Physiotherapy plays a huge role in the treatment of many musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, physiotherapy is indispensable in the program of rehabilitation and recovery of patient mobility.
Causes of autonomic disorders
Vegetative disorders are only occasionally a manifestation of the disease. In most cases, we are talking about minor injuries, the aging process and a complex of other bone and muscle factors. In other words, such problems arise as a result of improper "use" of the body, whether it is bad posture, an overabundance of unbalanced movements or obesity. In industrialized countries, back problems are one of the most common causes of temporary disability in the population. Back pain can be chronic (prolonged and progressive) or acute (with a sudden onset). In addition, possible exacerbation of chronic conditions.
Poor posture
The most common cause of back problems, excluding specific diseases or degenerative conditions, is poor posture. Due to the elastic properties of the intervertebral discs and the damping properties of the thoracic and lumbar spines of the vertebral column, the spine softens the tremors produced by walking. Unfortunately, many people do not follow the posture: some keep themselves too straight, severely straining muscles, - bends at the same time are smoothed out; Others, on the contrary, slouched, increasing the bends of the spine. With a correct posture, the physiological curves of the spine are moderately expressed, which ensures a uniform distribution of pressure on the spine, as well as flexibility and adequate muscle tension, without overloading and overextension. Osteoarthritis is a common chronic degenerative joint disease as a result of erosion (destruction) of articular surfaces and surrounding soft tissues. Sometimes osteoarthritis develops in the course of aging, and then it can not be avoided, but there are a number of factors that can accelerate the progression of the disease. These include incorrect posture, obesity, fracture, inflammation and reloading of the joint. The joints bearing the main weight load are most prone to such a lesion: ankle, knee, hip and spine joints.
Prevention
Changes in joints with osteoarthritis are irreversible, so prevention is of great importance. It is based on a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise. Chronic back pains usually speak of bone or muscle pathology.
Muscular disorders
Muscular disorders can be the result of incorrect posture, lack of physical activity, muscle imbalance or weakness of the abdominal wall. Weakened muscles are not able to provide adequate backbone support. This leads to wear and microfractures of the muscles, which in turn exacerbates osteoarthritic changes. Muscular imbalance is a very common phenomenon. Most people use one hand more than the other, which eventually causes pain); the expressed development of muscles on one half of the body. These muscles squeeze the sides of the vertebrae of the thoracic spine on the "strong .. side, which leads to the development of osteoporosis." In severe cases, even the curvature of the spine is possible - scoliosis. The weakness of the abdominal muscles can also be the cause of back pain. Strong muscles of the abdominal wall serve as a kind of "corset" for the spine, removing some of the load from the lower back and hip joints. The weakening of the mouse is accompanied by an increase in the load on the spine and back pain.
Defeat of bones
One of the primary causes of bone damage in the elderly is osteoarthritis, but pathological changes occur more often and develop earlier with an increase in the load on the spine as a result of muscle pathology.
The vertebrae are separated from each other by spongy intervertebral discs containing a large percentage of water. In elderly people, the amount of water in the discs decreases, and they lose their damping properties (a condition known as spondylosis). The spine loses its ability to flex and rotate. Attempts of these movements cause painful muscle spasms. The cause of back pain may be the so-called arthrosis of the facet joints - articulations between the processes of the vertebrae on each side of the spinal column. Their articular surfaces are covered with cartilage, which allows the bones to slide relative to each other. When osteoarthritis cartilage is destroyed, the area around the joint becomes inflamed and becomes painful.
Ankylosing spondylitis
This progressive degenerative disease is hereditary and more often affects men between the ages of 20 and 40. Changes begin at the base of the spine and spread upward to the cervical region.In severe form, all the vertebrae grow together, the discs and ligaments thicken, and the spine resembles a bamboo The goal of physiotherapy in this case is, perhaps longer, to keep the patient's mobility acute pain in the neck and back is often a signal of exacerbation of chronic pathology. However, sometimes a problem ma arises against a background of complete health.
Sharp pain in the neck
Acute pain in the neck usually occurs with a sharp careless movement with traumatism of muscles and ligaments, and sometimes the displacement of the facet joints. With a whiplash mechanism, a fracture of the cervical vertebrae is possible. If the suspect is suspected of this condition, the victim should not be touched until an ambulance arrives.
