Treatment of osteochondrosis (radiculitis, intervertebral hernia) today is not so difficult, it is only important to determine the pathological cause and the presence of the corresponding disease correctly. However, each specialist professionally deals with the treatment of diseases of the back or spine as a whole, with training, crystallizing their own techniques, quickly helping the optimal technique for most patients.
For the treatment of osteochondrosis, it is important to accurately determine the pathological cause and the presence of the corresponding disease.
It is not advisable to use only one method to treat osteochondrosis, as a rule, polyclinic therapists are "guilty" of this, prescribing painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to patients who relieve unpleasant symptoms and induce problems 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, a bunch of problems "appear" that can not be eliminated.
The cause of the problem and some criticism
Before starting treatment, it will be useful to remember what is osteochondrosis. Generally, these are degenerative changes that affect the tissues of the spine! However, all problems concerning the back should not be called "osteochondrosis", just as two concepts should not be confused: osteochondrosis and sciatica. In the first case, this is a disease, the second - a process that occurs in the body of patients with osteochondrosis. Moreover, back pain is just a symptom, not a disease.
Methods of treating osteochondrosis have remained standard for decades, but with the advent of modern methods for examining patients in "old" techniques, more and more "cracks and chips" are unfolding. A large number of methods are aimed at eliminating clinical signs, and do not affect the pathological cause.
Use of drugs
Unfortunately, this is a method intended to ensure that the patient "recovers quickly. " In addition, the sufferer himself turns to a specialist and begins to treat the disease even if the pathological process develops strongly and major, and the pain tears everything, preventing him from moving normally. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs eliminate all negative symptoms, make imaginary healing, and the cause of the disease remains intact. In the clinic, this process wears a belt, and as a result of such treatment:
- The cause, which is the starting point of osteochondrosis, has yet to be eliminated.
- Traumatic factors on the vertebrae are increasing, as the person, without feeling pain, begins to load the back completely.
- NSAIDs interfere with the function 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 often supported by old school doctors, because if you put a damaged vertebra, the problem will go away. The dictum of "all diseases of the spine" is not entirely true, because the spinal space adapts to the situation, not in vain so very flexible. Although, proper nutrition of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae is only possible when they are standing upright. However, the fixed vertebrae, if a person continues to sit bent or there is a strong inflammation of the intervertebral disc, will eventually "slide" again, returning all the marks. Also, do not confuse manual therapy and osteopathy.
Sort of, classic genre
This method consists in affecting the muscles and connective tissues of the patient, being able to relieve the symptoms of the disease and bring 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. But in 95% of cases, it is impossible to eliminate the cause of osteochondrosis by hand, as well as to cure the disease if the specialist only works with zones of pain and inflammation.
Osteopathy
This method of treating osteochondrosis is delicate and gentle, but a good osteopath should have sensitive hands, an inquiring mind, and a calm mind. He, by carrying the patient by hand, was able to feel all the processes going on in the body. Not every doctor is capable of having a sense of sensitivity, so a good osteopath is worth its weight in gold. Ideally, an osteopath should treat all the problems the patient is experiencing, but in reality it only relieves the pain. The patient himself is partly to blame for this, demanding only to relieve pain, as a session with an osteopath costs about three times more than massage therapy. By saving money, they eliminate symptoms, but escape the chance of a full recovery. Because of its tenderness, osteopathy is indicated even in children.
Osteopathy is a gentle and gentle method that is suitable even for children.
Chinese medicine
The trap here lies in the absence of pre-medical diagnostics of the patient, all manipulations, as a rule, based on the guesses of the doctor, which are not always accurate. Before you undergo a high quality acupuncture process, you need to do:
- Electropuncture diagnostics.
- Pulse diagnostics.
- Diagnostics according to the Akabane method.
A patient with back pain receives a lot of needles on it, the pain will be relieved, the symptoms will disappear, but will return again in a few hours. Repeated acupuncture, relief - and closed circles. A good specialist does not place a needle, only based on an external examination of the patient and his story. He works with only 1-4 needles at a deep level, trying to eliminate the cause of osteochondrosis, and 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 pathological conditions of the spinal space is an incorrect arrangement of organs, or violations in their work. With this treatment, the back pain disappears for a long time.
