To get rid of any disease, there are many methods that differ from each other in their effectiveness. For example, acupuncture for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is quite positive, although this treatment method is unconventional. Acupuncture can quickly relieve not only muscle tension, but also improve the general condition of the body.
Let's try in the article to get acquainted in detail with the principles of this treatment method, as well as indications and contraindications.
What is acupuncture?
This method has another name - acupuncture. It has been known to mankind for more than 2 thousand years. It is based on the reaction from the work of internal organs to the irritation of certain points on the human body .
Everyone already knows that each organ on the body has its own small projection in the form of a small point, when exposed to which its work changes. These points are called acupuncture points.
Specialists are armed with whole atlases indicating the location of such points. They often use them in their practice to treat diseases. Well, acupuncture for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine has good reviews, it is often used in the treatment of this disease and gives good results.
Acupuncture principles
Before talking about the indications for acupuncture, it is necessary to understand how this method works. A simple layman, if asked what happens during acupuncture, will answer that the doctor puts the needles at certain points, and as a result positive changes occur. Speaking from a medical point of view, acupuncture with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine leads to the following:
- There is a stimulation of the production of endogenous opiates, which have analgesic ability. Acupuncture promotes the synthesis of serotonin, which positively affects mood.
- During the session, cortisol is released into the blood. This is a hormone whose action is aimed at combating the inflammatory process.
- Acupuncture for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine improves microcirculation, normalizes blood circulation. All this leads to a decrease in swelling and the process of regeneration in the spine.
- When using acupuncture, the effectiveness of the effects of drugs is increased.
- Muscle tone returns to normal and myofixation of the spine decreases.
All these effects are basic and very important in acupuncture. The pain is usually caused by muscle spasm, and the stronger it is, the greater this muscle imbalance. It turns out a vicious circle, which is able to break acupuncture.
The benefits of acupuncture over other methods
For good reason, acupuncture with osteochondrosis of the cervical region has positive reviews, since the advantages are obvious:
- Since no medications are used during the procedure, the possibility of an allergic reaction is excluded.
- After the first session, the patient feels a noticeable improvement in his condition.
- Acupuncture has no age restrictions.
- There are very few contraindications to this treatment method.
- During the procedure, the specialist uses the thinnest needles, so it is impossible to injure the skin.
- You can use acupuncture during exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
- During the session, the patient does not feel pain.
All these positive points explain why acupuncture with osteochondrosis has only good reviews.
The beneficial effects of acupuncture
We have already considered the principles of acupuncture, found out what happens in the body during a session, but what effect can this have? After several sessions, patients note the following changes:
- The immune system is strengthened and performance is enhanced.
- If swelling was observed, then they become less noticeable.
- Sleep is normalized.
- As a result of acupuncture, all vital processes in the body are activated.
- Hormonal background returns to normal.
- The body relaxes.
- With osteochondrosis, there are often cramps that pass after the sessions.
- Headaches and dizziness pass.
- The disease ceases to progress.
- The mobility of the neck and arms improves.
- Fewer medications are needed for treatment.
Despite such a large number of advantages of using acupuncture, before you go to such a session, you need to discuss this issue with your doctor.
Side effects of acupuncture
Most patients tolerate sessions well, but in some cases acupuncture with cervical osteochondrosis can have negative reviews. This is due to the fact that side effects can sometimes occur, most often patients in reviews complain about:
- Lowering blood pressure.
- Dizziness.
- Darkening in the eyes.
- The formation of hematomas.
- The appearance of bleeding.
An experienced specialist quickly neutralizes all these manifestations, acting on certain points. It is also worth paying attention to pain, if any appear during the session, then, most likely, the points for exposure are incorrectly selected.
Contraindications for acupuncture
Acupuncture with cervical osteochondrosis has some contraindications, among which the following occupy a special place:
- High blood pressure.
- Elevated body temperature.
- Malignant and benign tumors.
- Some skin diseases.
- Infectious diseases.
- Chronic diseases in the acute stage.
- Poor blood coagulation.
- Pregnancy.
- With caution, it is necessary to conduct such sessions in the elderly and children under three years of age.
- Alcohol intoxication.
- The exhaustion of the body.
- In no case can you put needles on scars, moles, blood vessels.
Given these contraindications, the specialist, before carrying out the treatment of osteochondrosis with acupuncture, will make sure that the patient does not have all the items listed on the list.
Proper preparation for the session
To maximize the effectiveness of acupuncture, it is necessary to observe some rules of preparation for such a session:
- You can not go on acupuncture immediately after exercise.
