Lithotherapy and beauty: how stones can restore energy and add radiance to the skin

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, wrote: “The doctor heals, but nature heals.” It is not surprising that magicians, healers and sorcerers have since ancient times turned to the forces of nature and the elements for protective or healing help. Even in modern alternative and recognized medicine, hydrotherapy - treatment with water, herbal medicine - the use of medicinal plants, hirudotherapy - the use of medicinal leeches for medicinal purposes are widely known. In addition, recently, people have a need to understand their bioenergy, and popularity is returning to another type of natural treatment - lithotherapy. Let's talk about it in more detail.

What is lithotherapy

Lithotherapy is a treatment using stones and their natural properties, an alternative type of medicine that has been used in the East since ancient times, and in the last couple of years has become incredibly fashionable in the West. Like everything esoteric, it is terribly interesting, a little scary and works if you believe in it.

In general, stones can not only seriously heal, but also influence the body or our consciousness, suppressing or vice versa, revealing some qualities, restoring energy and resource status, cleanse the aura, charge the chakras, and dispel negative energy. In general, a separate esoteric branch that you can immerse yourself in endlessly.

By the way, many celebrities could not ignore lithotherapy, for example, Victoria Beckham, the Olsen sisters and Kim Kardashian!

Contraindications

Despite the great benefits for the body, stone therapy has contraindications. This procedure cannot be performed in case of acute infectious diseases, pregnancy and lactation, cancer, inflammatory processes of internal organs and serious mental illnesses. Although stone massage helps with diseases of the spine, if it is damaged, the procedure is contraindicated. It should not be done for those suffering from thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma during an exacerbation and a serious form of acne.

How it works

The stones must be natural, not painted or treated, so that nothing interferes with their natural vibrations.

There are 2 tools in modern cosmetology, which are created from different natural stones - a face roller and a gouache roller.

The roller, first of all, has a lymphatic drainage effect, thanks to which swelling and bags under the eyes are reduced. It stimulates blood circulation, giving the skin radiance, and over time, even smoothes out fine wrinkles, tightens the skin and increases its elasticity, stimulates collagen production and tightens pores.

Guasha not only adds radiance, improves the quality and vitality of the skin, but also strengthens it, providing a smoothing effect. Proper use of this “tool” improves blood circulation, works the lymph nodes and promotes collagen production.

These two tools are used not only on the eye area, but also on the rest of the face, neck and décolleté. In addition to muscle tension, they can also help relieve excessive emotional stress (firstly, it’s pleasant, and secondly, you will shine after the massage - what a stress there is).

Before taking up stones and performing magical beauty rituals, you should moisturize your skin well with cream or oil, in this case, the movements will be smoother and more gentle.

Cholecystectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopy and laparotomy in this case mean removal of the gallbladder along with the stones it contains. A laparoscope is a tube with a video camera that is inserted into one of several incisions in the abdominal cavity (3-4 are made during surgery). Next, the gallbladder is removed through a small hole (up to 1.5 cm in diameter). Advantages of laparoscopy:

• short recovery period;
• low cost;
• no large scars.

Stones

Rose quartz

Properties : Rose quartz has a cleansing and calming effect. It promotes inner peace and emotional stability, and is responsible for the ability to listen (very useful, by the way). Its soft and delicate pink color is a symbol of respect, it helps to forgive, recover from psycho-emotional trauma and begin to trust again. A rose quartz stone can be placed under your pillow to achieve a feeling of calm and serenity.

For beauty : In Ancient Egypt, this stone was used in cosmetics due to its cleansing, softening and rejuvenating properties. Indeed, silicon, which is part of rose quartz, protects the skin and relieves redness, softens and restores it, making the complexion soft and delicate.

Sodalite

Properties : A mineral with dark blue and white veins resembles a starry sky. A symbol of purification and meditation, it is charged by the light of the moon. It can calm your mind and get you creative. Sodalite is considered a stone of humility, bringing courage and neutralizing fears.

For Beauty : This gemstone soothes and lightens the skin slightly. Its relaxing energy reduces redness and neutralizes the harmful effects of pollution. It refreshes the complexion, adds radiance and improves skin texture.

