Treatment of orthopedic pathologies with heat. Ozocerite therapy

What is ozokerite

A natural fossil substance is used for the procedure. Ozokerite is a homogeneous waxy mass - natural mountain resin. Its deposits are found as admixtures with calcareous and silicon rocks in North America, Great Britain, the Ukrainian and Polish Carpathians, and on the Cheleken Peninsula in the Caspian Sea.

Chemical composition

About 84–86% of the contents of fossil resin is high molecular weight carbon, 13.5–15% is hydrogen. The composition may differ depending on the rock deposit, but each type contains biological active substances. Other components of ozokerite:

• ceresin – 40–60%;
• paraffin – 1–7%;
• petroleum resins – 12%;
• asphaltenes – 1–3%;
• mineral oils – 25–45%;
• mechanical impurities – up to 5%;
• water – up to 3%.

Physical properties

The fossil can range from black to bright yellow or green in color, but this does not affect its medicinal properties. Since the substance is of petroleum origin, it looks like wax: it has the same consistency and is felt the same way on the skin. Ozokerite can have a different structure: from soft, paste-like to hard or brittle, like gypsum.

A waxy consistency is more common. Judging by the reviews, the substance has a characteristic smell of kerosene.

Therapeutic effects

The natural substance has all the properties of paraffin, but has not only thermal and mechanical, but also chemical effects on the body. It is due to the presence of natural antibiotics, gases and minerals in the composition. After application to the skin, ozokerite forms a special layer on it. The substance acquires body temperature, after which it slowly transmits heat from the higher layers.

When hardened, the mineral contracts, thereby squeezing the tissue. The compression action ensures deeper heat penetration.

Due to its chemical and physical properties, the substance has the following effects on the body:

• reduces swelling;
• improves the outflow of lymph and fluid from tissues;
• relieves spasm;
• enhances recovery processes;
• promotes expansion of the capillary network;
• cleanses the body of harmful substances;
• enhances metabolic processes;
• reduces inflammation;
• relieves pain.

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What is the therapeutic effect of ozokerite based on?

In what cases is treatment with ozokerite indicated?

Today, this method of physiotherapy is widely used both in sanatorium-resort institutions and at home. Indications for ozokerite treatment:

• Diseases of the musculoskeletal system: arthrosis, osteochondrosis, myositis, arthritis, traumatic disorders.
• Pathologies of the nervous system: radiculitis, neuritis, injury to the spinal cord or nerves.
• Diseases of the digestive organs: stomach or duodenal ulcers, gastritis, cholecystitis.
• Inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs: bronchitis, colds, runny nose.
• Skin diseases: eczema, ulcerative lesions, bedsores, atopic dermatitis.
• Pathologies of the genitourinary system: prostatitis, cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, other kidney inflammations.
• Others: varicose veins, chronic thrombophlebitis, diseases of the peripheral vessels of the extremities.

Indications for use for women

Ozocerite therapy is actively used in the treatment of gynecological diseases.

The procedure involves applying compresses or inserting tampons into the vagina. Indications for its implementation for women:

• inflammation of the uterus or ovaries;
• menstrual irregularities;
• pain in the pelvic area;
• infertility.

Ozokerite in cosmetology

The substance is refractory and high density, therefore it is the basis for eye shadows, lipsticks and creams, giving them a solid form.

Ozokerite retains and retains moisture, improving the condition of atypical dry areas of the epidermis. Therapy with its use relieves itching and soothes irritated skin.

Indications for use in cosmetology:

• rosacea;
• wrinkles;
• cicatricial skin changes;
• allergic rash;
• neurodermatitis;
• cellulite;
• brittle nails;
• acne;
• boils.

For men

Ozokerite treatment has a positive effect on the organs of the genitourinary system. Indications for the procedure in men:

• prevention of impotence;
• high risk of prostate adenoma;
• injuries and hematomas (relevant for athletes);
• chronic prostatitis;
• urethritis.

Use of ozokerite in pediatrics

For children, the procedure is recommended for the treatment of cough, but only during the recovery stage after an exacerbation. Ozokerite for bronchitis, colds and other diseases of the respiratory system is applied to the arms, legs and upper back of the child.

The procedure is allowed for children from 2–3 months.

Other indications for ozokerite treatment:

• increased muscle tone;
• hip dysplasia;
• cerebral palsy;
• chronic pneumonia;
• flat feet;
• dysentery;
• bruises, fractures, sprains.

Mining history

The earliest official mention of ozokerite is known from the beginning of the 19th century. At that time, about 2 thousand ozokerite mines operated in Borislav. The production of ozokerite was carried out manually. The first chemical analysis of ozokerite was carried out by the famous French chemist Walter in Paris in 1840.

