Treatment for osteochondrosis involves eliminating the symptoms and achieving stable remission. A patient with cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral pathology is hospitalized for acute low back pain, usually caused by displacement of the intervertebral disc. In all other cases, osteochondrosis is treated at home. It consists of the use of pharmacological drugs, observance of a savings plan, physical education and gymnastics.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic pathology, progressing 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, a deficiency of nutrients in the cartilage tissue. Intervertebral discs become dense, thinner, their surface is covered with radial cracks.
They are no longer able to perform a damping function, which leads to instability of the vertebral structures, their displacement beyond the limits of the spinal canal. The vertebral bodies are also deformed - bony growths (osteophytes) form on them.
Causes
Trophic intervertebral disc disorder occurs due to excessive physical exertion, sedentary lifestyle. In older people, a pathology appears due to the natural aging of the body - a decrease in the production of collagen, a slowing down of regenerative processes. The following diseases can also provoke the development of osteochondrosis:
- autoimmune pathologies - rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus;
- endocrine diseases - hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus;
- hematopoiesis disorders, blood circulation, metabolic disorders.
The prerequisites for the destruction of intervertebral discs are obesity, smoking, wearing high-heeled shoes, congenital and acquired anomalies of the structure of the spine.
Symptoms
At the initial stage of development, the pathology is asymptomatic. Slight back pain appears after physical exertion and disappears after a short rest. But over time, their intensity increases. The pain is worse when you bend, turn, or go up the stairs. Other characteristic signs of osteochondrosis appear:
- cracking, clicking sounds when walking or changing body position;
- restriction of movement.
In the remission stage, back pain is mild. Discomfort occurs with hypothermia, weight lifting, and weather changes.
Home treatment methods for osteochondrosis
The drugs with which it would be possible to restore the destroyed discs and vertebrae have not yet been synthesized. Therefore, the treatment of osteochondrosis is aimed at preventing the progression of the disease. All the methods used in the treatment are based on the acceleration of blood circulation, replenishing the reserves of nutrients in cartilage and bone tissue.
Wearing orthopedic devices makes the patient feel better. For cervical pathology, Shants collars are used, for thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis - soft bandages with a heating effect or elastic corsets with rigid inserts made of plastic or metal.
Drug therapy
The drugs of first choice in the symptomatic treatment of osteochondrosis are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The intramuscular administration of solutions makes it possible to stop the acute pain.
If the pain syndrome is not very pronounced, you can get rid of it by taking pills.
Slight discomfort is eliminated by local application of gels and ointments.
Physiotherapy exercises
Reception of chondroprotectors and carrying out physiotherapy will not give such a therapeutic effect as daily exercise therapy and gymnastics. The exercise set is developed individually for the patient by the exercise therapy doctor. Not only the localization of the pathology is taken into account, but also the physical condition of the patient, the radiographic 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 the defeat of the thoracic and lumbar discs - tilting, rotating the body, walking with high knees.
The main tasks of exercise therapy are to improve the blood supply to the tissues with nutrients, to strengthen the muscle structure of the back to stabilize the discs and vertebrae. But when performing exercises, microtrauma of spinal structures is unacceptable. Therefore, all movements should be smooth, slightly slowed down, 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 edemas. Food should not be salted during cooking, but during consumption. From the spices you should choose only those that do not affect the water-electrolyte balance in the body, for example, cinnamon, cardamom, dry paprika.
It is necessary to limit, and it is better to completely abandon fried, smoked products, semi-finished products, fast food.
The most useful food for osteochondrosis is food that is steamed or cooked in a small amount of water. It is advisable to include in the daily menu a little fatty fish (salmon, herring) to remove cholesterol from the blood vessels.
Massage for osteochondrosis
Classical, segmental, acupressure massage is used in the treatment of osteochondrosis to eliminate muscle hypertonia, restore optimal blood circulation. The massager acts on the spasmodic muscles by rubbing, stroking, using movements of vibration, chopping. Neurologists recommend visiting the massage room not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of painful relapses.
Manual or material vacuum massage is also required. When performing medical procedures, glass, ceramic, plastic and bamboo jars are used. They are installed on biologically active points, then move slightly along the surface of the body. The combination of vacuum and mechanical action allows you to get rid of all symptoms of the disease in 5-7 sessions.
Compresses
Mixtures of compresses 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 the bandage is fixed with gauze or an elastic bandage. If the mixture does not contain substances with a local irritant effect, it is left overnight. Compresses with tinctures of cinquefoil, red pepper, essential oils can be kept for about 1 to 2 hours.
Most often, fresh leaves of burdock, horseradish, dandelion, plantain, cabbage are used for procedures. They are crushed, a tablespoon of honey is added and evenly distributed over the skin. Compresses with sea salt remove stiffness well. A teaspoon of salt is diluted in 0. 5 cups of lukewarm water, moistened with a sterile towel and applied to the painful area.
Infusions and decoctions
Doctors recommend drinking at least 2. 5 liters of fluid per day for osteochondrosis. In addition to water, fruit drinks and compotes, you can use herbal infusions. To prepare a vitamin drink, 5 dry berries of rosehips, viburnum, lingonberry, juniper, barberry are put in a thermos, 2. 5 cups of boiling water are poured. After 3 hours, the infusion is cooled, filtered, taken in 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 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 a day after meals.
Applications
At home, you can make applications with ozokerite or paraffin - substances that retain heat well. They are sold in pharmacies as coarse crystalline powders. About 100 g of the free-flowing mixture is melted in a water bath at a temperature of 50-60 ° C, then cooled to 40 ° C. Take a flat wooden spatula or wide brush and apply a layer of warm mass to the skin on the affected vertebral structures. After drying a little, the same amount of ozokerite or paraffin is dispensed. 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
The most effective therapeutically for osteochondrosis of any localization of saber friction. In a dark glass container with a volume of 1 liter put half a glass of crushed dry 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 pot. Do not filter, but, if necessary, pour a few tablespoons of brown liquid and rub it on the back for pain relief.
If you wish, you can add a clove of red pepper or 2-3 cloves of garlic, 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 fortifying and toning 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 out and thoroughly stirred. The duration of the procedure does not exceed half an hour. Then take a shower and scrub thoroughly with a towel.
Prophylaxis
So that the intervertebral discs do not begin to collapse, it is necessary to exclude from the usual way of life all the factors provoking 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 replenishing the diet with fresh fruits and vegetables.