Therapy for osteochondrosis consists of eliminating the symptoms, achieving a steady decline. A patient with cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral pathology is hospitalized for acute back pain, usually provoked by intervertebral disc displacement. In all other cases, osteochondrosis is treated at home. These consist in the use of pharmacological drugs, adherence to unusable regimens, physical education and gymnastics.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic pathology, progressing rapidly without medical intervention. Under the influence of negative factors, the intervertebral disc loses its ability to retain moisture. This leads to a violation of trophism, a lack of nutrients in cartilage tissue. The intervertebral disc becomes denser, thinner, its surface covered with radial cracks.
They are no longer able to perform the function of shock absorbers, which causes instability of the vertebral structure, its displacement beyond the boundaries of the spinal canal. The vertebral body is also deformed - bone growths (osteophytes) form on it.
Cause
Trophic intervertebral disc disorders occur due to excessive physical activity, inactive lifestyle. In the elderly, the pathology appears due to the natural aging of the body - a decrease in collagen production, a slowing of the regeneration process. The following diseases can also provoke the development of osteochondrosis:
- autoimmune pathology - rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus;
- endocrine diseases - hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus;
- disorders of hematopoiesis, blood circulation, metabolic disorders.
Prerequisites for intervertebral disc destruction are obesity, smoking, wearing high -heeled shoes, congenital and acquired structural anomalies of the spine.
Symptoms
In the early stages of development, the pathology is asymptomatic. Mild back pain occurs after physical activity, disappearing after a short rest. But over time, their intensity increased. The pain is worse when bending, turning, climbing stairs. Other hallmarks of osteochondrosis appear:
- curling up, clicking while walking or changing body position;
- restriction of movement.
At the remission stage, mild back pain. Discomfort occurs with hypothermia, weight lifting, and changing weather.
Methods for treating osteochondrosis at home
Drugs that make it possible to restore destroyed discs and spines have not been synthesized. Therefore, osteochondrosis therapy aims to prevent the progression of the disease. All methods used in treatment are based on speeding up blood circulation, replenishing nutrient reserves in cartilage and bone tissue.
Wearing orthopedic devices allows patients to feel healthier. For cervical pathology, Shants collar is used, for thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis - a soft bandage with a warming effect or an elastic corset with rigid inserts made of plastic or metal.
Drug therapy
The first choice drug in the symptomatic treatment of osteochondrosis is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Administration of intramuscular solutions makes it possible to stop acute pain.
If the pain syndrome is not so noticeable, then you can get rid of it by taking pills.
Mild discomfort is eliminated with the use of local gels and ointments.
| Drugs used in the treatment of osteochondrosis | Therapeutic action |
|---|---|
| Glucocorticosteroids | They relieve inflammation, have analgesic, antiexudative, immunosuppressive effects |
| Relax the muscles | Relaxes skeletal muscle, relieves compression of spinal roots and blood vessels by muscle spasms |
| Chondroprotectors | Restores part of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc, shows anti-inflammatory, analgesic activity |
| Warming ointment | Irritates subcutaneous receptors, distracts a person from pain, improves blood circulation and microcirculation |
Physiotherapy training
The reception of chondroprotectors and conducting physiotherapy will not have the same therapeutic effects as daily exercise therapy and gymnastics. This set of exercises is developed individually for patients by exercise therapy physicians. Not only the pathological localization is considered, but also the physical fitness of the patient, the X-ray degree of osteochondrosis. The complex must include the following exercises:
- in case of damage to the structure of the cervix - tilt, rotation, rotation of the head;
- with the defeat of the thoracic and lumbar discs - tilting, turning the body, walking with knees high.
The main task of exercise therapy is to increase the blood supply to the tissues with nutrients, to strengthen the muscular skeleton of the back to stabilize the discs and vertebrae. But during exercise, microtrauma of the vertebral structure is unacceptable. Therefore, all movements should be smooth, slightly slow, with 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. Food should not be salted during cooking, but during eating. From the spices, you need to choose only those that do not change the water-electrolyte balance in the body, for example cinnamon, cardamom, dried peppers.
