Treatment of neuralgia in a sanatorium

1. What is neuralgia?
The
2. main causes of neuralgia
3. Symptoms and forms of neuralgia
4. Indications for sanatorium treatment
5. Diagnosis before starting treatment
6. Methods of treatment of neuralgia in a sanatorium
Physical
7. therapy and rehabilitation procedures
8. Contraindications to sanatorium treatment
9. Results and effect of neuralgia treatment

The complex of procedures of sanatorium-resort treatment for neuralgia affects all links of the pathological process — relieves inflammation, restores nervous tissue, normalizes blood circulation. In the sanatorium "Magadan", modern treatment methods combined with the climate of the Black Sea coast make it possible to achieve stable remission and significantly reduce the frequency of exacerbations.

What is neuralgia?

Neuralgia is a lesion of the peripheral nerve, which is manifested by intense pain along its location. Unlike neuritis, in this case the nerve structure remains intact, there is no paralysis or loss of sensitivity. There is only pain, but it is very strong. The mechanism of pain is associated with irritation of nerve fibers. An irritated nerve sends signals to the brain that are perceived as severe pain, although there is no real injury at this moment.

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The main causes of neuralgia

Factors that gradually lead to nerve damage:

• Hypothermia is one of the main provocateurs, especially for intercostal and facial neuralgia.
• Osteochondrosis of the spine.
• Injuries (bruises, sprains, fractures).
• Infections.
• Inflammatory diseases.
• Tumors.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Atherosclerosis.
• Vitamin B deficiency.
• Chronic stress and overwork.
• Toxic effects (alcohol, certain medications, industrial poisons).

The disease can develop with a combination of several factors. For example, a person with osteochondrosis took a dip in cold water and had an attack of intercostal neuralgia. Or, against the background of stress and vitamin deficiency, herpes worsened and postherpetic pain developed.

Symptoms and forms of neuralgia

The main symptom is pain. But the pain is special, with characteristic signs:

• Paroxysmal character — it looks like an electric shock, occurs abruptly, and passes away just as abruptly.
• High intensity — patients describe it as unbearable, burning, shooting.
The
• pain follows strictly the course of the affected nerve.
• Touching certain points provokes an attack.

Depending on which nerve is affected, there are several forms of the disease:

• Trigeminal neuralgia.
• Intercostal neuralgia.
• Neuralgia of the occipital nerve.
• Sciatic nerve neuralgia (sciatica).
• Postherpetic.

Indications for sanatorium treatment

The sanatorium is not an ambulance. People come here not in the midst of an attack, but when the acute phase of the disease is over and it is necessary to consolidate the result, prevent relapses, and repair a damaged nerve. Main indications:

• neuralgia of any localization in remission;
the
• chronic course of the disease;
• after a course of drug therapy;
• postherpetic neuralgia in the subacute period;
• neuralgia on the background of osteochondrosis;
• prevention in people at risk.

The optimal course duration is 14-21 days.

Diagnosis before starting treatment

It is advisable to bring with you the results of the examinations carried out at the place of residence: 

• extracts from the neurologist;
• MRI or X-ray data of the spine;
• test results;

Upon admission to the sanatorium, a neurologist collects complaints, examines the medical history, and conducts a neurological examination.

Methods of treatment of neuralgia in a sanatorium

A sanatorium course is always a set of complementary and mutually reinforcing methods:

• Balneotherapy.

Mineral baths relax muscles, improve blood circulation, relieve inflammation, and calm the nervous system. Warm water itself has an analgesic effect, and the salts and trace elements dissolved in it penetrate the skin and work at the cellular level.

• Mud treatment.

Applications of therapeutic mud are applied to the area of the affected nerve or to the reflexogenic zones. Dirt warms the tissues deeply, relieves spasm, and stimulates the regeneration of nerve fibers. 

• Massage.

Properly performed massage relieves muscle tension, which is often the cause of nerve compression. Classical, segmental, and acupressure are used, depending on the location of the problem.

• Manual therapy.

Soft techniques allow you to restore normal biomechanics and release trapped nerve roots.

• Reflexology.

Acupuncture triggers the production of endorphins, the body's own painkillers, normalizes nerve impulses, and relieves inflammation.

• Physical therapy.

Special exercises strengthen the muscular corset, improve posture, and increase mobility.

• Swimming in the pool.

This is a safe way to strengthen muscles and improve blood circulation. In the water, the load on the spine is minimal, and it is easier to move.

Add here the sea air, saturated with negative ions and trace elements, which soothes, improves sleep, and increases the overall tone of the body. Walking along the terrencourt among subtropical vegetation is both physical activity, aromatherapy, and psychological relief at the same time.

Physical therapy and rehabilitation procedures

Modern equipment allows you to target and safely affect the affected nerve. The following methods of hardware physiotherapy are presented in the arsenal of the sanatorium "Magadan":

• magnetic therapy;
laser
• therapy;
• electrophoresis;
• UHF therapy;
• darsonvalization;
• ultrasound therapy.

Contraindications to sanatorium treatment

Despite the effectiveness of sanatorium treatment, there are conditions in which it is not recommended. It is important to know about contraindications so as not to harm yourself.

• Acute pain syndrome.
The
• period of exacerbation.
• Oncological diseases.
• Acute infectious diseases.
• Feverish conditions (temperature above 37.5 ° C).
• Severe cardiovascular pathology.
• Epilepsy with frequent seizures.
• Mental illness in the acute stage.
• Pregnancy (some procedures are contraindicated during this period).

If you are in doubt whether you can have a sanatorium treatment, consult a neurologist at your clinic.

Results and effect of neuralgia treatment

After the spa treatment, the positive dynamics is obvious:

• Reducing the intensity of pain.
• Reducing the need for painkillers.
An
• increase in the remission period.
• Restoration of sensitivity in the innervation zone of the affected nerve.
• Improved mobility.
• Normalization of sleep.
• Improvement of the emotional state.

The effect of sanatorium treatment is cumulative. The maximum improvement does not occur immediately after returning home, but after two or three weeks, when all the procedures "refine" their effect. The effect persists for an average of three to six months, and even longer if the recommendations are followed.