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 the lack of physical activity, blood circulation in the tissues adjacent to the spine deteriorates;intervertebral discs, not having 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 various methods of therapy: medication, 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 bring undoubted benefits.
Ointments, tablets, injections
Osteochondrosis itself does not cause pain.A symptom such as pain appears as the disease progresses, starting from stage 2. Patients also notice, first, a slight deterioration in flexibility and then a significant limitation in 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 that people reach for when they feel back pain.For the most part, they do not cure, but only relieve the pain.These are compositions based on:
- NSAIDs;
- heating components;
- with bee venom;
- combined (NSAIDs + chondroprotectors).
External products based on NSAIDs 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 themselves.In addition, to choose the right medicine, you should consult a doctor.Chondroprotectors act directly on the cause of osteochondrosis - they nourish cartilage.Products for external use are unlikely to significantly affect the situation - only a small part of useful substances will reach the intervertebral discs, so doctors recommend simultaneously taking such drugs orally, and sometimes giving injections.
Muscle relaxation and stress relief
Also, drug treatment of osteochondrosis includes taking:
- muscle relaxants - drugs that relax muscles, which is very important for osteochondrosis;
- sedatives (tincture of valerian or mother) or tranquilizers - they improve the general 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 case of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs, it is important to normalize the blood circulation in the 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 by yourself at home, having special therapeutic equipment.
Also, at home, you can treat the spine using devices that are based on the impact of pulsating current on the human skin.The efficiency of the equipment is high.In an early stage of osteochondrosis, you can achieve a complete cure without taking pills.If the condition is neglected, you will have to work long and hard, which will lead to lasting remission and 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 using physiotherapy equipment.
Hirudotherapy and acupuncture
Both types of treatment are effective.The impact occurs on biologically active points, resulting in:
- the flow of lymph and blood in the paravertebral tissues is normalized;
- spasm 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, except for 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 applying therapeutic mud that contains many beneficial substances.Balneotherapy is the ingestion of mineral water and bathing in it.
Both methods have proven themselves to be excellent.Under the influence of mud and mineral water, pain and inflammation go away, the patient's metabolism and psycho-emotional state are normalized.A referral for such sanatorium treatment is issued by the attending physician, taking into account all the accompanying pathologies of the patient.
Massage and manual therapy
The primary task of a massage therapist and chiropractor is to relieve muscle spasms and tone muscles that are likely to atrophy.By removing such a clamp, the patient will most likely experience significant relief or complete disappearance of pain.
During the process, the specialist's hands work both external and deep muscle groups.This improves the flow of lymph and blood, as a result of which the intervertebral discs receive sufficient nutrition and moisture.
Just a note.Both massage and manual therapy have contraindications.A qualified specialist should study the patient's medical 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 the spine.It is unlikely that the doctor in the district clinic will recommend their performance.However, the patient has the right to clarify whether, with an established diagnosis, he can do exercises from these techniques.
General recommendations for practicing therapeutic exercises:
- Make sure to ventilate the room.It is best to practice with an open window or outdoors.
- Exercise should not cause pain, so exercise during the remission period.
- Start with low reps.
- 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 encourages micro-movements.It is designed for the elderly and is accessible to patients with minimal physical ability.For young people, the doctor recommends gradually increasing the number of repetitions and approaches, which will load the spine according to age and will 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 spine, but also on the psycho-emotional state of the patient.Asanas (static poses) can be performed to the maximum of your physical abilities, gradually developing and, ultimately, achieving the ideal execution.
For osteochondrosis, the following complex is recommended:
- Savasana is the pose of the dead.
- Vrikshasana – tree pose.
- Shalabhasana – Prawn Pose.
- Marjariasana - cat pose.
- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana - half bridge pose (shoulders and head lie on the floor).
- Paschimottanasana - forward bend with hands grasping the legs and fully extending the spine.
- Bhujangasana - cobra pose.
- Utkatasana – mountain pose.
- Exercise – camel pose.
- Vaparita karani is a birch tree, but the hips lie on a soft cushion placed on the floor.
The asanas listed may be different - some may be removed, some may be left, or new ones may be added.Complex poses are done first "as it seems", 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 to restore flexibility to the spine.Working with it is convenient and easy.It is enough to lie on your back on a 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:
- Lie on your stomach on the ball with your feet on the floor.Raise your right arm and left leg at the same time.Switch limbs.Repeat at least 5 times.
- Lie on the ball on your back - smoothly, placing your feet firmly on the floor, turn your head back and stand on an imaginary bridge.Lie in this position for a few minutes.If you feel pain, stop.
- Lie back on the ball with your stomach.Place your limbs on the floor.Now start rolling forward, moving your hands quickly until the ball is under your knees.Step back until the exercise ball is under your chest.
Just a note.Fitball exercises can be considered safe for the spine.However, it is best to consult a doctor before starting exercise.
You should start treating osteochondrosis as soon as possible.If your back is no longer flexible and ordinary 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 physical therapy.Aristotle also said: "Life is movement."Do not forget this and do gymnastics regularly.