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 tissues adjacent to the spine deteriorates;The intervertebral discs, as they do not have their own blood vessels, suffer from 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 receive original therapeutic courses.Yoga classes and exercises with a fitness ball will bring undoubted benefits.
Ointments, pills, 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 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 a person reaches for when they experience back pain.Most of the time, they don't cure it, they just 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.
Rarely do patients use them alone.Also, to choose the right medicine, 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 giving injections.
Muscle relaxation and stress relief
Additionally, drug treatment of osteochondrosis includes:
- muscle relaxants - medicines that relax muscles, which is very important for osteochondrosis;
- sedatives (tincture of valerian or motherwort) or tranquilizers - improve the general emotional picture, 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 the 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 performed in a specialized medical institution:
- laser exposure;
- FEH;
- electrophoresis;
- ultrasound;
- magnetic therapy;
- vibration therapy.
The last 2 types of physiotherapy can be done at home, using special therapeutic devices.
Also, at home, you can treat the spine with the help of devices based on the impact of pulsed current on human skin.The efficiency of the devices is high.At the initial 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 a stable remission and a pain-free life.Then the treatment will need to be repeated.
Just a note.Women who are expecting a child should consult a doctor about treating osteochondrosis at home with physiotherapy devices.
Hirudotherapy and acupuncture
Both types of treatment are effective.The impact occurs at biologically active points, resulting in:
- 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 (dilutes 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 disorders 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 involves smearing yourself with therapeutic mud containing many useful substances.Balneotherapy is drinking 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.Referral to such sanatorium treatment is made by the attending physician, taking into account all the patient's concomitant pathologies.
Massage and manual therapy
The main task of a massage therapist and chiropractor is to remove muscle spasms and tone muscles that can atrophy.By removing this clamp, it is very likely that the patient will experience significant relief or complete disappearance of pain.
During the process, the specialist's hands work external and deep muscle groups.This improves the flow of lymph and blood, ensuring that the intervertebral discs receive adequate nutrition 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.
Exercise therapy and original techniques
Physiotherapy 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 doing them.However, the patient has the right to clarify whether, with the diagnosis established, he or she can perform exercises using these techniques.
General recommendations for practicing therapeutic exercises:
- Be sure to ventilate the room.It is best to practice with the window open or in nature.
- Exercise should not cause pain, so exercise during the period of remission.
- 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 to relieve muscle tension and pain caused by osteochondrosis.In this case, the patient is asked to perform simple static exercises.
Another technique promotes micromovements.It is designed for seniors 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 spine in accordance with age and strengthen the muscular 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 patient's psycho-emotional state.Asanas (static postures) can be performed to the best of your physical abilities, gradually developing and ultimately achieving optimal 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 pose (shoulders and head resting on the floor).
- Paschimottanasana - leaning forward with your hands holding 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 floor.
The listed asanas can be varied - some can be removed, some can be left, or new ones can be added.Complex postures are first done “as you see”, then, when the spine becomes more flexible, according to all the rules, seeking the ideal position of the body.
Fitball
A fitness ball is an excellent tool for restoring spinal flexibility.Working with it is convenient and easy.Just lie on your back on a fitball and feel how your vertebrae fit together and your spine stretches.
The complex for osteochondrosis includes several exercises.Here are three of them, the simplest:
- Lie down with your belly resting on the ball and your 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 on your back - gently, placing your feet firmly on the floor, throw your head back and stand in an imaginary bridge.Stay in this position for several minutes.If you feel pain, stop.
- Lie on the ball on your stomach again.Place your limbs on the floor.Now start rolling forward, quickly moving your hands until the ball is under 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.
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 have a complete examination.In the treatment of osteochondrosis, a large place is given to physiotherapy.Aristotle also said: “Life is movement”.Remember this and exercise regularly.