Restoration of intervertebral discs - the most effective techniques!

Spinal problems are very common. If once cases of osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernias were usually found in the older generation, then in the 21st century these diseases have become significantly “younger”.

Intervertebral disc restoration

Rehabilitation of vertebrae and intervertebral discs is not an easy task. Many doctors specializing in this area claim that after 21-26 years, when the formation of the locomotor system is already completely completed, it is impossible to restore the condition of the spine. In reality, recovery is long but possible.

The process of restoration of intervertebral discs takes a long period

By using the methods described below regularly, a person can overcome the process of cartilage tissue destruction and regain freedom of movement.

Reasons for destruction of vertebrae and discs between them

The factors that “trigger” degenerative-dystrophic changes in the vertebrae and discs between them have different etiologies.

There are many reasons for disruption of the normal functioning of intervertebral discs

The most common are the following:

injuries of varying degrees of severity: from falls and bruises to fractures;
congenital pathologies of the spine;
lifting various weights;
consequence of prolonged vibration effects;
age-related changes (aging);
consequences of infectious diseases;
consequences of metabolic disorders;
sedentary lifestyle;
too intense sports activities.

Protrusions and hernias are successfully treated both surgically and conservatively (depending on the degree of disc destruction). To restore the health of the spine, medications, physiotherapy, massage and other methods are used.

Restoration of the spine is always carried out comprehensively

Causes of herniated intervertebral discs

The main factors provoking the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, and then hernia, are:

neck injuries;
circulatory disorders;
neck muscle spasms or weakness;
slouch;
vertebral instability;
obesity;
genetic predisposition;
sedentary lifestyle.

The neck and its 6th and 7th vertebrae bear a lot of strain when sitting and working at a computer.

When is spinal restoration necessary?

When the first signs of the development of pathologies appear, restoring the health of the spine becomes almost a vital task. Important “bells and whistles” are:

discomfort when moving;
back pain;
stiffness when walking;
feeling of lack of previous mobility.

Back pain, especially when moving, indicates the need to visit a doctor

At one point, the pain reaches such strength that it cannot be tolerated, and therefore the person cannot live his previous life, and only then does he make an appointment with a doctor. However, in order to maintain your health, you must contact a specialist at the first signs of illness. Problems with the spine are easier to eliminate at the initial stage.

Treatment should begin as early as possible

Degenerative-dystrophic processes in intervertebral discs can be provoked by:

inactive lifestyle;

Long-term physical inactivity negatively affects the health of the spine
long-term stay in an unnatural position, which leads to loss of shock-absorbing properties of the intervertebral discs, various problems with the spine arise.

Incorrect posture and unnatural body position increase the load on the intervertebral discs

Today, there are several options for recovery procedures that have proven themselves to be successful. The main element of such techniques is the motivation of the patient himself to recover and restore his health.

Symptoms

The pathology develops and lasts for a long time due to the influence of provoking factors and risk factors, sometimes it can last for decades. For this reason, at first the patient may not notice the disease.

The protrusion forms and progresses without any obvious symptoms. Since people do not know about the pathology, they do not seek treatment. And the ring begins to protrude more and more until it ruptures and forms a hernia. But what is happening still has a clinical manifestation. Among the characteristic symptoms are the following:

numbness of the limbs;
tension in the spine;
headache;
discomfort in the spine;
sleep problems;
fast fatiguability;
chronic pain in the spine;
chilliness of the limbs;
movements are limited.

These signs must be carefully monitored in order to begin treatment on time. If you notice that new symptoms have appeared or old ones have begun to develop in strength, do not delay in contacting a doctor.

What is the rehabilitation of the back and spine?

Human vertebrae receive nutrition through the cartilaginous end plate, the so-called hyaline plate, and not through the vessels, since they simply are not there. Due to degeneration with age, the quality of the hyaline plate deteriorates, as a result of which substances cannot enter the intervertebral disc in their “full composition”. The consequence of this is that the spine becomes less flexible and vital. Thus, the first step to restoring back health and treating the spine can be called eliminating all factors that interfere with the blood supply to these plates.

The structure of cartilage tissue

Cartilage is a type of connective tissue . Experts distinguish a hyaline, elastic, fibrous appearance. The intervertebral discs contain fibrous cartilage.

They differ from other fabrics in their special structure. Cartilage has few cells and is surrounded by an extracellular matrix, which consists of ground substance and fibers. The water content in them ranges from 60-80% .

The intercellular substance has a complex chemical composition. It is produced predominantly by chondroblasts, young chondrocytes. The intercellular substance is divided into a fibrillar component and an amorphous substance. Fibrous cartilage tissue contains a large number of collagen fibers.

The main types of cartilage cells are:

chondroblasts;
chondrocytes.

Chondroblasts are young, poorly differentiated cells that are capable of synthesizing intercellular substance. Some of them have not lost the ability to divide.