Amethyst

Properties : Amethyst is a gemstone with mesmerizing purple reflections that is calming and purifying. This stone helps to bring balance and serenity, relieves stress and anxiety, and its spiritual energy promotes clarity and relaxation.

For beauty : Amethyst is very effective against skin problems like acne, burns, it speeds up healing and helps remove toxins faster. Amethyst can relieve redness, and its calming effect slightly smoothes facial features and slows down the appearance of signs of aging.

Malachite

Properties : Malachite is a stone of noble, rich dark green color that inspires calm and hope. He initiates changes and helps to calmly and balancedly accept all risks. Thanks to him, worries disappear, they give way to compassion and insight.

For Beauty : This green stone has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal and cosmetic properties. Its energy accelerates tissue regeneration, strengthens and soothes the skin. They say that the main advantage of malachite is its ability to relieve pain; it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

White quartz

Properties : In ancient times, white quartz symbolized eternity. This stone helps to refocus and clear your thoughts and get rid of negativity. It is both calming and energizing, liberating and removes certain psychological blockages. In addition, it can improve concentration and memory.

For beauty : This pearly milky white healing stone removes all imperfections and delays the appearance of wrinkles. In ancient times, to cauterize wounds, white quartz was applied to the skin and exposed to the sun. It was used to enhance the sun's rays and generate the heat needed to complete the operation. White quartz strengthens the skin, gives it vitality and relieves stress.

Black obsidian

Properties : Black obsidian is called the “Stone of Truth”, it repels negative energies, protects against the evil eye, calms and attracts good luck like a precious magnet.

For beauty : This stone is ideal for skin with imperfections. Its warmth stimulates circulation and promotes healing, while its energy has a detoxifying effect. It evens out the complexion and brings balance, fighting the first fine lines (and relieving you of the stress of seeing them).

Jade

Properties : This green mineral resembles jade, but it is found much less frequently in nature and is therefore more highly valued. In traditional Chinese culture, it symbolizes honor and virtue, and also brings longevity and balance. Jadeite helps you fearlessly face reality and your fears, and gives you more objectivity in your judgments.

For Beauty : This stone has a natural freshness and is ideal for those who want to maintain a youthful glow. In addition to fighting aging, it increases elasticity and relieves irritation and dryness of the skin, and naturally stimulates blood circulation.

Indications

Stone therapy using volcanic basalts will be useful for people with sore joints and back pain. Massage with these stones relieves insomnia and helps cope with chronic fatigue. Migraines and depression can be treated with stone massage. This procedure activates blood circulation, reduces cellulite, and reduces excess weight. Facial massage with volcanic basalt promotes a rejuvenating effect and cleanses pores.

Jade massage is prescribed for diseases of the heart and blood vessels, to cleanse the blood and kidneys, to improve the functions of the bladder, liver and stomach, and other organs and systems. Massage with jade stones has a positive effect on the immune system and rejuvenates the skin.

Stone therapy will be useful for patients with diseases of the spine, slow lymphatic drainage, vegetative-vascular dystonia, weakened immunity, and decreased tone.

Stone therapy also comes to the aid of those suffering from emotional instability.

Classic stone massage helps to remove a person from a stressful state, get rid of visceral fat, and normalize appetite and sleep. It helps to gain emotional comfort, get rid of black thoughts and promote complete relaxation.

Rules for working with crystals

A crystal is a shaped stone that can be used for energetic and healing work. The crystal has a top and 6 faces. When working with crystals, you need to adhere to a number of rules:

1. We use only crystals without damage, chips or stains;
2. Before use, the crystal must be “cleansed” of previous energy. To do this, put in a solution for about 24 hours: a liter of water and 1 glass of coarse sea salt;
3. Crystals should be stored in soft natural fabric;
4. If a person wants to receive energy from a crystal, he must hold it in his left hand in order to give his energy in his right.

How are stones worn as talismans against diseases?

