Osteochondrosis is a pathology consisting of degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs, occurring in both men and women, young and old.The main reason is physical inactivity.Due to the lack of physical activity, blood circulation in the tissues adjacent to the spine deteriorates;intervertebral discs, which do not have their own blood vessels, experience a lack of nutrition and gradually begin to "shrink".Treatment of osteochondrosis is always complicated.It is based on an active lifestyle, proper nutrition, normalization of the daily routine, doing sports.
Traditional medicine offers various therapy methods: drug treatment, physiotherapy, alternative methods - hirudotherapy and acupuncture, mud therapy and balneotherapy, as well as massage and manual therapy, exercise therapy.Patients can be recommended original therapeutic courses.Yoga classes and exercises with a fitness ball will certainly bring benefits.
Ointments, tablets, injections
Osteochondrosis itself does not cause pain.With the development of the disease starting from the 2nd stage, a symptom like pain appears.Patients also note, first of all, a slight deterioration of flexibility, and then a significant limitation of the motor activity of the spine.In advanced cases, patients are forced to turn their entire body to look around.
Pain relievers
Ointments are the first thing a person grabs when he feels back pain.In most cases, they do not cure, but relieve pain.These are compositions based on:
- NSAIDs;
- heating components;
- with bee venom;
- combined (NSAIDs + chondroprotectors).
External NSAID-based products are also available in oral form (tablets, capsules, sachets) and in the form of injections.
Nutrition for intervertebral discs
Separately, it is necessary to mention chondroprotectors, which exist in three forms:
- external;
- for oral administration;
- injections.
Patients rarely use them themselves.In addition, it is necessary to consult a doctor to choose the right medicine.Chondroprotectors act directly on the cause of osteochondrosis - they nourish the cartilage.Products for external use are unlikely to have a significant effect on the condition - only a small part of the useful substances will reach the intervertebral discs, so doctors also recommend taking such drugs orally and sometimes injecting them.
Muscle relaxation and stress relief
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis also includes the following:
- muscle relaxants - drugs that relax muscles, which are very important for osteochondrosis;
- sedatives (valerian or wormwood tincture) or tranquilizers - they improve the general emotional background, allow the patient to look at the disease from the other side and take care of himself.
Physiotherapy: in the clinic and at home
During degenerative-dystrophic processes in intervertebral discs, it is important to normalize blood circulation in paravertebral tissues.Physiotherapy can help with this.Many procedures can only be performed in a specialized medical institution:
- laser exposure;
- EHF;
- electrophoresis;
- ultrasound;
- magnetic therapy;
- vibration therapy.
The last 2 types of physiotherapy can be done at home by having special therapeutic devices.
You can also treat the spine at home using devices based on the effect of pulse current on human skin.The efficiency of the devices is high.In the early stage of osteochondrosis, you can achieve complete treatment without taking pills.If the condition is neglected, you will have to work long and hard, which will lead to a stable remission and a pain-free life.Then you need to repeat the treatment.
Just a note.Pregnant women should consult a doctor about home treatment of osteochondrosis using physiotherapy devices.
Hirudotherapy and acupuncture
Both types of treatment are effective.The effect occurs at biologically active points, resulting in:
- lymph and blood flow in paravertebral tissues is normalized;
- spasmodic muscles relax;
- leeches inject a special enzyme into the wound that acts as an anticoagulant (blood thinner).
Hirudotherapy is prohibited for pathologies of the hematopoietic system, allergy to leech saliva, hemorrhagic diathesis, infectious diseases, neoplasms (benign and malignant) and mental pathologies.Acupuncture has almost the same list, except for blood disorders and allergies.
Just a note.Both types of therapy are prohibited for pregnant women.
Mud therapy and balneotherapy
Both methods are used only in sanatoriums located "on the water".Mud therapy involves smearing yourself with healing mud that contains many beneficial ingredients.Balneotherapy is taking mineral water and bathing in it.
