Treatment of osteochondrosis (radiculitis, intervertebral hernia) today is not particularly difficult, it is important only to correctly determine the cause of the pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases. However, any professional who deals professionally with the treatment of diseases of the back or spine in general, in the course of practice, crystallizes their own, rapid-assisting 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 wrong to use only one method of treating osteochondrosis, as a rule, outpatients "wrong" with this, prescribing patients painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs that eliminate unpleasant symptoms and drive the problem with the spine deep inside, without affecting the cause. As a result, a person, without experiencing pain, continues to load the damaged vertebrae, the pathology worsens and after a while with the next strong attack "emerges" a bouquet of problems that can not be eliminated.
The root of the problem and some criticism
Before starting treatment, it will be helpful to remember what osteochondrosis is. In general, these are degenerative changes affecting the tissues of the spine! However, all back problems should not be called "osteochondrosis", as two concepts should not be confused: osteochondrosis and sciatica. In the first case it is a disease, in the second - a process that takes place in the body of a patient with osteochondrosis. Also, 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 revealed. Most of the methods are aimed at eliminating the clinical signs and not at influencing the causes of the pathology.
The use of drugs
Unfortunately, this is a method aimed at ensuring that the patient "goes away quickly". In addition, sufferers themselves turn to a specialist and begin to treat the disease, even when the pathological process blooms powerfully and mainly, and the pain tears everything around, preventingPainkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs eliminate all negative symptoms, making healing illusory, and the cause of the disease remains intact. In clinics, this process is put on the assembly line and as a result of such treatment:
- The cause, which has become a starting point for osteochondrosis, has not been eliminated.
- The traumatic factor on the vertebrae intensifies as the person, without feeling pain, begins to load the back completely.
- NSAIDs disrupt the functioning of the pancreas and stomach.
Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs do not cure the disease, but only relieve the pain.
Manual therapy
This method is more commonly advocated by old-school doctors, believing that if you put the damaged vertebrae in place, the problem will go away. The sentence "all diseases of the spine" is not entirely true, because the spine adapts to the circumstances, not in vain is so flexible. However, proper nutrition of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae is possible only when they stand upright. However, the set vertebrae, if a person continues to sit crooked or has a strong inflammation of the intervertebral discs, over time will "slip" again, returning all the signs. Also, do not confuse manual therapy and osteopathy.
Massage, a classic of the genre
This method consists in affecting the muscles and connective tissue of the patient, is able to relieve the symptoms of the disease and bring relief to the patient for several months. The effectiveness of such treatment of osteochondrosis directly depends on the qualifications of the person doing the massage. But in 95% of cases it is not possible to manually eliminate the cause of osteochondrosis, as well as to cure the disease if the specialist works only with the area of pain and inflammation.
Osteopathy
This method of treating osteochondrosis is delicate and gentle, but a good osteopath must have sensitive hands, a questioning mind and a calm mind. He, holding the patient's hand, can feel all the processes taking place in the body. Not every doctor is capable of having a feeling of hypersensitivity, so good osteopaths are worth their weight in gold. Ideally, osteopaths should treat any problems the patient has, but in reality they only eliminate the pain. The patients themselves are partly to blame for this, demanding only that they be relieved of the pain, as a session with an osteopath costs about three times more than that of a masseur. By saving money, they eliminate the symptoms, but deprive them of the opportunity to heal as completely as possible. Due to its softness, osteopathy is indicated even in children.
Osteopathy is a gentle and gentle method that is suitable even for children.
Chinese medicine
The pitfalls here are hidden in the absence of prior medical diagnosis of the patient, all manipulations, as a rule, are based on the assumptions of the doctor, which are not always accurate. Before performing a high quality acupuncture process, you need to do:
- Electropuncture diagnostics.
- Pulse diagnostics.
- Diagnosis by the method of Akabane.
A patient who presents with back pain receives many needles on it, the pain will be relieved, the symptoms will disappear, but will return again after a few hours. Repetitive acupuncture, relief - and the circle closes. A good specialist does not insert needles only on the basis of the patient's external examination and his history. He works with only 1-4 needles at deep levels, trying to eliminate the root cause of osteochondrosis, not just the symptoms.
Visceral therapy
The treatment of osteochondrosis here is to work with the internal organs. This is due to the fact that often the cause of the pathological condition of the spine is either improper arrangement of the organs or a violation of their work. With this treatment, back pain disappears for a long time.