Stones that come into contact with the body have the greatest impact on the body. Stones for health remove negativity and give positive energy of nature. Before using, read what they say about each on the Internet. For example, one talisman will immediately get used to the owner and will have a positive effect, but carnelian will have a positive effect only after 2 or 3 months.

Don't wear opal all the time. Let him lie in the box and rest. If the talisman is transparent, then it has a more active effect in spring or summer. Dark and rich shades are suitable for use in autumn and winter. On the new moon of March 15-20, astrologers do not recommend wearing such jewelry. Well, when you have chosen a talisman and it has chosen you, then you will receive maximum positive energy from it.

What types of stones are used for massage?

The effectiveness of stone therapy largely depends on the correct choice of material for the procedure. So, for a massage with hot stones, it is important to choose those that can retain heat for a long time. For cold massage, minerals are chosen whose physical characteristics, on the contrary, do not allow them to heat up quickly. Rough stones are used for deep cleansing of the skin and detoxification of the body. Smooth ones are chosen when the main goal of the procedure is relaxation. It is also believed that polished pebbles are more effective in treating headaches, increasing immunity, accelerating metabolic processes in the body, and also relieving fatigue.

Types of stones for stone therapy:

1. Igneous rocks.

This is a group of rocks that were formed from molten magma. The most commonly used igneous rock by massage therapists is basalt. The color of basalt stones depends on their chemical composition. But most often they are black, gray or green. This breed has a high content of iron and silicon dioxide, which allows it to retain heat excellently. Thanks to this characteristic, magmatic stones are successfully used for hot massages. Basalt is a rather heavy material, rough in natural conditions. Therefore, for massage purposes, it is usually polished and adjusted to sizes and shapes convenient for massage.

1. Sedimentary rocks.

Sedimentary rocks are formed on the surface of the earth's crust due to physical and chemical influences (precipitation from water, weathering, the influence of microorganisms and thermodynamic conditions). These are the well-known sandstones and limestone rocks. Sea stones are most often used in stone therapy. Sandstone and limestone retain heat well, so they are used primarily for hot procedures. In addition, sea stones can form from coral and plant deposits. Such stones have a rich mineral composition, therefore they are considered more useful.

1. Metamorphic rocks.

When existing rocks are exposed to hot magma and pressure resulting from tectonic movements, new materials are formed - metamorphic rocks. In other words, these are modified igneous or sedimentary rocks.

Massage therapists use stones of this category for cold stone therapy. Typically, marble, slate or jade are chosen for procedures, which are easily cooled and maintain their temperature for a long time. Stones in this category always lend themselves to careful polishing and shaping.

1. Minerals and precious stones.

Some spas use gemstones or minerals instead of metamorphic stones for stone therapy. In such cases, the choice is often determined by the healing properties attributed to the breed. The most popular in this regard are amethyst, topaz, obsidian, tourmaline and various types of quartz. But materials such as diamond, pearl, garnet and turquoise are usually used by specialists working with the client’s chakras. It is believed that stones of this group are able to charge a person with vital energy. In addition, experts select the type of stones to match the type of disease. For example, lapis lazuli is commonly used to treat inflammation. For suppuration, ulcers and skin diseases - amber. To improve skin tone - pearls. Diamond helps slow down aging, remove wrinkles and sagging. And for good relaxation, masters use rock crystal.

Benefits of stone therapy

Proponents of alternative medicine believe that stone therapy is especially useful for diseases such as:

• stomach ulcer;
• disturbances in the functioning of the pancreas;
• cholelithiasis;
• cholecystitis;
• angina pectoris;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• bulimia;
• anorexia;
• sleep disorders.

It is also believed that after the procedure, the amount of endorphins in the body increases - chemical compounds that are responsible for a good mood, which allows stone therapy to be considered one of the methods of treating depression.

In cosmetology, with the help of stone therapy sessions, they try to fight the aging process of the body. It is believed that “stone” procedures help:

• increase skin tone and elasticity;
• help cleanse pores;
• accelerate the removal of toxins from the body;
• improve lymph flow;
• eliminate blood stagnation in the veins;
• treat cellulite.

