How to treat knee osteoarthritis at home

Medical inpatient therapy is not the only way to treat arthrosis. The disease has a chronic course and is difficult to eliminate. In advanced forms of the pathology, irreversible changes occur, and to maintain the condition, a therapeutic system is prescribed, which the person follows at home. Home treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint, in addition to traditional medicine, also includes various folk recipes that increase the effectiveness of drugs, restore blood circulation and improve well-being.

Contraindications and recommendations

Before starting the therapy, the patient must know the contraindications for using the regimen. Correct assessment of the condition and complete knowledge of contraindications help to protect against complications of the disease and make the therapy as effective as possible.

The main contraindications of traditional medicine:

• oncological diseases;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• diabetes;
• bronchitis with an asthmatic component;
• allergic reactions to herbs or foods used in a particular recipe;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• chronic infectious diseases;
• the period of exacerbation of systemic diseases;
• congenital abnormalities or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• hepatitis with ascites.

Other contraindications include pathologies of the endocrine system in the form of goiter (autoimmune or toxic origin).

Before starting the course, it is advisable to consult a doctor, as it is difficult or even impossible to cure arthrosis of the knee joint at home using only folk recipes. During the consultation, the doctor explains what arthrosis of the knee joint is and how it can be treated at home with medicines, the patient's task is to find the appropriate folk recipes. It is better to immediately choose the most suitable drugs and ask about the possibility of their use and the desired effect.

Treatment of the disease at home is recommended:

• after accurate diagnosis. First, you must undergo a series of tests to determine the origin and stage of the disease;
• with an integrated approach to therapy. Folk recipes only supplement drug treatment. The entire course of therapy must be conducted under the supervision of a physician and with regular clinical examinations;

• external and oral agents can only be used if there is no allergy to the components of the drug.

In close cooperation with a specialist, it is possible to eliminate pain and heal the knee. Adding folk remedies to the treatment regimen increases the speed of healing and the effectiveness of the main treatment.

Proper nutrition

It should not be based only on traditional medicine, as arthrosis of the knee joint must be treated in a complex way at home. The basis of every therapeutic course is to change the diet.

In the case of malnutrition, there are 3 main violations:

• metabolic disease. One of the main reasons for the development of arthrosis is the lack of nutrients in the cartilage tissue;
• micronutrient deficiencies. The knee joint needs building materials for tissue regeneration, even with a good metabolism, rapid wear occurs in the absence of trace elements;
• obesity. The consumption of fatty and fast food not only damages the metabolism and the health of the internal organs, but also provokes an increase in the body mass index. Heavy weight leads to increased strain on the legs, especially the knee and hip joints. In overweight people, the risk of developing arthrosis is multiple.

A balanced diet is the key to the patient's recovery and reduction of symptoms. With a properly composed diet, all body systems are restored, and it is also possible to correct body weight. Diet is the first step in any therapy.

Before treating gonarthrosis of the knee joint at home, it is important to enrich your diet with key minerals and vitamins:

• Vitamin D is produced in the body when sunlight hits the skin, and can also be found in cod liver and dairy products;
• B vitamins are found in eggs, fish, nuts, green vegetables, seafood;
• calcium, more often enters the body from milk and products derived from it, as well as from sesame, parmesan, basil;
• vegetable fiber: all kinds of vegetables, herbs and fruits.

The basis of nutrition should be complex carbohydrates, which make up 80% of the calories from the diet. The condition of the joints is positively influenced by foods made from tendons of animal origin: natural jelly, aspic, bull joint extracts, jelly, etc.

The diet should include more:

• various dairy products;
• legumes;
• fresh vegetables with herbs, but it is worth eating less cabbage, tomatoes and peppers;
• pasta and bread (it is better to choose whole grains);
• various cereals, except oatmeal;
• all kinds of nuts;
• low-fat fish, types of meat;
• egg.

