Osteochondrosis is a severe degenerative disease characterized by deformation of intervertebral discs, impaired blood circulation, metabolic processes in cartilage tissue, and the development of intervertebral hernia. Osteochondrosis most often affects older people; the development of the disease can be triggered by injury, heavy physical labor, a sedentary lifestyle and many other factors.
The Yusupov Hospital provides neurological care, which has recently become the most in demand. The neurology clinic deals with the treatment of osteochondrosis, which consists of a complex of methods.
Dorsopathies
This is a group of spinal diseases. The main symptom of all diseases in this group is pain and disturbances in movement of the affected part of the spine. LMIT for dorsopathy can eliminate pain and motor (motor) disorders. For this purpose, laser magnetic-infrared exposure is carried out on the affected spinal segment in the following mode: for pain syndrome, frequency is 1000 Hz, as the pain subsides - variable, then - 50 Hz, total session time 12-15 minutes, power of pulsed infrared radiation (PIR) ) 16 mW, stable, contact.
If necessary and to enhance the effect, supravenous laser blood irradiation (NLBI) is performed over the great vessels, irradiation of the adrenal gland zone and receptor zones: for dorsopathy of the cervical spine - on the collar area and the area of the shoulder girdle, the outer surface of the shoulder and the front side of the lower leg; for dorsopathy of the thoracic spine - on the receptor zones of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the chest; for dorsopathy of the lumbar spine - on the lumbosacral region, reflexogenic zones of the back of the thigh and popliteal fossa. The course of treatment is 10-15 sessions, 1 session per day. In combination with drug therapy, the treatment effect is enhanced and prolonged.
Indications and contraindications
The list of indications for magnetic therapy is very extensive. It includes:
- diseases of the spine: osteochondrosis, protrusion and herniation of intervertebral discs;
- pathology of joints and periarticular structures: arthrosis, arthritis, bursitis, tendovaginitis, glenohumeral periarthritis, gout, etc.;
- consequences of fractures, bruises, sprains, ligament ruptures, dislocations;
- pathologies of the nervous system: neuritis, neuralgia (including intercostal), consequences of concussions, strokes;
- skin diseases: dermatoses, eczema, neurodermatitis;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: peptic ulcer, gastritis, pancreatitis (not exacerbation);
- respiratory pathologies: chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, consequences of infectious lesions, including viral pneumonia;
- diseases of the genitourinary system: chronic inflammatory processes, impotence, prostatitis, various forms of infertility in men and women.
The list of contraindications to physiotherapy includes:
- acute infections and inflammatory processes;
- installed pacemakers, endoprostheses and other metal or electronic devices in the body;
- oncological pathologies;
- blood diseases and autoimmune diseases;
- menstruation period;
- pregnancy;
- mental disorders;
- decreased blood clotting.
Therapy should be limited or replaced with other procedures for those people who come into contact with magnetic fields at work.
Osteochondrosis
This is the most common spinal disease, affecting more than 80% of the world's population. Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic process that develops in the cartilage and bone tissues of the spine. When adjacent vertebral bodies are involved in the degenerative process, spondylosis develops, and when intervertebral joints are damaged, spondyloarthrosis develops.
There are osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine. All parts of the spine are affected by the disease, but the cervical and lumbosacral areas are most often affected.
LMIT is indicated for all forms of osteochondrosis; it has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous, trophic effects, improves blood circulation in pathological areas, enhances the effect of medications and reduces treatment time for patients.
LMIT is carried out on the problem area with the capture of healthy areas (8-10 cm above and below the problem area), the following mode is recommended: frequency 1000 Hz, as the pain subsides - variable, then - 50 Hz, total time 12-16 minutes, pulse power infrared radiation (IIR) 16 mW, stable, contact.
A number of authors (Kartelishev A.V. et al., 2012) suggest using high frequencies of laser exposure at the beginning of treatment, and reducing the frequency and power in subsequent sessions. The course of treatment is 10-15 sessions, 1 session per day. If necessary, the LMIT course should be repeated after 1-3 months. Since osteochondrosis is a chronic disease, it is ideal to conduct 4 courses of LMIT per year, that is, once a quarter.
Phonophoresis for osteochondrosis
The method of phonophoresis of medicinal substances (FFPV), for example, chondroprotectors on an ointment or water basis, ointments based on indomethacin (Dolgit-cream, indomethacin ointment, etc.), has proven itself quite well in osteochondrosis, which allows improving the transport of medicinal substances through the protective barrier of the skin, for through laser magnetic-infrared exposure, restore microcirculatory hemodynamics of the affected part of the spine, relieve pain, swelling and inflammation, and also increase the body’s energy balance.