Chondrocytes are mature cells. They are not able to divide and synthesize intercellular substance in noticeable quantities. Chondrocytes are responsible for maintaining metabolic processes in cartilage.

The structure of cartilage tissue

Cartilage is poorly restored due to the fact that it contains few cells that can reproduce. The main restoration process takes place due to the extracellular matrix. The collagen of cartilage tissue is renewed by only 50% over 10 years.

Factors that negatively affect the metabolism in the discs

An inactive lifestyle is the main factor that interferes with normal metabolism. It is not recommended to work at a computer for a long period of time, but if this cannot be avoided, then you must take breaks every hour for 10-20 minutes. To keep track of time, you can use a timer or a special program that will notify you about rest, to do a light warm-up and allow your eyes to rest a little.

An inactive lifestyle is the most important reason for disruption of the normal functioning of the spinal column.

Along with “inactivity,” various injuries and improperly performed physical activity are also negative factors. There are no such microtraumas that disappear without a trace if you do not allow “your support” to rest. They accumulate into a kind of “tangle”, which will soon make itself felt: first in the form of protrusions, and then in the form of hernias.

It is also important to note that when a person sleeps in an uncomfortable position, regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue does not occur in his body, as happens with healthy, proper sleep.

Prevalence of the disease

Statistics show that protrusion is a fairly common disease, especially in people over thirty years of age. Half of the documented evidence of the disease is that the most common type of protrusion is localized in the lower back. It occurs less often in the thoracic region. It is extremely rarely diagnosed in the cervical region.

Often, hernias develop from protrusions of intervertebral discs, for this reason it is necessary to undergo timely examinations and monitor your health.

Factors that help speed up spinal rehabilitation and therapy

The role of rehabilitation treatment is to rehabilitate the discs between the vertebrae. It is carried out in stages; it is necessary to timely add load to the muscles, thereby training them. The more trained the muscle corset is, the less load is placed on the damaged vertebrae.

The following activities help in restoring the spine:

massage sessions;
Healing Fitness;
physiotherapeutic procedures;
healthy eating and sleep.

Physiotherapy and massage can speed up spinal recovery

Often, an inactive lifestyle and its unpleasant consequences, as well as poor nutrition, are the main causes of problems with cartilage. In this regard, salts accumulate in the body, blood vessels narrow, cartilage tissue is destroyed, metabolism deteriorates, and some other consequences arise.

One of the best recovery options is a regular walk. This is because it is called the cycle of alternating tension and relaxation. Using this method in rehabilitation means walking for about an hour every day.

If there is not enough time for a walk, then simple yoga exercises can help the patient out. It is very important not to strain during the first period, because the patient’s task is to improve blood circulation, but not to train muscles. Thus, various stretches, light twists, backbends, etc. may be suitable. After all, everyone chooses a set of exercises for themselves so that they give them relaxation, relieve fatigue, etc. It is recommended to do approaches as often as possible with as many executions as a person considers suitable for himself.

Proper nutrition and back rehabilitation

Changing your diet can be called one of the main measures for the rehabilitation of the spinal column. Often, destruction of cartilage and bone tissue occurs due to problems with their nutrition, which, in turn, is associated with problems with blood flow and insufficient amounts of nutrients entering the body. To correct the situation, you must, first, exclude from your diet:

foods that disrupt blood flow - sugar, baked goods and others;
a product that is deposited in tissues and, accumulating there, destroys them - salt;
products that increase inflammation and slow down metabolism - smoked, fatty, spicy and canned products;
drinks that constrict blood vessels, as well as those that have a bad effect on cartilage tissue, thereby destroying it.

In order to improve the functioning of intervertebral discs, you need to eat right

There are foods that are rich in minerals and other beneficial substances. They are simply necessary for the treatment of diseases and rehabilitation of the spinal column, because they help restore discs, vertebrae and cartilage, as well as normalize blood flow and nutrition in tissues. Such products could be:

liquids, as they improve blood circulation;
cereals and products with them;
sesame seeds, as they contain a lot of calcium;
a mixture of dried apricots, figs and prunes;
sea fish, as it contains a lot of phosphorus;
egg yolk, as it is a truly rich source of vitamin D;
jellied meat, which contains cartilage from various animals, for example, cows and pigs.

Operation

In extreme cases, when vital nerves are pinched and pathology of the pelvic organs develops, patients are referred for surgery. You should not be afraid of it, because most of such interventions are now carried out endoscopically. One of these operations is called endoscopic discectomy.

For a full-fledged intervention, the surgeon only needs an incision of no more than 10 cm. The operation is performed under general anesthesia, with the patient positioned on his stomach or side. An endoscope is a unique device with which the doctor sees on a large screen everything that happens in the pathological focus. During surgery, the worn disc is removed. Parts of the vertebrae and ligaments are not removed, which means that the basic supporting functions of the ligamentous apparatus will be preserved, despite the removal of the damaged disc.

