Osteochondrosis of the spine is a complex disease that can affect the thoracic, lumbar and cervical spine. Think about the most common symptoms and characteristics of the treatment of the disease at home.
Common symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine
Osteochondrosis of the spine 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. The lesion of the cervical region is characterized by the appearance of the following symptoms:
- Dizziness, which occurs spontaneously and increases with rotation of the head (especially with sudden movement);
- Headache that is not relieved with painkillers. The pain is often provoked by motor activity in the cervical region;
- Pain in the shoulder girdle and girdle of the upper limbs;
- Visual impairment: weight loss, flickering before the eyes of "flies" and multicolored circles;
- Hearing impairment: ringing in the ears;
- Episodes of loss of consciousness;
- Snoring in sleep is a consequence of the constant tension of the muscular apparatus of the neck;
- In more advanced cases, neurological symptoms appear: numbness of the tongue, change in voice and others.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by:
- Pain in the chest, shoulders, provoked by physical activity, hypothermia. The pain most often occurs at night. Increased pain can be caused by deep breathing;
- Feeling of tightness in the chest and the appearance of piercing pain in the intercostal spaces (especially when changing position and movement of the body);
- Feeling of "creeping" on the chest and arms, sometimes - the neck. Numbness and coldness of the limbs.
At the heart of the clinical symptoms of osteochondrosis, localized in the lumbar region, are symptoms such as:
- Pain syndrome localized in the lumbar region. It can be painful, permanent or intermittent in the form of "lumbago" with radiation in the right or left leg, as well as in the perineum, sacrum. Pain increases significantly with exercise and physical activity;
- Numbness and coldness of the lower extremities, decreased sensitivity in the legs;
- With the defeat of the motor parts of the nervous chain, the development of paresis and paralysis of the legs is possible;
- Dysfunction of the genitourinary system.
How to get rid of osteochondrosis at home without medication
For the treatment of osteochondrosis at home without drugs, often used means of plant and animal origin. Preference is given to the following:
- bee and snake venom;
- badger fat;
- Fir essential oil;
- Camphor alcohol, etc.
These substances can be used as ointments, compresses, rubbing.
To alleviate the symptoms and reduce the progression of the disease, the use of special orthopedic bed linen 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 extractives (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: lean meat and fish, dairy products.
At home, you can also seek the help of a professional masseur, who will help relieve muscle tension in any part of the spine. With special care you can do the massage yourself. Self-massage includes stroking, rubbing, kneading.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home with drugs
Medical treatment of any disease, including osteochondrosis, should be prescribed by a qualified professional. Only a doctor can prescribe the right treatment regimen, taking into account all possible contraindications to taking one or another group of drugs. The following groups of drugs are currently 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 application. The former have a more pronounced effect;
- Analgesics (painkillers);
- Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics. Elimination of muscle spasms and pathological muscle tension;
- Preparations that improve blood microcirculation and rheology;
- Chondroprotectors. Provide resistance of cartilage to the action of negative factors;
- Vitamins - mainly group B (B1, B6, B12). Actively affects the metabolic processes in the nervous system;
- Antidepressants. Provides prevention of psychosomatic disorders.
How to cure osteochondrosis at home with exercise
Orthopedists and rehabilitation doctors have developed specialized sets of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis of each spine. 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;
- The movements must 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 complexes should be performed only in periods of remission of the disease.
In addition to the complexes of therapeutic exercises, doctors strongly recommend that you always be physically active. Swimming and water aerobics, which are available to everyone at any time of the year, perfectly unload the muscles of the back.
Caution: any treatment for osteochondrosis should be agreed with your doctor. Only in this case you can count on the maximum effect of therapy.