Nutritionists recommend avoiding fatty, salty, sour and fried foods, as well as coffee and alcohol. It is worth limiting, but not completely excluding, the use of various oils, muffins, sweets, and soda. When cooking, it is better to give preference to boiling, baking and steaming.

Before treating arthrosis of the knee joint with nutritional correction at home, it is better to cleanse the body of harmful food residues. The intake of vegetables, fruits, rice, as well as decoctions made from juniper, birch or nettle leaves help to remove toxins and improve digestion.

How to fix the knee in arthrosis?

The doctor regulates the symptoms and home treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint, and also recommends limiting the mobility of the injured limb. If the load is distributed on the injured knee, the severity of the symptoms decreases and the progression of the disease slows down. With the help of a special bandage, the knee is fixed in a position that limits its motor ability and reduces the load on the joint. The knee brace helps distribute the load evenly over the entire limb.

Gonarthrosis should be treated with bandages at 1-2 stages of development of the pathology. At home, the device can be replaced with an elastic bandage, which helps to stop the pain. It is necessary to remove the bandage from time to time (after 1-2 hours) to restore blood circulation in the knee.

Basic rules for wearing a bandage:

• the bandage is applied tightly but sparingly. Strong compression of adjacent tissues often leads to aggravation of the disease;
• before applying the bandage, the leg is straightened;
• burdock leaves or a poultice with honey help to enhance the effect of the bandage, they are placed under the fabric;
• in case of pain or discomfort, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

The technique is also prescribed in the stage of relapse of the disease, but then it is better to give preference to special knee protectors. With their help, it is possible to stabilize the condition and extend the remission period.

How to treat knee osteoarthritis at home?

The main condition of the therapy is that the disease must be cured safely, all risky procedures are contraindicated. To determine the risk, the patient should always consult with the treating orthopedist or rheumatologist. During communication with the doctor, it is often possible to develop more effective treatment methods.

It is important to note that some of the home therapy methods cannot be used, as they can cause dangerous side effects: increased inflammation, allergies, disturbance of various internal systems.

Gymnastics for arthrosis

Joint diseases almost always require special care for the joint. Recovery is possible with sufficient physical activity, but physical inactivity or hard work can harm the patient. Gymnastics procedures speed up blood circulation in the limbs and reduce the severity of symptoms.

One of the best ways to treat grade 2 knee arthrosis at home is gymnastics. The complex includes:

1. The "bicycle" exercise is performed immediately after a night's sleep. With breaks, the movement should last 15 minutes.
2. Lying on your back, stretch your legs, bending at the knees, then straighten them. We recommend doing 20 repetitions for each limb.
3. They sit on a chair and straighten their legs, fingers reaching towards themselves. During the movements, it is important to concentrate as much as possible on the feeling of well-being. If you feel excessive tension, the amplitude can be reduced.
4. Regular squats. For the approach, it is better to perform 30 repetitions.
5. Frequent walks, at least 20-30 minutes a day.

With this method, it is not only possible to treat, but also prevent the aggravation of the stage of the disease, improving the condition of the articular joint.

cold and hot

You can apply cold and hot poultices:

• cold therapy is used only in the initial stages of the disease. It helps eliminate pain, reduces swelling, and also has an anti-inflammatory effect. You need to prepare the ice in advance and think about a comfortable position so that you do not do this while preparing the compress. It is important to sit for 30 minutes without moving, because the legs are slightly elevated. An ice pack is placed on the knee, fixed with a bandage or bandage, and wait half an hour in this position;
• a warm compress can only be used if there is no swelling on the knee. Heated sand, salt, etc. can be used as a heating agent. After applying the poultice, there should be no burning sensation, if it is baked, cool it to a warm state. The method helps to eliminate pain.

Medicinal infusions and decoctions

One of the most effective ways to relieve pain in arthrosis of the knee joint at home are decoctions and tinctures for internal use and external use. Designed to slow joint disorders and improve well-being. The recipes are based on different herbs and extracts. With their help, the metabolism in the joint tissues is restored, the sensation of pain is dulled, and the removal of harmful substances from the synovial fluid is accelerated.

