Treatment of arthrosis at home

Various therapeutic baths in sanatoriums remain one of the most common health procedures. Hydrotherapy is used for a wide range of diseases, and it is also considered an essential part of comprehensive strengthening of the body and the prevention of common diseases. A course of therapeutic baths can be indicated even for those who do not suffer from serious illnesses, but want to strengthen the immune system, get rid of chronic fatigue and the effects of stress.

Many people like to carry out water procedures at home; herbal decoctions and extracts, salts and essential oils remain common ingredients for preparing baths. It is important to understand that all baths, without exception, have a healing effect on the body, so they can only be taken after consulting a doctor. Despite the fact that the number of contraindications to this method of therapy is relatively small, for some diseases baths cannot be performed. A specialist will help you choose not only the herbal or mineral composition of the bath, but also the water temperature, as well as the time of the procedure. In order for treatment with baths in a sanatorium to be extremely beneficial, it is recommended to undergo it during the period of remission of chronic diseases.

How to quickly relieve pain from arthrosis

Each person can independently relieve pain during exacerbation of arthrosis at home. First aid includes the use of orthopedic correction, their type depends on the location of arthrosis. If the knee joint is affected, special knee pads are used that tightly fix it in the correct position, reducing the load. Applying an elastic bandage is also effective.

To relieve severe pain, medications are used; no folk remedy can provide a similar therapeutic effect. If the pain syndrome is so severe that there is no strength to endure it, such drugs are injected into the joint. You can also use oral medications if the pain is moderate, as they will not work as quickly as injections.

You can relieve pain by reducing the inflammatory process by administering the following medications:

• Celeston;
• Diprospan;
• Kenagol;
• Depo-Medrol.

These and similar drugs are potent, so if joint inflammation appears for the first time, only a doctor can prescribe them. If a person has lived with arthrosis for many years, he already knows which drug will be most effective for him.

After the acute pain has gone, you can use ointments, compresses, baths, and other treatment methods to completely relieve the symptoms of arthrosis.

Indications for treatment with baths in a sanatorium

It is difficult to cover the range of indications for which certain healing baths are appropriate. As noted earlier, to carry out regular hydrotherapy it is not necessary to have a history of serious chronic diseases. Common indications are chronic fatigue and sleep disturbances, fatigue, slow metabolism and nervous excitability. If medicinal baths are prescribed in a sanatorium, the indications for their use may be as follows:

• diseases of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis, arthrosis, gout);
• nervous system disorders (vegetative-vascular dystonia, neuroses);
• some skin diseases (dry eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis);
• gynecological and urological diseases caused by chronic infectious and non-infectious lesions;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system (initial stages of ischemia and hypertension);
• diseases of the endocrine system;
• some ENT diseases (in particular, those caused by a decrease in local and general immunity);
• initial forms of obesity.

At first glance, water procedures may seem simple and intuitive. In fact, the range of their therapeutic properties is wide; even a bath with herbal supplements has a complex and multifaceted effect on the body. Through the pores of the skin it is saturated with minerals and vitamins, which are carried through the bloodstream to organs and systems. Local or complete immersion in water has an immediate effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems. Depending on the temperature and composition of the bath, their work may intensify or, on the contrary, slow down.

The medicinal substances contained in water help fight chronic infection, regardless of its location. They promote the production of natural interferons in the body, due to which the immune system is strengthened and resistance to adverse environmental factors is increased. In addition, water procedures have a pronounced cosmetological effect, they improve skin health and are indispensable in the complex treatment of certain dermatological diseases. After water procedures, the skin becomes firmer and more elastic; baths can eliminate the appearance of cellulite and other unaesthetic changes in the skin and subcutaneous tissues.

Baths for arthrosis

The advantage of therapeutic baths for arthrosis is their speed. The healing solution added to water penetrates through the pores of the skin directly to the source of inflammation, envelops the affected cartilage and joints.

The following bath recipes are popular:

• Turpentine. Take 0.75 ml of salicylic acid, add 10 g of baby or laundry soap, grated, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. After the mixture has cooled to room temperature, add 2 tablespoons of turpentine purchased at the pharmacy.
• With sea salt, chamomile, seaweed. First, prepare a chamomile decoction: pour 200 g of flowers into 0.5 liters of boiling water, cook over low heat for 10 minutes, strain, and let it brew. Then take a container with 5 liters of clean water at room temperature, add to it the prepared chamomile decoction, 500 g of sea salt, a glass of seaweed infusion (it is sold in pharmacies in powder form, prepared according to the instructions).

Important! The duration of taking a bath with any medicinal solution should not exceed 20-30 minutes. It is also important to maintain a comfortable water temperature; it should not be too hot or cold.

Types of therapeutic baths

There are more than a hundred types of health baths; they can differ in water temperature, method of immersion in water, and also in composition. Baths can be cold (less than 20 degrees), cool (from 20 to 33 degrees), indifferent (from 34 to 37 degrees), warm (38 to 39 degrees) and hot (over 40 degrees). Cold and cool water is used when it is necessary to increase the tone of the body. It has a regulatory effect on the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, promotes the activation of metabolic processes and increases blood pressure.

