With long-term problems with the nutrition of the joints, changes in the cartilage tissue begin and arthrosis develops. This disease is the most common form of joint damage, greatly affecting quality of life and leading to total disability. It can occur not only in an elderly person, therefore the topic of prevention and treatment is relevant for everyone. Do home remedies help and which ones are worth using?
what is osteoarthritis
Degenerative-dystrophic disease of the joints, in which the cartilaginous tissue on its surface loses its elasticity, wears out - this is the definition of osteoarthritis given by doctors. Alternative disease name: osteoarthritis (possibly spelling "deforming osteoarthritis"). This term can encompass several diseases with similar results, but of different etiology (origin), in which the pathology affects all parts of the joint:
- Articular cartilage;
- ligaments;
- joint capsule;
- Yes boyfriend;
- subchondral bone;
- periarticular muscles.
Osteoarthritis is caused by a large number of biological and mechanical causes that contribute to the destruction of cartilage tissue: excessive physical activity, trauma, metabolic disorders, poor diet, infectious diseases, excess weight. Mainly the knee, ankle and hip joints are affected, since the load on them is maximum, less often the lower back, elbows, neck and phalanges of the fingers are affected. Osteoarthritis can affect 1 joint (localized form) or several (generalized, polyosteoarthritis). General symptoms:
- pain in the affected joint (first, only during physical exertion, at the end of the day, after and at rest);
- feeling of stiffness in the morning (lasts up to half an hour);
- decreased joint mobility.
The clinical picture of osteoarthritis depends on the stage of development: in the initial stage, there are no morphological changes (in the structure) of the joint; only the synovial fluid is affected, the symptoms soften. The pain can appear after physical exertion, disappearing at rest. As osteoarthritis progresses, the process of destruction of cartilage and menisci begins, the following signs appear:
- dense thickening along the edges of the joint space;
- sore spots;
- pain and limited movement (contracture);
- joint instability;
- Chronic inflamation;
- deformation due to bone growths (osteophytes).
Treatment of osteoarthritis with folk remedies at home.
The process of fighting this disease is always long, mainly the treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis (at home). It is important to observe an integrated approach to eliminate the problem: limit the load on sore joints, observe a motor regimen, regularly perform therapeutic exercises (exercises are selected by a doctor) and massage. The objectives of the therapeutic regimen for osteoarthritis are:
- prevent the development of contractures;
- improve joint function;
- slowing down the progression of the disease.
Treatment of arthrosis with folk methods is aimed at performing the same tasks, and, in addition, should eliminate unpleasant symptoms - pain, inflammation. Internal intake of decoctions and tinctures helps to restore cartilage tissue in the initial stage of the disease, improves metabolic processes and blood circulation. When properly combined with other therapeutic methods, home remedies for osteoarthritis can prevent further development of the disease. Several important rules:
- Do not stop the course of treatment when you feel an improvement: the elimination of the root cause is always long-term and the symptoms can disappear in a week.
- Strictly adhere to the indicated dosages (even with home remedies, you can go too far) and follow the procedure schedule.
- Do not ignore the diet - without it, there is no point in taking folk remedies and making compresses, since nutrition is at the center of the causes of arthrosis. Eliminate salt, sugar, any artificial additives, pay attention to a diet based on plant foods, sources of omega-3 fats (fish, olive oil) and control your body weight. Gelatin, gelatin, gelatin, cottage cheese, soft cheese will be useful.
- Coordinate traditional methods of treating osteoarthritis with your doctor, especially if the disease is not in the initial stage, or if you have a large number of chronic diseases, if you suffer from allergies. When treating children, self-selection of therapy is prohibited.
- If adverse reactions appear, discard the chosen remedy or method.
Compresses for osteoarthritis of the joints
Local treatment of degenerative-dystrophic processes involves the use of ointments, rubs or compresses (applications, dressings). The latter more effectively relieve pain and swelling, improve blood circulation well, and can help nourish cartilage tissue (if the product is gelatin-based). Compresses are hot, which are prohibited with an active inflammatory process, but perfectly remove pain, and cold, which better remove edema. Effective folk remedies for arthrosis:
- Pour the oatmeal (4 tablespoons) with boiling water (glass). Simmer for 7-8 minutes to make a thick, slimy porridge. If there is too much water, add more oatmeal. The resulting mass should be cooled, laid out on gauze folded three times, used as a compress before bedtime. Make sure to cover it with cling film and secure with a bandage.
- Take fresh horseradish root, finely rub unpeeled. Put on a double-folded gauze, put it on the sore joint. You can keep the compress for 1-2 hours, apply - 2 times a day.