Stone massage specialists say that this technique is unique because it allows you to influence the human body from the point of view of 5 important aspects:

1. A person is influenced directly by the energy of the stone itself.
2. There is a reflex effect, which is created by alternately pressing on bioactive points on the body.
3. There is a mechanical effect - by kneading the tissues with your hands.
4. There is a deep thermal effect - through the use of cold and hot stones.
5. It turns out that vibration massage is achieved by tapping stones against each other.

Recognized by science

Traditional medicine rejects the healing effect of stones, considering it quackery. But she still recognized the healing properties of some minerals. It has been scientifically proven that salt and zeolites have a beneficial effect on human health, which is why they are used for physiotherapy procedures prescribed by doctors.

Rock salt

Natural rock salt crystals are a common kitchen ingredient. Traditional healers have used it for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Salt is also used in official medicine.

It has been proven that it is naturally endowed with the following healing abilities:

• Disinfects and fights pathogenic microorganisms. Wash the sinuses with saline solution and gargle.
• Warms up, relieves muscle and joint pain. Bags of heated salt are applied to the sore spot. It brings relief.
• Soothes, tightens skin tone, rejuvenates. To obtain this effect, salt baths are used.
• Destroys fungus, strengthens the nail plate, stops hair loss. If the nail is affected by fungus, make a concentrated saline solution and immerse your fingertips in it. Regular use of such procedures restores the health of the nail plate.
• Exfoliates dead cells, eliminates cellulite. Salt is a popular ingredient for scrubs, peelings and anti-cellulite treatments.

Zeolites

In official medicine, for the treatment of radiation sickness and the prevention of oncology, the drug Litovit is used, which is made on the basis of finely crushed natural mineral - zeolite.

It has the following effect:

• absorbs and removes radioactive substances - strontium and cesium;
• frees the body from toxic compounds and heavy metal salts;
• supposedly stops the growth of a malignant tumor.

How do stones and minerals affect humans?

It is based on the energetic effect of minerals on the body, chakras and mind of a person, his psycho-emotional state.

Tibetan monks used about a hundred types of healing stones, making pyramids, massagers, and rosaries from them. They also widely used the method of charging water using minerals.

Chinese healers increased the level of vital energy Qi and achieved harmony in the energy of Yin and Yang by stimulating special points of the body with stones. In addition, stones and minerals are widely used in feng shui as one of the powerful means of harmonizing the energy space of a home.

Ayurvedic teaching recommends the use of stones to rejuvenate and charge human energy centers - chakras.

How can a stone have such a strong effect on the human body and the space around it? Modern lithotherapists explain the phenomenon through the theory of energy-information fields.

Important ! Every object has the ability to accumulate some energy vibrations. In stones this ability is most clearly expressed.

Stones and minerals accumulate unique vibrations near them that are capable of interacting with living organisms. Moreover, each stone has its own degree of resonance with the body and is capable of influencing the cellular and organ levels.

Cavity open surgery

If the stones are too large, surgery is performed.

Surgeons resort to this method in case of gallstone diseases with severe complications, when the stones are too large or in the presence of dangerous inflammatory processes.

The operation is performed through a large incision with a diameter of up to 30 cm, running from the right hypochondrium to the navel. Flaws:

1. mandatory anesthesia;
2. high invasiveness;
3. possibility of infection;
4. risk of bleeding;
5. Possible death (in case of emergency surgery).

Reasons why the gallbladder should not be removed:

• impaired motility of the muscles of the duodenum;
• bile changes its consistency and does not protect the organ as effectively from pathogenic organisms;
• bile acid irritates the mucous layers and, as a result, diseases are possible: gastritis, duodenitis, colitis, etc.;
• the functions of secondary absorption of bile are disrupted and it is quickly eliminated from the body, which negatively affects the digestion process;
• the appearance of pain in the right hypochondrium, bitterness and metallic taste in the mouth.

Removing the gallbladder does not guarantee the absence of cholelithiasis, since stones can also form in the bile ducts.