Preparations for oral administration

Home treatment of arthrosis of the 2nd degree of the knee joint can be done with the help of oral infusions, but it is forbidden to use:

• people prone to alcohol addiction;
• patients with liver and kidney failure;
• violation of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and other disorders of internal organs.

Oral medications are often used in the first and second stages of the disease:

• decoction on the bay leaf. The plant eliminates knee swelling and helps to cleanse the body. For cleaning procedures, 10 g of dry bay leaves and a glass of boiling water should be used. Put the mixture on the fire, bring to a boil and boil for 15 minutes. The soup is then poured into a thermos and left to stand overnight. The prepared mixture is consumed for 3 days, 200 ml in small sips throughout the day. It is important to adhere to the dose, no more than 200 ml per day, and to follow the following diet: vegetables, fruits, herbs;
• tincture on purple flowers. 100 g of purple color is useful for cooking. The flowers are poured with vodka (you can use distilled water). The infusion process takes 1-2 weeks, after which the preparation is filtered and stored in a dark room. Take 30-40 drops before meals for breakfast and dinner;
• herbal tincture. You need 2 tbsp. l. parsley seeds, dandelion rhizome (crushed), sea buckthorn, fennel. There are positive opinions about the listed herb due to its effective pain-relieving effect. All the ingredients are mixed and poured into 0. 5 liters of boiling water. Allow the mixture to cool before using the product. Take 2 tbsp. l. daily in the morning before meals;
• tincture for beetroot, cranberry and radish (black variety). Peel the listed ingredients and put them through a meat grinder. 0. 5 l of cognac is poured into the resulting mixture, then everything is kneaded. The mixture is infused in a dark, cool place for 10 days, this is necessary to obtain the medicinal properties. After settling, the mixture is filtered and left in the refrigerator. Take 1 tbsp. l. in the morning, 10 minutes before meals.

Infusions for external use

Popular recipes for externally applied tinctures:

• on birch buds. To prepare, use 100 g of the main ingredient and 500 ml of vodka (diluted alcohol is suitable). In order for the liquid to absorb all the useful substances, you need to leave it in a dark place for 1 month. The prepared preparation is rubbed into the knee every day;
• on the dandelion flower. The flowers of the plant fall asleep in a glass container (preferably colored glass) and pour vodka. The infusion process lasts 30 days. The appropriate location should be at room temperature and protected from sunlight. After straining the dandelion, rub your knees with the composition every evening. A woolen scarf is attached to the product.

Compresses in the treatment of arthrosis and methods of their application

When comparing the effectiveness of applications and ointments, the former show the best results. During treatment, it is better to give preference to proven recipes.

cabbage dressing

Cooking algorithm:

1. Cut the cabbage and put it in the juicer.
2. A warm handkerchief is soaked in the juice of the plant, which is then applied to the sore spot.
3. Use a poultice 1 time a day before going to bed.

There is another recipe for making poultices from cabbage that does not require chopping the leaves. Preparation:

1. The whole leaves of the cabbage are separated, then diluted with vinegar and honey (3: 1).
2. The sheets are smeared with a mixture of vinegar and honey, only the side in contact with the knee is treated.
3. Place sheets on the legs.
4. From above, the mixture is covered with plastic film or a woolen scarf.

Both poultices improve well-being and eliminate discomfort. The duration of therapy is 1 month.

Compress with honey and bile

The poultice is made in several stages:

1. Mix glycerin, honey, therapeutic bile, 5% iodine solution and 10% ammonia.
2. The composition should be left in a dark, cool place for 10 days.
3. Before use, the preparation is slightly warmed and placed on the fabric.
4. The patch containing the medicine is attached to the leg with a plastic film, and a warm cloth or scarf is placed on top.

In order to increase the healing properties, the procedure is carried out at night, and the poultice is left until the morning. Patients note the complete elimination of pain, sometimes the effectiveness is no worse than injections.