Disc displacement and sciatica
Intervertebral discs are formed by strong cartilage - more dense on the periphery, they have a slightly softened central region. As a result of everyday human motor activity, the intervertebral discs experience a huge load and adapt their shape to the moving vertebrae. If the load is excessive, the disk portion may swell - a prolapse of the disc will occur. The bulging area of the disc squeezes the adjacent nerve, which causes acute pain. With the involvement of the sciatic nerve - the longest nerve of the human body - a condition known as sciatica occurs. Depending on the level of damage, strong shooting pains can spread from the lower back to the buttock, the back surface of the foot up to the foot. The help of a physiotherapist is necessary in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, which occur quite often. Many therapeutic methods have been developed from exercises in water to electromyostimulation. Soft tissues, mainly muscles, are susceptible to traumatism due to their weakness, hyperextension or sudden careless movement. The degree of damage varies from slight stretching to full rupture. As a result of the injury, the surrounding muscles spasmodic and develop a local inflammatory reaction with the pain syndrome. Rupture of muscles requires urgent medical intervention. Physiotherapy methods are used to restore lost functions. After the course of treatment of musculoskeletal pathology, the rehabilitation process begins with the participation of the physiotherapist.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy includes physical exercises that have the following objectives:
- mobilization of the joints with the development of the full volume of movements;
- reduction of muscle tension and imbalance;
- increased muscle strength and tone;
- better coordination and balance.
Classes will be effective provided they are carried out regularly. They can be held in the hydrotherapy pool. The heat and buoyancy of water contribute to muscle relaxation and provide painless exercise without stress on the joints.
Passive movements
If the patient can not make active movements in case of paralysis or extreme muscle weakness, the physiotherapist performs passive movements with his limbs. Passive movements are also used when a person can not perform them without help from the outside, for example stretching the limbs, in which the articular surfaces slightly move away.
Manipulation
Sometimes, with contractures (Cicatricial changes), ligaments, articular capsules and cartilage of large joints requires aggressive manipulation. In addition, physiotherapists often work with small joints of the spine, in particular facet ones, located on both sides of the spinal column. During fracture treatment, when a patient is given a plaster bandage, he is recommended to perform so-called isometric exercises that allow the muscles to get a good load even when they do not produce any visible work. After removal of gypsum it is necessary to achieve the full volume of movements in the joints, as well as restoration of the function of muscles and surrounding soft tissues. In the arsenal of physician-physiotherapist for the treatment of muscle disorders, there are a number of techniques using electric current, including:
• Faradism - the effect of induced electric current for the purpose of stimulating nervous and muscular activity. The procedures are carried out in conjunction with exercises to restore muscle activity after a long forced inaction;
• galvanism - the effect of direct electric current directly on the muscles. This procedure is recommended if, as a result of peripheral trauma, muscles are temporarily deprived of nervous stimulation, which is dangerous by the development of fibrosis. The use of methods of galvanism is advisable in the event that the restoration of the nervous function is expected for two years, since the muscles are unable to maintain the ability to contract for longer than this period. Other frequently used methods of treatment of musculoskeletal disorders include:
Thermotherapy
The effect of heat on surface tissues is carried out by means of hot compresses, infrared lamps and paraffin applications; for warming deeper tissues and joints, a device for shortwave therapy is used. Heat helps improve blood circulation, relieves muscle spasms and pain.
Cryotherapy (cold therapy)
Cold compresses in physiotherapy are used to combat inflammation, swelling and pain. Like heat therapy, cold therapy increases blood circulation. Cryotherapy is a valuable method for acute sports injuries. For example, with a knee injury in the soccer player, the doctor applies an ice pack to the affected area.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound waves can limit swelling, hemorrhage and fusion in the joints and surrounding tissues. They not only warm the tissues, but also cause favorable chemical and mechanical changes in them. To improve contact, a transparent gel is applied to the skin before using the sensor.
Extension
Extension of the spine is performed by an experienced physiotherapist manually or with the help of a special device. The method is used to facilitate the compression (compression) of the structures of the spine, for example, in the prolapse of the intervertebral disc that pinches the nerve. The procedure may return the disk to its original location.