Should be limited, and it is better to leave fried, smoked products, semi -finished products, fast food.
The most useful foods for osteochondrosis are foods that are steamed or boiled in a little water. It is recommended to include in the daily menu a little oily fish (salmon, herring) to get rid of cholesterol from the bloodstream.
Massage for osteochondrosis
Classical, segmental, acupressure massage is used in the treatment of osteochondrosis to eliminate muscle hypertonicity, restoring optimal blood circulation. The masseur acts on the spasmodic muscles by rubbing, caressing, using vibrating movements, cutting. Neurologists recommend visiting a massage room not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of painful relapses.
Manual or hardware vacuum massage is also in demand. When performing medical procedures, glass, ceramic, plastic, bamboo jars are used. They are mounted at a biologically active point, and then move slightly along the surface of the body. The combination of vacuum and mechanical action allows you to get rid of all the symptoms of the disease in 5-7 sessions.
Compressing
The compress mixture is 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 fitted with gauze or elastic bandage. If the mixture does not contain substances with local irritating effect, then leave it overnight. Compress with cinquefoil color, red pepper, essential oil is kept for about 1-2 hours.
Often, fresh leaves of burdock, carrots, dandelions, bananas, cabbage are used for the procedure. They are crushed, a tablespoon of honey is added and distributed evenly on the skin. Compressing with sea salt well removes stiffness. One teaspoon of salt is diluted in 0, 5 cups of warm water, moistened with a sterile napkin and applied to the sore area.
Infusions and decoctions
Doctors recommend drinking at least 2. 5 liters of fluid daily for osteochondrosis. In addition to water, fruit drinks and compotes, you can use infusions of medicinal plants. To prepare a vitamin drink, 5 dried fruits of rosehip, viburnum, lingonberry, juniper, barberry put in a thermos, 2. 5 cups of boiling water is poured. After 3 hours, the infusion is cooled, filtered, taken in 100 ml 3 times a day after meals.
Decoction of lingonberry leaves is also useful. Pour a tablespoon of dried vegetable raw materials into a small saucepan, pour 0, 5 liters of hot water, bring to a boil. Boil under cover for about 10 minutes, cool. Take 3 tablespoons 2 times daily after meals.
Application
At home, you can make applications with ozokerite or paraffin - materials that can withstand heat well. They are sold in pharmacies in the form of coarse crystalline powder. About 100 g of free-flowing mixture is diluted in a water bath at a temperature of 50-60 ° C, and 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 affected vertebral structure. Once slightly dry, the same amount of ozokerite or paraffin will be distributed. In total, 3-4 layers were applied. From above, the frozen mass is covered with a film, thick cloth and left for 1 hour.
Rubbing
The most effective for osteochondrosis from any localization rub with a saber. In a dark glass container with a volume of 1 liter, put half a glass of crushed dried rhizomes and a glass of grass. Pour into the neck with vodka or 96% alcohol diluted with the same amount of water. Insist in a warm place for 2-3 months, shaking the jar periodically. Do not strain, but, if necessary, pour a few tablespoons of melted chocolate and rub back for pain.
If desired, you can add a red pepper or 2-3 cloves of garlic while insisting. For people with sensitive skin, scrub should not be completed with vodka, but with vegetable oil.
Healing bath
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 dissolved in 2 liters of hot water. The bath is filled with warm water, a concentrated solution is poured, and stirred thoroughly. The duration of the procedure is not more than half an hour. Then take a shower and rub with a towel.
Prophylaxis
In order for the intervertebral disc not to begin to collapse, it is necessary to exclude from the normal way of life all the factors that provoke its destruction. It is not possible to be in one body position for long periods of time, to expose the spine to excessive load. Doctors recommend quitting smoking, supplementing the diet with fresh fruits and vegetables.