;
- Antidepressants. Provides prevention of the occurrence of psychosomatic origin disorders.
How to cure osteochondrosis at home with exercise
For osteochondrosis of each spine, orthopedic specialists and rehabilitation doctors have developed a complex of specialized therapeutic exercises. To do a beneficial exercise, you must follow a few simple rules:
- Use specially designed complexes;
- Movement should not trigger the appearance of uncomfortable and painful sensations;
- Movement should be smooth, precise, slow;
- You need to exercise regularly. Even time spent minimally during the day will bring tremendous benefits to the spine.
- Complex exercise therapy should be performed only during the period of remission of the disease.
In addition to the complex of therapeutic exercises, doctors strongly recommend that you stay physically active. Swimming and water aerobics, which are accessible to everyone at any time of the year, perfectly unloads the back muscles.
Caution: any treatment of osteochondrosis must be agreed with the attending physician. Only in this case, you can count on the maximum effect of therapy.