Press together with horseradish

Recipe:

1. Wash the horseradish roots on a medium grater.
2. The material is steamed in heated (but not boiled) water.
3. The material is applied to the fabric and attached to the knee.
4. Keep the medicine until the pain is completely gone.

Burdock poultice

Poultry has a positive effect when collecting the fresh leaves of the plant in an ecologically clean area, it is better to choose the plant away from the road and other sources of pollution.

How to cook:

1. Place the sheets on top of each other and place a hot pan on top of them.
2. They wait for the leaves to steam to start releasing beneficial substances and then apply them to the diseased area.
3. Cover the top with a layer of plastic film and warm material.

It is recommended to treat the leaves with vegetable oil, preferably corn or olive, before applying it to the skin.

Compress with dimethyl sulfoxide

Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic drug, often used to make poultices in case of arthrosis. For treatment, a 50% solution is used, that is, the initial composition of dimethyl sulfoxide is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 4. The mixture is impregnated with a gauze bandage and applied to the affected area. A plastic bag or foil is placed on top, and the napkin is tied with cotton fabric. Duration of socks - 30 minutes. Therapeutic course - 10-14 days.

Applications

According to their properties, applications do not differ from compressions. There are many applications in traditional medicine. Often, boiled leaves of aloe, celandine, burdock and cabbage are used to relieve pain and eliminate inflammation. Before applying, wash all the leaves in good quality and crush them a little (you can crush them, cut them), the purpose of the procedure is to release the juice from the leaves. Applications are placed on the affected area and wrapped with a warm cloth. Hold about 6-8 hours worth of cards.

A rather unusual therapeutic method is foil treatment. Food sheets change the energy of the muscles and joints. Patients claim that pain and inflammation are alleviated after application. The foil is wrapped around the entire limb or the diseased area.

Baths

Home arthrosis therapy often includes the use of therapeutic baths. They not only have a beneficial effect on the pathological organ, but also improve the condition of the entire body. The water is heated to body temperature - 38 ° C, the patient is recommended to stay in the water for no more than 20 minutes. Hot baths are contraindicated.

For the sake of healing properties, additives are used:

• decoction on birch branches;
• lavender, pine needle extracts;
• turpentine;
• bischofite;
• sea salt;
• essential oils: bergamot, lemon, pine.

Mud therapy

The procedure is widespread in sanatoriums and resorts, but you can accumulate mud (it must have a healing effect) in landfills or buy it in pharmacies, the technique can also be used at home. Application of the mud warms the joint and enriches the cartilaginous tissues with useful microcomponents.

When warming up with mud, the following are also used:

• sea salt;
• ozokerite;
• sand;
• paraffin;
• mustard (dry).

Healing ointments and rubs

Only natural ingredients are used to make rubs and ointments. Bear or badger fat can be used as a base, but vegetable oil is a more economical solution. In order to increase the effectiveness of the ointment, it is necessary to ensure intensive blood flow in the knee by heating the limb with self-massage.

Garlic

Garlic is a storehouse of useful substances, it is not surprising that it is used for rubbing.

Preparation method:

1. The head is cleaned and crushed.
2. Pour the ingredient into a glass container and add 200 ml of oil.
3. Place the container in a place protected from light for 1 week.

There is no time limit for using the rub, but the effect is slightly higher in the evening. It is better to use it in the evening because of its specific smell. If you rub it in the morning, you smell a strong smell of garlic.

Elecampane

Recipe:

1. Prepare 50 g of ground root, which is mixed with 120 ml of vodka.
2. Infuse the mixture for 2 weeks.
3. Apply a rub to the affected area and keep it until the discomfort disappears.

Egg and apple cider vinegar

Preparation and application:

1. A mixture is made of egg yolk and apple cider vinegar in equal proportions.
2. It can be used immediately after preparation, the application number is 3 times in 7 days.
3. We recommend that you apply it at night and leave it on until the morning, wrapped in a warm cloth.