Burdock
Popular home remedies used for compresses for diseases of the musculoskeletal system are the leaves of the plants, which are slightly kneaded to release the juice. For this purpose, take cabbage, fern or burdock. The last option is not the most affordable for a city dweller, since a fresh leaf is needed, but it is very effective, helping to quickly relieve swelling and pain. The principle of action is simple:
- Bring a large amount of water (3-4 liters) to a boil in a saucepan.
- Dip the washed burdock leaf there, hold for exactly 30 seconds.
- Treat the affected area with warm olive oil or honey (about 1-2 tablespoons, the exact amount depends on the size of the joint).
- Lay a scalded burdock leaf on top, secure with a bandage for an hour. The procedure can be done daily until the pain and swelling are completely gone.
Cabbage
A simple and effective alternative treatment for osteoarthritis and arthritis is the application of cabbage compresses. They stop the inflammatory process, relieve edema by excreting fluid, have a positive effect on the metabolism of nutrients, and reduce the severity of pain. For the procedure, whole cabbage leaves and squeezed juice are used. The most effective recipes:
- Remove the leaf from the head of the cabbage, wash it well, make several shallow cuts inside. Hit with a hammer, if the veins are very thick, apply to the affected joint. For greater effectiveness, from the inside, you can grease the leaf with honey mixed with mustard powder (1 teaspoon each). Close with foil, fix with bandage and warm scarf. For the knee, it is worth using 2-3 sheets, for other areas: 1. Keep the compress for an hour, then, if necessary, you can make a new one. It is allowed to perform 4 to 5 procedures per day, the duration of treatment, until the patient feels better.
- Take 4-5 leaves of a head of cabbage, chop with a knife, remember with your hands in a small glass container. Squeeze the juice, soak it with gauze folded three times or a thick woolen cloth (always with a natural composition). Apply a compress to the sore area, cover with aluminum foil. Keep it for 1. 5-2 hours. The juice can be stored for up to 3 days, after which it becomes fresh. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is not limited.
Alcohol and vodka tinctures
Universal home remedies for arthrosis, which can be used internally and externally, are tinctures with alcohol or vodka. For its preparation take sable flowers, dandelion, helenium, lilac, which have anti-inflammatory properties. They can also be used to prepare decoctions of drinking water, if alcohol tinctures are not allowed. Particularly effective recipes:
- Take 2 tablespoons. yosabelnik, pour a glass of vodka. Keep the mixture in a cool place for 2 weeks. You need to drink the tincture in 1 tablespoon. l. , which is diluted in 100 ml of warm water, before meals. Additionally, it can be applied externally, gently massaging the joint for one minute, 2 times a day. The treatment lasts one month.
- Classify 1 kg of rye grains (for a full therapeutic course), pour cold water (7 l). Bring to a boil over medium heat, turn off the stove. When the broth has cooled, strain. Add runny honey (1 kg), vodka (500 ml) and barberry root (3 teaspoons). Keep the tincture cool and dark for 3 weeks. Drink 3 tablespoons. and before meals until the product is gone.
- Grind the peeled garlic cloves (200 g), add alcohol (200 ml). After 10 days, drain, leave for 2 more days. Take 3 drops, diluted in 100 ml of milk, in the morning and in the evening, one hour after meals. The treatment lasts one month.
Healing decoctions
A useful and simple folk remedy for osteoarthritis is a simple herbal tea with fresh ginger, which improves blood circulation, reduces pain and inflammation. To do this, just finely rub 2 cm of ginger root, add a clove bud and 1 tsp. Green Tea. Everything is filled with hot water (80 degrees), heated for 10 minutes in a water bath, infused for half an hour. Then add a teaspoon of honey here, drink the tea warm. The agent can be taken daily 1-2 times, the duration of treatment is not limited. Also, the following decoctions are useful for arthrosis:
- Take dried bay leaves (10 g), pour boiling water (200 ml), let it simmer for 10 minutes. Insist, wrapping the container with a towel, for 5 hours. If possible, it is advisable to keep the broth in a warm oven and cook in a heavy saucepan. Drink in small portions a day. Treatment lasts only 3 days, after a week break, the course is repeated.
- Mix calendula flowers, nettle and birch leaves, pour 2 tbsp. and a half liter of boiling water. Boil, let cool. Drink 100 ml before meals for half an hour 4 r / day for 3 weeks.