At the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th centuries, ozokerite was used by the local population of the Carpathian region for indoor lighting. Demand for it grew, and production also increased. The center of production was the area of ​​the city of Borislav and the villages of Dzvynyach and Starunya.

One of the Lviv newspapers in 1868 said:

“Everyone dug as they wanted and could. A hole next to a hole, a hole next to a hole. The Braslav basin looked like a perforated sieve... Millions of buckets in continuous movement. 3 dawns until the dark night, the entire space is covered with sooty workers, similar to underground spirits mining a sworn treasure.”

3 time, the “ozokerite fever” gradually subsides due to the establishment of paraffin production. Only at the end of the 19th century, when they began to lay transatlantic cable telephone and telegraph lines, the demand for ozokerite increased. An ozokerite plant operates in Borislav.

Methodology of the procedure

Before the session, it is necessary to remove clothing from the part of the body on which the compress will be applied. The skin should be clean and dry. If there is abundant vegetation on the body, then at the preparation stage it needs to be shaved off. The entire session lasts 30–40 minutes. The course includes 15–20 procedures, which are carried out every day or every other day. Methods of ozokerite treatment:

• Baths. The foot or hand is coated with ozokerite, heated to 55°, and then placed in an oilcloth bag. It is filled with the same substance, but with a temperature of 55–65°. The edge of the bag is tied with a tightening knot. The limb is wrapped in a warm blanket.
• Layering. The skin area is lubricated with fish oil, Vaseline or other ointment. Then molten ozokerite is applied with a flat brush at a temperature of no more than 55°. The next layers are heated to 60–70°. Ozokerite applications are 1–2 cm thick, covered with oilcloth on top, and wrapped in a blanket.
• Compresses. A gauze napkin folded in 6–8 layers is impregnated with ozokerite. It is wrung out, laid out on oilcloth to cool to the desired temperature and placed on the affected area of ​​the skin. Each napkin is topped with wax paper and a blanket.
• Cuvette-application. Oilcloth is placed in a metal container, and then molten ozokerite. The substance cools and turns into a cake 2–5 cm thick. It is placed on the affected area and covered with oilcloth on top.

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Ozocerite treatment at home

To carry out the procedure, you need medical gloves and purified ozokerite, which is sold in a pharmacy. It is heated and melted in a water bath. To do this, pieces of ozokerite are broken and placed in a small container, which is placed in a deep pan filled with water.

Duration of sterilization – 15 minutes. at a temperature of 100°.

The product can be used several times and has no expiration date. At home, the procedure is carried out using the “cake” method:

1. Cool the molten ozokerite to 37-38°.
2. Rinse the skin, dry it and lubricate it with Vaseline.
3. Place a semi-hard cake on the sore spot. For example, ozokerite for cervical osteochondrosis is placed in the neck area.
4. Cover the patient's body with oilcloth and warm cloth from above.
5. After half an hour, remove the remaining product with a napkin. The patient should lie down for a while. You cannot go outside for an hour.
6. Repeat the procedure 10–20 times every day or every other day.

Complementary and alternative therapies

In beauty salons and at home, to conduct beauty sessions with ozokerite, you need special melting devices. To do this, you can purchase paraffin melt, since paraffin and ozokerite have practically no difference in their structure and melting point. There are special devices for heating ozokerite; they are large water-heated baths, designed for heating large quantities of the substance and are often used in medical institutions. In cosmetology, it is convenient to use small-volume baths, since the product is taken in a small volume.

In beauty salons and offices, it is common practice to use additional hardware methods that enhance the effect of ozokerite. These methods include: ultraphonophoresis, electrophoresis, galvanization. A good effect is observed with the complex use of massage of the selected area. Paraffin therapy and mud therapy are alternative methods in cosmetology, which are also based on the thermal and compression mechanism of action.

For whom is medical ozokerite contraindicated?

This method of physiotherapy is not prescribed during pregnancy or inflammatory skin diseases. The procedure is not recommended for gynecological pathologies that can cause suppuration (adnexitis). Other absolute contraindications to ozokerite treatment:

• diseases that are fraught with bleeding;
• benign and malignant tumors;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• pathologies of the digestive tract;
• urolithiasis disease;
• damage to the pancreas or liver;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• epilepsy;
• diabetes;
• tuberculosis.

Is it possible to use ozokerite on the knee joint?

Practice has shown that they can be most effectively treated as a complex treatment for knee joint disease.

It is not only possible, but also necessary to apply ozokerite to the knee joint. The procedure can be carried out in the form of layering, application, or the cuvette-application method. All these methods are effective and safe.

Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint with ozokerite is so effective that it is included in the recommended treatment program for gonarthrosis.