Gymnastics, yoga, qigong
Eastern techniques for the treatment of 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 in a calm environment one can feel all the needs of the body. However, many experts advise to stick to the old guidelines for the treatment of osteochondrosis. And, of course, it is important to find a specialist, you should not contact those who have learned a few difficult movements and "opened their own office. "
Today, these techniques are the most progressive, in many ways helping people get rid of the troubles associated with osteochondrosis. But it is important to remember the psychological aspect: the disease will not go away if a person stubbornly ignores the cause of osteochondrosis, does not want to change their lifestyle and thinking. You should not blame the health problems only on the doctor without helping him with the treatment.
Gymnastics, yoga, qigong - aimed at working with the body and helping to eliminate problems with the spine.
The main stages of therapy
How to treat osteochondrosis? There are many options for therapy: reflexology, magnetic stimulation, water treatments, physiotherapy methods. The specialist must decide which option is appropriate for the patient based on the results of the history and examination. Treatment at home is possible, for example, physiotherapy exercises, it is able to perfectly restore the mobility of the spine, eliminate the symptoms and prevent the rapid development of the disease.
Important! If the treatment is carried out at home, then you need to be especially careful with any drugs, they are prescribed exclusively by the doctor. This is explained by the fact that in the medical treatment of osteochondrosis there is a load on other organs and such treatment can be accompanied by unpleasant complications or exacerbations of chronic diseases.
We're taking medication
The basis of medical treatment is the intake of vasodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs. Such therapy perfectly relieves symptoms and is designed to solve the following problems:
- Stop inflammatory processes.
- Relieve pain and muscle spasm.
- Stimulate the regeneration of cartilage tissue.
It is safer to use topical products (creams, ointments or gels) when treating at home. Such treatment proceeds without side effects, it is only necessary to agree with the doctor and strictly follow the instructions.
Folk remedies
Often "grandmother's recipes" are more effective in the treatment of osteochondrosis than all modern and modern methods. Traditional treatment at home includes: heating the sore spot with river sand or salt, using ointments based on chicken eggs, vinegar or usingherbal compresses.
- Massage with bottles. Fill "one and a half" with warm water and roll all the muscles of the back for 15 minutes, especially when stopping in the problem area.
- Massage with tennis ball. At home, you can use a tennis ball to massage your back, so you just have to lie on it and "ride". Repeat daily.
Drug treatment in complex therapy relieves pain, relieves spasms.
Physiotherapy
The most popular today is the author's therapeutic technique, which can be used at home. This treatment is based on the fact that the cells of the spinal cord cannot die and the muscle tissue does not atrophy. Therapeutic gymnastics consists of a series of exercises that work on all joints and muscles of the human body, restoring lost motor functions and relieving unpleasant symptoms.
Possibilities for treatment without drugs
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 receive the following procedures:
- Acupuncture.
- Healing showers.
- Ultrasound and electrotherapy.
- Diet therapy and massage.
- Balneotherapy and mud therapy.
- Apitherapy and salt caves.
Of course, this treatment option is not available at home. For each patient suffering from osteochondrosis, the doctors of the sanatorium will develop an individual treatment plan that will allow not only to restore motor functions, but also to forget about exacerbations for a long time.
Point impact
Electrophoresis treatment is indicated at every stage of osteochondrosis, except acute. Exposure to electric current has its advantages: the effect of the drug applied by electrophoresis extends strictly to the area of inflammation. This allows you to quickly improve the patient's condition, relieve swelling and pain.
Physiotherapy
It combines well with other options for the treatment of osteochondrosis, when done correctly by an experienced specialist, it shows high efficiency and has minimal side effects:
- Massage. Improves blood circulation and lymph flow, relieves pain and swelling, strengthens muscles. It is shown in courses of 10-15 procedures, 2-3 times a year.
- Manual therapy.
- Spinal traction.
- Reflexology.
How to treat osteochondrosis to avoid complications? First, you need to understand why the pathology has developed, how much the vertebrae are damaged. You will need to undergo a full examination and only then begin treatment. In addition, proper daily life, a healthy lifestyle are important, you need to give up heavy physical activity, try not to catch a cold and maintain proper posture. If possible, any stress at home and at work should be eliminated, as negative emotions cause uncontrolled muscle spasm, which further exacerbates the problem.
Osteochondrosis is a long-term ongoing disease that is based on many causes, which is why no method can be stopped during treatment. Much depends on the patient himself, you should not wait for a "magic pill" to end the problem at once, to part with osteochondrosis you will have to gather all your will in a fist, to be persistent in the desire to become healthy forever. the only way to restore the flexibility and mobility of the spine for many years.