Therapy for osteochondrosis consists of eliminating the symptoms and 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, the observance of gentle order, physical education and gymnastics.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic pathology that progresses rapidly without medical intervention. Due to negative factors, intervertebral discs lose their ability to retain moisture. This leads to a violation of trophism, a lack of nutrients in the cartilage tissues. The intervertebral discs become dense, thinner, and their surface is covered with radial cracks.
They are no longer able to perform a shock-absorbing function, which leads to instability of the vertebral structures and their displacement beyond the boundaries of the spinal canal. The vertebral bodies also deform - bone growths (osteophytes) form on them.
Cause
The disorder of the trophic intervertebral discs is due to excessive physical exertion, a sedentary lifestyle. In older people, the pathology is due to the natural aging of the body - a decrease in collagen production, a slowdown in regeneration processes. The following diseases can also cause osteochondrosis:
- autoimmune pathologies - rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus;
- endocrine diseases - hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus;
- hematopoiesis, circulatory disorders, metabolic disorders.
A prerequisite for the destruction of intervertebral discs is obesity, smoking, wearing high heels, and congenital and acquired disorders of the structure of the spine.
Symptoms
In the early stages of development, the pathology is asymptomatic. Mild, painful back pain occurs after exercise and disappears after a short rest. But over time, their intensity increases. The pain is worse when you bend over, turn, climb stairs. Other characteristic signs of osteochondrosis include:
- crackling, clicking while walking, or changing posture;
- restriction of movement.
In the remission phase, the back pain is mild. Discomfort occurs with hypothermia, weight lifting, and changing weather.
Methods of treating osteochondrosis at home
Drugs that could be used to recover destroyed discs and vertebrae have not yet been synthesized. Therefore, osteochondrosis therapy aims to prevent the progression of the disease. All methods used during treatment are based on speeding up blood circulation and replenishing nutrient reserves in cartilage and bone tissues.
Wearing orthopedic devices allows the patient to feel better. For cervical pathology, Shants collars are used for chest and lumbar osteochondrosis - soft bandages with a warming effect or elastic corsets with rigid inserts made of plastic or metal.
Drug therapy
The first drugs of choice for the symptomatic treatment of osteochondrosis are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Intramuscular administration of the solutions allows the acute pain to be stopped.
If the pain syndrome is not too pronounced, you can get rid of it by taking pills.
Mild discomfort is eliminated by topical application of gels and ointments.
| Drugs used in the treatment of osteochondrosis | Therapeutic effect |
|---|---|
| Glucocorticosteroids | Relieves inflammation, has analgesic, antiexudative, immunosuppressive effects |
| Muscle relaxants | Relaxes skeletal muscles, eliminates compression of spinal roots and blood vessels by muscle cramps |
| Chondroprotectors | Partially restores cartilage tissue of intervertebral discs, has anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect |
| Warming ointments | Irritates subcutaneous receptors, distracts people from pain, improves blood circulation and microcirculation |
Physiotherapy exercises
Taking chondroprotectors and performing physiotherapy does not result in a therapeutic effect like daily exercise and exercise. The series of exercises is developed individually by the exercise doctor for the patient. 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 neck structures - tilting, twists, rotation of the head;
- with the defeat of the chest and lumbar plates - tilting, turning the body, walking with high knees.
The main tasks of exercise are to improve the blood supply to the nutrient-bearing tissues and to strengthen the back muscles to stabilize the discs and vertebrae. But when performing exercises, the microtrauma of the vertebral structure is unacceptable. Therefore, each movement 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 development of edema. Food should not be salted while cooking, but while eating. You should choose only spices that do not change the body's water-electrolyte balance, such as cinnamon, cardamom, dry peppers.
It should be limited, and it is better to completely leave out fried, smoked products, semi-finished products, fast food.
The most useful food for osteochondrosis is a food that is steamed or steamed in a small amount of water. It is advisable to include a little oily fish (salmon, herring) in the daily menu to remove cholesterol from the blood vessels.
Massage for osteochondrosis
Classical, segmental, acupressure massage is used in the treatment of osteochondrosis to eliminate muscle hypertension and restore optimal blood circulation. The masseur acts on the spasmodic muscles by rubbing, stroking, vibrating, crushing movements. Neurologists recommend visiting the massage room not only for treatment but also to prevent painful relapses.
Manual or hardware vacuum massage is also in demand. Glass, ceramic, plastic and bamboo bottles are used in medical procedures. They are mounted on biologically active points and then move slightly on 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.
Compresses
The compressed mixtures are prepared immediately before the process. They are applied in a thick layer to the skin, covered with a plastic cover and a warm cloth, and the bandage is fixed with gauze or elastic bandage. If the mixture does not contain local irritants, leave overnight. Compression with tinctures of cinquefoil, red pepper, essential oils takes about 1-2 hours.
Most often, fresh leaves of burdock, horseradish, dandelion, plantain, and cabbage are used for the procedures. They are crushed, a tablespoon of honey is added and evenly distributed on the skin. Compaction with sea salt eliminates stiffness well. Dilute a teaspoon of salt in 0. 5 cups of warm water, moisten with a sterile napkin and apply to the area of pain.
Infusions and decoctions
Doctors recommend consuming at least 2. 5 liters of fluid daily for osteochondrosis. In addition to water, fruit drinks and compotes, you can also use infusions of herbs. To prepare the vitamin drink, we put 5 dry rosehips, viburnum, cranberries, juniper, barberry berries in a thermos, pour 2, 5 cups of boiling water. After 3 hours, the infusion is cooled, filtered and taken up in 100 ml three times a day after a meal.
The decoction of blueberry leaves is also useful. Pour a tablespoon of dry vegetable ingredients into a small pan, 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 use ozokerite or paraffin - substances that retain heat well. They are sold in pharmacies in the form of coarse crystalline powders. About 100 g of the free-flowing mixture was melted in a water bath at 50-60 ° C and then cooled to 40 ° C. Take a wooden flat spatula or a wide brush and apply a warm layer to the skin over the affected vertebral structures. Once slightly dry, the same amount of ozokerite or paraffin is distributed. A total of 3-4 coats are applied. From above, cover the frozen mass with a film, a thick cloth and leave for 1 hour.
Rubbing
It is most therapeutically effective in osteochondrosis of any localization of saber rubbing. Put half a glass of crushed dry rhizome and a glass of grass in a 1 liter dark glass container. Pour to the neck with vodka or 96% alcohol diluted with an equal volume of water. Stick to a warm place for 2-3 months, shaking the bottle regularly. Do not filter, but if necessary pour a few tablespoons of brown liquid and rub it into your back in pain.
If desired, you can insist on adding a red pepper or 2-3 cloves of garlic. For people with sensitive skin, rubbing should not be done with vodka but with vegetable oil.
Healing baths
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, salt baths are used, which have a general strengthening and toning effect on the patient's body. Dissolve 200 g of sea salt in 2 liters of hot water. Fill the bath with warm water, pour off the concentrated solution and mix thoroughly. The duration of the procedure shall not exceed half an hour. Then shower and wipe thoroughly with a towel.
Prophylaxis
In order to prevent the intervertebral discs from collapsing, any factor that provokes their destruction should be excluded from the normal lifestyle. It is impossible to stay in one position of the body for a long time, exposing the spine to excessive load. Doctors recommend quitting smoking, supplementing the diet with fresh fruits and vegetables.