Osteochondrosis is a pathology that occurs in both men and women, young and old, and consists of degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs.The main reason is physical inactivity.Due to lack of physical activity, blood circulation in the tissues adjacent to the spine deteriorates;intervertebral discs, not having their own blood vessels, suffer from a lack of nutrition and gradually begin to “shrink”.Treatment of osteochondrosis is always complex.It is based on maintaining an active lifestyle, good nutrition, normalizing the daily routine and playing sports.
Traditional medicine offers various therapeutic methods: medications, physiotherapy, alternative methods - hirudotherapy and acupuncture, mud therapy and balneotherapy, as well as massage and manual therapy, exercise therapy.Patients can be offered original therapeutic treatments.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 note, first, a slight deterioration in flexibility, and then a significant limitation of the motor activity of the spine.In advanced cases, patients are forced to turn their entire torso to look around.
Painkillers
Ointments are the first thing a person grabs when they feel back pain.For the most part, they do not cure, but only relieve pain.These are compositions based on:
- NSAIDs;
- heating components;
- with bee venom;
- combined (NSAIDs + chondroprotectors).
External NSAID products are also available in oral (tablets, capsules, sachets) and injectable form.
Nutrition for intervertebral discs
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning chondroprotectors, which are available in three forms:
- external;
- for oral administration;
- injections.
Patients rarely use them alone.In addition, to choose the right medication, you need to consult a doctor.Chondroprotectors act directly on the cause of osteochondrosis: they nourish the cartilage.Products for external use are unlikely to significantly affect the situation - only a small part of the beneficial substances will reach the intervertebral discs, therefore doctors recommend simultaneously taking these drugs orally and sometimes injecting them.
Muscle relaxation and stress relief
In addition, drug treatment of osteochondrosis includes taking:
- muscle relaxants - drugs that relax muscles, which is very important for osteochondrosis;
- sedatives (tincture of valerian or motherwort) or tranquilizers - they improve the overall emotional background, allowing the patient to look at the disease from the other side and take care of himself.
Physiotherapy: in clinic and at home
In case of degenerative-dystrophic processes of the intervertebral discs, it is important to normalize blood circulation in the paravertebral tissues.Physiotherapy can help.Many procedures can only be performed in a specialized medical institution:
- laser exposure;
- EHF;
- electrophoresis;
- ultrasound;
- magnetic therapy;
- vibrational therapy.
The last 2 types of physiotherapy can be practiced yourself at home, using special therapeutic devices.
In addition, at home you can treat the spine using devices based on the impact of pulsed current on human skin.The efficiency of the devices is high.At an early stage of osteochondrosis, you can achieve complete cure without taking pills.If the disease is neglected, you will have to work hard and long, which will lead to stable remission and a pain-free life.Then the treatment will have to be repeated.
Just a remark.Women expecting a child should consult a doctor about home treatment of osteochondrosis using physiotherapy devices.
Hirudotherapy and acupuncture
Both types of treatment are effective.The impact occurs on biologically active points, leading to:
- lymphatic and blood flow in the paravertebral tissues is normalized;
- spasmed muscles relax;
- leeches inject a special enzyme into the wound, which acts as an anticoagulant (blood thinner).
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 roughly the same list, with the exception of blood diseases and allergies.
Just a remark.Both types of therapies are prohibited for pregnant women.
Mud and balneotherapy
Both methods are used exclusively in sanatoriums located “on the water”.Mud therapy consists of covering oneself with therapeutic mud containing many useful substances.Balneotherapy consists of ingesting 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 psycho-emotional state of the patient are normalized.A referral for such sanatorium treatment is issued by the attending physician, taking into account all concomitant pathologies of the patient.
Massage and manual therapy
The main task of a massage therapist and chiropractor is to eliminate muscle spasms and tone muscles that are prone to atrophy.By removing such a clamp, the patient is very likely to experience significant relief or complete disappearance of pain.
During the process, the specialist's hands work on both external and deep muscle groups.This improves lymphatic and blood circulation, allowing the intervertebral discs to receive adequate nutrition and hydration.
Just a remark.Massage and manual therapy have contraindications.A qualified specialist must study the patient's medical history and only then begin treatment.
Exercise therapy and original techniques
Physiotherapy is an important part of the treatment of osteochondrosis.Regular exercise helps you maintain flexibility in your spine.The doctor at the district clinic is unlikely to recommend doing them.However, the patient has the right to specify whether, with an established diagnosis, he can do exercises using these techniques.
General recommendations for practicing therapeutic exercises:
- Be sure to ventilate the room.It is best to practice 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 regular.
- Exercise regularly, without missing a day.
The advantages of the author's methods are that they can be practiced 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 perform simple static exercises.
Another technique promotes micro-movements.It is designed for the elderly and is accessible to patients with minimal physical condition.For young people, the doctor recommends gradually increasing the number of repetitions and approaches, which will load the spine depending on age and strengthen the muscular corset well.
Yoga
It is a set of spiritual, physical and mental practices.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, ultimately, reaching ideal execution.
For osteochondrosis, it is recommended to carry out the following complex:
- Savasana is the pose of the dead.
- Vrikshasana – tree pose.
- Shalabhasana – locust pose.
- Marjariasana – cat pose.
- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana - half-bridge pose (shoulders and head rest on the floor).
- Paschimottanasana – bend forward, hands grasping feet and fully extending spine.
- Bhujangasana – cobra pose.
- Utkatasana – mountain pose.
- Ushtrasana – camel pose.
- Vaparita karani is a birch tree, but the hips rest on a soft cushion located on the ground.
The asanas listed can be varied - some can be removed, others can be left, or new ones can be added.Complex poses are first performed "as you go", then, when the spine becomes more flexible, according to all the rules, striving to achieve the ideal body position.
Fitball
A fitness ball is an excellent tool for restoring flexibility to the spine.Working with him is convenient and easy.It is enough to lie on your back on a fitball and feel how the vertebrae move into place and the spine stretches.
The complex for osteochondrosis includes several exercises.Here are 3 of them, the simplest:
- Lie with your stomach on the ball, limbs on the floor.Raise your right arm and left leg at the same time.Change members.Repeat at least 5 times.
- Lie on the ball with your back - smoothly, placing your feet firmly on the floor, throw your head back and stand on an imaginary bridge.Lie in this position for several minutes.If you feel pain, stop.
- Lie on the ball again with your stomach.Place your limbs on the floor.Now start moving forward by moving your hands quickly until the ball is under your knees.Step back until the exercise ball is under your chest.
Just a remark.Exercises with a fitball can be considered safe for the spine.However, it is best to consult a doctor before starting physical activity.
You need to start treating osteochondrosis as early as possible.If your back is no longer flexible and habitual actions quickly lead to fatigue, do not self-medicate - consult a doctor and undergo a complete examination.In the treatment of osteochondrosis, a large place is given to physiotherapy.Aristotle also said: “Life is movement”.Remember this and do gymnastics regularly.