Before resorting to cholecystectomy, you need to try to get rid of the problem using more gentle methods, and only when their ineffectiveness is confirmed, then operate.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of gallstones include:

• Female
• Age 40 and older
• Overweight or obesity
• Passive lifestyle
• Pregnancy
• High Fat Diet
• High Cholesterol Diet
• Low fiber diet
• Family history of gallstones
• Diabetes
• Having certain blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease or leukemia
• Very fast weight loss
• Taking medications that contain estrogen, such as oral contraceptives or hormone therapy.
• Liver disease

Advice from lithotherapists on caring for amulets

Lithotherapists tell us how to properly behave with minerals:

• For storage, use a box or a special linen or velvet bag.
• You need to take a pebble or decoration from the box with 2 fingers. Do not place the product in the middle of your palm.
• If you wear a talisman, then periodically remove the negative from it, holding it for 2-3 minutes. under running water.
• Wear each piece monthly or more often.
• If the stones are incompatible, then store them in different boxes or bags. They shouldn't touch.

Lithotherapy methods, how are minerals and stones used?

In lithotherapy, there are a number of stone treatment methods that can be used at home or by contacting a lithotherapist.

Healing water based on minerals

This is the simplest treatment with stones at home. The method consists of infusing ordinary water on certain stones, as a result of which it acquires beneficial properties. This water is otherwise called a mineral elixir and is already used for:

• ingestion and cooking;
• washing. The elixir improves trophism in the skin, heals wounds, and improves complexion.
• bathing. A bath of mineral elixir generally has a beneficial effect on the skin and the condition of the body.
• rinsing Relieves gum inflammation, heals microcracks.
• applying compresses.

Healing crystals

To receive the effect of a crystal, you need to hold it in your left hand, and to give out your energy - in your right.
For left-handers, the hands change accordingly. There are a number of techniques for working with crystals based on visualization and thought forms. For example, if a person is cold, he can take the crystal in his left hand and imagine how red warmth is softly and evenly distributed along the right side. If it’s hot, you need to imagine how blue energy circulates. To cheer up and improve your mood, you need to imagine yellow energy filling the body. The color violet will calm you down and give you a feeling of relaxation.

Stone massage balls

This method comes from Chinese practical medicine, in which banshee crystals were used for massage. The principle of the method is the impact of a stone ball on biologically active points of the body. This method is used by lithotherapists and specialists in reflexology and acupuncture.

Massage balls come in different sizes. There are both large balls and small balls that are convenient to roll independently in your hand. Since the palm contains many important active points, simply rolling small stone balls can quickly improve a person’s well-being.

Talisman stones

It is best to seek help from a lithotherapist in choosing a talisman stone. Sometimes talismans are selected according to the zodiac sign, and sometimes according to the individual characteristics of a person. But we should not forget that a stone can affect each person in its own way. That is why, after a competent consultation with a lithotherapist, you should listen to your “inner voice.”

Give yourself time and be alone with the stone, try to feel its energy, listen to the response of your soul. Often the most faithful adviser will be your own feeling of comfort or discomfort.

In the next video, Natalya Egoshina talks about talisman stones according to the signs of the Zodiac - these are special stone magical objects. They suit their owners according to their horoscope and date of birth. And in order for the talisman to suit a person, its choice should be treated with special attention

Lithotherapy in speech therapy

The use of stones and minerals is becoming increasingly common in the practice of specialists. For example, lithotherapy is also used in speech therapy. Handling stones, games, massage of hands and fingers - all this develops fine motor skills of the hands, and this in turn develops the speech apparatus in children.

Ureteral and bladder stones - find and destroy

Kryshko Denis Konstantinovich

Urologist

April 26, 2021

Urolithiasis (UCD) is a striking example of how urology has made a powerful leap in its development over the past decades. Today, classical operations for urinary tract stones are becoming a thing of the past. Patients no longer have to make incisions to remove stones. In most cases, operations are performed using the endourological method, when through natural openings it is possible to reach the stone, see it and, depending on its size, structure, location, either remove it or crush it into the smallest particles, including using a laser. This became possible thanks to the widespread introduction into practice of modern high-tech methods for the treatment of urolithiasis.

Denis Konstantinovich Kryshko, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Assistant of the Department of Urology of St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, talks about the features of this disease, methods of diagnosis and treatment.

