Therapy for osteochondrosis consists of eliminating the symptoms, achieving a lasting remission. A patient with cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral pathology is hospitalized for acute back pain, usually provoked by an intervertebral disc displacement. In all other cases, osteochondrosis is treated at home. It consists of the use of pharmacological drugs, compliance with a sparing 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, intervertebral discs lose their ability to retain moisture. This leads to a trophic violation, a lack of nutrients in the cartilage tissue. The intervertebral discs become denser, thinner, 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, displacing them beyond the boundaries of the spinal canal. The vertebral bodies are also deformed - bone growths (osteophytes) form on them.
Causes
Disorder of intervertebral trophic discs occurs due to excessive physical exertion, a 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;
- disorders of hematopoiesis, blood circulation, metabolic disorders.
Prerequisites for the destruction of intervertebral discs are overweight, smoking, wearing high-heeled shoes, congenital and acquired abnormalities of the structure of the spine.
Symptoms
In the initial stage of development, the pathology is asymptomatic. Mild back pain occurs after physical exertion, disappearing after a short rest. But over time, their intensity increases. The pain is worse when you bend over, turn around, climb the stairs. Other characteristic signs of osteochondrosis appear:
- pressing, clicking when walking or changing body position;
- movement restriction.
In the remission phase, back pain is mild. Discomfort occurs with hypothermia, weight lifting and changing weather.
Methods for treating osteochondrosis at home
Drugs with which it would be possible to recover damaged discs and vertebrae have not yet been synthesized. Therefore, therapy with osteochondrosis aims to prevent disease progression. All methods used in treatment are based on accelerating blood circulation, replenishing nutrient reserves in cartilage and bone tissue.
Wearing orthopedic devices allows the patient to feel better. For the pathology of the cervix, Shants collar are used, for thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis - soft bandages with warming effect or elastic corset with rigid insertion of plastic or metal.
Drug therapy
The drugs of first choice in the symptomatic treatment of osteochondrosis are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Intramuscular administration of solutions allows the prevention of acute pain.
If the pain syndrome is not very pronounced, then you can get rid of it by taking pills.
Slight discomfort is eliminated by topical application of gel and oils.
| Drugs used in the treatment of osteochondrosis | Therapeutic action |
|---|---|
| Glucocorticosteroids | They relieve inflammation, have analgesic, antioxidant, immunosuppressive effects |
| Muscle relaxants | Relaxes skeletal muscles, eliminates pressure on spinal roots and blood vessels from muscle spasms |
| Chondroprotectors | Partially restore cartilaginous tissue of intervertebral discs, exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic activity |
| Heating ointment | Irritates subcutaneous receptors, distracting a person from pain, improves blood circulation and microcirculation |
Physiotherapy exercises
Taking chondroprotectors and performing physiotherapy will not give such a therapeutic effect as daily exercise therapy and gymnastics. The set of exercises is developed individually for the patient by the exercise therapy physician. Not only the localization of the pathology is taken into account, but also the physical ability of the patient, the X-ray stage of osteochondrosis. The complex should include the following exercises:
- in case of damage to the structures of the cervix - tilts, bends, rotation of the head;
- with the defeat of the thoracic and lumbar discs - tilting, turning the body, walking with high knees.
The main tasks of exercise therapy are to improve the blood supply to the tissues with nutrients, strengthen the muscular frame of the back to stabilize the discs and vertebrae. But when you perform exercises, microtrauma of the vertebral structures is unacceptable. Therefore, all movements should be smooth, slightly slow, 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 during meals. From spices, you should choose only those that do not change the water-electrolyte balance in the body, for example, cinnamon, cardamom, dried pepper.
Necessary it is necessary to limit, and it is better to abandon all fried, smoked products, semi-finished products, fast foods.
The most beneficial food for osteochondrosis is food that evaporates or is boiled in a small amount of water. It is advisable to include in the daily menu a little oily fish (salmon, herring) to remove cholesterol from blood vessels.
Massage for osteochondrosis
Classic, segmental, acupressure massage is used in the treatment of osteochondrosis to eliminate muscle hypertension, to restore optimal blood circulation. The massager acts on the spasmodic muscles by rubbing, stroking, using vibrating, crushing movements. Neurologists recommend visiting the massage room not only for treatment but also for the prevention of painful recurrences.
Manual massage or vacuum hardware is also on request. Glass, ceramic, plastic and bamboo jars are used during medical procedures. They are installed at biologically active points, and then move slightly along the body surface. The combination of vacuum and mechanical action allows you to get rid of all the symptoms of the disease in 5-7 sessions.
compress
Compression mixtures are prepared immediately before the procedure. They are spread in a thick layer on the skin, covered with plastic wrap and a warm cloth and bandage is fixed with gauze or elastic bandage. If the mixture does not contain substances with local irritating effect, then it is left overnight. Compresses with tinctures of cauliflower, red pepper, essential oils last for about 1-2 hours.
Most often, fresh leaves of burdock, horseradish, dandelion, plantain, cabbage are used for procedures. They are crushed, a spoonful of honey is added and evenly distributed on the skin. Sea salt compresses well eliminate hardness. A teaspoon of salt is diluted in 0, 5 cups of warm water, wet with a sterile napkin and applied to the sore area.
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 use infusions of medicinal herbs. To prepare a vitamin drink, 5 dried berries of rose, viburnum, lingonberry, juniper, barberry are put in a thermos, pour 2. 5 cups of boiling water. After 3 hours, the infusion is cooled, filtered, taken in 100 ml 3 times daily after meals.
A decoction of cranberry leaves is also helpful. Pour a tablespoon of raw vegetable raw material into a small saucepan, pour 0. 5 liters of hot water, bring to a boil. Boil 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 powders. About 100 g of 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 masswarm on the skin over the affected vertebral structures. After it dries a little, spread the same amount of ozokerite or paraffin. 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.
Friction
Most effectively therapeutically for osteochondrosis of any saber friction localization. In a dark glass container with a volume of 1 liter, place half a glass of crushed dried rhizomes and a glass of grass. Pour up to the neck with vodka or 96% alcohol diluted with an equal amount of water. Insist in a warm place for 2-3 months, periodically shaking the jar. Do not filter, but, as needed, pour a few tablespoons of liquid coffee and rub on your back for pain.
If desired, you can add a pod of red pepper or 2-3 cloves of garlic while insisting. For people with sensitive skin, rubbing 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 tonic 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 and stirred completely. The duration of the procedure is not more than half an hour. Then take a shower and rub it thoroughly with a towel.
Prophylaxis
In order for the intervertebral discs not to begin to collapse, it is necessary to exclude from the normal way of life all the factors that provoke their destruction. It is impossible to stay in one body position for a long time, exposing the spine to excessive loads. Doctors recommend quitting smoking, supplementing the diet with fresh fruits and vegetables.