The term "manual therapy" in literal translation means "treatment by hands", from the Greek manus-arm and therapeia - treatment. In fact, it is the doctor's influence on the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments with the aim of eliminating pain, correcting the posture and restoring the normal functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Since the manual therapist acts on the spine during the treatment, and with much greater force than with a conventional massage, only qualified specialists (orthopedist or neurologist who have undergone additional training in manual therapy) should be engaged in such manipulations.
Treatment of the spine using manual therapy
To date, manual therapy of the spine is one of the most common methods (alone or as part of complex treatment) in the fight against back pain.
The fact is that the vertebra, displaced from its place, can cause infringement of nerve endings, intervertebral disc, spinal roots, which in turn causes disruption of mobility of muscles and ligaments, their spasms, provokes venous congestion in certain areas. That is why the main task of manual therapy is to restore the anatomical position of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
The impact on the spine with manual therapy is usually local (to the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine) and severely dosed. Treatment is always done in several sessions, the break between which is from 3 days to a week, so that the body has time to adapt.
Most often manual therapy of the spine is performed with the following diseases:
- pain in the thoracic spine (sometimes radiating to the heart) with a normal cardiogram;
- pain in the cervical spine;
- lumbago (acute pain in the lower back);
- lumbulgia (chronic back pain), which can give in the leg;
- osteochondrosis;
- scoliosis;
- protrusion of intervertebral discs;
- hernia of the spine.
Manual therapy with osteochondrosis of the spine
Osteochondrosis is a complex of dystrophic disorders in articular cartilages, from which the intervertebral discs most often suffer. In this case, gentle methods of manual therapy are used, primarily aimed at normalizing the blood supply of the necessary parts of the spine and restoring its normal mobility.
Manual therapy with a herniated spine
Concerning the use of manual therapy with protrusion or herniated discs, there are different opinions, since with mismanagement the risk of aggravating the situation is very high. Therefore, with such a diagnosis, the effect should be very cautious and gentle. It is aimed primarily at relaxing the muscles of the back, which, being constantly in a reduced state, squeezes the vertebra, and to restore normal circulation in the vertebra. Completely remove the hernia manual therapy does not allow, it only alleviates the condition of the patient, but here it is quite possible to cure protrusions at the initial stage by the methods of manual therapy and prevent its transformation into a hernia.
Contraindications to manual therapy of the spine
Conducting such sessions is impossible if the patient has a place:
- any malignant tumors;
- acute infectious diseases;
- fresh injuries;
- cardiovascular diseases (thrombosis, thrombophlebitis);
- old age (over 65 years);
- pregnancy.
Inflammatory diseases, especially in the spine, also refer to contraindications to manual therapy. In this case, the treatment can be carried out no earlier than the inflammation will be eliminated.
And remember that after a manual therapy session, there may be muscle pain in the back, but if severe and acute pains occur in the spine, sessions should not continue, and it is necessary to consult with another specialist urgently.