Both methods proved to be perfect.Under the influence of mud and mineral water, pain and inflammation disappear, the patient's metabolism and psycho-emotional state normalize.The application for such sanatorium treatment is made by the attending physician, taking into account all accompanying pathologies of the patient.
Massage and manual therapy
The main task of the massage therapist and chiropractor is to eliminate muscle spasms and muscle tone that is likely to atrophy.With the removal of such a clamp, there is a high probability that the patient's pain will be significantly alleviated or completely disappear.
During the process, the specialist's hands work both external and deep muscle groups.This improves lymph and blood flow, as a result of which the intervertebral discs receive adequate nutrition and moisture.
Just a note.Both massage and manual therapy have contraindications.A qualified specialist should learn the patient's medical history and only then start treatment.
Exercise therapy and original techniques
Physiotherapy is an important component in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Regular exercise allows you to maintain the flexibility of your spine.It is unlikely that the doctor of the district clinic will recommend doing them.However, the patient has the right to clarify whether he can do exercises from these methods with the established diagnosis.
General recommendations for doing therapeutic exercises:
- Make sure to ventilate the room.It is better to exercise in an open window or in nature.
- Exercise should not cause pain, so exercise during remission.
- Start with low reps.
- Watch your breath - it should be even.
- Exercise regularly without missing a day.
The advantages of the author's methods are that they can be applied even in the acute stage.For example, the first complex helps relieve muscle tension and pain due to osteochondrosis.In this case, the patient is asked to do simple static exercises.
Another technique encourages micro-movements.Designed for the elderly and accessible to patients with minimal physical fitness.For young people, the doctor recommends gradually increasing the number of repetitions and approaches, which strengthens the age-related loading of the spine and the muscle corset.
Yoga
It is a collection of spiritual, physical and mental experiences.Yoga classes for osteochondrosis have a positive effect not only on the spine, but also on the psycho-emotional state of the patient.Asanas (static poses) can be performed to the best of your physical abilities, gradually developing and eventually achieving an ideal performance.
For osteochondrosis, it is recommended to perform the following complex:
- Savasana is the pose of the dead.
- Vrikshasana - tree pose.
- Shalabhasana - grasshopper pose.
- Marjariasana - cat pose.
- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana - half bridge pose (shoulders and head lie on the floor).
- Paschimottanasana - bending forward with hands holding the legs and full extension of the spine.
- Bhujangasana - cobra pose.
- Utkatasana - mountain pose.
- Ushtrasana - camel pose.
- Vaparita karani is a birch tree, but the hip rests on a soft cushion on the ground.
The asanas listed may vary - some may be removed, some may be omitted, or new ones may be added.Complex poses are first done "as is known", then when the spine is more flexible, in accordance with all the rules, the ideal body position is strived for.
Fitball
The fitness ball is an excellent tool for restoring the flexibility of the spine.It is convenient and easy to work with it.In fitball, it is enough to lie on your back and feel how the vertebrae fall to the floor and the spine stretches.
The complex for osteochondrosis consists of several exercises.3 of them, the simplest ones are:
- Lie on your stomach on the ball with your limbs on the floor.Raise your right arm and left leg at the same time.Swap limbs.Repeat at least 5 times.
- Lie on the ball with your back - smoothly, put your feet firmly on the floor, throw your head back and stand on an imaginary bridge.Sleep in this position for a few minutes.If you feel pain, stop.
- Lie on the ball again with your stomach.Place your limbs on the floor.Now start rolling forward, moving your hands quickly until the ball is below your knees.Roll back until the exercise ball is under your chest.
Just a note.Exercises with fitball can be considered safe for the spine.However, it is better to consult a doctor before starting sports.
Treatment of osteochondrosis should be started as soon as possible.If your back is no longer flexible and ordinary movements quickly lead to fatigue, do not self-medicate - consult a doctor and undergo a complete examination.Physiotherapy plays a major role in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Aristotle also said: "Life is movement."Remember this and do gymnastics regularly.