The therapy for osteochondrosis consists in eliminating the symptoms, achieving stable remission. A patient with cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral pathology is hospitalized for acute back pain, usually provoked 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 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, the intervertebral discs lose their ability to retain moisture. This leads to a violation of trophism, lack of nutrients in the cartilage tissues. The intervertebral discs become thicker, thinner, their surface is covered with radial cracks.
They are no longer able to perform a cushioning function, which leads to instability of the vertebral structures, their displacement beyond the boundaries of the spinal canal. The vertebral bodies are also deformed - bone growths (osteophytes) form on them.
Reasons
The disorder of the trophic intervertebral discs occurs due to excessive physical activity, sedentary lifestyle. In the elderly, the pathology occurs due to the natural aging of the body - a decrease in collagen production, slowing down the regeneration process. The following diseases can also provoke the development of osteochondrosis:
- autoimmune pathologies - rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus;
- endocrine diseases - hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus;
- hematopoietic disorders, circulatory disorders, metabolic disorders.
Prerequisites for the destruction of intervertebral discs are obesity, smoking, wearing high heels, congenital and acquired anomalies in the structure of the spine.
Symptoms
In the initial stage of development, the pathology is asymptomatic. Mild back pain appears after exercise, disappears after a short rest. But over time, their intensity increases. The pain is stronger when bending, turning, climbing stairs. There are other characteristic signs of osteochondrosis:
- crushing, clicking when walking or changing body position;
- restriction of movement.
In remission, back pain is mild. Discomfort occurs with hypothermia, weight lifting and changes in weather.
Methods of treating osteochondrosis at home
Drugs have not yet been synthesized that would make it possible to repair damaged discs and vertebrae. Therefore, osteochondrosis therapy is aimed at preventing the progression of the disease. All methods used in treatment are based on accelerating blood circulation, replenishing nutrient stores in cartilage and bone tissue.
Wearing orthopedic devices allows the patient to feel better. Shants are used 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 therapy
The drugs of first choice in the symptomatic treatment of osteochondrosis are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Intramuscular administration of solutions allows to stop the acute pain.
If the pain syndrome is not severe, then 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 action |
|---|---|
| Glucocorticosteroids | They relieve inflammation, have analgesic, antiexudative, immunosuppressive effects |
| Muscle relaxants | Relaxes skeletal muscles, removes compression of spinal roots and blood vessels through muscle spasms |
| Chondroprotectors | Partially restores the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs, has anti-inflammatory, analgesic activity |
| Warming ointments | Irritating subcutaneous receptors, distracting a person from pain, improves blood circulation and microcirculation |
Physiotherapeutic exercises
The intake of chondroprotectors and the conduct of physiotherapy will not give such a therapeutic effect as daily training therapy and gymnastics. The set of exercises is developed individually for the patient by the exercise therapist. 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 cervical structures - tilts, turns, rotation of the head;
- with lesions of the thoracic and lumbar discs - leaning, 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 framework of the back to stabilize the discs and vertebrae. But when performing exercises, microtraumas of the spinal structures are 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 salted during cooking, but during meals. Of the spices you should choose only those that do not change the water-electrolyte balance in the body, such as cinnamon, cardamom, dried red pepper.
It is necessary to limit and it is better to completely give up fried, smoked products, semi-finished products, fast food.
The most useful food for osteochondrosis is food that is steamed or stewed in a small amount of water. It is recommended 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, restore optimal blood circulation. The masseur acts on the spasmodic muscles by rubbing, stroking, using vibrating, cutting movements. Neurologists recommend visiting the massage room not only to treat but also to prevent painful recurrences.
Manual or hardware vacuum massage is also sought. Glass, ceramic, plastic and bamboo jars are used for medical procedures. They are installed at 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 for 5-7 sessions.
Compresses
The compress mixtures are prepared immediately before the procedure. They are spread in a thick layer on the skin, covered with plastic wrap and a warm towel, and the bandage is fixed with gauze or elastic bandage. If the mixture does not contain substances with local irritant effect, it is left overnight. Compresses with tinctures of cinquefoil, paprika, essential oils last about 1-2 hours.
Most often for procedures are used fresh leaves of burdock, horseradish, dandelion, plantain, cabbage. They are crushed, add a tablespoon of honey and distribute evenly on the skin. Sea salt compresses remove stiffness well. A teaspoon of salt is diluted in 0, 5 cups of warm water, moistened with a sterile napkin and applied to the area of pain.
Tinctures 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 plants. To prepare a vitamin drink, in a thermos put 5 dried rose hips, viburnum, cranberry, juniper, barberry, pour 2, 5 cups of boiling water. After 3 hours, the infusion is cooled, filtered, taken 100 ml 3 times daily after meals.
A decoction of cranberry leaves is also useful. Pour a tablespoon of dry vegetable raw materials into a small saucepan, 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 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 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 on the skin on the affected vertebral structures. After it dries a little, the same amount of ozokerite or paraffin is distributed. A total of 3-4 layers are applied. On top, the frozen mass is covered with a film, a thick towel and left for 1 hour.
Friction
Most therapeutically effective for osteochondrosis from any localization of sword friction. In a dark glass container with a volume of 1 liter put half a cup of crushed dry rhizomes and a cup 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 if necessary, pour a few tablespoons of brown liquid and rub it into the back for pain.
If desired, you can add a pod of paprika or 2-3 cloves of garlic while you insist. For people with sensitive skin, the rub 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 strengthening and toning effect on the patient's body. Dissolve 200 g of sea salt in 2 liters of hot water. The bath is filled with warm water, the concentrated solution is poured and mixed well. The duration of the procedure is no more than half an hour. Then take a shower and rub thoroughly with a towel.
Prevention
In order not to start destroying the intervertebral discs, it is necessary to exclude from the usual way of life all the factors that provoke their destruction. It is impossible to stay in one body position for a long time, to expose the spine to excessive loads. Doctors recommend quitting smoking, supplementing the diet with fresh fruits and vegetables.