With long-term problems with the nutrition of the joints, changes begin in the cartilage tissue and arthrosis develops. This disease is the most common form of joint damage, greatly impairing the quality of life and leading to complete disability. It can arise not only in an elderly person, therefore, the issue of prevention and treatment is relevant for everyone. Do folk remedies help from it and which ones are worth using?
What is arthrosis
Degenerative-dystrophic disease of the joints, in which the cartilaginous tissue on their surface loses its elasticity, is worn out - this is the definition of arthrosis given by doctors. Alternative name of the disease: osteoarthritis (possibly writing "osteoarthritis deformans"). This term can cover several diseases with similar outcomes, but different etiology (origin), in which pathology affects all parts of the joint:
- articular cartilage;
- ligaments;
- articular capsule;
- synovium;
- subchondral bone;
- periarticular muscles.
Arthrosis is caused by a large number of biological and mechanical causes that contribute to the destruction of cartilaginous tissue: excessive physical activity, trauma, metabolic disorders, poor nutrition, infectious diseases, excess weight. Mainly the knee, ankle and hip joints are affected, since the load on them is maximum, less often the lumbar zone, elbows, neck, phalanges of the fingers are affected. Arthrosis 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 arthrosis depends on the stage of development: at the initial stage, there are no morphological changes (in the structure) of the joint - only the synovial fluid is affected, the symptoms are smoothed. Pain may occur after physical exertion, disappearing at rest. As arthrosis progresses, the process of destruction of cartilage and meniscus starts, the following signs appear:
- dense thickening along the edges of the joint space;
- painful points;
- soreness and limited movement (contracture);
- joint instability;
- chronic inflammation;
- deformation due to bone growths (osteophytes).
Treatment of arthrosis with folk remedies at home
The process of combating this disease is always long, mainly treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis (at home). It is important to observe an integrated approach to eliminating the problem: to limit the load on sore joints, observe a motor regimen, regularly perform therapeutic exercises (exercises are selected by a doctor) and massage. The goals of the therapeutic regimen for arthrosis are:
- preventing the development of contractures;
- improving 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 at the initial stage of the disease, improve metabolic processes and blood circulation. When properly combined with other therapeutic methods, folk remedies for arthrosis can prevent the 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 folk remedies, you can go too far) and follow the schedule of procedures.
- Do not ignore the diet: without it, there is no point in taking folk remedies and making compresses, since nutrition is at the heart 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 monitor your body weight. Jelly, gelatin, aspic, cottage cheese, mild cheese will be useful.
- Coordinate traditional methods of treating arthrosis with your doctor, especially if the disease is not at the initial stage, or you have a large number of chronic diseases, 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 arthrosis of the joints
Local treatment of degenerative-dystrophic processes involves the use of ointments, rubbing 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 based on gelatin). Compresses are hot, which are prohibited with an active inflammatory process, but they perfectly remove pain, and cold, which better eliminate edema. Effective folk remedies for arthrosis:
- Pour oatmeal (4 tablespoons) with boiling water (glass). Cook over low heat for 7-8 minutes to make a thick, slimy porridge. If there is too much water, add more oatmeal. The resulting mass must be cooled, laid out on three times folded gauze, used as a compress before bedtime. Be sure to cover it with cling film and secure with a bandage.
- Take fresh horseradish root, rub finely without peeling. Put on double-folded gauze, place on the sore joint. You can hold the compress for 1-2 hours, apply - 2 times a day.
Burdock
Popular folk remedies used for compresses for diseases of the musculoskeletal system are plant leaves, which are slightly kneaded to make 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, it helps 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).
- Put a scalded burdock sheet on top, secure with a bandage for an hour. The procedure can be carried out daily until pain and swelling are completely eliminated.
Cabbage
A simple and effective alternative treatment for arthrosis and arthritis involves 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, both whole cabbage leaves and juice squeezed out of them are used. The most effective recipes:
- Remove the leaf from the head of cabbage, wash well, make several shallow cuts on the inside. Knock off with a hammer, if the veins are very thick, apply to the affected joint. For greater efficiency, from the inside, you can grease the leaf with honey mixed with mustard powder (1 tsp each). Close with foil, fix with a bandage and a 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 do 4–5 procedures per day, the duration of treatment - until the patient feels better.
- Take 4-5 leaves from a cabbage head, chop with a knife, remember with your hands in a small glass container. Squeeze out the juice, saturate it with cheesecloth folded three times or thick woolen cloth (always with a natural composition). Apply a compress to the sore area, cover with foil. Keep it for 1. 5-2 hours. The juice can be stored for up to 3 days, after which it is made fresh. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is not limited.
