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, experience a lack of nutrition and gradually begin to "shrink".The treatment of osteochondrosis is always complex.It is based on maintaining an active lifestyle, proper nutrition, normalization of 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.Patients can be recommended original therapeutic courses.Yoga classes and exercises with a fitness ball will bring you undoubted benefits.
Ointments, tablets, injections.
Osteochondrosis itself does not cause pain.A symptom such as pain occurs with the progression of the disease, starting from stage 2. Patients also note, 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 a person grabs when they feel back pain.For the most part, they don't cure, they just 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.
On the other hand, it is worth mentioning chondroprotectors, which are produced in three forms:
- external;
- for oral administration;
- injections.
Patients rarely use them alone.Also, to choose the right medicine, it is necessary 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, so doctors recommend simultaneously taking such medications orally, and sometimes giving injections.
Muscle relaxation and stress relief.
Additionally, drug treatment of osteochondrosis includes taking:
- muscle relaxants - drugs that relax the muscles, which is very important for osteochondrosis;
- sedatives (tincture of valerian or motherwort) or tranquilizers - improve the general emotional background, allowing the patient to see the illness 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 blood circulation in the paravertebral tissues.Physical therapy can help with this.Many procedures can only be performed in a specialized medical institution:
- laser exposure;
- FHE;
- electrophoresis;
- ultrasound;
- magnetic therapy;
- Vibration therapy.
The last 2 types of physiotherapy can be done yourself at home, having special therapeutic devices.
Also, at home, it is possible to treat the spine using devices that are based on the impact of pulsed current on human skin.The efficiency of the devices is high.At an early stage of osteochondrosis, a complete cure can be achieved without taking pills.If the condition is neglected, you will have to work hard and long, leading to stable remission and a pain-free life.Then the treatment will need to 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 impact occurs on biologically active points, as a result of which:
- the flow of lymph and blood in the paravertebral tissues is normalized;
- spasmodic muscles relax;
- Leeches inject a special enzyme into the wound, which acts as an anticoagulant (thins the blood).
Hirudotherapy is prohibited in pathologies of the hematopoietic system, allergies to leech saliva, hemorrhagic diathesis, infectious diseases, neoplasms (benign and malignant) and mental pathologies.Acupuncture has approximately 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 "over water."Mud therapy consists of smearing yourself with therapeutic mud that contains many useful substances.Balneotherapy is the ingestion of 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.The treating doctor issues a referral for such treatment in a sanatorium, 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 likely to atrophy.By removing such a brace, it is very likely that the patient will 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 adequate 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.
Physiotherapy is an important component in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Regular exercise allows you to maintain the flexibility of your spine.The doctor at the district clinic is unlikely to recommend doing them.However, the patient has the right to clarify whether, with an established diagnosis, he or she can perform exercises based on these techniques.
General recommendations for the practice of 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 reps.
- Watch your breathing: it should be uniform.
- 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 micromovements.It is designed for older people and is accessible to patients with minimal physical condition.For young people, the doctor recommends gradually increasing the number of repetitions and sets, which will load the spine depending on 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 spine, but also on the psycho-emotional state of the patient.Asanas (static postures) can be performed making the most of your physical capabilities, developing gradually and ultimately achieving ideal execution.
For osteochondrosis, it is recommended to perform the following complex:
- Savasana is the posture 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 with your hands grasping your feet and fully extending your 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 listed asanas can be varied: some can be removed, others can be left, or new ones can be added.Complex postures are done first "as it turns out", then, when the spine becomes more flexible, according to all the rules, striving to achieve the ideal position of the body.
fitball
A fitness ball is an excellent tool for restoring spinal flexibility.Working with him is comfortable and simple.Just lie face up on a fitball and feel how the vertebrae snap into place and the spine stretches.
The complex for osteochondrosis includes several exercises.Here are 3 of them, the simplest:
- Lie down with your stomach on the ball and your limbs on the floor.Raise your right arm and left leg at the same time.Change limb.Repeat at least 5 times.
- Lie on the ball with your back, gently, 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 rolling forward, quickly moving your hands until the ball is below 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 best to consult a doctor before starting to exercise.
You should start treating osteochondrosis as soon as possible.If your back is no longer flexible and habitual actions quickly cause fatigue, do not self-medicate;Consult a doctor and undergo a complete examination.In the treatment of osteochondrosis, a great place is given to physiotherapy.Aristotle also said: “Life is movement.”Remember this and do gymnastics regularly.