The therapy of osteochondrosis consists of eliminating the symptoms, achieving a stable remission. A patient with cervical, thoracic and 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 of the use of pharmacological drugs, compliance with a saving regimen, physical education and gymnastics.
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic pathology that 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 the cartilage tissues. Intervertebral discs become dense, thinner, their surface is covered with radial cracks.
They can no longer perform a shock-absorbing function, which leads to the instability of the vertebral structures, their displacement beyond the limits of the spinal canal. The vertebral bodies are also deformed: bone growths (osteophytes) form on them.
Causes
Trophic intervertebral disc disorder occurs due to excessive physical exertion, sedentary lifestyle. In older people, the pathology appears due to the natural aging of the body - a decrease in collagen production, a slowdown in regeneration processes. The following diseases can also provoke the development of osteochondrosis:
- autoimmune pathologies: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus;
- endocrine diseases: hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus;
- hematopoiesis disorders, blood circulation, metabolic disorders.
The prerequisites for the destruction of the intervertebral discs are obesity, smoking, the use of high-heeled shoes, congenital and acquired anomalies of the structure of the spine.
Symptoms
In the initial stage of development, the pathology is asymptomatic. Mild back pain occurs after physical exertion and disappears after a short rest. But over time, its intensity increases. 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 stage, the back pain is mild. Discomfort occurs with hypothermia, weight lifting, and changeable weather.
Methods of treating 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 aims to prevent the progression of the disease. All the methods used in the treatment are based on accelerating blood circulation, replenishing the nutrient reserves in cartilaginous and bone tissues.
The use of 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.
Drug therapy
The drugs of first choice in the symptomatic treatment of osteochondrosis are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Intramuscular administration of solutions makes it possible 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.
| Medicines used in the treatment of osteochondrosis. | Therapeutic action |
|---|---|
| Glucocorticosteroids | They relieve inflammation, have analgesic, anti-exudative, immunosuppressive effects. |
| Muscle relaxants | Relaxes skeletal muscles, eliminates compression of spinal roots and blood vessels by muscle spasms. |
| Chondroprotectors | Partially restores the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs, exhibits anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity |
| Warming ointments | Irritates subcutaneous receptors, distracts the person from pain, improves blood circulation and microcirculation. |
Physiotherapy exercises
Reception of chondroprotectors and conducting physiotherapy will not give a therapeutic effect such as daily exercise therapy and gymnastics. The set of exercises is developed individually for the patient by the specialist in physiotherapy. Not only the localization of the pathology is taken into account, but also the physical fitness of the patient, the X-ray stage of osteochondrosis. The complex should include the following exercises:
- in case of damage to the cervical structures: tilts, turns, rotation of the head;
- with the defeat of the thoracic and lumbar discs - bend over, turn the body, walk with high knees.
The main tasks of exercise therapy are to improve the blood supply to the tissues with nutrients, to strengthen the muscular 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. Food should not be salty when cooked, but when eaten. Of the spices, you should choose only those that do not change the balance of water and electrolytes in the body, for example, cinnamon, cardamom, dried 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 one that is steamed or stewed in a small amount of water. It is advisable to include some oily fish (salmon, herring) in the daily menu to eliminate cholesterol from the blood vessels.
Massage for osteochondrosis.
Classic, segmental and acupressure massage is used in the treatment of osteochondrosis to eliminate muscle hypertonicity and restore optimal blood circulation. The masseur 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 in demand. When performing medical procedures, glass, ceramic, plastic, bamboo jars are used. They settle in biologically active points and then move slightly along the surface of the body. The combination of vacuum and mechanical action allows you to get rid of all symptoms of the disease in 5-7 sessions.
Compresses
Pad mixes are made immediately prior to 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 an elastic bandage. If the mixture does not contain substances with a local irritant effect, it is left overnight. Compressed with tinctures of cinquefoil, red pepper, the essential oils stay for about 1-2 hours.
Most often, fresh leaves of burdock, horseradish, dandelion, banana, cabbage are used for the procedures. They are crushed, a tablespoon of honey is added and distributed evenly on the skin. Sea salt compresses remove stiffness well. One teaspoon of salt is diluted in 0. 5 cups of warm water, moistened with a sterile napkin and applied to the area of pain.
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 herbal teas. To prepare a vitamin drink, 5 dried berries of rosehip, viburnum, lingonberry, juniper, barberry are put in a thermos, 2. 5 cups of boiling water are poured. After 3 hours, the infusion is cooled, filtered and taken in 100 ml 3 times a day after meals.
A 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 and bring to a boil. Simmer under lid for about 10 minutes, cool. Take 3 tablespoons 2 times a day after meals.
Applications
At home, you can apply ozokerite or paraffin, substances that retain heat well. They are sold in pharmacies in the form of coarse crystalline powders. Approximately 100 g of the free-flowing mixture is melted 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 dough warm to the skin over the affected vertebral structures. After it dries a bit, the same amount of ozokerite or paraffin is distributed. In total, 3-4 coats 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 location of saber rub. 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 up to the neck with vodka or 96% alcohol diluted in the same amount of water. Insist in a warm place for 2-3 months, periodically shaking the jar. Don't strain, but as needed pour a couple tablespoons of brown liquid and rub it on your back for pain relief.
If you like, you can add a red pepper pod or 2-3 garlic cloves as you insist. For people with sensitive skin, the rub 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 are dissolved in 2 liters of hot water. The bath is filled with warm water, the concentrated solution is poured out and thoroughly shaken. The duration of the procedure is no more than 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 of the body for a long time, to expose the spine to excessive loads. Doctors recommend quitting smoking, replenishing the diet with fresh fruits and vegetables.