Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis, depending on the patient's condition, is used both in combination with drug therapy and independently. The following types of physiotherapy are used for osteochondrosis: Laser therapy, Detensor therapy, Electrotherapy, Shock wave therapy, Magnetotherapy, Mud and balneotherapy, Ultrasound therapy, Ultraviolet radiation (UFO). After successful relief of exacerbations, exercises for massage and physiotherapy are shown.
UFO:under the influence of UVA, vitamin D is formed in the skin, which helps the absorption of calcium. The method is performed using irradiators that have bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
Ultrasound therapy and phonophoresis:during ultrasound therapy the body is exposed to high frequency sounds (20 kHz or more). Due to its effect, the method relieves pain with different localization. This method is combined with the introduction of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs (ultraphonophoresis) for better penetration into the affected tissues.
Shock wave therapy:the method consists in transmitting an acoustic wave to a painful area of the body. This type: eliminates pain, improves microcirculation, improves metabolism.
Detent therapy:the method consists of stretching the spine using the patient's body weight.
Laser therapy:the method has a healing effect using helium-neon lasers. Due to the activation of bioelectrical processes in the tissues of the nervous system, laser therapy has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Laser irradiation is performed on the inflamed spinal roots. In osteochondrosis, an effect on the paravertebral areas of the affected spine is used.
Electrotherapy:Electrotherapy has a multifaceted effect on the body: it eliminates pain and discomfort, improves nutrition and trophism of the affected tissues. Pulse currents have a very effective therapeutic effect. Their mechanism of action on the body is determined by the effect on nerve receptors. Low-frequency pulses contribute to the disappearance of acute pain and are prescribed as first aid for severe pain syndrome. The following types of currents are used: diadynamic therapy (DDT), amplipulse therapy (SMT), interference therapy, transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation (TENS), UHF electric field.
Magnetic therapy:Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis involves the use of magnetic therapy, which has a decongestant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic effect. The inductors are placed on the affected spine and limbs.
Spa treatment and mud therapy:balneotherapy for osteochondrosis consists in the use of mineral waters (local and shared baths, swimming pools, showers) for treatment and rehabilitation. During the procedure, the minerals penetrate the skin and act on the receptors and nerve centers.
In mud treatment, the effect on the body is manifested under the influence of temperature and the chemical composition of the healing mud. Mud is used in the form of applications.
Balneotherapy stimulates metabolism, improves blood circulation and relieves inflammation and pain.
Combined physiotherapy methods: Combined physiotherapy methods for osteochondrosis are most often prescribed. For example, in severe pain, diadynamic therapy and electrophoresis (diadynamophoresis) using novocaine are used. The acupuncture-laser puncture method is used for a one-stage effect on the biologically active points. Its action is to activate points with needles for acupuncture and laser radiation.
Mud therapy is often used with electrotherapy (mud solution electrophoresis, mud inductothermy, galvanic mud therapy).
Joint treatment
All joint diseases can be divided into two main groups - joint lesions that result from metabolic disorders and inflammation of the joints. Of course, in each case the treatment of the joints is carried out according to its own special program.
Joint treatment,whether it is arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatism or other disease, it must be complex and the main task to be solved by treatment is to eliminate the cause of the disease and the painful symptoms.
Treatment with modern techniques is aimed at eliminating or minimizing pain, signs of local or general inflammation and restoration of the affected joints. Complex treatment usually begins with drug therapy.
The patient is prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs that help restore articular cartilage, strengthen the immune system. Concomitant treatment at this stage can relieve the symptoms of pain. This often involves the intra-articular administration of drugs so that the therapeutic substance in the desired concentration enters directly into the cavity of the diseased joint. This increases the effectiveness of drug treatment.
In addition, when the main symptoms of the acute stage are safely eliminated, treatment continues with the help of a complex of physiotherapy procedures, exercise exercises, massage. In particular, the treatment of joints with physiotherapeutic methods has found a very wide application today.