- If you did an intravenous injection, then the session is also worth the time.
- It is undesirable to give into the hands of a specialist on an empty stomach or immediately after a hearty dinner.
- Before the session, you should go to the toilet.
- To feel as comfortable as possible, you need to take a comfortable position.
- On critical days, women are better off not attending an acupuncture room.
- Before starting the session, it is very important to notify the specialist about the medicines that the patient is taking, as well as about all physiotherapeutic procedures that are underway.
- Throughout the course of treatment with this method, it is necessary to abandon the use of alcohol, exclude spices and spicy dishes from the diet.
Acupuncture with cervical osteochondrosis will certainly give a positive result, only the speed of its receipt will depend on the stage of the disease and the severity of the manifestations.
Acupuncture
The treatment of osteochondrosis is successfully carried out using acupuncture. After the first diagnostic examination of the patient, the specialist draws up a plan of action. It includes: determination of active points, their stimulation and some additional procedures.
The first consultation can last about 1.5 hours. The procedure can be scheduled as early as that day, everything will depend on the degree of complexity of the disease.
The time the doctor spends on introducing needles into the patient’s skin depends on the number of points that need to be affected. Acupuncture with breast osteochondrosis at the initial stage of its development will take only 15-30 minutes. If the disease is more neglected, then it will take about an hour to get the maximum positive effect.
The duration of the course is always determined by a specialist and can be from 10 to 15 procedures. This master of acupuncture is sure to diagnose the patient, take an interest in the history of the disease, give recommendations on changing lifestyle and diet.
Rules for acupuncture
In order for the acupuncture session to become the most productive and not harm the patient, it is necessary to visit only certified reflexology doctors who not only have a diploma, but also have good knowledge in the field of neurology.
Also, the experience of a doctor plays a big role in the correctness of the session, so before visiting, take an interest in the reviews about the work of this specialist. If during the session an increase in pain is felt, the head begins to feel dizzy and the pressure drops, then it is necessary to stop the impact and think about changing the specialist.
Acupuncture for osteochondrosis of the cervical region has positive reviews, but it must be taken into account that getting rid of the disease will not occur immediately after the first session. This will require about 15 visits to the reflexologist.
To consolidate the result, it is desirable to take such courses 2-3 times a year, then the effect will be maximum and lasting.
What does the patient feel during the session?
Many refuse acupuncture sessions for fear of pain. If cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed, acupuncture treatment will bring tangible benefits. Do not be afraid of pain, most patients note that during the session it is completely absent.
This can be explained by the fact that the needles do not have a sharp end, but are rounded, so they seem to “push apart” the skin without injuring it. Pain receptors are not irritated, so the patient does not feel any pain. Many note a feeling of fullness at the injection site of the heat. But some may have a feeling of heaviness or a feeling of numbness for a short time.
Points of exposure for osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis can develop in different parts of the spine. The acupuncture points for osteochondrosis, into which the needles are inserted during the session, are different; when choosing them, the localization of the inflammatory process is taken into account.
If there is cervical osteochondrosis, then the needles are usually inserted along the inner edge of the shoulder blades and into the area between them. The depth of insertion is about 1-2 centimeters, needles are usually used about 8. With the lumbar - points, and there are about five of them, are located in the lumbar region.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is treated with needles all along the thoracic spine between the vertebrae. The needle is inserted to a depth of 1.5 cm, there are 7 such points, but are often limited to the introduction of only six needles.
Acupuncture gives excellent results in combination with other methods of treatment. But do not abuse this method, since with frequent use, the effectiveness decreases markedly.
Vertebrae usually recover after several 20-minute sessions. For 6 months, the patient can live normally without feeling pain. It must be remembered that it is almost impossible to completely get rid of osteochondrosis, the main thing is to eliminate pain and improve the quality of life.
Point Impact Methods
Acupuncture has in stock two methods of influencing biologically active points:
- Exciting
- Relaxing.
The sedative method acts on the affected area soothingly, relieves pain. The needles with this effect are inserted deep into the patient’s skin and left for 20-30 minutes.
The stimulating effect is intended to tone the body and stimulate the effect on the sites. The needles in this case are inserted only 3-10 mm and the exposure time is from a few seconds to 4 minutes.
If there is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, then a specialist for treatment can use both of these methods at the same time.
To summarize, we can say that in the fight against the disease, all methods can give their results. But before using any of them, this also applies to acupuncture, you need to consult your doctor in order to exclude all contraindications. Only then the effectiveness of therapy will be maximum.