Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis
The content of the article:
- Benefits of physical treatments
- Physiotherapy methods used for spinal lesions
- Contraindications
- Treatment methods used in combination with physiotherapy
-
General information about osteochondrosis
- The reasons
- Symptoms
- Video
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis is included in the main complex of treatment, it helps to increase the effectiveness of the drugs used and in some cases makes it possible to reduce their dosage.
The pathological process can occur in any part of the spine (cervical, thoracic or lumbar). Most often, a lesion of the lumbar and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is diagnosed, physiotherapy for any form of the disease, except for the most advanced (stage of intervertebral hernia), demonstrate a good effect.
Physiotherapy can be very effective for osteochondrosis.
It is not recommended to self-medicate, as this can lead to the development of complications (including intervertebral hernia). It is necessary to consult a doctor, undergo examination and carry out treatment under the supervision of a qualified specialist.
Benefits of physical treatments
Physiotherapy methods contribute to:
- improving blood circulation at the site of exposure;
- stimulation of metabolic processes in tissues;
- reduction of pain syndrome;
- relaxation of spasmodic muscles;
- release of pinched nerve roots;
- elimination of puffiness.
The effectiveness of the treatment is increased with the use of several physiotherapy methods.
Physiotherapy methods used for spinal lesions
The most widely used methods of treatment include exposure to tissue at the site of injury with an electric shock or electromagnetic field.
With osteochondrosis, the following methods of physiotherapy are used:
- Magnetotherapy is the effect of a magnetic field on the body. The duration of one procedure should not exceed 20 minutes. The course of magnetotherapy, as a rule, consists of 10-20 procedures.
- Laser therapy - implies the effect of a laser on the lesion focus, which allows you to relieve inflammation, reduce pain. Usually the duration of one session does not exceed 15 minutes.
- Electrophoresis is a method of administering drugs under the influence of an electric current. The duration of the procedure is usually about 10 minutes, the course of treatment can consist of 5-10 sessions.
- Diadynamic therapy is one of the types of impulse therapy, which consists in exposing the body to an electric current with a frequency of 50-100 Hz. One procedure lasts about 15 minutes, in total, as a rule, 10 sessions are prescribed.
- Short-pulse electroanalgesia - exposure to the affected area with short current pulses with a frequency of 2-400 Hz. The exposure time is approximately 10 minutes. The course of treatment can consist of 5-15 sessions.
- Ultrasound therapy is a method that allows you to influence the affected area with ultrasonic waves of various frequencies. The duration of one ultrasound therapy procedure is usually 2-7 minutes, the course consists of 5-10 daily sessions.
- Shock wave therapy - refers to the commonly used methods of physiotherapy for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It improves microcirculation and metabolic processes in tissues, relieves pain syndrome and consists in the effect of acoustic waves on tissues.
- Detensor therapy is a method of unloading and gentle stretching of the spinal column, which allows you to correct defects, reduce pain and improve the functioning of internal organs.
- Vibratory massage - an effective method of physical therapy of the cervical spine in osteochondrosis, which is the impact on the affected area with the mechanical vibrations generated by the special Vibro.
- Balneotherapy is a complex effect of mineral waters on the body. The patient can be assigned local and general baths, various types of shower, swimming and aerobics in the pool under the supervision of an instructor, etc. water.
Contraindications
The use of physiotherapy effects can be limited by the following conditions / diseases / conditions:
- the presence in the body of a pacemaker or other metal products;
- malignant neoplasms;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system, respiratory tract;
- disorders of the liver, kidneys;
- skin diseases;
- mental disorders;
- pregnancy.
Physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed during the period of remission, with an exacerbation of the disease, they are contraindicated, or they are used to a limited extent - for example, methods aimed at relieving pain syndrome (electrophoresis of anesthetic drugs).
Treatment methods used in combination with physiotherapy
The most effective is complex treatment, which consists in the use of certain medications (if necessary), exercise of physiotherapy exercises, diet, massage, etc. During an exacerbation, the patient may need to wear a Shants collar to limit the mobility of the cervical spine spine, bed rest - with lesions of the lumbar spine.
The main groups of drugs used for osteochondrosis of the spine are presented in the table.
| Group of drugs | Indications |
| Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs | Used to relieve inflammation and reduce pain |
| Analgesics | Are prescribed in the presence of intense pain syndrome |
| Muscle relaxants | Used when it is necessary to relieve muscle tension |
In addition, if necessary, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, vitamin and mineral complexes, drugs that improve blood circulation and metabolic processes in tissues are prescribed.
In some cases (for example, with the development of radicular syndrome), the patient is shown hospitalization and treatment in a hospital. In the absence of effectiveness from the ongoing conservative therapy or in the presence of other indications, surgery may be required, followed by rehabilitation.
Lack of timely, correctly selected treatment can lead to disability and disability of the patient.
Exercise therapy classes should be supervised by an instructor
General information about osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the spine is a dystrophic-degenerative disease in which the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is damaged, other parts of the spine, blood vessels, and nerves may be involved in the pathological process.
The reasons
The reasons for the development of pathology are not fully understood. The appearance of this disease can be caused by a genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, vascular disorders, trauma, infectious and inflammatory processes, etc. In most cases, the disease is caused by a combination of several factors.
Osteochondrosis can occur in patients of different age groups; with age, the risk of developing pathology increases.
Risk factors for the occurrence of a pathological process can be:
- overweight;
- excessive physical activity;
- violation of posture;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- frequent stressful situations;
- unbalanced diet;
- bad habits.
Symptoms
The main symptom is pain, the localization of which depends on the location of the lesion of the spinal column. The pain can be acute or dull, aggravated by movements in the affected segment, forcing the patient to take a forced body position. With the progression of the pathological process, the pain sensations increase.
With damage to the cervical spine, headache, dizziness, tinnitus, a feeling of pressure in the chest, visual disturbances and a number of other symptoms often occur.
In an advanced stage, patients may also experience:
- decreased physical activity;
- limb sensitivity disorders;
- muscle weakness;
- disorders of the heart;
- disorders of urination, defecation, potency, etc.
Video
We offer for viewing a video on the topic of the article.
Anna Aksenova Medical journalist About the author
Education: 2004-2007 "First Kiev Medical College" specialty "Laboratory Diagnostics".
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