Pulse currents (DDT, SMT), magnetic therapy, EHF-therapy, laser therapy, drug electrophoresis, ultrasound and phonophoresis are used. When the exacerbation subsides, balneotherapy (different types of baths) and mud therapy are combined. Physiotherapy and massage are prescribed.
Treatment of back pain
The causes of this pain are many. In the first place, excruciating pain can occur due to hernia (bulge) of the intervertebral disc, osteochondrosis and pathology of the nervous system. Most often, back pain occurs in those people who have been in the same position for a long time.
Still, the most common reason is lack of physical activity! This reduces blood flow to the ligaments, joints and intervertebral discs, causing the cartilage that forms them to begin to break down. It is the weakening of the ligament apparatus that is the cause of all diseases of the spine. When pain occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor who will determine the cause, make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
To reduce the risk of back pain, you need to move more, monitor your weight and do at least minimal exercise (15 minutes a day is enough).
Proper nutrition is also very important - it is one of the keys to good health and longevity, and the spine needs protein to maintain flexibility and calcium for strength. Calcium is found in large amounts in hard cheese, liver, nuts, cottage cheese, eggs and protein in meat and dairy products. The bones and ligaments of the spine also need trace elements: phosphorus (it is abundant in bran, peas, fish), magnesium and manganese (found in marine fish, onions, potatoes), as well as fatty acids - their source is walnuts, oily sea fish and olive oil.
When back pain worsens, treatment begins with medications - usually painkillers, diuretics and drugs that relieve muscle spasms. However, there are no drugs without side effects, they are used only for a limited period of time and most importantly, they do not eliminate the cause of back pain and do not prevent recurrence of the disease. In the acute period, methods of treatment such as traction are used, as well as the wearing of collars and corsets, which makes it possible to relieve the diseased spine.
In addition to emergency medicine - drugs that relieve muscle spasms and pain, the most important treatment for osteochondrosis is physiotherapy, which helps reduce pain in the acute period of the disease, improve blood circulation in tissues, prevent malnutrition of tendons, muscles andjoints and prevent movement disorders.
Modern physiotherapy is a branch of medicine that has a powerful arsenal of remedies; it features two large blocks - physiotherapy exercises with massage and electrotherapy. Therapeutic massage is one of the most effective methods for treating osteochondrosis and back pain, as it improves blood circulation in the deep tissues and removes muscle blocks ("staples"), which are the main cause of severe pain.
One of the most effective methods of electrotherapy is drug electrophoresis - it is a means of targeted delivery of drugs to a diseased organ, which improves blood supply to tissues.
Pulse currents - DDT, SMT - have a pronounced analgesic, antispasmodic and trophic effect. Also, laser, magnetic laser is used to treat back pain. This method allows you to quickly relieve the swelling associated with inflammation, and consequently the pain that occurs in the swollen and compressed tissues.
Magnetotherapy is used in the form of constant or alternating magnetic fields, it is also able to quickly stop swelling and pain.
D'arsonval currents are effective - these are "ozonated" currents used to relieve painful muscle spasms, high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations that eliminate inflammation and help the scars dissolve, increasing tissue elasticity.
Physiotherapy plays a special role in physiotherapy. Its importance is often underestimated and, after all, without a full-fledged muscular corset, it is impossible to cure back pain and prevent the recurrence of osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy is especially important in trauma and in the postoperative period. Using it will help prevent the recurrence of back pain that occurs due to so-called "motor stereotypes. " For example, an office worker who spends his entire working day sitting in front of a computer, or a salesman whose main workload falls on his feet. Healing gymnastics, yoga, Pilates and other types of exercise can also become a very effective way to combat "motor automatisms".
Treatment of neck pain
Pain can be caused by a variety of causes, ranging from muscle spasms to disc herniations in the cervical spine. If the pain in the neck occurs once (due to a sharp turn of the head, uncomfortable posture during sleep), then most likely it will disappear on its own after a few days.