Speaking about which therapeutic baths are indicated for joint diseases, there can be two answers - indifferent and warm. They have an analgesic effect, promote muscle relaxation, and lower blood pressure. Warm baths are also indicated for stress relief; they improve sleep and increase the body's resistance to aggressive environmental factors. Hot baths are used when stimulation of metabolism is necessary, and there is also a need to increase sweating and reduce blood pressure. Depending on the method of carrying out the procedures, baths can be local or general. With local immersion, only parts of the body, usually arms or legs, are immersed in water, while with general immersion, the entire body is immersed. The most common types of medicinal baths can vary in composition; the most common remain:

• hydrogen sulfide;
• nitrogen;
• iodine-bromine;
• oxygen;
• carbon dioxide;
• turpentine;
• herbal;
• saline;
• mineral.

The exact composition of the bath depends on the characteristics of the disease, as well as on what goals are sought to be achieved through hydrotherapy. Turpentine baths are used for diseases of the heart and blood vessels; they help strengthen the walls of blood vessels and also improve blood microcirculation. Herbal baths can be used for inflammatory diseases of the skin and internal organs; many of their types are distinguished by bactericidal properties. Water procedures using salt and minerals are used in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system, and they also help regulate metabolism. Due to the latter feature, they are used in comprehensive weight loss programs. It is also worth noting that bath treatment is a comfortable and pleasant spa treatment procedure.

Compresses

There are many recipes for preparing compresses for arthrosis using both folk and medicinal remedies. Some of them have a warming effect, while others have a cooling effect.

The following recipes are effective:

Snow with salt. We spread the cloth, put a layer of snow on top, prepared in advance in the freezer, and sprinkle generously with salt on top. We wrap it around the affected joint and secure the oilcloth on top with an elastic bandage. We keep it for several hours until the compress begins to melt, then remove it and immediately lubricate it with warming ointment, wrap it in warmth.

Important! Despite their high effectiveness, cold compresses have a number of contraindications. It is imperative to consult with your doctor before starting to use them.

Clay with kefir. We dilute the clay powder purchased at the pharmacy with kefir until a thick mass of uniform texture is formed. Place the mixture in a water bath for 5-7 minutes, then apply the mixture to the area with affected joints.

Also effective are recipes using bee products: honey, propolis.

Alcohol and vodka infusions

Vodka infusions for arthrosis can be used to prepare remedies for oral administration, but their use for compresses is considered more effective. They provide a warming effect and are easy to prepare:

Hot vodka compresses. Mix hot water and vodka in equal quantities, moisten gauze folded several times, squeeze, apply to the affected area, put polyethylene on top, provide heat. After 10-15 minutes, change the gauze with a new solution and so on several times.

Cold vodka compresses. They are prepared in the same way as hot ones, only cold water is used for cooking. This compress lasts for about an hour; there is no need to change the gauze.

Important! Such treatment methods are not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or in childhood, since alcohol is absorbed through the skin pores, which is dangerous for children's health.

Ointments for arthrosis

The use of ointments is another effective method of treating arthrosis, since the active ingredients of the drugs penetrate directly into the affected joint. Choosing the right remedy is not easy because of their diversity; it is better to listen to the recommendations of your doctor.

All ointments used for joint damage are divided into several groups:

1. Anti-inflammatory . They contain non-steroidal substances with a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. The duration of their use is usually not long; immediately after the exacerbation passes, other groups of drugs are prescribed. Effective anti-inflammatory ointments are Diclofenac, Dolobene, Fastum-gel.
2. Warming . They have a vasodilating effect, stimulating blood flow to the affected joint. This action provides a warming effect. Warming ointments such as Voltaren and Apizartron are often prescribed.
3. Chondroprotectors . Their function is to ensure the supply of substances to the cartilage and joints that regenerate their tissue. Chondroxide, Structum, Teraflex are often prescribed.

The Biolit company managed to combine these medicinal properties of ointments in one product and make an effective remedy for the treatment of arthrosis - Massage Cream with cinquefoil extract “Esobel”. It has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, eliminates and prevents swelling. Thanks to the beneficial effects of cinquefoil extract, the process of regeneration of cartilage tissue in the affected area is activated, which makes it possible to restore the damaged structure of the articular surface and joint mobility.

A small amount of cream should be rubbed in, lightly massaging the affected area for at least 10 minutes. To enhance the effectiveness of the treatment, you must then warm the problem area using dry heat. Warm-up duration is 20-30 minutes. Number of procedures – at least 10.

Contraindications to hydrotherapy

Despite the benefits that medicinal baths can bring to the body, there are also contraindications to this method of balneotherapy. First of all, water procedures are not carried out during periods of exacerbation of any chronic diseases. Infectious diseases in the contagious stage, as well as elevated body temperature, remain a strong contraindication. Balneotherapy is carried out with caution in the presence of malignant and benign neoplasms; in this case, even the identified human papillomavirus may become a limitation to hydrotherapy. Among the common diseases for which medicinal baths are not used are the following:

• hypertension II – III degree;
• phlebeurysm;
• tuberculosis of various etiologies;
• serious mental disorders;
• epilepsy;
• severe forms of diabetes mellitus;
• fungal skin infections;
• weeping eczema.

Representatives of the fair sex are advised to avoid water procedures in late pregnancy, and some types of healing baths may not be indicated during lactation. At the Sakropol sanatorium, vacationers have the opportunity to try medicinal baths, which are prepared with the addition of brine from the estuary lake. They are indicated for a wide range of diseases; lake brine has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, regenerating and restorative effects. Baths with brine from Lake Saki are also used in post-traumatic treatment, in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as in cases of neurological and endocrine disorders. The sanatorium has its own balneotherapy clinic with equipment suitable for all types of water procedures.