FFLV is carried out as follows: on the main vessel located closest to the problem area, NLBI is performed in the following mode: frequency 50 Hz, IIR power 16 mW, time 5 minutes, stable, contact. A thin layer of medicinal substance is applied to the previously cleaned problem area, then LMIT is carried out in the following mode: frequency 1000 Hz, IIR power 16 mW, time 5 minutes. per field, labile (scanning). The course of treatment is 10-12 sessions, 1 session per day.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with a magnet in Moscow
The Yusupov Hospital provides magnetic therapy (2 fields) and other physiotherapeutic procedures for the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis. Magnetotherapy refers to additional physiotherapeutic methods that help heal the spine in severe diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The hospital uses innovative drugs to treat osteochondrosis and uses effective methods of rehabilitation therapy. You can make an appointment with a doctor by calling the Yusupov Hospital.
Radicular syndromes
They are often complicated by dorsopathies. The cause of radicular syndromes is mechanical compression of the nerve root by a herniated disc, which causes swelling or a cicatricial adhesive process in the root. In such cases, doctors recommend that the patient undergo a blockade, spinal traction and electrotherapy, which helps to reduce or eliminate pain and swelling and has a pronounced therapeutic effect. As an electrotherapy, the use of low-frequency pulsed currents using transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation (TENS), either in combination with LMIT or as monotherapy, is especially effective.
Laser magnetic-infrared exposure is carried out in the following mode: frequency 1000 Hz, 2-4 minutes for each zone of nerve root exit and along its course, IIR power 16 mW, stable, contact. At the beginning of treatment (the first 3-4 sessions), the “Minimal” TENS mode is used; as the pain syndrome is relieved, the “Maximum” mode can be used.
When performing LMIT on the nerve roots of the cervical spine, it is recommended to hold the emitter contact at an angle of 60 degrees, and when affecting segmental nerves in the thoracic and lumbar spine - at an angle of 90 degrees, that is, perpendicular to the patient’s body.
Treatment methods for osteochondrosis: all about magnetic therapy
People belonging to various age groups are exposed to back-related diseases. Moreover, statistics indicate that the most common disease is spinal osteochondrosis. Its development leads to the fact that the cartilage connecting the vertebrae changes its shape, which causes compression of blood vessels and nerve endings, causing the appearance of unpleasant pain. In such situations, people take medications or resort to therapeutic massage. Unfortunately, these methods of treating this disease are characterized by low effectiveness: the pain disappears only for a certain time, and then appears again. Magnetic therapy is a completely different matter, which is a procedure that guarantees permanent relief from unpleasant symptoms of the disease.
Magnetotherapy: a brief description and list of benefits
The presented treatment method refers to non-invasive methods of influencing damaged vertebrae. They are provided due to the unique properties of the magnetic field. It should be noted that this technique is often part of complex therapy, i.e. is auxiliary.
Magnetic therapy is considered highly effective due to the fact that:
- The blood supply is brought back to normal, and damaged tissues begin to regenerate quickly;
- The transmission of nerve impulses in the affected areas is blocked;
- Inflammatory processes slow down;
- Muscle relaxation occurs.
All about indications and contraindications
As a rule, magnetic therapy is prescribed as a treatment method to patients who:
- Are subject to degeneration of intervertebral discs and require auxiliary physiotherapeutic procedures;
- They have been diagnosed with a herniated disc and are taking medications.
Unfortunately, the widespread use of magnetic therapy in the treatment of back diseases is impossible due to the large number of contraindications. The described procedure is contraindicated for people who:
- Survived implantation of electrical devices. For example, the work of the heart is carried out using a pacemaker;
- Have tumors or a predisposition to their appearance;
- Suffer from heart diseases associated with pulse irregularities;
- They suffer from brain pathologies, such as epilepsy.
Carrying out magnetic therapy in all the cases mentioned above can lead to serious complications.
What is magnetic therapy?
To carry out this procedure, special equipment is required that has the ability to generate a magnetic field. Doctors also use inductors that are attached to the patient’s body during a session. The latter are presented in the form of weak emitters with a weak impact.
The type of equipment with which the procedure will be performed is determined by the doctor. The same applies to the duration of such treatment, which is usually presented in the form of a course. In most cases, it includes from 12 to 14 sessions, each lasting from 20 minutes to half an hour. It is also mandatory to take the course again: the first time after 2 months, the second time after six months. It is necessary to consolidate the result and reduce the likelihood of relapse of the disease.
Briefly about efficiency
People who have cured osteochondrosis with the help of magnets are usually satisfied with the results achieved.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that the high effectiveness of magnetic therapy is guaranteed only in cases where it is part of a complex treatment. If, after prescribing and carrying out the presented procedure, it turns out that it practically does not help get rid of pain, then the doctor, as a rule, cancels the prescribed course, replacing it with another method of physiotherapeutic treatment. Author: K.M.N., Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences M.A. Bobyr
Radicular-vascular syndromes
They arise due to mechanical compression of the root and radicular artery. Most often, the disease is clinically manifested by radiculoischemia or radiculomyeloischemia, spinal cord ischemia. Patients with these diagnoses are treated by a neurosurgeon, and then a physiotherapist, together with a neurologist, carries out rehabilitation. The best effect is achieved when the pathological process is no more than 1 year old. The methods of laser puncture and phytolaser puncture on biologically active points (BAP) are especially effective for diseases of the spine.