To reduce the pain, you only need to reduce the static load on the neck muscles (do not keep your head tilted for a long time), do not get carried away with excessive physical exertion, do not make sudden movements of the neck.
If the pain in the neck is constant or recurrent, accompanied by headache, tingling in the upper extremities, it is necessary to undergo a full examination.
Physiotherapy for neck pain is aimed at relieving the pain syndrome, improving blood circulation and microcirculation in the affected segment, providing anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects, eliminating metabolic and dystrophic disorders and reducing motor disorders.
Physical factors are used in the stages of inpatient and outpatient treatment, after discharge of the patient from the hospital, as well as in early postoperative rehabilitation. In the acute period: after 4-5 days (as the severity of the process subsides), laser therapy, pulse currents (SMT, DDT, interference currents), magnetic therapy, UFOs of the segmental area, darsonvalization of the cervical collar of the spine and occipital regionon the head, electrophoresis of substances is prescribed local anesthesia, ganglion-blocking action on pain areas.
In the subacute period are used phonophoresis with drugs, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis of drugs, microwave electromagnetic fields (SMV, UHF), laser therapy.
In remission: thermotherapy is included, including ozokerite and mud therapy for the cervical collar, balneotherapy (iodine-bromine, turpentine baths, laurel baths, bischofite baths), underwater shower-massage, therapeutic massage.
Treatment of low back pain
The sensation of pain in the lower back occurs due to an imbalance of the musculoskeletal system. In this case, microtrauma of the soft tissues occurs, as a result of which the chemical irritants (pain mediators) are released in excess. They cause muscle spasms and back pain.
The origin of lumbodinia is mainly associated with osteochondrosis, which is localized in the lumbar region. Lumbodynia is characterized by lower back pain with moderate or traumatic factors of lumbodynia: physical fatigue, systematic or excessive physical exertion; sharp movements; constant work in "non-physiological" or long stay in an awkward position, bruising of the lower back, hypothermia, colds, etc.
The low back pain treatment program includes the following highlights:
- Rest in bed for eight to ten days. At the same time the bed should be flat and firm. "Rest" on such a surface allows the muscles of the back to relax.
- Medical treatment for lumbago includes the use of sedatives and painkillers and the use of novocaine blockades (with severe increasing pain).
From the methods of physiotherapy you can use the electrophoresis of analgesics, pulsed currents, ultraviolet radiation of segmental areas. In the acute period, the patient may be prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, injections, suppositories or ointments that relieve muscle spasm. Warming creams can be used only during the rehabilitation period (on the third day of exacerbation). In the acute period, they can provoke swelling and increase pain.
- After eliminating the acute pain, treatment with lumbago continues with the help of exercise, massage and manual therapy.
The main task at this stage is to strengthen the muscular corset and reduce the compression of the nerve roots. Special lumbago exercises help to normalize metabolism, improve blood circulation and nutrition of the intervertebral discs, relieve muscle tension, increase intervertebral space and relieve the spine.
In addition, acupuncture, hydromassage, mineral baths, mud therapy and other physiotherapy are prescribed in the remission stage (see Treatment of back pain). This improves blood circulation, provides anti-inflammatory and resorbing effect.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
Physiotherapy (from Greek physis - nature and therapy), a branch of medicine that studies the healing properties of physical factors and develops methods for their use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Modern physiotherapy uses magnetic, electric and electromagnetic fields with low, high, ultrahigh and ultrahigh frequencies, artificial radiation (from infrared to ultraviolet and monochromatic coherent), mechanical vibrations (from infrasonic to ultrasonic) and others.
Physical factors have influenced humans throughout its evolution, which is why physiotherapy procedures have a greater physiological effect on the body than many drugs.
Physiotherapy treatment can be used alone or in combination with drug therapy, manual therapy, massage, physiotherapy exercises. The variety of factors and techniques used in physiotherapy determines the possibilities for individual impact on the body and targeted impact on the pathological process without negative side effects.