— How common is urolithiasis, how often do you make this diagnosis at appointments?

Urolithiasis (UCD) is a disease that occurs quite often. Stones (or, as it is correct to say, calculi) of the urinary tract are the second most common urological problem after infectious and inflammatory diseases. In Russia, ICD is diagnosed in 32-40% of cases of all urological diseases. Stones are found in at least 1-3% of people of active age (20-50 years). Urinary tract stones can be detected at any age, but more often this happens in working age. In childhood and old age, cases of primary detection are quite rare. Men get sick 3 times more often than women.

— What types of ICD are there?

Typically, stones form in the kidneys, from where they descend into the bladder and ureters; these are the so-called primary stones. The least difficult problems are caused by ureteral stones; in almost any part of it, a stone can be seen using ureteroscopy and, using a special tool, pulled out or crushed (evaporated) with a laser.

Secondary stones formed in the bladder are much less common, mainly as a result of adenoma and stagnation of urine. There are also ligature stones, which are formed as a result of the deposition of salts on ligatures (threads) after previous operations on the urinary tract. But this is a topic for another discussion.

In most cases, stones form in one of the kidneys, and in 9-17% of cases, urolithiasis is bilateral. Kidney stones can be single or multiple (up to 5000 stones). The size of the stones is very different - from 1 mm, to giant ones - more than 10 cm and weighing up to 1000 g, but such extreme figures, of course, are very rare.

— What are the manifestations of urolithiasis?

This is classic renal colic: severe pain, nausea, difficulty urinating, urinary retention or, conversely, frequent urination, pain, false urges. Pain can be in the lower back and lower abdomen and radiate to the leg and groin area. Taking painkiller pills can reduce symptoms for a while, but, firstly, they blur the symptoms and complicate diagnosis, and secondly, they lengthen the time before seeing a doctor. You should contact a urologist immediately if these symptoms occur, since delay can lead to unwanted infectious (purulent) complications.

— What contributes to the formation of stones?

Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to this question, and therefore it is almost impossible to guarantee the occurrence of stones. Urolithiasis occurs from a combination of several factors. According to modern ideas, this disease is most associated with enzymopathies - disturbances in the functioning of the enzyme system that controls the exchange of salts from which stones are formed.

But heredity, characteristics of traditional cuisine, lifestyle, and environment also play a role. For example, it has been statistically proven that residents of the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Volga region, and northern regions suffer from this problem more often. This is due to the characteristics of the diet, water hardness, intensity of solar insolation, etc. The onset of the process can be triggered by a sharp change in the usual diet, accompanied by a disturbance in the outflow of urine, when salts begin to precipitate and stones form.

— Does urolithiasis always end with surgery to remove the stone, or is conservative treatment possible?

You can get rid of some stones conservatively, prescribe drug therapy and wait to see if the stone comes out on its own, but this is associated with prolonged and severe pain, limited ability to work and activity. I have had patients who compared the intensity of pain from a stone passing naturally with labor pains. In addition, during this period the kidney, urinary tract, and nerve endings suffer.

Therefore, it is better not to allow such a state to occur; if a stone has discovered itself, there is no need to wait and “grow” it. It is easier and safer to remove it while it is small, with the help of a urologist and modern equipment - gently, less traumatic, with anesthesia. Some stones, the so-called urate stones, can be dissolved, but the best effect in this case is also achieved by combined therapy - crushing and dissolving.

Once a stone has formed, it cannot dissolve on its own. Stories in which stones were first discovered and then disappeared are mainly due to inaccuracy of diagnosis.

— What diagnostics are carried out for urolithiasis?

It all starts with an ultrasound; this is a quick, inexpensive and painless way to determine whether there is a stone or not and make a preliminary diagnosis. But ultrasound is not a 100% method, even with a qualified specialist using good equipment, not always what looks like a stone turns out to be really a stone. Therefore, a diagnosis previously made by ultrasound requires intravenous urography (x-ray with contrast) or computed tomography for confirmation. Having confirmed the presence of a stone, determining its position and size, a decision is made on how to deal with it.

