Therapy for osteochondrosis consists in eliminating the symptoms, achieving a stable remission. A patient with cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral pathology is hospitalized for acute back pain, usually caused by a displacement of the intervertebral disc. In all other cases, osteochondrosis is treated at home. It consists in the use of pharmacological drugs, in compliance with a thrifty regime, in physical education and gymnastics.
What is osteochondrosirosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic pathology, which progresses rapidly without medical intervention. Under the influence of negative factors, the intervertebral discs lose their ability to retain moisture. This leads to a violation of trophism, a deficiency of nutrients in cartilage tissues. The intervertebral discs become dense, thinner, their surface is covered with radial cracks.
They are no longer able to perform a shock-absorbing function, which leads to the instability of the vertebral structures, their displacement beyond the boundaries of the spinal canal. The vertebral bodies are also deformed: bone growths (osteophytes) are formed on them.
causes
Trophic intervertebral disc disorder occurs due to excessive physical exertion, a sedentary lifestyle. In older people, pathology appears due to the natural aging of the body: a decrease in the production of collagen, a slowing down of regeneration processes. The following diseases can also provoke the development of osteochondrosis:
- autoimmune pathologies - rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus;
- endocrine diseases - hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus;
- disorders of hematopoiesis, blood circulation, metabolic disorders.
Prerequisites for the destruction of intervertebral discs are obesity, smoking, the use of high-heeled shoes, congenital and acquired anomalies of the structure of the spine.
Symptoms
At the initial stage of development, the pathology is asymptomatic. Mild back pain occurs after physical exertion, disappearing after a short rest. But over time, their intensity increases. The pain is worse when bending over, turning, climbing stairs. Other characteristic signs of osteochondrosis appear:
- creaking, clicking when walking or changing body position;
- movement restriction.
In the remission phase, back pain is mild. Discomfort occurs with hypothermia, weight lifting, and the change of weather.
Methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis at home
The drugs with which it would be possible to restore the destroyed discs and vertebrae have not yet been synthesized. Therefore, osteochondrosis therapy is aimed at preventing the progression of the disease. All methods used in the treatment are based on the acceleration of blood circulation, replenishing the reserves of nutrients in the cartilage and bone tissues.
Wearing orthopedic devices allows the patient to feel better. For cervical pathology, Shants collars are used, for thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis - soft bandages with a warming effect or elastic corsets with rigid plastic or metal inserts.
Pharmacological therapy
The drugs of first choice in the symptomatic treatment of osteochondrosis are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Intramuscular administration of solutions allows to stop acute pain.
If the pain syndrome is not very pronounced, you can get rid of it by taking pills.
Mild discomfort is eliminated by local application of gels and ointments.
| Drugs used in the treatment of osteochondrosis | Therapeutic action |
|---|---|
| Glucocorticosteroids | They relieve inflammation, have analgesic, anti-exudative, immunosuppressive effects |
| Muscle relaxants | Relax the skeletal muscles, eliminate the compression of the spinal roots and blood vessels from muscle spasms |
| Chondroprotector | Partially restores the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs, shows anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity |
| Warming ointments | Irritates subcutaneous receptors, distracting a person from pain, improves blood circulation and microcirculation |
Physiotherapy exercises
Reception of chondroprotector and performance of physiotherapy will not give such therapeutic effect as daily physical therapy and gymnastics. The exercise set is developed individually for the patient by the physical therapy doctor. Not only the localization of the pathology is taken into account, but also the physical fitness of the patient, the radiographic stage of osteochondrosis. The complex must include the following exercises:
- in case of damage to the cervical structures - inclinations, rotations, rotation of the head;
- with the defeat of the thoracic and lumbar discs - tilting, turning the body, walking with high knees.
The main tasks of physical therapy are to improve the blood supply to the tissues with nutrients, strengthen the muscle structure of the back to stabilize the discs and vertebrae. But when performing exercises, microtrauma of the vertebral structures is unacceptable. Therefore, all movements should be smooth, slightly slowed down, with a small amplitude.
Therapeutic diet
For any pathology of the musculoskeletal system, nutritionists recommend limiting the use of salt and spices in the diet, which often leads to the formation of edema. The food must not be salty during cooking, but during consumption. Of the spices, you need to choose only those that do not change the water-electrolyte balance in the body, for example, cinnamon, cardamom, dry paprika.