The use of physiotherapy is possible in almost all fields of medicine: otolaryngology, gastroenterology, gynecology, urology, pulmonology, orthopedics and traumatology, neurology, surgery, cardiology and others.
There is a wide range of physiotherapy treatments, namely mud therapy, hydrotherapy (various mineral and aromatic baths, underwater shower massage), magnetic therapy, laser therapy, various types of currents (galvanic, pulse, high frequency), electromagnetic waves UHF, microwave, EHFinhalation medicinal herbs, halotherapy, vibration traction apparatus, physiotherapy room, staff of qualified masseurs.
Also in the department of physical methods of treatment are performed therapeutic methods of acupuncture, electrical stimulation for various neurological diseases. All physiotherapy treatment is prescribed by the physiotherapist of the ward, taking into account the disease and the general condition of the patient.
Rehabilitation
Medical rehabilitation is a complex of therapeutic and prophylactic measures, which is aimed at the maximum possible recovery of the patient's lost abilities after various diseases.
Rehabilitation is also aimed at restoring the patient's muscular strength, as well as preventing relapses or complications. Today, medical rehabilitation is not just about prescribing any type of exercise after discharge from the hospital or a course of physiotherapy at the end of the inpatient period.
Rehabilitation is a complex of activities that include the participation of doctors from different fields - physiotherapists, masseurs, psychologists, speech therapists and others. As a result, complex rehabilitation allows the patient to recover completely, not partially. The success of the treatment depends both on the correct diagnosis and on the optimally selected and conducted treatment, as well as on the correct and timely rehabilitation of the patient.
Rehabilitation has a single goal - the fullest possible recovery of the patient's lost functions based on the existing consequences of the injury or illness and the treatment.
Depending on the field of application, the rehabilitation can be: Orthopedic - performed after injuries and operations in diseases of the musculoskeletal system, fractures, spinal malformations and posture disorders. Neurological and neurosurgical is one of the most serious types of rehabilitation, as it involves the largest number of specialists - neurologists, physiotherapists, masseurs, psychologists and psychiatrists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and others.
This rehabilitation is required after injuries and operations of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord), in diseases of the peripheral nervous system (nerve bundles), strokes, paresis and paralysis. Cardiac rehabilitation - rehabilitation after an acute heart attack, with diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
The purpose of rehabilitation is the rapid regeneration of muscles with their atrophies associated with prolonged physical inactivity, in order to restore strength and tone of the limb, restore full range of motion in the joints after immobilization (after fractures), accelerate the regeneration of cartilage, improve the trophism of organ and bone tissues, increase mobility with adhesions in the abdominal cavity after abdominal surgery, increase the overall tone of the patient and improve psycho-emotional state, relieve pain and swelling after joint injuries, restore physical activity after strokes, paresis and paralysisin the postoperative period in patients after operations related to diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system (after injuries, fractures, bruises and sprains).
It is worth noting that the very process of rehabilitation is based on stimulating the patient's own capabilities under external influence. Exercise, modern equipment help stimulate local and general immunity, improve tissue repair processes, restore blood circulation and lymph.
Methods of medical rehabilitation include the following methods: therapeutic gymnastics, massage, kinesitherapy, physiotherapy, manual therapy, electromyostimulation (it consists in improving the conduction of nerve impulses to skeletal muscles), psychological assistance, speech therapy.
It should be noted that one of the key points in any rehabilitation are physiotherapy methods, which are aimed at restoring lost functions and stimulating the patient's movements, accelerating reparative processes in tissues and organs, especially in the musculoskeletal system, nervous systemand the circulatory system.
One of the advantages of physiotherapy methods is that they do not use drugs, which means that there is no risk of allergic reactions and side effects, drug dependence does not develop and the treatment methods used are usually not invasive.
Properly selected complex of the rehabilitation program will help the patient to recover as quickly as possible after illness, injury or surgery, will restore his sense of freedom of movement and the ability to communicate with people around him without any restrictions.