Treatment of osteochondrosis (radiculitis, intervertebral hernia) is not particularly difficult today, it is only important to correctly determine the cause of the pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases. But every specialist who deals professionally with the treatment of diseases of the back or the spine as a whole has in the course of the practice crystallized his own, quickly helping techniques that are optimal for most patients.
For the treatment of osteochondrosis, it is important to correctly determine the cause of the pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases.
It is inappropriate to use only one method of treating osteochondrosis, usually polyclinics "sin" by prescribing pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs to patients that remove uncomfortable symptoms and drive the problem with the spine deep inside without actually doing soaffect the cause. As a result, a person without pain continues to load the damaged vertebrae, the pathology worsens, and after a while, with the next strong attack, a bouquet of problems "arises" that cannot be eliminated.
The root of the problem and some criticism
Before starting treatment, it is useful to remember what osteochondrosis is. In general, these are degenerative changes that affect the tissues of the spine! However, not all back problems should be termed "osteochondrosis", nor should any two terms be confused: osteochondrosis and sciatica. In the first case, this is a disease, in the second, a process that occurs in the body of the patient with osteochondrosis. Plus, back pain is just a symptom, not a disease.
Methods of treating osteochondrosis have remained standard for decades, but with the availability of modern methods of examining the patient in the "old" techniques, more and more "cracks and chips" are becoming apparent. Most of the methods are aimed at eliminating clinical symptoms, and not affecting the causes of the pathology.
Taking medication
Unfortunately, this is a method that aims to ensure that the patient "gets well quickly". In addition, those affected turn to a specialist themselves and begin treatment for the disease, even if the pathological process blooms with power and main, and the pain tears everything apart and prevents it from moving normally. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs eliminate all negative symptoms, make a cure illusory, and the cause of the disease remains intact. In clinics, this process is put on a conveyor belt and as a result of such treatment:
- The cause, which became the starting point for osteochondrosis, has not been eliminated.
- The traumatic factor on the vertebrae increases as the person, without feeling pain, begins to put full weight on the back.
- NSAIDs disrupt the functioning of the pancreas and stomach.
Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs do not cure the disease, they only relieve the pain.
Manual therapy
This method is more commonly endorsed by old school doctors because they believe that if you insert the damaged vertebrae, the problem will go away. The dictum "all diseases of the spine" is not entirely correct, because the spine adapts to the circumstances, it is not so flexible for nothing. Proper nutrition of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae is only possible when standing upright. However, if a person continuesIf the intervertebral discs are crooked or there is severe inflammation of the intervertebral discs, the separated vertebrae will "slip" over time and give back all the signs.
Massage, a classic of the genre
This method consists in influencing the patient's muscles and connective tissues, relieving the symptoms of the disease and bringing relief to the patient for several months. The effectiveness of such treatment for osteochondrosis directly depends on the qualifications of the person performing the massage. However, in 95% of cases, it is impossible to eliminate the cause of osteochondrosis by hand and cure the disease if the specialist only works with the zone of pain and inflammation.
Osteopathy
This method of treating osteochondrosis is subtle and gentle, but a good osteopath should have sensitive hands, an inquiring mind, and a calm mind. He takes the patient by the hand and feels all processes in the body. Not every doctor can be over-sensitive, so good osteopaths are worth their weight in gold. Ideally, osteopaths should treat all of the patient's problems, but in reality they are just eliminating the pain. This is also the fault of the patients themselves, who only demand compensation for pain and suffering, because a session with an osteopath costs about three times as much as that of a masseur. By saving money, they eliminate the symptoms but deprive themselves of the opportunity to heal as completely as possible. Because of its softness, osteopathy is also indicated for children.
Osteopathy is a gentle and gentle method that is also suitable for children.
Chinese medicine
The pitfalls here lie in the lack of a pre-medical diagnosis of the patient, all manipulations are usually based on the doctor's assumptions, which are not always correct. Before undertaking a quality acupuncture process, here are some things you need to do:
- Electropuncture diagnostics.
- Pulse diagnosis.
- Diagnosis using the Akabane method.
A patient presenting with back pain gets many needles on it, the pain is relieved, the symptoms go away, but come back in a few hours. Repeated acupuncture, relief - and it comes full circle. A good specialist does not place needles based only on the patient's external examination and history. He works with only 1-4 needles at deep levels and tries to eliminate the cause of the osteochondrosis and not just the symptoms.
Visceral therapy
The treatment for osteochondrosis here consists in working with the internal organs. This is because the cause of the pathological condition of the spine is often either an incorrect arrangement of the organs or a violation of their work. With this treatment, back pain will go away for a long time.