What is endoscopic discectomy

There are types of hernias that are not suitable for this type of intervention, but they are less common. The operation takes no more than an hour, and if no complications arise after it, the person is discharged home after a couple of days.

Laser disc reconstruction is a new treatment option for persistent spinal pain. The procedure heals cracks in the disc and relieves pain. And when the intervertebral disc is destroyed, special prostheses are placed between adjacent vertebrae.

In the postoperative period, the patient wears an orthopedic corset for some time.

Video: restoration of spinal discs. 5 exercises by Paul Brega

There are many ways in which full or partial restoration of intervertebral discs can be done. As a last resort, if it is impossible to “heal” the damaged element, restoration of the spine is accompanied by minimally invasive surgery. The intervertebral disc is completely removed, without loss of the basic functions of the spinal column. In the future, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle, protecting and moderately training muscles, vertebrae, ligaments, and cartilage tissue.

Osteochondrosis, disc herniation or back injury is not a reason to lose heart and rely only on painkillers and other drug treatments. Spinal pain can be reduced on your own using alternative recovery methods. This includes self-hypnosis, moderate physical activity, and proper nutrition, consuming useful substances. And of course, you cannot do without optimism and faith in your strength and recovery.

Features of restoring back health

A well-known and scientifically proven fact: intervertebral discs do not have their own blood flow. With a lack of special substances, they dry out, which leads to the fact that they cease to perform their functions or do it incorrectly. In this regard, the spine itself begins to lose its original flexibility. At the same time, the discs can no longer function as shock absorbers, and the vertebrae themselves undergo degeneration. That is why all rehabilitation measures must do the following:

launching recovery processes;
changing and normalizing nutrition on the advice of a specialist;
reducing the load on the damaged area of the spinal column;
activation of blood circulation and metabolism.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy should be distinguished from conventional therapeutic massage. The difference between them is that the chiropractor not only warms up the patient’s muscular system, removing superficial and deep clamps, but also sets “popped out” discs and ligaments. In this way, the pinched nerve roots are released and pain is relieved.

During the first sessions, the chiropractor gently stretches the spinal column, freeing the nerves. After the patient gets used to this type of influence, the specialist gently returns the vertebrae to the anatomically correct position.

With the right approach and competent actions of the chiropractor, the patient feels great relief after the first session. The spasms go away, and the aching or sharp pain is replaced by a feeling of pleasant warmth.

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Spinal restoration techniques

Evminov’s technique is a patented, medically researched and approved by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine method of physical therapy (kinesitherapy) for the treatment, restoration and prevention of spinal diseases at any age. The essence of the technique is to train weak back muscles.

Evminov's technique

The Dikul technique is a method of restoring back health through a smooth transition from low-impact exercises to stronger ones.

Treatment of the spine using the Dikul method

Candidate of Medical Sciences Fedorich invented the “Backpoint-Humpbacked Hunchback” training practice, which has shown its effectiveness in treating diseases such as osteochondrosis, scoliosis and intervertebral hernia. At the same time, “Backpoint-Humpbacked Man” helps the muscles not only of the back, but also of the abs, as well as the shoulder region.

Healthy back with the BACKPOINT exercise machine

Physiotherapy

Science has long proven the healing effects of physical phenomena on the human body. Physiotherapeutic procedures for hernias are useful:

electrophoresis - weak exposure to electric currents with local use of drugs (anesthetics and non-steroids);
diadynamic currents - the physiotherapist uses the effects of currents of varying severity. Manipulation quickly relieves spasms, pain and inflammation;
magnetic therapy - a magnetic tape is placed on the patient's back. The essence of the procedure is the alternating effect of a magnetic field on the sore spot.

You can use physiotherapeutic devices Almag-01, Denas, Vitafon and Milta yourself at home. These devices treat many diseases of the spine and joints. Treatment must be carried out in a course.

Medications and back rehabilitation

To recover well from back problems, you need to start taking medications prescribed by your doctor. It is important not to forget that prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are highly effective only at the peak of the disease, but not after it. During rehabilitation, NSAIDs are not needed at all, because their functions are to reduce pain and reduce inflammation. This applies to both products taken internally and those used externally.

Medicines can be an excellent help in the treatment of intervertebral disc diseases

There are drugs that saturate the tissue with special beneficial components and improve blood circulation. To restore joints and ligaments, doctors recommend chondroprotectors, but, unfortunately, it has been scientifically proven that they are not always effective.

The table below discusses groups and examples of drugs that are used to restore the spinal column.

