Degenerative changes in the spinal column are detected in the majority of people (up to 97–98%) of middle and mature age. The spine is a complex support system. The greatest load in it is experienced by the intervertebral discs, which consist of an elastic core (shock-absorbing function) and a fibrous ring encircling it.
Radiologically, there are three categories of degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc:
- Protrusion. The deformed disc enters the lumen of the spinal canal, while the fibrous ring remains structurally intact. The main symptom of the disease is pain and muscle-tonic syndrome.
- Hernia formation. More pronounced deformation compared to protrusion. The substance of the nucleus pulposus protrudes into the lumen of the spinal canal, and overextension or rupture of the fibrous ring and posterior ligament is noted. Clinical manifestations boil down to signs of compression of nerve formations in the affected area (nerve roots, spinal cord and cauda equina).
- Sequestered hernia. The free disc element is located in the spinal canal above or below the corresponding disc. The clinic depends on the degree of compression of the nerve formations by the sequester (sequestrum is an area of necrotic, usually bone, tissue located among healthy tissues). According to the location of the hernia, there are lateral, median, paramedian, etc.
Different parts of the spinal column experience different loads. The greatest load falls on the discs of the cervical and lumbar regions, since they are the most mobile. This fact determines the predominance of intervertebral hernias in these places. Recently, the use of the Almag apparatus for vertebral hernia has become popular.
Directions of treatment
In the acute stage, physical activity is limited and the affected segment is immobilized. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are indicated. Physiotherapy plays an important role in treatment. For this purpose, sinusoidally modulated currents, ultrasound, electrophoresis, reflexology, and an alternating magnetic field are used. In the latter case, the Almag device is widely used.
Physiotherapeutic treatment for a spinal hernia using Almag can be started in the absence of neoplastic, inflammatory causes of pain. It is also necessary to take into account pathological processes in internal organs (diseases of the thyroid gland, mammary glands, etc.), which exclude physiotherapeutic procedures.
Physiotherapeutic methods for the treatment of intervertebral hernia can only be used outside of exacerbations
As pain is relieved, physical methods are used: exercise therapy, massage, manual therapy.
During the period of remission, rehabilitation measures are carried out aimed at overcoming existing defects and preventing exacerbations. The most effective method is systematic dosed physical activity in combination with physiotherapy. For this purpose, a course of treatment with Almag is carried out. If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgery is performed.
Operating principle of the Almag device
The therapeutic effect of the device is due to the action of a traveling pulsed electromagnetic field. It has great biological activity and is divided into several coils, so the effect is on the entire spinal area.
The magnetic field comes into contact with charged particles, thereby improving intra- and intercellular exchange. As a result, a series of redox reactions are launched and metabolic processes are stimulated.
Under the influence of the drug Almag, capillary blood circulation improves and the risk of blood clots decreases. The magnetic field has an anti-inflammatory effect, relieves pain in the vertebrae and joints, and eliminates swelling. Thanks to the effects of the device, the body’s immune defense increases and the rate of tissue regeneration increases. The effect of medications with the simultaneous use of Almag is significantly enhanced.
Mechanism of action
Inductor coils generate a traveling pulsed magnetic field that penetrates tissue to a depth of 8 cm and affects the painful area. This leads to improved metabolism in cells and tissues and their regeneration, reducing spasm and discomfort.
Under the influence of a magnetic field, more oxygen is supplied to the diseased organ and harmful substances are more actively removed. Blood viscosity decreases, microcirculation increases several times, swelling and edema resolve.
