Treatment of osteochondrosis (sciatica, intervertebral hernia) is not particularly difficult today, it is important only to correctly determine the cause of the pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases. However, every specialist who professionally cares for the treatment of diseases of the spine or the spine as a whole, during the course of practice, crystallizes himself, quickly helping the technique that is optimal for most patients.
For the treatment of osteochondrosis it is important to correctly determine the cause of the pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases.
It is not advisable to use only one method of treating osteochondrosis, usually polyclinic therapists "sin" in doing so, prescribing patients painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs that eliminate the unpleasant symptoms and drive the problem deep into the spine, without any impact. reason. As a result, the person, without pain, continues to load the injured spine, the pathology intensifies and shortly after, with the next strong attack, "a bunch of problems appear", which can not be eliminated.
The essence of the problem and some criticism
Before starting treatment it will be helpful to recall what osteochondrosis is. In general, these are degenerative changes that affect the tissues of the spinal column! However, not all spinal problems should be referred to as "osteochondrosis", nor should two concepts be confused: osteochondrosis and sciatica. In the first case, it is a disease, in the second - a process that occurs in the patient's body with osteochondrosis. Moreover, back pain is only a symptom and not a disease.
Methods of treating osteochondrosis have remained standard for decades, but with the advent of modern methods of patient examination, with "old" techniques, more and more "cracks and chips" are being revealed. Most methods aim to eliminate the clinical signs and not to influence the causes of the pathology.
Use of medications
Unfortunately, this is a method aimed at ensuring that the patient is "quickly left healthy". In addition, the victims themselves turn to a specialist and begin treatment of the disease even when the pathological process intensifies and intensifies, while the pain obstructs everything around it, preventing normal movement. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs remove all the negative symptoms, making the cure illusory, while the cause of the disease remains unchanged. In clinics, this process is performed on a conveyor belt and as a result of such treatment:
- The cause that became the starting point of osteochondrosis has not been eliminated.
- The traumatic factor of the spine is exacerbated as the person begins to load the spine without feeling any pain.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs disrupt the work 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 and they believe that if you put the damaged spines in place, the problem will disappear. The dictation of "all diseases of the spine" is not the whole truth, because the spinal column adapts to the circumstances, in vain is not so flexible. Although proper nutrition of the intervertebral discs and spine is possible only when they are upright. However, established vertebrae, if a person continues to sit crookedly or have severe inflammation of the intervertebral discs, will "slip" over time again and return all the signs. Also, do not mix manual therapy and osteopathy.
Massage, a classic of the genre
This method involves impacting the patient’s muscles and connective tissue, can alleviate the symptoms of the disease, and relieve the patient for several months. The effectiveness of such treatment in osteochondrosis directly depends on the qualifications of the person receiving the massage. But in 95% of cases it is impossible to manually remove the cause of osteochondrosis as well as cure the disease if the specialist works only in the area of pain and inflammation.
Osteopathy
This method of treating osteochondrosis is subtle and gentle, but a good osteopath should have sensitive hands, an inquisitive mind, and a calm mind. He, holding the patient in his hand, senses all the processes going on in the body. Not all doctors are able to have a sense of hypersensitivity, so good osteopaths have a golden weight. Ideally, osteopaths should treat all the problems that the patient has, but in reality they only relieve the pain. In part, the patients themselves are to blame, only seeking relief from the pain, as a session with an osteopath costs about three times as much as a masseur. By saving money they get rid of the symptoms but deprive themselves of the possibility of a cure as perfectly as possible. Because of its tenderness, osteopathy is noted even in children.
Osteopathy is a gentle and gentle method that is also suitable for children.
Chinese medicine
The problems here are the lack of prior medical diagnosis of the patient, all manipulations are usually based on the assumptions of the doctor, which are not always accurate. Before performing a high quality acupuncture procedure, you should do:
- Electropuncture diagnostics.
- Pulse diagnosis.
- Diagnosis according to Akabane method.
The patient, who is characterized by back pain, takes a lot of needles on it, the pain will be relieved, the symptoms will disappear, but will come back again in a few hours. Repeat acupuncture, relief - and the circle is closed. A good specialist does not insert needles, only on the basis of external examination of the patient and his history. It works on a deep level with only 1-4 needles and tries to eliminate the root cause of osteochondrosis and not just the symptoms.
Visceral therapy
The treatment for osteochondrosis here is to work with the internal organs. This is due to the fact that often the cause of the pathological condition of the spinal column is either the wrong arrangement of the organs, or the disruption of their work. Back pain disappears during this treatment for a long time.
