Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is an excellent addition to the main therapy.It can significantly improve the general condition of the patient.Various physiotherapeutic methods are able to act in the vote on pain foci, which is really very effective.Physiotherapy has practically no side effects.
Physiotherapy: recommendations and contraindications
Much attention is paid to physiotherapy in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical region.
The basis of the methodology is to improve blood circulation, the relief of pain, optimizing metabolic processes in tissues.
At the same time, swelling of the tissues themselves decreases.Treatment can reduce the dosage of pharmacological drugs, thereby preventing the development of side effects.
Physiotherapy is prescribed to people suffering from cervical osteochondrosis at different stages.This or that method is selected depending on the patient's condition.
Despite its safety, physiotherapy has a number of contraindications.These include:
- various stages of cancer;
- serious diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems;
- kidney and liver disorders;
- any serious illness in the body;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- skin diseases;
- Mental disorders.
It should be said that physiotherapy is prescribed exclusively personally and only the attending physician.The specialist will take into account the individual characteristics of the body, as well as the course of cervical osteochondrosis itself.
How does this work
Physiotherapy involves the selection of a certain set of procedures directly affecting the affected area.Various methods are, as a rule, from distracting therapy.With exacerbations and deteriorations of the condition, sessions should not be carried out.
As for effectiveness, physiotherapy is capable of:
- Stop pain;
- normalize metabolism in affected tissues;
- strengthen immunity;
- improve blood circulation in the cervical region;
- Reduce motor dysfunction.
Despite the fact that physiotherapy is only part of the complex treatment, its role should not be underestimated.It contributes to speedy healing and significantly improves the general condition.
Varieties of physiotherapy for cervical osteochondrosis
During the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, the following types of physiotherapy are prescribed:
- electrotherapy;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy;
- shock-wave therapy;
- Dutoenzor-therapy;
- balneotherapy.
It is worth considering each of the listed methods.
Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy is one of the most popular methods for cervical osteochondrosis, as well as in other varieties of the disease.In this case, the effect is carried out using electric current.
It forms a specific heat inside the tissues, enhancing blood circulation in the affected area.Electrotherapy causes very pleasant sensations and improves the general condition.There are contraindications that concern people wearing pacemakers, as well as people whose bodies have metal parts (prostheses).
Magnetotherapy
This type of physiotherapy is an effect on the affected area by means of a magnetic field with a constant frequency.The duration of one procedure is about twenty minutes.
The therapist sets the magnetic field inducers opposite each other.So, the cervical department enters the center of a rather strong magnetic field.The field of the field occurs at the cellular level, so a person does not experience any sensations.
This, as well as the lack of a quick positive effect, causes a little confidence in this method.As a result, magnetotherapy is not too common, despite the fact that it really acts positively.
Laser therapy
With laser therapy, the effect is using a special device.The laser is able to produce a comprehensive effect.In particular, biological processes are activated inside the tissues of the central nervous system.The result is not forced to wait a very long time.
The effect on the body is in complex.The laser anesthesia, relieves inflammation, and also heals wounds.Each laser therapy procedure usually does not exceed fifteen minutes.
The duration of therapy in relation to each pain point is no more than a couple of minutes.Laser therapy is prescribed by a specialist only after a complete examination of the body.
Shock wave therapy of osteochondrosis
Shock wave therapy appeared relatively recently.Therefore, its mechanisms of influence on the affected areas have not yet been fully studied.A fairly large number of specialists relate to this methodology skeptical.
However, in the practice of treating cervical osteochondrosis, there are many cases when shock wave therapy had an unsurpassed effect.
The basis of the methodology is the effect of an acoustic wave on an inflamed or affected area.Due to this, microcirculation in tissues, as well as metabolic processes, improves.Swinging is reduced, and the pain syndrome is also stopped.
Dutoenzor-therapy
Dutenzor therapy is a traffic of the spinal column.Only the patient’s body weight is used.Additional severity and loads are not used.The technique has been known since ancient times, but even now experts are not sure of its absolute effectiveness and of an unconditionally positive result.
There are both opponents and supporters of the detenser therapy.Opponents believe that the intensive use of therapy can lead to the formation of protrusions, and in some cases intervertebral hernias.The patient's extension does not eliminate the cause.
It only creates some conditions for temporary relief of pain.Many experts recommend that the detenser therapy not as a therapeutic procedure.It is just an effective way to eliminate pain syndromes.
Balneotherapy
For a long time, the benefits of mineral water are known.Because of this, such a technique as balneotherapy was born.The procedure consists in the active use of various water resources in the process of osteochondrosis therapy.
It implies treatment with baths, various types of souls.One of the basics of balneotherapy is swimming in the pool.The technique implies the use of therapeutic dirt applied to the affected areas of the neck.
The therapeutic effect is achieved due to the effects at various temperatures of chemically active substances that are contained in water.Balneotherapy effectively stops the pain syndrome by improving microcirculation in damaged tissues.
Combination of various physiotherapy techniques
Quite often, vertebrologists immediately prescribe several physiotherapy techniques from the entire existing arsenal at once.The choice of certain procedures is in full accordance with the specifics of the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.It is not recommended to use methods independently, since self -medication can aggravate the development of pathology.
An example is a combination of laser therapy and balneotherapy.The first is able to cope even with very strong pain.Manipulations with liquids and therapeutic mud relax the muscles constrained by spasm.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is able to eliminate the mass of discomfort that a person experiences after the first manifestations of the disease.It is very important that prevention is complex.It is worth starting with the reorganization of your own workplace, labor regime.Labor must be combined with rest.
The second thing you need to pay attention to is the right dream.It is advisable to purchase orthopedic furniture and orthopedic pillows.These devices are able to relax the spine and bring it to a normal position.
Rational nutrition and physical activity are important elements of the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis.Products rich in complex carbohydrates and proteins, as well as regular physical exercises, minimize the risk of disease.If there are the slightest suspicions of osteochondrosis, you must immediately contact a specialist.