Osteochondrosis is a pathology that affects both men and women, young and old, and consists of degenerative changes of 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”.Treatment of osteochondrosis is always complex.It is based on maintaining an active lifestyle, correct nutrition, normalizing the daily routine and practicing sport.
Traditional medicine offers several therapeutic methods: medications, physiotherapy, alternative methods - hirudotherapy and acupuncture, mud therapy and balneotherapy, as well as massage and manual therapy, physical therapy.Original therapeutic paths can be recommended to patients.Yoga classes and exercises with the fitness ball will bring 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 of 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 reaches for when they feel back pain.In most cases they do not cure, but only relieve the 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 alone.Also, to choose the right drug, 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, so doctors recommend simultaneously taking such drugs orally and sometimes giving injections.
Muscle relaxation and stress relief
In addition, pharmacological treatment of osteochondrosis includes taking:
- muscle relaxants - drugs that relax muscles, which is very important for osteochondrosis;
- sedatives (valerian tincture or motherwort) or tranquilizers - improve the general 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 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 completed in a specialized medical institution:
- laser exposure;
- EHF;
- electrophoresis;
- ultrasound;
- magnetotherapy;
- vibrational therapy.
The last 2 types of physiotherapy can be done at home on your own, having special therapeutic devices.
Also, 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 get a complete cure without taking pills.If the condition is neglected, you will have to work long and hard, which will lead to stable remission and a pain-free life.Then the treatment will have to be repeated.
Just a note.Women expecting a baby should consult a doctor for home treatment of osteochondrosis using physiotherapeutic devices.
Hirudotherapy and acupuncture
Both types of treatment are effective.The impact occurs on biologically active points, determining:
- the flow of lymph and blood in the paravertebral tissues is normalized;
- spasming muscles relax;
- leeches inject a special enzyme into the wound that acts as an anticoagulant (thinning 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 approximately 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 that are located “on the water”.Mud therapy consists of covering oneself with therapeutic mud containing numerous 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 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 concomitant pathologies of the patient.
Massage and manual therapy
The main job of the massage therapist and chiropractor is to remove muscle spasms and tone muscles that may be atrophying.By removing such a clamp, the patient is most likely to experience significant relief or complete disappearance of pain.
During the process, the specialist's hands work on both the external and deep muscle groups.This improves the flow of lymph and blood, thanks to which the intervertebral discs receive adequate nourishment and moisture.
Just a note.Both massage and manual therapy have contraindications.A qualified specialist must study the patient's medical history and only then begin treatment.
Physical therapy and original techniques
Physical therapy is an important component in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Regular exercise allows you to maintain spinal flexibility.The doctor at the district clinic is unlikely to recommend carrying them out.However, the patient has the right to clarify whether, with an established diagnosis, he can perform exercises with 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 a few repetitions.
- Observe your breathing: it should be regular.
- Exercise regularly, without missing a day.
The advantage of the author's methods is 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 micromovements.It is designed for the elderly and is accessible to patients with minimal physical fitness.For young people, the doctor recommends gradually increasing the number of repetitions and approaches, which will load the age-appropriate spine 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 positions) can be performed to the best of one's physical ability, gradually developing and, eventually, reaching ideal execution.
For osteochondrosis, it is recommended to perform the following complex:
- Savasana is the pose of the dead.
- Vrikshasana – tree pose.
- Shalabhasana – locust pose.
- Marjariasana: cat pose.
- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana - half bridge position (shoulders and head lie 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, but the hips lie on a soft cushion located on the floor.
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 it turns out", then, when the spine becomes more flexible, according to all the rules, looking for the ideal position of the body.
Fitball
A fitness ball is an excellent tool for restoring spinal flexibility.Working with him is comfortable and easy.Just lie on your back on a fitball and feel how the vertebrae position themselves and the spine lengthens.
The complex for osteochondrosis includes several exercises.Here are 3, the simplest:
- Lie with 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 - 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 back on the ball with your belly.Rest your limbs on the floor.Now start rolling forward, moving your hands quickly 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 exercise.
It is necessary to start treating osteochondrosis as soon 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 comprehensive examination.In the treatment of osteochondrosis, a large place is given to physical therapy.Aristotle also said: “Life is movement”.Remember this and exercise regularly.