Ointments and frictions
If the joint affected by osteoarthritis is not inflamed, the skin is not reddened, the local temperature is not elevated, homemade frictions can be prepared to reduce pain and normalize blood circulation. They are used during light massage: caresses, spiral movements, rubbing. They can be used up to 2 times a day, after which it is advisable to wrap the treated area with a woolen cloth. The course for a moderate course of arthrosis lasts 2-3 weeks. For such procedures, you can squeeze the juice from aloe leaves, use warm honey, or prepare a multi-component composition:
- Take 100 g of olive oil or other vegetable (sunflower, corn), add a similar amount of propolis, which should be finely grated. Heat in a water bath until a homogeneous mass is obtained (the propolis must melt), let it cool. Use the resulting product to rub into the area affected by osteoarthritis 2 times a day until the unpleasant symptoms disappear completely.
- Grind 20 g of Caucasian hellebore with a mortar to a fine powder. Pour 20 ml of vegetable oil and a similar amount of liquid honey (you can heat it), add 5 g of mustard. Heat everything in a bain-marie (over low heat), stir, let cool to room temperature. Rub into joints with severe pain 2-3 r / day.
- Take equal amounts of birch buds, wild rosemary, Maryin root, white lilac flowers, sweet clover, brew 1 tbsp. I picked up a glass of boiling water. Insist an hour. Melt 150 g of butter inside a bain-marie, add 50 ml of infusion here until a thick paste is obtained. When the product has cooled, rub the affected area in the morning and at night.
- Beat 2 chicken eggs, add 2 teaspoons each. ammonia and turpentine. At night, massage the affected joint with this mixture. The duration of treatment is 2 weeks.
Spa
If the patient does not have diseases of the skin and the cardiovascular system (especially hypertension), tumors, therapeutic baths can be taken to improve the state of the musculoskeletal system. They contribute to general warming, stimulate cell renewal, strengthen immunity, relieve swelling, pain, muscle hypertonicity, normalize blood circulation and regain mobility. The effect depends on the chosen product added to the water. Traditional medicine for osteoarthritis advises to use:
- sea salt;
- iodine;
- needles;
- hay powder;
- turpentine;
- herbal preparations;
- mustard powder.
It is important that the water temperature is comfortable - 35-37 degrees, but for some popular recipes, exceptions are allowed (the temperature rises up to 40 degrees). The procedure is carried out for 10-30 minutes, depending on the agent used, with a frequency of 1 time in 2 days or less, depending on portability. To obtain a noticeable result with arthrosis, the course should last a month (15 procedures), if necessary, it is repeated after a break - this should be discussed with the doctor.
With salt and pine
Baths, for which sea salt (1 kg) and pine branches (2-3 pieces) are used, have a good effect on the musculoskeletal system. Also, to enhance the warming effect, you can add:
- honey (2 tbsp. l. );
- turpentine (1 teaspoon).
First, the pine branches are placed in a bathtub and boiled. After half an hour, sea salt, honey and turpentine are added here. The bathroom is full of hot water. When it cools down to 37 degrees, you can begin the procedure. Its duration is 20 minutes, the course consists of 12 procedures. If there are no pine branches, you can take any coniferous essential oil (3-5 drops), but add it when the water begins to cool.
herbal bath
Nettle, chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort are popular and effective herbs, on the basis of which you can prepare decoctions used for therapeutic baths for arthrosis. They relieve pain and have a relaxing effect. These herbs are used alone or together. A couple of traditional medicine options:
- Combine calendula, St. John's wort, and oregano in equal proportions. The resulting mixture in the amount of 3 tbsp. I pour in a couple of glasses of boiling water. Let it sit for an hour, pour into the bathroom. Given the low concentration of the infusion, its use is recommended for local baths: to warm the elbow joint, knee, ankle. The duration of the procedure is 10-20 minutes, the course consists of 10 sessions every other day.
- Take nettle, birch leaves, tansy flowers (the ratio is the same). Pour 100 g of the mixture with a liter of boiling water, leave for half an hour. Add to the finished bath and soak for 15 minutes. Procedures should be carried out for 2 weeks every other day.
soda salt
In case of injuries to the small joints of the hands and feet (phalangeal, wrists), they can be vaporized in small bathrooms. For them, folk remedies for the treatment of osteoarthritis such as conifers and soda salt solutions are used. The latter is a mixture of equal amounts of baking soda and sea salt, filled with hot water (75-80 degrees). For 1 liter, take 1 tablespoon. yode each product. The bath is done for 15 minutes, gently massaging the areas of osteoarthritis. After that, it is advisable to put wool socks or gloves on them. The procedure is repeated every other day for 3 weeks.