Mummy

Production and use:

1. Mix 100 g of honey with 3 g of mummy.
2. After preparation, the mixture should be applied to the skin near the affected joint, preferably before going to bed.
3. The treatment lasts for 1 week.

You can supplement the recipe with the internal use of mumiyo, but the remedy has contraindications.

Warming mustard ointment

Recipe:

1. Mix 100 g of mustard (in powder form) with 200 g of small fractional salt and a small piece of melted paraffin.
2. Knead the mixture until it forms a paste.
3. The preparation is placed in a glass container and infused for 12 hours.

It is better to use the ointment in the evening.

Celandine and olive oil

Recipe:

1. Remove the top of the plant (the root is not used), you need 3 tbsp. l.
2. Pour 200 ml of vegetable oil (olive or sunflower).
3. Infuse the preparation for 2 weeks.

The duration of the treatment is 1 month, the preparation is used daily. Rub in the oil infusion with massaging movements.

Warming camphor ointment

To prepare the ointment, you need 2-3 chicken eggs, a bottle of 96% alcohol (100 g) and 50 g of camphor with mustard. Beat the eggs in a blender and mix all the ingredients well. The mixture is applied to the affected area at night, the place is covered with a bandage on top. The course lasts until recovery.

Animal fat

Animal fat, especially badger fat, is extremely effective in joint and muscle diseases. Other healthy fats are pork and offal. The material is rubbed into the affected joints for 1 month.

Alternative treatments

Non-traditional areas of medicine are often used as complementary therapies. They are based on the experience of Eastern healers, combined with modern scientific results.

Treatment against arthrosis is based on the following:

• ozone therapy;
• treatment with leeches;
• apitherapy;
• pharmacopuncture together with acupuncture;
• chiu energy management;
• moxibustion;
• manual handling.

The only disadvantage of this direction is the complexity of implementing it with your own hands, as appropriate knowledge is required in all directions.

Hirudotherapy or leech therapy

The positive effect of leeches is due to the special composition of saliva, which leads to elimination of bloating, relief of inflammation and relief of pain. Hirudin and other specific enzymes enter the patient's bloodstream, which increase the fluidity of the blood, stimulate the improvement of the quality of blood circulation and relieve pain.

Apitherapy or treatment of knee joints with bees

Bees are not only of great benefit with their waste materials, but even their venom can help a patient suffering from arthrosis. Bee venom belongs to the group of strong allergens, it is important to check the allergic reaction before using apitherapy, otherwise the patient faces serious complications.

Treatments with bees lead to irritation of certain points and small areas of tissue with small doses of venom. The procedure helps activate blood circulation and improves the nerve conduction of the endings. The technique is painful, but has a good effect.

Acupuncture

The technique includes an effect on bioactive points, the procedure has many different effects:

• restores metabolism;
• helps to strengthen the immune system in the fight against pathology;
• accelerates lymph flow and blood flow;
• alleviates spasmodic and painful phenomena;
• improves well-being;
• restores the functions of the joints.

Today, acupuncture can be performed in several ways:

• acupuncture with fine needles;
• pharmacopuncture means enhancing the effect with the help of drugs;
• moxotherapy involves the use of cones and cigars (usually wormwood) that are used to treat the diseased area;
• acupressure, taking into account the knowledge of the energy channels through which the energy circulates. Redirecting the body's forces to restore the knee gives positive feedback.

Kinesiotherapy

Therapy with the help of movements is prescribed for all joint pathologies. The way to perform the movements is determined individually.

By regularly performing the procedure, it is possible to:

• they learn how to move correctly so as not to injure the painful joint;
• increases muscle tone;
• developing relationships;
• increases stretching;
• restores cartilage function.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is particularly dangerous due to the complications and irreversibility of the processes. Only timely treatment and appropriate therapy will help to avoid disability or severe pain. Home treatment is the best way to prevent the development of the disease and improve the quality of life.