Gymnastics, yoga, qigong
Eastern techniques for treating osteochondrosis are gaining popularity. Classical yoga is a well-coordinated, deeply thought-out method of working with the body that affects the mind. This method is suitable for the home, where a person can feel all the needs of the body in a calm environment. However, many experts advise sticking to the old treatment directions for osteochondrosis. And, of course, it is important to find a specialist, you should not turn to those who have learned a few tricky moves and "opened their own office".
Today these techniques are the most advanced and in many ways help people get rid of the problems associated with osteochondrosis. But it is important to remember the psychological aspect: the disease will not go away if a person persistently ignores the reason why osteochondrosis developed, does not want to change their lifestyle and thinking. You should not just blame health problems to the doctor without helping him with the treatment.
Gymnastics, yoga, qigong - the aim is to work with the body and get rid of problems with the spine.
The main phases of therapy
How to treat osteochondrosisThere are many therapy options: foot reflexology, magnetostimulation, water procedures, physiotherapy methods. Based on the medical history and examination results, the specialist must decide which option is right for the patient. Treatment at home is possible, for example, through physical therapy exercises, it can perfectly restore the mobility of the spine, eliminate symptoms and prevent the rapid development of the disease.
Important! If treatment is carried out at home, then you need to be extra careful with drugs, they are prescribed exclusively by the doctor. This is explained by the fact that the drug treatment of osteochondrosis puts a load on other organs, and such treatment can be fraught with unpleasant complications or exacerbations of chronic diseases.
We take medication
The basis of drug treatment is the use of vasodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs. Such therapy perfectly relieves symptoms and is intended to solve the following problems:
- Stop inflammatory processes.
- Relieves pain and muscle cramps.
- Stimulate the regeneration of the cartilage tissue.
It is safer to use topical products (creams, ointments, or gels) when treating at home. Such treatment is carried out without side effects, it is only necessary to coordinate it with the doctor and strictly follow the instructions.
Home remedies
Often "grandmother's prescriptions" are more effective than all modern and newfangled methods in treating osteochondrosis. Traditional home treatment includes: warming up a sore spot with river sand or salt, ointments based on chicken eggs, vinegar or herbal compresses.
- Bottle massage. Fill the "one and a half" with warm water and roll all the muscles of the back for 15 minutes, especially stopping at the problem area.
- Tennis ball massage. At home you can massage your back with a tennis ball, all you have to do is lie down on it and "ride". Repeat daily.
Drug treatment in complex therapy relieves pain, relieves spasms.
physical therapy
The most popular today is the author's therapeutic technique, which can be used at home. This treatment is based on ensuring that the cells of the spinal cord do not die and the muscle tissue does not atrophy. Therapeutic gymnastics consists of a series of exercises that stress all the joints and muscles of the human body, restore lost motor functions and relieve unpleasant symptoms.
Non-drug treatment options
Sanatorium treatment, perhaps, can be called the most complete in the process of treating a disease, it is based on the effect on the cause of the disease. During your stay in the sanatorium, you can get the following procedures:
- Acupuncture.
- Medicinal showers.
- Ultrasound and electrotherapy.
- Diet therapy and massage.
- Balneotherapy and mud therapy.
- Apitherapy and salt caves.
Of course, this home treatment option is not available. For each patient with osteochondrosis, the doctors of the sanatorium develop an individual therapy plan, which makes it possible not only to restore motor functions, but also to forget about exacerbations for a long time.
Point effect
Treatment with electrophoresis is indicated in any stage of osteochondrosis, except in the acute stage. Exposure to a point current has its advantages: the effect of a drug administered by electrophoresis extends only to the area of inflammation. This allows you to quickly improve the patient's condition, relieve swelling and pain.
physical therapy
It goes well with other osteochondrosis treatment options, is highly effective when properly performed by a knowledgeable specialist, and has a minimum of side effects:
- Massage. Improves blood and lymph flow, relieves pain and swelling, strengthens the muscles. Shown in courses of 10-15 procedures, 2-3 times a year.
- Manual therapy.
- Spinal traction.
- Reflexology.
How to treat osteochondrosis to avoid complicationsFirst you need to find out why the pathology developed and how damaged the vertebrae are. You will need to undergo a full examination and only then start treatment. In addition, the correct daily routine, a healthy lifestyle are important, you need to refrain from heavy physical exertion, try not to catch a cold and maintain correct posture. Whenever possible, any stress at home and at work should be eliminated, as uncontrolled muscle spasms occur with negative emotions, which further exacerbate the problem.
Osteochondrosis is a long-term topical disease based on many reasons, so one cannot stop at one method during treatment. Much depends on the patient himself, you shouldn't wait for a "magic pill" to end the problem immediately. This is the only way to restore the flexibility and mobility of the spine for many years.