Osteochondrosis is a pathology that occurs in both men and women, in young and old people, 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 worsens;Since the intervertebral discs do not have their own blood vessels, there is a lack of nutrients and they 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 various methods of therapy: medications, physiotherapy, alternative methods – hirudotherapy and acupuncture, mud therapy and balneotherapy, as well as massage and manual therapy, exercise therapy.Original therapy courses can be recommended to patients.Yoga classes and exercises with a fitness ball undoubtedly bring benefits.
Ointments, tablets, injections
Osteochondrosis itself does not cause pain.A symptom such as pain occurs as the disease progresses from stage 2 onwards.Patients also initially notice a slight deterioration in flexibility and then a significant limitation in motor activity of the spine.In advanced cases, patients are forced to turn their entire upper body to look around.
Painkillers
Ointments are the first thing a person reaches for when he feels back pain.In most cases they do not heal 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 forms (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 alone.In addition, to choose the right medication, you must 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 useful substances gets into the intervertebral discs, so doctors recommend taking such drugs orally at the same time, and sometimes giving injections.
Muscle relaxation and stress relief
The drug treatment of osteochondrosis also includes taking:
- muscle relaxants – drugs that relax muscles, which is very important in osteochondrosis;
- Sedatives (tincture of valerian or feverfew) or sedatives – they improve the overall emotional background and allow the patient to look at the disease from the other side and take care of themselves.
Physiotherapy: in the clinic and at home
With degenerative-dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs, it is important to normalize blood circulation in the paravertebral tissue.Physiotherapy can help with this.Many procedures can only be performed in a specialized medical facility:
- laser exposure;
- EHF;
- electrophoresis;
- Ultrasonic;
- magnetic field therapy;
- Vibration therapy.
You can carry out the last two types of physiotherapy yourself at home using special therapy equipment.
Even at home, you can treat the spine using devices based on the effect of pulsed current on human skin.The efficiency of the devices is high.At an early stage of osteochondrosis, you can achieve complete healing without taking pills.If the disease is neglected, you will have to work long and hard, which will lead to a stable remission and a life without pain.Then the treatment must be repeated.
Just a note.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 action occurs at biologically active points, resulting in:
- lymph and blood flow in the paravertebral tissue is normalized;
- tense muscles relax;
- Leeches inject a special enzyme into the wound that acts as an anticoagulant (blood thinner).
Hirudotherapy is prohibited for diseases of the hematopoietic system, allergies to leech saliva, hemorrhagic diathesis, infectious diseases, neoplasms (benign and malignant) and mental illnesses.Acupuncture has roughly the same list, except for blood disorders and allergies.
Just a note.Both forms of therapy are prohibited for pregnant women.
Mud therapy and balneotherapy
Both methods are used exclusively in sanatoriums that are located “on the water”.During mud therapy, you will be smeared with healing mud, which contains many useful substances.Balneotherapy means 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 patient's metabolism and psycho-emotional state normalize.A referral for such sanatorium treatment is issued by the attending physician, taking into account all the patient's concomitant diseases.
Massage and manual therapy
The main task of a massage therapist and chiropractor is to eliminate muscle spasms and strengthen muscles that are prone to atrophy.By removing such a clamp, there is a high probability that the patient will experience significant relief or complete disappearance of pain.
The specialist's hands use both external and deep muscle groups.This improves lymph and blood flow, providing the intervertebral discs with sufficient nutrients and moisture.
Just a note.Both massage and manual therapy have contraindications.A qualified specialist must examine the patient's medical history and only then begin treatment.
Movement therapy and original techniques
Physiotherapy is an important component in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Regular exercise will help you maintain the flexibility of your spine.The doctor at the district clinic is unlikely to recommend this.However, the patient has the right to clarify whether he can perform exercises using these techniques if the diagnosis is confirmed.
General recommendations for performing therapeutic exercises:
- Be sure to ventilate the room.It is better to practice with an open window or in nature.
- Exercise shouldn't cause pain, so exercise during the remission period.
- Start with low reps.
- Pay attention to your breathing - it should be even.
- Exercise regularly without missing a day.
The advantages of the author's methods are that they can be used even in the acute stage.For example, the first complex helps to 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 accessible to patients with minimal physical fitness.For young people, the doctor recommends gradually increasing the number of repetitions and approaches, which will put an age-appropriate load on the spine and strengthen the muscle corset well.
yoga
This is a series of spiritual, physical and mental exercises.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 within your physical abilities, gradually progressing and eventually achieving ideal execution.
With 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 lie on the floor).
- Paschimottanasana – bend forward with hands clasping feet and fully extending spine.
- Bhujangasana – Cobra Pose.
- Utkatasana – Mountain Pose.
- Ushtrasana – Camel Pose.
- Vaparita karani is a birch tree, but the hips lie on a soft cushion on the floor.
The listed asanas can be varied - some can be removed, others left or new ones added.Complex poses are initially performed “as it turns out” and then, when the spine becomes more flexible according to all the rules, the ideal posture is aimed at.
Fitball
A fitness ball is an excellent tool for restoring spinal flexibility.Working with him is comfortable and easy.It is enough to lie on your back on a fitball and feel how the vertebrae engage and the spine stretches.
The complex for osteochondrosis includes several exercises.Here are 3 of them, the simplest:
- Lie on your stomach on the ball and your limbs on the floor.Raise your right arm and left leg at the same time.Change limbs.Repeat at least 5 times.
- Lie gently with your back on the ball, place your feet firmly on the floor, throw your head back and stand on an imaginary bridge.Stay in this position for a few minutes.If you feel pain, stop.
- Lie back on your stomach on the ball. Place your limbs on the floor.Now start rolling forward, moving your hands quickly until the ball is under your knees.Roll back until the exercise ball is under your chest.
Just a note.Exercises with a fitball are considered safe for the spine.However, it is better to consult a doctor before starting training.
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 - see a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination.Physiotherapy is given great importance in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Aristotle also said, “Life is movement.”Remember this and do gymnastics regularly.