LMIT is successfully combined with water and mud therapy, physical therapy, massage, and manual therapy.
For each patient with a spinal disease, the treatment regimen should be selected individually, taking into account the predominance of certain symptoms of the disease, as well as concomitant ailments (diabetes mellitus, hypertension), previous diseases, the general well-being of the patient, and age restrictions.
Spinal diseases can lead to a decrease in a person’s performance, and sometimes to disability, so patients should understand that they must be treated. The treatment process is long - it is necessary to prepare the patient psychologically for this.
Magnetic therapy effect
When exposed to a constant or alternating magnetic field, a whole range of positive changes occur on the body: the permeability of cell membranes improves, metabolic processes and tissue repair are activated, and the efficiency of enzymes is enhanced.
With regular exposure, there is an expansion of the lumen of the capillaries, which, in turn, improves the supply of oxygen to tissues and the removal of metabolic products. The positive effect of magnetic therapy on blood viscosity has also been proven: it becomes more fluid. Many patients note a clear decrease in pain and other symptoms of the disease. The use of magnetic therapy simultaneously with classical drug and/or surgical treatment helps to significantly reduce the patient’s recovery time.
Magnetotherapy also has a general strengthening effect. It stimulates the body's defenses, normalizes sleep, and helps reduce anxiety. If a patient comes to a course of procedures in a state of asthenia, he, as a rule, feels a noticeable surge of strength and restoration of mental and physical activity.
Indications
When diagnosing spinal osteochondrosis, the disease may be in varying degrees of neglect. Symptoms are direct indications for magnetic therapy:
- Muscle spasm.
- Sharp limitation of motor functions of the spine.
- The appearance of an acute inflammatory process.
- Constant aching pain.
- The appearance of body aches and weakness.
- Numbness of the limbs, which is often caused by the progression of osteochondrosis.
- The appearance of vertebral artery syndrome, when a person suffers from dizziness, dark spots before the eyes, throbbing pain and noises in the head. All this can cause spinal osteochondrosis, which affects the vertebral artery and nerve connections.
- The appearance of pain in the back after a long period of sitting or physical activity.
- Stitching pain in the chest, radiating to the heart.
- Pain in the lumbar area.
- Decreased reflex functions of the vertebrae, impaired sensitivity, malnutrition.
Contraindications
- Skin injuries in the area of manipulation
- Pregnancy
- Presence of cancer
- Acute mental disorders
- Period of exacerbation of osteochondrosis
- Severe problems of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems
How are physiotherapy procedures performed?
After a thorough diagnosis of the patient, the doctors at our clinic will prescribe a set of procedures, which necessarily includes physical therapy for osteochondrosis. In our clinic, experienced specialists use the following methods of oriental medicine related to the field of physiotherapy to treat the disease:
- Ju-therapy – by means of thermal effects, blood circulation in tissues and the spinal column is improved, the inflammatory process is reduced
- Moxotherapy – reduces pain, relieves swelling, promotes restoration of articular cartilage
- Vacuum therapy – improves lymphatic drainage and blood flow, stimulates improvement of metabolic processes in the body
- Vacuum-vibration massage - improves metabolic processes, accelerates tissue healing, stimulates nutrition of vertebral tissues
- Infrared heating improves blood microcirculation and oxygen exchange, relieves pain.
Themes
Osteochondrosis, Spine Date of publication: 10/20/2014 Date of update: 11/29/2018
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Features of osteochondrosis
When osteochondrosis is detected, magnetic therapy can be used exclusively as an auxiliary therapy and prescribed by a doctor in combination with drug treatment and physiotherapy. This is the only way to make progress in treatment and improve your general condition.
Magnetic therapy works most effectively when combined with hydrotherapy. When these types of therapies are used together, lasting improvement is evident after 3-4 months.
Osteochondrosis of the spine is an acute degenerative disorder of articular cartilage. The pathology can affect almost all joints, but most often acute inflammation is observed in the area of the intervertebral discs. Based on the specific affected area, in medical practice there are three types of spinal osteochondrosis: lumbar, thoracic and cervical.
The main reasons why spinal osteochondrosis may occur have not yet been fully studied and do not have scientific evidence. Prerequisites for the development of the disease:
- excess weight;
- individual genetic predisposition of the patient to osteochondrosis;
- presence of bad habits;
- a poorly balanced diet, in which cartilage tissue does not receive enough beneficial microelements;
- previous spinal injuries (impact, fall, accident, etc.);
- acute infectious lesion, which led to metabolic disorders in the body;
- curvature of the spine in different stages;
- living in unfavorable conditions;
- flat feet;
- sudden cessation of sports training in athletes;
- excessive physical stress on the spine;
- work that involves lifting heavy objects;
- prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position (sitting, standing);
- complete lack of active physical activity.
In recent years, doctors have noted a trend toward “rejuvenation” of osteochondrosis. This is justified by the fact that previously people from forty years of age suffered from back pain, but in recent years patients from twenty to twenty-five years of age are increasingly turning to the doctor. In many ways, this process is justified by the curvature of the spine since school years.