Gymnastics, yoga, qigong
Eastern techniques for treating osteochondrosis are becoming increasingly popular. Classical yoga is a planned and meticulous collaborative method of working with the body that influences the mind. This method is suitable for the home, where, in a quiet environment, one can feel all the needs of the body. However, many experts advise to think about the old methods of treatment of osteochondrosis. And, of course, it is important to find a specialist, you can not contact those who already know some difficult movements and "open their own office".
Today, these techniques are the most progressive, in many ways they help people get rid of problems associated with osteochondrosis. But it is important to remember about the psychological aspect: the disease will not disappear if a person stubbornly ignores the reasons why osteochondrosis develops, does not want to change his lifestyle and thinking. You can’t blame a health problem just on a doctor, without helping him get treatment.
Gymnastics, yoga, qigong - aims to work with the body and help get rid of problems in the spine.
The main stage of therapy
How to treat osteochondrosis? There are many options for therapy: reflexology, magnetostimulation, water procedures, physiotherapy methods. The specialist must decide which option is right for the patient, based on the results of history and examination. Home treatment is possible, for example, physiotherapy exercises, it can restore the mobility of the spine perfectly, eliminate symptoms and prevent the rapid progression of the disease.
Important! If the treatment is done at home, then you should be careful with any medication, this medication is prescribed exclusively by a doctor. This is explained by the fact that with drug treatment of osteochondrosis, there is a burden on other organs and such treatment can be met with unpleasant complications or an increase in chronic disease.
We took medicine
The basis of drug treatment is the intake of vasodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs. Such therapy relieves symptoms perfectly and is designed to solve the following problems:
- Stop the inflammatory process.
- Relieves pain and muscle cramps.
- Stimulates the regrowth of cartilage tissue.
It is safer to use topical products (creams, ointments, or gels) when treating at home. Such treatment takes place without side effects, just need to coordinate it with the doctor and strictly adhere to his instructions.
Folk remedies
Often, "grandmother’s recipes" are more effective in the treatment of osteochondrosis than all modern and new methods. Traditional home treatments include: warming the sore spot with river sand or salt, using an ointment based on chicken eggs, vinegar, or using herbal compresses.
- Sort the bottle. Fill "one and a half" with warm water and rotate all the back muscles for 15 minutes, especially stopping at the problem area.
- Massage tennis balls. At home, you can use a tennis ball to massage the buttocks, because of this you just need to lie on it and "ride". Repeat daily.
Drug treatment in complex therapy relieves pain, relieves cramps.
Physiotherapy
The most popular today is the author's therapy technique, which can be used at home. This treatment is based on not letting the spinal cord cells die and the muscle tissue atrophy. Therapeutic gymnastics consists of a series of exercises that work on all the joints and muscles of the human body, restoring lost motor function and relieving unpleasant symptoms.
Non -drug treatment options
Sanatorium treatment, perhaps, can be called the most complete in the process of curing the 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 bath.
- Ultrasound and electrotherapy.
- Diet and massage therapy.
- Balneotherapy and mud therapy.
- Apitherapy caves and salt.
Of course, these treatment options are not available at home. For each patient suffering from osteochondrosis, the sanatorium doctor will create an individual therapy plan that will make it possible not only to restore motor function, but also to forget about the deterioration in the long run.
Impact point
Treatment with electrophoresis is indicated at the stage of osteochondrosis, except for acute. Exposure to point currents has its advantages: the effect of the drug provided by electrophoresis extends to the area of inflammation. This allows you to quickly improve the patient’s condition, relieving swelling and pain.
Physiotherapy
It is compatible with other treatment options for osteochondrosis, when done correctly by an experienced specialist, it shows high efficiency and has minimal side effects:
- Sort. Improves blood circulation and lymph flow, relieves pain and swelling, strengthens muscles. Shown in a course 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 find out why the pathology develops, how damaged the spine is. You should undergo a full examination and just start treatment. In addition, a proper daily routine, a healthy lifestyle is important, you need to give up strenuous physical exercise, try not to get the flu and maintain proper body posture. If possible, all stress at home and at work should be eliminated, because with negative emotions uncontrollable muscle spasms occur, which exacerbates the problem.
Osteochondrosis is a long -term current disease, which is based on many causes, therefore, during treatment, a person cannot stop with one method. Much depends on the patient himself, you do not have to wait for the "magic pill" to solve the problem at once, to part with osteochondrosis you have to gather all your will into a fist, diligent in the desire to be healthy forever. This is the only way to restore flexibility and mobility of the spine for many years.