Alcohol and vodka tinctures
Universal folk remedies for arthrosis, which can be used internally and externally, are tinctures with alcohol or vodka. For their preparation, take saber, dandelion, elecampane, lilac flowers, which have anti-inflammatory properties. They can also be used to prepare water decoctions to drink, if alcohol tinctures are not allowed. Particularly effective recipes:
- Take 2 tbsp. l. sabelnik, pour a glass of vodka. Keep the mixture in a cool place for 2 weeks. You need to drink the tincture in 1 tbsp. l. , which is diluted in 100 ml of warm water, before meals. Additionally, it can be applied externally, gently massaging the joint for a minute, 2 times a day. The treatment lasts a month.
- Sort out 1 kg of rye grains (for a full therapeutic course), pour cold water (7 l). Let it simmer over medium heat, turn off the stove. When the broth has cooled, strain. Stir in liquid honey (1 kg), vodka (500 ml) and barberry root (3 tsp). Keep the tincture cold and dark for 3 weeks. Drink 3 tbsp. l. before meals until the product runs out.
- Grind peeled garlic cloves (200 g), add alcohol (200 ml). After 10 days, strain, leave for 2 more days. Take 3 drops, diluted in 100 ml of milk, morning and evening, one hour after meals. The treatment lasts a month.
Healing decoctions
A useful and simple folk remedy for arthrosis is a simple herbal tea with fresh ginger, which improves blood circulation, reduces pain, and inflammation. To do this, simply rub 2 cm of ginger root finely, add a clove bud and 1 tsp. green tea. Everything is filled with hot (80 degrees) water, 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. In addition, 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 thick saucepan. Drink in small portions per day. The treatment lasts only 3 days, after a week break the course is repeated.
- Mix calendula flowers, nettle and birch leaves, pour 2 tbsp. l. half a liter of boiling water. Boil, let cool. Drink 100 ml before meals for half an hour 4 r / day for 3 weeks.
Ointments and rubbing
If the joint affected by arthrosis is not inflamed, the skin is not reddened, the local temperature is not elevated, homemade rubbing can be prepared to reduce pain and normalize blood circulation. They are used during light massage: stroking, 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 juice from aloe leaves, use warm honey, or prepare a multicomponent composition:
- Take 100 g of olive or other vegetable (sunflower, corn) oil, add a similar amount of propolis, which must be finely grated. Warm in a water bath to get a homogeneous mass (propolis should melt), let cool. Use the resulting product for rubbing into the area affected by arthrosis 2 times a day until the unpleasant symptoms disappear completely.
- Grind 20 g of Caucasian hellebore with a pestle until fine powder. Pour 20 ml of vegetable oil and a similar amount of liquid (you can warm) honey to it, add 5 g of mustard. Warm everything in a water bath (low heat), stir, let cool to room temperature. Rub into the 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. l. collecting a glass of boiling water. Insist an hour. Melt 150 g of interior lard in a water bath, add 50 ml of infusion here to get a thick paste. When the product has cooled, use to rub the affected area in the morning and evening.
- Beat 2 chicken eggs, add 2 tsp each. ammonia and turpentine. In the evenings, massage the affected joint with this mixture. The duration of treatment is 2 weeks.
Baths
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 condition of the musculoskeletal system. They contribute to general warming, stimulate cellular renewal, strengthen immunity, relieve swelling, pain, muscle hypertonicity, normalize blood circulation, and resume mobility. The effect depends on the chosen product added to the water. Traditional medicine for arthrosis advises using:
- sea salt;
- iodine;
- needles;
- hay dust;
- turpentine;
- herbal preparations;
- mustard powder.
It is important that the water temperature is comfortable: 35-37 degrees, but for some folk recipes, exceptions are allowed (temperature rise 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 often - according to 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 pcs. ) Are used, have a good effect on the musculoskeletal system. Additionally, to enhance the warming effect, you can add:
- honey (2 tbsp. l. );
- turpentine (1 tsp).
First, pine branches are placed in a bathtub and boiled over. After half an hour, sea salt, honey, turpentine are added here. The bath is filled with hot water. When it cools down to 37 degrees, you can start 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 starts 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 singly 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. l. pour a couple of glasses of boiling water. Let it brew for an hour, pour into the bath. Given the low concentration of the infusion, it is recommended to use it for local baths: to warm up 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 equal). 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. The procedures should be carried out for 2 weeks every other day.
Soda-salt
In case of lesions of the small joints of the hands and feet (phalangeal, wrist), they can be steamed in small baths. For them, such folk remedies for the treatment of arthrosis as coniferous and soda-salt solutions are used. The latter is a mixture of equal amounts of baking soda and sea salt, filled with hot (75-80 degrees) water. For 1 liter, take 1 tbsp. l. of each product. The bath is done for 15 minutes, gently massaging the arthrosis zones. After that, it is advisable to put on woolen socks or mittens on them. The procedure is repeated every other day for 3 weeks.