Not often, but there are situations when all the symptoms indicate urolithiasis, but during the examination the stone is not detected. In this case, diagnostic ureteroscopy may be performed. As the ureter passes along its entire length, if there is a stone, it is detected and removed.

— What methods of surgical treatment are currently used?

Nowadays, endourological methods (without incisions, through natural openings) are used to remove stones from urolithiasis. If the stone is not very large and can be grasped and pulled out through physiological constrictions without damaging the structure of the ureter, this is the most favorable condition for the procedure. If the stone is larger, starting from 4-5 mm in diameter, then it is easier to crush and remove it without risking damage to the internal structures of the ureter. This is done using a urological microsurgical instrumentation unit. This method is called contact lithotripsy and is considered the “gold standard” for solving such problems.

In most clinics in the city, performing this manipulation is associated with hospitalization, loss of time, and additional costs for paying for bed days. In our center, the qualifications of specialists, surgical equipment and conditions for anesthesia allow us to remove urinary tract stones without hospitalization, in one day. To carry out contact lithotripsy, as this procedure is called, a powerful holmium laser of the latest generation is used, which allows you to instantly fragment the stone “into dust”, with virtually no trauma to the surrounding tissue.

There is a remote method of sonic crushing of stones. It used to be widely used, but is now fading into the background. This is due to the advent of new technology, and the fact that not all stones can be crushed in this way, there are “dead zones” where it is impossible to crush with infrasound, several procedures may be required and this is not harmless to neighboring internal organs, especially the kidney. The endourological method has no such limitations; removal can be carried out throughout the ureter and in the bladder, and a flexible urethoroscope allows stones to be removed even in the kidney.

Minimally invasive surgical operations, with access to the kidney through a puncture in the lumbar region, are performed for very large kidney stones. If the stone is 3 cm or larger, then using a urethroscope or infrasound it will not be possible to remove it. These operations are performed only in a hospital.

— What characteristics must a laser meet to perform contact lithotripsy?

The class of equipment for lithotripsy matters. Power, frequency, and the presence of a pseudo-pulse mode are important in order to very quickly turn the stone into the smallest particles. If the power is not enough, there is a risk that the stone will begin to move from the impact, damaging surrounding tissue and going deeper. With modern equipment, one discharge is enough to turn the stone into dust. The process is well controlled, which allows it not to heat or injure the mucous membrane.

— How is the postoperative period going?

The period of incapacity lasts on average from 2-3 days to a week. This is due to the fact that to prevent complications, the kidney must be drained. Swelling may occur in the place where the stone was located, therefore, in order to prevent stagnation of urine and the development of an infectious process, a ureteral stent is installed (a special medical tube to ensure the outflow of urine, which is then removed) and a course of antibiotics is prescribed.

— What is the probability of recurrence of urolithiasis and the appearance of new stones?

Since urolithiasis is associated with metabolic disorders, and by removing the stone, we do not influence the causes that caused its appearance, relapses are possible. At the present stage, medical science has not come up with a way to influence these enzyme disorders. Following your urologist's recommendations can reduce the risk of new stones and attacks of renal colic. Recommendations include following a diet, drinking regimen, regular monitoring by a urologist, performing an ultrasound and urine test at least once a year, and preferably once every six months. If a urine test reveals any deviations from the norm, a consultation with a urologist is required, since at an early stage, for example, when microcrystals of salts are detected in the urine, these processes can be influenced and slowed down by prescribing medications, herbal medicine, and diet correction.

There is a type of stones, the occurrence of which is associated with chronic infectious processes, the so-called struvite stones. To prevent their occurrence, you need to consult a doctor in time and treat gynecological and urological infections, urinary tract infections, avoiding a chronic inflammatory process.

In conclusion, I would like to note that, of course, the best operation is the one that was avoided. But, if a stone has formed and its removal is inevitable, the advent of modern technologies and equipment makes it possible to do this as quickly as possible, with minimal trauma and even without the need to go to the hospital. Those problems and pathologies that previously led to serious surgery can today be solved in our Outpatient Surgery Center in a few hours.