Group	Examples of drugs
Preparations containing glucosamine and chondroitin are very important components of cartilage tissue.	"Alflutol", "Terraflex", "Donna"
Dietary supplements based on Omega-3 acids	First of all, this is fish oil, as well as Omacor or Omega 3.
Vitamin and mineral complexes with a high content of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus.	Most often, “Calcium D3 Nycomed”, “Complivit Calcium D3” or “Natekal D3” are used to restore the spine.
Amino acids	There are several amino acids that are involved in the processes of cartilage tissue regeneration. These are arginine, tryptophan, lysine, glutamine and proline. Included in the drugs “Amvix”, “Ensil”, “Felicita”.

Vitamins

A course of vitamin preparations is usually prescribed in the form of intramuscular injections. B vitamins are an integral part of comprehensive rehabilitation, without which it is impossible to imagine the treatment of spinal pathologies:

B1 - strengthens the immune system, nourishes nerve tissue;
B2 - treats damaged cartilage of the spinal column, restoring their normal functions;
B6 - maintains the tone of the muscle corset;
B12 - improves trophism of muscles, tissues, nerve fibers, has an anti-inflammatory effect;
Milgamma (Kombilipen) is a complex mixture that includes several vitamins and the anesthetic lidocaine.

Milgamma - good vitamins in injection form

After a course of vitamin injections, they are often prescribed to patients in granules. There are two good domestically produced multivitamin complexes:

Pentovit;
Decamevit.

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In addition, in case of severe muscle weakness, fish oil, familiar to everyone from childhood, is sometimes prescribed. It helps maintain the elasticity of the ligamentous apparatus of the back and gives strength to weakened muscles so that in the future the patient can engage in simple physical exercises.

Gymnastic exercises

Each movement depends on the condition of the spine, muscles and ligaments. A person who has a well-developed muscular corset is prepared for various obstacles, as well as stronger and more mobile.

It is possible to lead an active lifestyle even with existing spinal problems. The positive effects of exercise can be considered to improve blood circulation and strengthen the immune system. It has been scientifically proven that therapeutic physical training is effective, but with a caveat: exercises should not be done during exacerbation of diseases and with severe back pain.

Exercise is incredibly important for spinal health

It is very important to note that you need to strengthen your muscles comprehensively. You can’t pump up just the lumbar muscles. Too much strengthening of one muscle complex can cause injury. Therefore, experts recommend paying attention to exercises that target different muscle groups.

To find out what exercises you need to do to restore intervertebral discs, you can read this article on our website.

Contraindications to physical exercises

It is not always possible to carry out spinal rehabilitation therapy with the help of physical exercises. There are cases, for example, when a patient has a hernia with complications. In this case, any physical activity will provoke severe pain due to pinched nerve roots. In such cases, you need to be extremely careful and not allow heavy loads on the spinal column, but you shouldn’t sit too long. You need to move according to your capabilities, for example, walk for two or three hours every day. It is important to listen to your doctor, who knows the individual characteristics of his patient.

There are some contraindications to physical education

When visiting your doctor, it is best to ask what to do during exacerbations. NSAIDs and muscle relaxants can help relieve pain. You usually need to live in a comfortable rehabilitation mode for several months, depending on the condition. If it has improved, then you can add a little load, and so on until the painful spasms disappear forever.

Physiotherapy

There are many complexes of physical therapy that can be performed for herniated intervertebral discs. If pain occurs in the spine during recovery, there is no need to be afraid. To relieve fear and gain self-confidence, first practice under the guidance of an experienced instructor, and then move on to home exercises.

Here is one of the simple and effective complexes. Each exercise should be done 4 to 5 times:

Lie on the floor with your stomach up, straighten your arms and hold them behind your head. Gently stretch forward and backward, observing your sensations. Stretch your arms and legs, pressing your heels into a hard surface. The exercise gently stretches the back and cervical region, increases the distance between the vertebrae, freeing compressed nerve roots.
Remaining in the same position, with your legs bent at the knees, raise your shoulder girdle. The blades, however, should not come off the floor surface.
Still lying on your back, raise your left arm, keeping it straight, and your right leg. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds, then change your arm and leg and do the same movement.
The starting position is the same. Press your shoulder blades and heels into the floor and arch your back into an arc.
Fold into a “corner” position, stretching your arms straight forward and at the same time raising your legs folded together.
Sit on the floor, fix your upper body so that the angle between your back and the floor is 45 degrees. Pull your left knee towards your stomach first, then your right knee.
Turn onto your stomach. Further exercises will need to be performed while in this position. The first of them: you need to extend your arms and stretch forward and backward.
Leave your arms extended. Start lifting your legs one at a time.
With emphasis on both arms, lift your upper body without lifting your lower body from the floor. Arch your back and hold this for 5-10 seconds.
Extend your arms forward, lifting your upper body. Raise your legs closed together and hold for 5-10 seconds.
Standing on all fours, arch, rounding your back. Tilt your head down. Stay in this position for 20 seconds.

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