Almag from the point of view of science, medicine and common sense
Let's analyze this device from the point of view of physics, logic and global application. And then it will become clearer whether it can be used, including for intervertebral (more correctly, intervertebral) hernia:
- from an economic point of view, the device is a set of inductors, and its cost, along with a pulse generator, clearly does not amount to 10 thousand rubles or more, which in some regions is a monthly salary;
- From a logical point of view, the patient does not necessarily need to purchase Almag or its varieties in order to then begin experimenting on himself. Fortunately, for lovers of magnetic therapy in the Russian Federation, this type of electrotherapy is recognized as official, and therefore magnetotherapeutic devices are available in any medical institution where there is a physiotherapy department. It’s better to go to the doctor, ask for a referral, and experiment on yourself there for free, and only then decide whether you need Almag or not;
- As for world medical science, magnetic therapy is an unproven method of influencing the body, and is reminiscent of homeopathy. Official medicine, that is, the World Health Organization (WHO), does not consider the level of evidence for magnetic therapy to be sufficient for it to have any special therapeutic effect.
This is true. Indeed, from a physical point of view, inducing a magnetic field on human tissue may or may not cause the appearance of an electric current in the tissue. Moreover, there is no way to know what the effect of this resulting electrical current will be. For electrotherapy, electrophoresis is of much greater importance, when, under the influence of direct current, a polarly charged medicinal substance moves in a certain direction, to a certain depth, and the effect that is expected is produced. For example, this is electrophoresis with aminophylline, or vitamin B1.
Therefore, as a result, it can be stated that the only proven effects from Almag will be the occurrence of heating in the affected area, which, naturally, will increase blood circulation and microcirculation.
Now the question should be asked. If Almag and its analogs have only a proven warming effect, which they certainly do, then the device can just as easily be replaced with other heat sources. This can be dry heat, for example, a bag of heated sand or the well-known old UHF device, which is still used in physical therapy departments and helps relieve swelling, inflammation and reduce pain.
Indications
The device can be used in the treatment of the following diseases:
- arthritis;
- arthrosis;
- osteochondrosis of the thoracic and lumbar spine;
- traumatic lesions of the musculoskeletal system;
- cardiopsychoneurosis;
- gout;
- neuralgia;
- gastritis, pancreatitis;
- bronchial asthma.
The device is actively used at home during the rehabilitation stage
FORECAST AND PREVENTION
If you consult a doctor at an early stage, when the hernia is not sequestered, the prognosis for treatment of a cervical hernia of the spine is positive. An individually selected program, consisting of several treatment methods, can significantly reduce the size of the hernia within 4-6 weeks until it is completely eliminated. This quickly relieves the condition. Upon completion of the course, individual recommendations for maintaining health are developed for the patient. It is advisable to continue to see a doctor, conduct a follow-up examination every 3-6 months, and receive maintenance therapy.
Use for hernia formations
The device has undergone numerous inspections and tests. Almag has been used in almost all Russian healthcare facilities for more than fifteen years. It can also be used on an outpatient basis for spinal hernias, but only during the remission stage as part of rehabilitation measures. The frequency and frequency of use is determined strictly by the doctor.
Depending on the degree of neglect of the process, improvement occurs either from the first sessions or after completing the entire course.
The duration of treatment for a spinal hernia should be determined by a doctor.
The device is in greatest demand among older people who suffer from chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system and periodically experience pain and other discomfort due to this. Whether the device can be used in cases of pronounced dystrophic changes must be determined by a doctor.
Indications and contraindications for use
Indications for treatment with a magnetic therapy device in the Russian Federation are extremely wide. Of course, first of all, this is osteochondrosis, its complications, the presence of radicular syndrome, compression radiculopathies, the presence of protrusions and hernias of the spine. These are arthritis and arthrosis, myositis, consequences of fractures, as well as injuries to muscles and ligaments.
In neurology, Almag and its analogues are recommended for neuralgia and plexitis, neuritis of the facial nerve, in the complex treatment of the consequences of injuries to the spine and spinal cord, for strokes, transient ischemic attacks, or transient cerebrovascular accidents.
For the cardiovascular system, the device is used primarily for hypertension and coronary heart disease, and for vegetative-vascular dystonia of the hypertensive type.
