The therapy of osteochondrosis consists in eliminating the symptoms, achieving stable remission. A patient with cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral pathology is hospitalized for acute back pain, usually caused by displacement of the intervertebral disc. In all other cases, osteochondrosis is treated at home. It consists of the use of pharmacological drugs, adherence to a sparing regime, physical education and gymnastics.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic pathology, which progresses quickly 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, lack of nutrients in cartilage tissues. Intervertebral discs become thicker, thinner, their surface is covered with radial cracks.
They are no longer able to perform the function of shock absorption, which leads to the instability of the spinal structures, their movement beyond the boundaries of the spinal canal. The bodies of the vertebrae are also deformed - bone growths (osteophytes) are formed on them.
Causes
Disorder of trophic intervertebral discs occurs due to excessive physical exertion, sedentary lifestyle. In older people, the pathology occurs due to the natural aging of the body - a decrease in collagen production, slowing down the regeneration process. The following diseases can also cause the development of osteochondrosis:
- autoimmune pathologies - rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus;
- endocrine diseases - hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus;
- hematopoietic disorders, blood circulation, metabolic disorders.
Prerequisites for the destruction of intervertebral discs are obesity, smoking, wearing high-heeled shoes, congenital and acquired anomalies of the spine structure.
Symptoms
In the initial phase of development, the pathology is asymptomatic. Mild aching pains in the back appear after physical exertion, they disappear after a short rest. But over time, that intensity increases. The pain is worse when bending, turning, climbing stairs. There are other characteristic signs of osteochondrosis:
- crunching, clicking when walking or changing body position;
- restriction of movement.
In the remission phase, back pain is mild. Discomfort occurs with hypothermia, weight lifting and changes in weather.
Methods for treating osteochondrosis at home
Drugs that could be used to restore destroyed discs and vertebrae have not yet been synthesized. Therefore, osteochondrosis therapy is aimed at preventing disease progression. All methods used in the treatment are based on accelerating blood circulation, restoring the supply of nutrients in cartilage and bone tissue.
Wearing orthopedic aids 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 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Intramuscular administration of solutions allows to stop acute pain.
If the pain syndrome is not very pronounced, then you can get rid of it by taking pills.
Mild discomfort is removed by topical application of gels and ointments.
| Drugs used to treat osteochondrosis | Therapeutic action |
|---|---|
| Glucocorticosteroids | They alleviate inflammation, have analgesic, antiexudative, immunosuppressive effects |
| Muscle relaxants | Relaxes skeletal muscles, removes muscles with spasms of compression of the spinal root and blood vessels |
| Chondroprotectors | Partially restore the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs, show anti-inflammatory, analgesic action |
| Warming fats | Irritates subcutaneous receptors, distracting a person from pain, improves blood circulation and microcirculation |
Physiotherapy exercises
Receiving chondroprotection and conducting physiotherapy will not give such a therapeutic effect as daily exercise and gymnastics. The set of exercises is developed individually for the patient by the exercise physician. Not only the localization of the pathology is taken into account, but also the physical readiness of the patient, the X-ray stage of osteochondrosis. The complex must include the following exercises:
- in case of damage to cervical structures - tilts, turns, rotation of the head;
- with defeat of the thoracic and lumbar disc - leaning, turning the body, walking with high knees.
The main tasks of exercise therapy are to improve the tissue supply of nutrients, strengthen the muscular framework of the back to stabilize the discs and vertebrae. But when performing exercises, microtrauma of spinal structures is unacceptable. Therefore, all movements should be light, slightly slow, 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 meals. Of the spices you need to choose only those that do not change the balance of water and electrolytes in the body, for example, cinnamon, cardamom, dried peppers.
It is necessary to limit, and it is better to leave completely fried, smoked products, semi-finished products, fast food.
The most useful food for osteochondrosis is food that is steamed or stewed in a small amount of water. It is recommended to include a little fatty fish (salmon, herring) in the daily menu to remove cholesterol from blood vessels.
Massage for osteochondrosis
Classical, segmental, acupressure massage is used in the treatment of osteochondrosis to remove muscle hypertonicity, restoring optimal blood circulation. The masseur acts on the cramping muscles by rubbing, stroking, vibrating movements and movement. Neurologists recommend a visit to the massage room not only for treatment, but also to prevent painful recurrences.
Manual or hardware vacuum massage is also required. Glass, ceramic, plastic, bamboo jars are used during medical procedures. They are installed at 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 the symptoms of the disease in 5-7 sessions.
Wraps
Coating mixtures are prepared immediately before the procedure. They are spread in a thicker 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 local irritant effect, it is left overnight. Compresses with tinctures of pentacles, red peppers, essential oils last about 1-2 hours.
Fresh leaves of burdock, horseradish, dandelion, plantain, cabbage are most often used for procedures. Crush, add a spoonful of honey and spread evenly on the skin. Sea salt wraps remove stiffness well. A 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 a day for osteochondrosis. In addition to water, fruit drinks and compotes, you can also use infusions of medicinal plants. To prepare the vitamin drink, put 5 dried rose hips, viburnum, cranberries, juniper, barberry, 2, 5 cups of boiling water in a thermos. After 3 hours, the infusion is cooled, filtered and 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 sherpa, pour 0. 5 liters of hot water, bring to a boil. Simmer under the lid for about 10 minutes, cool. Take 3 tablespoons 2 times daily 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 powder. Approximately 100 g of the free-flowing mixture is dissolved in a water bath at a temperature of 50-60 ° C and then cooled to 40 ° C. Take a wooden flat spatula or a wide brush and apply a layer of warm mass to the skin over the affected spinal structures. After it dries a little, the same amount of ozokerite or paraffin is distributed. A total of 3-4 coats are applied. From above, the frozen mass is covered with a film, a thick cloth and left for 1 hour.
Rubbing
Therapeutically most effective for osteochondrosis of any localization of saber rubbing. Put half a cup of crushed dry rhizomes and a glass of grass in a 1 liter dark glass container. Pour vodka or 96% alcohol diluted with an equal amount of water to the neck. Insist in a warm place for 2-3 months, shaking the jar occasionally. Do not filter, but if necessary, pour a couple of spoons of brown liquid and rub it into your back from pain.
If desired, you can add a pod of red pepper or 2-3 cloves of garlic as you insist. For people with sensitive skin, rubbing should not be prepared with vodka, but with vegetable oil.
Medicinal baths
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, salt baths are used, which generally strengthen and tone the patient's body. 200 g of sea salt is dissolved in 2 liters of boiling water. The bath is filled with warm water, the concentrated solution is poured out and mixed thoroughly. The duration of the procedure is not longer than half an hour. Then take a shower and rub thoroughly with a towel.
Prophylaxis
In order for the intervertebral discs not to begin to collapse, it is necessary to exclude from the usual way of life all the factors that cause 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, supplementing the diet with fresh fruits and vegetables.