Therapy for osteochondrosis is to eliminate the symptoms, to achieve a stable remission. A patient with cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral pathology is usually hospitalized with acute low back pain triggered 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 saving regimen, physical education and gymnastics.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a rapidly progressing degenerative-dystrophic pathology without medical intervention. Under the influence of adverse factors, the intervertebral discs lose their ability to retain moisture. This leads to a violation of trophism, a lack of nutrients in the cartilage tissue. Intervertebral discs are dense, thin, the surface is covered with radial cracks.
They can no longer perform a shock-absorbing function that causes instability of the spinal structures and displacement beyond the spinal canal. Vertebral bodies are also deformed - bone growths (osteophytes) form on them.
Reasons
Disorders of trophic intervertebral discs occur due to excessive physical force, sedentary lifestyle. In the elderly, the pathology occurs due to the natural aging of the body - a decrease in collagen production, a slowdown in regeneration processes. The following diseases can also lead to the development of osteochondrosis:
- autoimmune pathologies - rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus;
- endocrine diseases - hypothyroidism, diabetes;
- hematopoiesis, blood circulation, metabolic diseases.
Prerequisites for the destruction of intervertebral discs are obesity, smoking, wearing high heels, congenital and acquired anomalies of the spinal structure.
Symptoms
It is pathologically asymptomatic in the early stages of development. Mild back pain occurs after physical exertion and disappears after a short rest. But over time, their intensity increases. Pain is more common when bending, turning, climbing stairs. Other characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis are:
- squeaking, clicking while walking or changing body position;
- restriction of movement.
Back pain is mild in remission. Anxiety occurs with hypothermia, weight lifting and changing weather.
Methods of treating osteochondrosis at home
Drugs that can repair damaged discs and spine have not yet been synthesized. Therefore, osteochondrosis therapy is aimed at preventing the development of the disease. All methods of treatment are based on accelerating blood circulation and increasing nutrient reserves in cartilage and bone tissue.
Wearing orthopedic devices allows the patient to feel better. Shants collars for cervical pathology, for thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis - soft bandages with a warming effect or elastic corsets with hard inserts of plastic or metal.
Drug treatment
The first drugs of choice in the symptomatic treatment of osteochondrosis are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Intramuscular application of solutions allows to stop acute pain.
If the pain syndrome is not very obvious, you can get rid of it by taking a pill.
Mild discomfort is relieved by applying topical gels and ointments.
| Drugs used in the treatment of osteochondrosis | Therapeutic action |
|---|---|
| Glucocorticosteroids | Eliminates inflammation, has analgesic, antiexudative, immunosuppressive effect |
| Muscle relaxants | Relaxes skeletal muscles, relieves constriction of spinal roots and blood vessels with muscle spasms |
| Chondroprotectors | Partially restore the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs, has anti-inflammatory, analgesic action |
| Warming of ointments | Irritating to subcutaneous receptors, relieves pain, improves blood circulation and microcirculation |
Physiotherapy exercises
Taking chondroprotectors and physiotherapy will not have the same therapeutic effects 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, but also the physical condition of the patient, the X-ray stage of osteochondrosis is taken into account. The complex should include the following exercises:
- in case of damage to cervical structures - bending, twisting, dizziness;
- with the defeat of the thoracic and lumbar discs - bending, turning the body, walking on high knees.
The main tasks of exercise therapy are to improve the blood supply to the tissues with food, to strengthen the lumbar muscle frame to stabilize the discs and vertebrae. However, microtrauma of the vertebral structures is unacceptable during exercise. Therefore, all movements should be smooth, slightly slowed down to a small amplitude.
Therapeutic diet
For any pathology of the musculoskeletal system, nutritionists recommend limiting the use of spices in the diet, which often leads to edema. It should not be salted while cooking, not when cooking. Of the spices, you should choose only those that do not change the water-electrolyte balance in the body, for example, cinnamon, cardamom, dried red pepper.
It is necessary to limit, and in general it is better to give up fried, smoked products, semi-finished products, fast food.
The most beneficial food for osteochondrosis is steamed or cooked in a small amount of water. It is recommended to include a little oily fish (salmon, herring) in the daily menu to clear cholesterol from the arteries.
Massage for osteochondrosis
Classical, segmental, acupressure massage is used in the treatment of osteochondrosis to eliminate muscular hypertension and restore optimal blood circulation. The massager acts on the spasmodic muscles using rubbing, rubbing, vibrating, chopping movements. Neurologists recommend coming to the massage parlor not only for treatment, but also to prevent painful relapses.
Manual or hardware vacuum massage is also required. Glass, ceramic, plastic and bamboo containers are used during medical procedures. They are installed on 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.
Compresses
Compression mixtures are prepared immediately before the procedure. Spread a thick layer on the skin, cover with a plastic wrap and a warm cloth, and the bandage is fixed with gauze or elastic bandage. If there is no local irritant in the mixture, it stays overnight. Compresses with tinctures of cinquefoil, red pepper, essential oils last about 1-2 hours.
Fresh leaves of burdock, horseradish, dandelion, plantain, cabbage are often used for procedures. They are crushed, a tablespoon of honey is added and evenly distributed on the skin. Compresses with sea salt eliminate stiffness. A teaspoon of salt is diluted in 0. 5 cups of warm water, moistened with a sterile napkin and applied to the painful 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 herbal infusions. To prepare a vitamin drink, put 5 dry hips, viburnum, lingonberry, juniper, cornel in a thermos, pour 2, 5 cups boiling water. After 3 hours, the infusion is cooled, filtered, drink 100 ml 3 times a day after meals.
A decoction of lingonberry leaves is also useful. Pour a tablespoon of dry vegetable raw materials into a small pot, pour 0, 5 liters of hot water, bring to a boil. Cook under the lid for about 10 minutes, cool. Take 3 tablespoons 2 times daily after meals.
Applications
At home, you can apply ozokerite or paraffin - substances that retain heat well. It is sold in pharmacies in the form of large crystalline powders. Approximately 100 g of the free-flowing mixture is 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 layer of warm mass to the skin over the affected spinal structures. After a little drying, the same amount of ozokerite or paraffin is distributed. Generally applied 3-4 times. From above, the frozen mass is covered with a film, a thick cloth and put on 1 hour.
Rub
It is the most therapeutic tool for osteochondrosis of any localization of friction with the sword. Put half a cup of crushed dried rhizomes and a glass of grass in a dark glass bowl with a volume of 1 liter. Pour 96% alcohol diluted with vodka or an equal amount of water to the neck. Insist in a warm place for 2-3 months, shaking the jar from time to time. Do not filter, but if necessary, pour a tablespoon or two of brown liquid and push back for pain.
If desired, you can add a red pepper or 2-3 cloves of garlic while insisting. For people with sensitive skin, the rub should be made with vegetable oil, not vodka.
Healing baths
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, salt baths are used, which have a general strengthening and tonic effect on the patient's body. 200 g of sea salt is dissolved in 2 liters of warm water. The bath is filled with hot water, the concentrated solution is poured and mixed thoroughly. The duration of the procedure is not more than half an hour. Then take a shower and rub well with a towel.
Prophylaxis
In order to prevent the collapse of the intervertebral discs, it is necessary to exclude from the normal lifestyle all the factors that lead to 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 and filling your diet with fresh fruits and vegetables.