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 the lack of physical activity.Due to the lack of physical activity, blood circulation in the tissues adjacent to the spine deteriorates;the intervertebral discs, which do not have 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, normalization of everyday life and sports.
Traditional medicine offers various methods of treatment: medications, physiotherapy, alternative methods - hirudotherapy and acupuncture, mud therapy and balneotherapy, as well as massage and manual therapy, exercise therapy.Original therapeutic courses can be recommended to patients.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 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 the motor activity of the spine.In advanced cases, patients are forced to turn their entire torso to look around.
Pain relievers
Ointments are the first thing a person reaches 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 the cartilage.Products for external use are unlikely to significantly affect the situation - only a small part of the useful substances will reach the intervertebral discs, so doctors simultaneously recommend taking such drugs orally, and sometimes 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 gum) or tranquilizers - they improve the overall 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
With 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 facility:
- laser exposure;
- EHF;
- electrophoresis;
- ultrasound;
- magnetic therapy;
- vibration therapy.
The last 2 types of physical therapy can be done by yourself at home, having special therapeutic devices.
You can also treat the spine at home using devices that are based on the impact of pulsed current on human skin.The efficiency of the devices is high.In the 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 a stable remission and a life without pain.After that, the treatment will have to be repeated.
Just one note.Women who are expecting a child should consult a doctor about home treatment of osteochondrosis with the help of physiotherapy devices.
Hirudotherapy and acupuncture
Both types of treatment are effective.The impact is carried out on biologically active points, which leads to:
- the flow of lymph and blood in the paravertebral tissues is normalized;
- muscle spasms relax;
- leeches inject a special enzyme into the wound that acts as an anticoagulant (thins the blood).
Hirudotherapy is prohibited for pathologies of the hematopoietic system, allergies to leech saliva, hemorrhagic diathesis, infectious diseases, neoplasms (benign and malignant), mental pathologies.Acupuncture has roughly the same list, except for blood disorders and allergies.
Just one 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 treatment involves smearing with healing mud containing many beneficial substances.Balneotherapy is 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 are normalized.A recommendation 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 the massage therapist and chiropractor is to eliminate muscle spasms and tone muscles that are likely to atrophy.By removing such a 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 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 one 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 that you do them.However, the patient has the right to clarify whether, given a diagnosis, he can do exercises from these techniques.
General recommendations for practicing therapeutic exercises:
- Do not forget to ventilate the room.It is better to practice in an open window or in nature.
- Exercise should not cause pain, so exercise during the remission period.
- Start with low repetitions.
- Watch your breathing - it should be even.
- Exercise regularly without missing a single 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 encourages micro-movements.It is intended for the elderly and is accessible to patients with minimal physical fitness.For young people, the doctor recommends a gradual increase in the number of repetitions and approaches, which will load the spine according to age and strengthen the muscle corset well.
Yoga
It 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 according to your physical abilities, gradually developing and eventually achieving a perfect performance.
For osteochondrosis, it is recommended to perform the following complex:
- Savasana is the pose of the dead.
- Vrikshasana – tree pose.
- Shalabhasana – Grasshopper Pose.
- Marjariasana - cat pose.
- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana - half-bridge pose (shoulders and head lie on the floor).
- Paschimottanasana - bending forward with hands grasping the legs and fully extending the spine.
- Bhujangasana - Cobra pose.
- Utkatasana – Mountain Pose.
- Ustrasana – camel pose.
- Vaparita karani is birch, but the thighs lie on a soft cushion placed on the floor.
The asanas listed may be different - some may be removed, others may be left, or new ones may be added.Complex poses are first done "as it turns out", then when the spine becomes more flexible, according to all the rules, striving for the ideal position of the body.
Fitball
The fitness ball is an excellent tool for restoring the flexibility of 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 come 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 limbs 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, throw your head back and stand on an imaginary bridge.Lie in this position for a few minutes.If you feel pain, stop.
- Again lie on the ball on your stomach.Place your limbs on the floor.Now start rolling forward by moving your arms quickly until the ball is under your knees.Roll back until the exercise ball is under your chest.
Just one note.Fitball exercises can be considered safe for the spine.However, it is better 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 the usual actions quickly lead to fatigue, do not self-medicate - consult a doctor and undergo a full examination.Physiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Aristotle also said, "Life is movement."Remember this and do gymnastics regularly.