In gymnastics, yoga, qigong
Oriental techniques for treating osteochondrosis are gaining popularity. Classical yoga is a well-coordinated, deeply thought-out method of working with the body that affects the mind. This method is suitable for a home where, in a quiet environment, a person can feel all the needs of the body. However, many experts advise us to act on the old directions of osteochondrosis treatment. And, of course, it is important to find a specialist, you should not contact those who have learned a few dangerous movements and "open your own office. "
Today, these techniques are the most progressive, in many ways they are helping people get rid of the 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 cause of osteochondrosis, does not want to change his lifestyle and thinking. Health problems should not be blamed solely on the doctor, without the help of treatment.
In gymnastics, yoga, qigong - aims to work with the body and helps eliminate spinal problems.
Basic stages of therapy
How to treat osteochondrosis? There are many options of therapy: reflexology, magnetostimulation, water procedures, physiotherapy methods. Based on the anamnesis and the results of the examination, the specialist must decide which option is right for the patient. It can be treated at home, for example, physiotherapy exercises, it can perfectly restore the mobility of the spinal column, eliminate the symptoms and prevent the rapid development of the disease.
ᲛImportant! If the treatment is done at home, then you should be especially careful with any medications, they are prescribed only by a doctor. This is explained by the fact that with medical treatment of osteochondrosis, it loads other organs and such treatment can be with unpleasant complications or exacerbation of chronic diseases.
We take medication
The basis of drug treatment is the use of vasodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs. Such therapy perfectly relieves the symptoms and aims to solve the following problems:
- Stop inflammatory processes.
- Relieve pain and muscle spasm.
- Stimulating cartilage tissue regeneration.
It is safer to use local products (creams, ointments or gels) when treating at home. Such treatment takes place without side effects, you only need to coordinate with your doctor and strictly follow the instructions.
Folk remedies
Often, "Grandma's Recipes" are more effective in treating osteochondrosis than all modern and newly developed methods. Traditional treatments at home include: warming a tough spot with river sand or salt, using chicken eggs, vinegar or ointments, or using herbal compresses.
- Bottle massage. Fill "one and a half" with warm water and stretch all the muscles of the spine for 15 minutes, especially stopping at the problem area.
- Tennis ball massage. At home you can use a tennis ball for a back massage, you just need to lie on it and "walk". Repeat daily.
Drug treatment in complex therapy relieves pain, relieves spasms.
Physiotherapy
Today, the author's therapeutic technique is the most popular, which can be used at home. This treatment is based on the possibility of death of spinal cord cells and atrophy of muscle tissue. Therapeutic gymnastics includes a series of exercises that work all the joints and muscles of the human body, restore lost motor functions and relieve unpleasant symptoms.
Non-drug treatment options
Sanatorium treatment, may be called the most comprehensive in the treatment of the disease, it is based on the causative effect of the disease. You can get the following procedures while in the sanatorium:
- Acupuncture.
- Healing showers.
- Ultrasound and electrotherapy.
- Diet therapy and massage.
- Balneotherapy and mud therapy.
- Apitherapy and salt caves.
Of course, this treatment option is not available at home. For each patient with osteochondrosis, sanatorium doctors will develop an individual therapeutic plan that will allow you not only to restore motor functions, but also to forget about exacerbations for a long time.
Point impact
Electrophoresis treatment is indicated for any stage of osteochondrosis except acute. Exposure to point current has its advantages: the effect of the drug administered by electrophoresis is strongly applied to the area of inflammation. This allows you to quickly improve the patient's condition, relieve swelling and pain.
Physiotherapy
It serves well with other treatment options for osteochondrosis, when done properly by a knowledgeable specialist, it shows high efficiency and has minimal side effects:
- ᲛMassage. Improves blood circulation and lymph flow, relieves pain and swelling, strengthens muscles. Shown in 10-15 procedure courses, 2-3 times a year.
- Manual therapy.
- Spinal cord injury.
- Reflexology.
How to treat osteochondrosis to prevent complications? First, you need to find out why the pathology developed, how damaged the spine is. You will need to have a full examination and only then start treatment. In addition to a proper daily routine, a healthy lifestyle is important, you should give up physical activity, try not to get cold and maintain the correct posture. If possible, any stress at home and at work should be eliminated as negative emotions lead to uncontrolled muscle spasm, which exacerbates the problem.
Osteochondrosis is a long-term ongoing disease that is based on many causes, therefore, during treatment, one of the methods cannot be stopped. Much depends on the patient himself, you do not have to wait for the "magic pills" to end the problem at once, in order to get rid of osteochondrosis you will have to collect all the willpower, be in a constant desire to become healthy forever. This is the only way to restore spinal flexibility and mobility for many years.