Spinal osteochondrosis is a complex disease that can affect the thoracic spine, lumbar spine and cervix. Consider the most common symptoms and features of treating the disease at home.
Common symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine
Spinal osteochondrosis occurs in 60-70% of people over the age of 40. Recently, it is not uncommon for young people aged 20-30 to suffer from osteochondrosis.
Depending on which part of the spine is affected by the disease, its clinical picture is determined. Loss of the cervical region is characterized by the appearance of the following symptoms:
- Dizziness that appears spontaneously and increases with the return of the head (especially with sudden movements);
- Headache is not relieved with painkillers. The pain is often provoked by motor activity in the cervical region;
- Pain in the shoulder girdle and upper limb girdle;
- Violation of vision: weakening, flickering in front of the eyes of "flies" and multi-colored circles;
- Hearing impairment: sensation of noise in the ear;
- Episodes of loss of consciousness;
- Snoring in a dream is a consequence of the constant tension of the muscular apparatus of the neck;
- In the most advanced cases, neurological symptoms appear: numbness of the tongue, change of voice, etc.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by:
- Chest pain, shoulders, provoked by physical activity, hypothermia. The pain most often appears at night. Increased pain can be caused by deep breathing;
- Feeling of chest tightness and the appearance of sharp pains in the intercostal spaces (especially when you change the position and movement of the body);
- The feeling of "crawling" in the chest and arms, sometimes - in the neck. Numbness and coldness of the extremities.
The basis of the clinical symptoms of osteochondrosis, located in the lumbar region, are symptoms such as:
- Pain syndrome localized in the lumbar region. It can be painful, intermittent or periodic in the form of a "lumbago" with radiation to the right or left leg, as well as to the perineum, sacrum. Pain increases significantly with exercise and physical activity;
- Numbness and coldness of the lower extremities, decreased sensitivity of the legs;
- With the loss of the motor parts 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, remedies of plant and animal origin are often used. Preference is given to the following:
- bee and snake venom;
- baldose fat;
- Fir essential oil;
- Camphor alcohol etc.
These substances can be used as ointments, compresses, rubs.
To alleviate the symptoms and reduce the progression of the disease, the use of a special orthopedic bed is recommended: mattresses and pillows. In addition, special needle applicators can be used at home to improve blood circulation to the tissues and relax the 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 extractive substances (fatty meats 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 turn to the help of a professional massage therapist who will help relieve muscle tension in every part of your spine. With care, you can perform the massage yourself. Self-massage includes stroking, rubbing, kneading.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home with medication
Medication treatment of any disease, including osteochondrosis, should be prescribed by a qualified specialist. Only a doctor can prescribe the appropriate treatment regimen, taking into account all possible contraindications to taking one or another pharmaceutical group. Currently, the following groups of drugs are used to treat 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 topical use. The former have a more pronounced effect;
- Analgesic (painkiller);
- Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics. Elimination of muscle spasms and pathological muscle tension;
- Preparations that improve microcirculation and blood rheology;
- Chondroprotectors. Ensuring cartilage resistance to the action of negative factors;
- Vitamins - mainly group B (B1, B6, B12). Actively affects metabolic processes in the nervous system;
- Antidepressants. Provides prevention of the occurrence of disorders of psychosomatic origin.
How To Cure Osteochondrosis At Home With Exercise
For osteochondrosis of any spine, orthopedists and rehabilitation physicians have developed specialized complexes of therapeutic exercises. For the exercises to be useful, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- Use specially designed complexes;
- Movements should not provoke the appearance of uncomfortable and painful sensations;
- Movements should be smooth, precise, slow;
- You need to do the exercises regularly. Even the minimum amount of time spent during the day will bring incredible benefits to the spine.
- Exercise therapy complexes should be performed only during periods of remission of illness.
In addition to therapeutic exercise complexes, doctors strongly recommend that you always be physically active. Swimming and water aerobics, which are accessible to any person at any time of the year, perfectly relaxes the back muscles.
Caution: any treatment of osteochondrosis should be agreed with the attending physician. Only in this case, you can count on the maximum effect of therapy.