In dermatology, Almagom treats itchy dermatoses, in pulmonology - chronic nonspecific lung diseases, bronchial asthma. According to its indications, the drug is also used in patients with diabetes mellitus, gastric and duodenal ulcers, varicose veins, chronic prostatitis and inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs.
Contraindications to electrotherapy in general, and to magnetic therapy in particular, are implantation of a pacemaker, systemic blood pathology (anemia), acute inflammation with fever, malignant neoplasm, purulent-septic processes, acute period of stroke and myocardial infarction, thyrotoxicosis, or the manifestation of diffuse toxic goiter, as well as diencephalic syndrome. The manufacturer advises conducting magnetic therapy sessions for no longer than 10 minutes at first, and then increasing them to 20 minutes, and a maximum of half an hour. Coils should not be placed on the heart area or in the projection of the brain.
Reviews
Reviews from people who have tried the Almag device for spinal hernia range from positive to extremely negative. Presumably, this is explained by the different susceptibility of patients to physiotherapeutic procedures.
Irina: Several years ago I underwent surgery to remove a herniated disc. I suffered from severe pain for a long time and was on analgesics. I contacted many doctors, and one of them recommended buying an Almag device. I completed the entire course, as the doctor advised, and I can say that the device really helps. The pain has decreased and now I can do without pills. I will continue to use it.
Svetlana: I have a pre-hernia condition - protrusion of the intervertebral disc. Back pain began to bother me. I took Almag from my mother, which she uses for osteochondrosis. I consulted with a doctor about how to use it in my case. A month passed and the pain subsided significantly and became less of a concern.
Marina: Doctors diagnosed a herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. I have not yet gone through with surgery, but we are carrying out conservative treatment, which has allowed us to achieve some improvement. Pain occurs periodically. I decided to use Almag, on the advice of a friend. I did the procedures for three weeks, I didn’t notice any changes. I understand that, of course, the hernia will not resolve on its own, but I expected an improvement in the overall condition. For now I will continue treatment.
For intervertebral hernias, Almag can be used, but only with the permission of the attending physician. It should be borne in mind that the manufacturer does not guarantee the effectiveness of treatment measures. Even if there is a positive result, you need to understand that the device only eliminates the symptoms and not the cause of the disease.
About the benefits of the operation
By the way, neurosurgical modern minimally invasive surgery is the only means that allows you to quickly, painlessly and permanently get rid of intervertebral hernia not only in the lumbar spine, but also in the cervical spine.
Modern surgical intervention no longer resembles the operation of the last century, after which a person could not sit for a long time, and severe pain remained. Now in developed countries, such as the USA, Germany, Israel, Great Britain, a patient can come to the clinic in the morning, perform an operation and leave in the evening or the next day, and lead a life without significant restrictions.
Naturally, for some time you will need to limit yourself in lifting weights and not make sudden movements. But this is a completely natural requirement, and it must be fulfilled. Neurosurgeons from Eastern European countries, for example in the Czech Republic, have achieved high efficiency in the treatment of intervertebral hernias. In this country, the emphasis is on modern surgical intervention, and not at all on methods of deep heating of the back. The hernia itself is naturally completely insensitive to the effects of heat and magnetic therapy. The surrounding muscles and tissues respond to the heat, and by improving blood flow, muscle spasms are likely to be resolved, pain is reduced, and range of motion in the back is increased. But this relief is temporary, just like with an injection of diclofenac, and does not at all mean that the patient’s hernia has been cured. On the contrary, if you start using Almag for acute pain, on the first day, when swelling is still forming, then heating will intensify this swelling and cause a worsening of symptoms.
In conclusion, it should be said that if you have an extra ten to twelve thousand rubles, and there is an intervertebral hernia that worries you, then instead of purchasing an Almag device, perform a high-quality MRI study on a good tomograph with a resolution of at least 1.5-2 Tesla. And then consult an experienced neurosurgeon about the possibility of a truly radical cure for the hernia through modern surgery.