It is necessary to limit and it is better to completely abandon fried, smoked, semi-finished products, fast food.
The most useful food for osteochondrosis is steamed or stewed food in a small amount of water. It is advisable to include some oily fish (salmon, herring) in the daily menu to eliminate cholesterol from blood vessels.
Massage for osteochondrosis
Classic, segmental, acupressure massage is used in the treatment of osteochondrosis to eliminate muscle hypertonus, restore optimal blood circulation. The massager acts on the spasmodic muscles by rubbing, stroking, using vibrating and cutting movements. Neurologists recommend visiting the massage room not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of painful relapses.
Manual or hardware vacuum massage is also required. When carrying out medical procedures, glass, ceramic, plastic, bamboo jars are used. They are installed on biologically active points and therefore move slightly along the surface of the body. The combination of vacuum and mechanical action allows you to eliminate all symptoms of the disease in 5-7 sessions.
Tablets
Compressed mixtures are prepared immediately before the procedure. They are spread in a thick layer on the skin, covered with plastic wrap and a warm cloth, and the bandage is fixed with gauze or elastic bandage. If the mixture does not contain substances with a local irritating effect, it is left overnight. Tablets with tinctures of potentilla, chilli, essential oils keep for about 1-2 hours.
Most often, fresh leaves of burdock, horseradish, dandelion, plantain, cabbage are used for the procedures. They are crushed, a spoonful of honey is added and they are evenly distributed on the skin. Compresses with sea salt well eliminate stiffness. A teaspoon of salt is diluted in 0, 5 cups of warm water, moistened with a sterile napkin and applied to the painful area.
Infusions and decoctions
Doctors recommend drinking at least 2. 5 liters of fluid per day for osteochondrosis. In addition to water, fruit drinks and compotes, you can use infusions of medicinal plants. To prepare a vitamin drink, 5 dried berries of wild rose, viburnum, lingonberry, juniper, barberry are placed in a thermos, 2, 5 cups of boiling water are poured. After 3 hours, the infusion is cooled, filtered, taken in 100 ml 3 times a day after meals.
A decoction of cranberry leaves is also useful. Pour a tablespoon of dry vegetable raw materials into a small saucepan, pour 0. 5 liters of hot water, bring to a boil. Cook under the lid for about 10 minutes, cool. Take 3 tablespoons 2 times a day after meals.
Applications
At home, you can make applications with ozokerite or paraffin, substances that retain heat well. They are sold in pharmacies in the form of coarse crystalline powders. About 100 g of the free-flowing mixture is dissolved in a water bath at a temperature of 50-60 ° C, then cooled to 40 ° C. Take a flat wooden spatula or a wide brush and apply a layer of warm mass to the skin over the vertebral structures affected. After it dries a little, the same amount of ozokerite or paraffin is distributed. In total, 3-4 layers are applied. From above, the frozen mass is covered with a film, a thick cloth and left for 1 hour.
Rubbing
The most therapeutically effective for osteochondrosis of any localization of the saber rubbing. In a dark glass container with a volume of 1 liter, put half a glass of chopped dried rhizomes and a glass of grass. Pour up to the neck with vodka or 96% alcohol diluted with an equal amount of water. Insist in a warm place for 2-3 months, periodically shaking the jar. Do not strain, but, if necessary, pour a couple of tablespoons of brown liquid and rub it on your back for pain.
If desired, by insisting, you can add a pod of chilli or 2-3 cloves of garlic. For people with sensitive skin, rubbing should not be prepared with vodka, but with vegetable oil.
Healing baths
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, salt baths are used, which have a general strengthening and tonic effect on the patient's body. 200 g of sea salt is dissolved in 2 liters of hot water. The bath is filled with hot water, the concentrated solution is poured and thoroughly mixed. The duration of the procedure does not exceed half an hour. Then take a shower and scrub thoroughly with a towel.
Prophylaxis
In order for the intervertebral discs not to begin to collapse, it is necessary to exclude from the usual lifestyle all the factors that provoke their destruction. It is impossible to stay in one position for a long time, to expose the spine to excessive loads. Doctors recommend quitting smoking, replenishing the diet with fresh fruits and vegetables.