Osteochondrosis is a pathology that occurs in men and women, young and old, and consists of degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs.The main reason is physical inactivity.Due to the lack of physical activity, the blood circulation in the tissues near the spine worsens;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 complex.It is based on maintaining an active lifestyle, proper nutrition, normalizing the daily routine and playing sports.
Traditional medicine offers different methods of therapy: medication, physiotherapy, alternative methods - hirudotherapy and acupuncture, mud therapy and balneotherapy, as well as massage and manual therapy, exercise therapy.Original therapeutic courses can be recommended to patients.Yoga classes and exercises with a fitness ball will bring undoubted benefits.
Ointments, tablets, injections
Osteochondrosis itself does not cause pain.A symptom such as pain appears with the progression of the disease, starting from stage 2. Patients also notice, first, a slight deterioration of flexibility, and then a significant limitation of motor activity of the spine.In advanced cases, patients are forced to turn their entire torso to look around.
Painkillers
Fat is the first thing a person grabs when experiencing back pain.They generally do not cure, but only 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 injections.
Nutrition for intervertebral discs
Separately, it is worth mentioning chondroprotectors, which are available in three forms:
- external;
- for oral administration;
- injections.
Patients rarely use them independently.In addition, in order to choose the right medicine, it is necessary to consult a doctor.Chondroprotectors act directly on the cause of osteochondrosis - they nourish the cartilage.It is unlikely that products for external use will significantly affect the situation - only a small part of useful substances will reach the intervertebral discs, so doctors simultaneously recommend taking such drugs orally, and sometimes injections.
Muscle relaxation and stress relief
Also, the treatment of osteochondrosis with drugs includes taking:
- muscle relaxants - drugs that relax muscles, which is very important for osteochondrosis;
- sedatives (tincture of valerian or lemon balm) or tranquilizers - improve the overall emotional background, allowing the patient to look at the disease from the other side and take care of himself.
Physiotherapy: in the clinic and at home
In the case of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs, it is important to normalize blood circulation in the paravertebral tissues.Physiotherapy can help with this.Many procedures can only be performed in a specialized medical facility:
- laser exposure;
- EHF;
- electrophoresis;
- ultrasound;
- magnetic therapy;
- vibration therapy.
You can do the last 2 types of physiotherapy yourself at home, with special therapeutic devices.
Also, you can treat the spine at home using devices that are based on the impact of pulse current on human skin.The efficiency of the device is high.In the early stage of osteochondrosis, you can achieve complete healing 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 the treatment will have to be repeated.
Just a note.Women who are expecting a child should consult a doctor about home treatment of osteochondrosis with the help of physiotherapy devices.
Hirudotherapy and acupuncture
Both types of treatment are effective.The effect occurs on biologically active points, which results in:
- the flow of lymph and blood in the paravertebral tissues is normalized;
- spasming muscles relax;
- leeches inject a special enzyme into the wound, which acts as an anticoagulant (thins the blood).
Hirudotherapy is prohibited for pathologies of the hematopoietic system, allergies to leech saliva, hemorrhagic diathesis, infectious diseases, neoplasms (benign and malignant) and mental pathologies.Acupuncture has about the same list, with the exception of blood diseases and allergies.
Just a note.Both types of therapy are prohibited for pregnant women.
Mud therapy and balneotherapy
Both methods are used exclusively in sanatoriums located "on the water".Mud therapy involves smearing with therapeutic mud that contains many useful substances.Balneotherapy is taking mineral water and bathing in it.
Both methods have proven to be excellent.Under the influence of mud and mineral water, pain and inflammation disappear, the metabolism and psychoemotional state of the patient normalizes.A referral for such sanatorium treatment is issued by a doctor, taking into account all accompanying pathologies of the patient.
Massage and manual therapy
The main task of a massage therapist and chiropractor is to remove muscle spasms and tone muscles that could atrophy.By removing such a clamp, there is a high probability that the patient will experience significant relief or complete disappearance of pain.
During the process, the specialist's hands work on the outer and deep muscle groups.This improves the flow of lymph and blood, due to which the intervertebral discs receive adequate nutrition and moisture.
Just a note.Both massage and manual therapy have contraindications.A qualified specialist must study the patient's history and only then begin treatment.
Exercise therapy and original techniques
Physical therapy 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 at the district clinic will recommend their performance.However, the patient has the right to clarify whether he can do exercises from these techniques with an established diagnosis.
General recommendations for performing therapeutic exercises:
- Be sure to ventilate the room.It is better to exercise with an open window or in nature.
- Exercise should not cause pain, so exercise during the remission period.
- Start with low repetitions.
- Watch your breathing - it should be even.
- Exercise regularly, without missing a day.
The advantages of the author's methods are that they can be practiced even in the acute phase.For example, the first complex helps relieve muscle tension and pain due to osteochondrosis.In this case, the patient is asked to perform simple static exercises.
Another technique promotes micro-movements.It is designed for the elderly and is accessible to patients with minimal physical fitness.For young people, the doctor recommends a gradual increase in the number of repetitions and approaches, which will load the spine according to age and strengthen the muscle corset well.
Yoga
This is a set of spiritual, physical and mental practices.Yoga classes for osteochondrosis have a positive effect not only on the spinal column, but also on the psycho-emotional state of the patient.Asanas (static poses) can be performed according to your physical abilities, gradually developing and, finally, achieving the ideal performance.
The following complex is recommended for osteochondrosis:
- Savasana is the dead man's pose.
- Vrikshasana – Tree pose.
- Shalabhasana – grasshopper pose.
- Marjariasana - cat pose.
- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana - half bridge (shoulders and head lie on the floor).
- Paschimottanasana - forward bend with the hands holding the feet and fully extending the spine.
- Bhujangasana - Cobra pose.
- Utkatasana – mountain pose.
- Ushtrasana – camel pose.
- Vaparita karani is birch, but the sides lie on a soft pillow that is on the floor.
The listed asanas can be changed - some can be removed, some can be left or new ones can be added.Complex poses are first done "as it turns out", and then, when the spine becomes more flexible, according to all the rules, striving for the ideal position of the body.
Fitball
A fitness ball is an excellent tool for restoring flexibility to the spine.Working with it is convenient and easy.It is enough to lie on your back on the fitball and feel how the vertebrae fall into place and the spine stretches.
The complex for osteochondrosis includes several exercises.Here are 3 of them, the simplest ones:
- 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 - place your feet smoothly, firmly on the floor, throw your head back and stand on an imaginary bridge.Lie in this position for a few minutes.If you feel pain, stop.
- Again lie on the ball on your stomach.Place your limbs on the floor.Now start rolling forward, moving your arms quickly until the ball is under your knees.Roll back until the exercise ball is under your chest.
Just a note.Fitball exercises can be considered safe for the spine.However, it is better to consult a doctor before starting exercise.
You need to start treating osteochondrosis as soon as possible.If your back is no longer flexible, and the usual actions quickly lead to fatigue, do not self-medicate - consult a doctor and undergo a complete examination.Physical therapy plays an important role in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Aristotle also said, "Life is movement."Remember this and do gymnastics regularly.