Osteochondrosis of the spine is a pathology of the articular cartilage, which is part of the intervertebral discs. According to statistics, the disease in varying degrees of severity occurs in more than 60% of middle-aged people. The disease cannot be ignored, therefore, it will be useful for everyone to know the main points of prevention and treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine. The article will consider in more detail the principles and directions of pathology therapy.
Causes of the disease and who is at risk
The main causes of osteochondrosis of the spine include the following:
- Scoliosis or pathological kyphosis of the spine.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Deficiency of trace elements (Ca, Mg, P), hormonal metabolism disorders.
- Postponed spinal injury or surgery.
- Severe working conditions or a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight or pregnant.
- Nervous strain, smoking and alcoholism, etc.
Osteochondrosis of the spine affects people at almost any age. Elderly people suffer more often, as in connection with aging, irreversible changes in cartilage occur. In young and middle-aged people, osteochondrosis is most often caused by scoliosis of the spine, trauma, obesity.
Types and degrees of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is classified depending on the localization of the pathological process in individual segments of the spine: the cervical spine (SHOP), thoracic (GOP), lumbar (POP) and sacral (COP). If 2 or more departments are affected, the disease is called common osteochondrosis of the spine. Other forms of the disease are much less common and stand out separately: osteochondrosis of the lower extremities, upper extremities, and other joints. In Russian literature, they are often referred to as osteochondropathies.
Also, depending on what changes have occurred in the intervertebral discs of the spine, there are 4 stages of the disease. The degree of osteochondrosis of the spine is determined based on the analysis of the clinical picture, as well as the data of radiation research methods. The leading method for diagnosing the disease is X-ray of the spine in frontal and lateral projections.
Signs of various types of osteochondrosis
Before starting treatment, the disease must be properly diagnosed. Many of the symptoms are often ignored due to fatigue. The main signs of the disease are as follows:
- Aching pain and discomfort in the affected area of the spine, aggravated by exertion or overexertion.
- Irradiation of pain in the limb (in case of damage to the SHOP - in the arms, shoulders, headaches are possible, POP - in the legs, buttocks, etc. ).
- In case of damage to the SHOP: tinnitus, frequent dizziness, nausea, etc.
- Feeling of numbness and weakness in the limbs.
For osteochondrosis of the spine, a gradual increase in the symptoms of the disease with age is characteristic. In the absence of proper treatment, pain will significantly reduce the ability to work, the quality of life, and complications are possible. Therefore, in the presence of the first symptoms of the disease, it is already worth contacting a doctor for prescribing treatment.
Is it possible to completely cure osteochondrosis
It is widely believed that osteochondrosis cannot be treated, many suffer from it, so you should not pay attention to pathology. This approach is fundamentally wrong. The disease will progress without treatment.
It is impossible to cure osteochondrosis forever, since most changes in the intervertebral discs are irreversible. But it is possible to weaken the manifestations of pathology, to stop its progression. Success, of course, depends on the stage of the disease, and the earlier treatment is started, the more effective the therapy will be.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine
The course of treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine is prescribed by a doctor after an accurate diagnosis and is carried out using several conservative methods. The optimal methods are selected on an individual basis and depend primarily on the stage of the disease. The course of treatment includes taking medications, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, kinesio taping, etc.
In exceptional cases, when the main conservative methods of treatment are ineffective, surgical intervention on the spine is performed. More often, the indication for surgery is a pronounced pain syndrome caused by a complication of the disease (hernia or protrusion of the intervertebral disc of the spine, sciatica, etc. ). It is also worth noting that treatment in childhood and old age has its own distinctive features, so we will consider this issue in more detail.
Therapy in children
Osteochondrosis in children is a relatively rare occurrence and is most often caused by an injury, a developmental anomaly, or a congenital disease. It is better to use safer methods such as MRI to make a diagnosis. Treatment of osteochondrosis in children is carried out according to the general principles as in adults, but more sparingly.
The complex of therapeutic measures and procedures is selected on an individual basis. The safest drugs with minimal toxic effects are selected, which do not cause allergic reactions. Manual therapy, massage should be performed by specialized trained specialists, taking into account the characteristics of the child's body. Apitherapy is an unacceptable method of treatment in childhood.
Therapy in the elderly
Osteochondrosis occurs almost everywhere in the elderly. Treatment should be carried out without fail taking into account the general state of health, taking other drugs. If a person is taking additional medications, their interaction must be considered.
With osteochondrosis of the spine in the elderly, massage is not recommended. Manual therapy should also be carried out taking into account age characteristics by a qualified physician. Exercises of exercise therapy are selected taking into account the physical capabilities of an elderly person, are necessary to strengthen the muscles of the back and reduce the load from the spine. Otherwise, the treatment of the disease is carried out according to general principles.
How is osteochondrosis treated: medications
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine with the help of medications is carried out in two main directions: elimination of pain, improvement of regenerative processes in the body and the structure of cartilage tissue. Treatment of pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the spine depends on its severity. With insignificant pain, drugs of the NSAID group are used. Severe pain syndrome for several weeks with a decrease in working capacity may become an indication for the appointment of opioid analgesics. For pain that bothers for several months, antidepressants may be prescribed in addition to NSAIDs.
Chondroprotectors can be used to improve cartilage regeneration. Additionally, during an exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the spine, antispasmodics can be used. For general health purposes and to improve metabolic processes, vitamin preparations and angioprotectors are used.
The role of physiotherapy
The treatment regimen for osteochondrosis of the spine must necessarily contain one or more methods of physiotherapy. Such complex therapy, together with taking medications, will significantly alleviate the condition and accelerate recovery. The following methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine are used:
- Acupuncture or acupuncture. The essence of the method lies in the effect of special needles on certain active points of the human body, which allows you to eliminate muscle spasm and improve metabolic processes.
- Massage. During the procedure, muscle tension, pain are relieved, local metabolic processes and blood circulation are improved.
- Electrophoresis. The essence of the method consists in passing a small current through the body. As a result of treatment, metabolism and blood supply to tissues are improved, and when drugs are administered together, their penetration improves.
- Magnetotherapy. This method of treatment helps to reduce inflammation, and also helps to normalize blood supply and metabolism.
- Spinal traction. The method allows you to increase the distance between the vertebrae, which relieves pain and improves the mobility of the spine, the muscular and ligamentous apparatus is being trained.
- Laser treatment. The method helps to reduce pain and swelling of the tissues surrounding the spine, improves local metabolic processes and reduces inflammation.
With an exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the spine, physiotherapy is not used, treatment is carried out only during the period of remission. The procedures are prescribed in courses lasting 1–2 weeks. The frequency of treatment is 2-3 times a year.
Hospital treatment
The standards for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine suggest outpatient therapy, that is, in a polyclinic. In a hospital, therapy is indicated only in the presence of complications. So, patients with sciatica need hospitalization.
Osteochondrosis treatment in China has long been carried out on the basis of special institutions, where manual therapy is performed by qualified personnel, osteochondrosis is treated with ultrasound, magnetic and laser radiation and other methods of physiotherapy. Thanks to the hospital schedule, patients receive treatment in full and on time, which allows them to achieve high results. In modern domestic health care, special institutions are developed for treating the disease (for example, a medical center for the treatment of osteochondrosis), where vertebrologists or neuropathologists are constantly monitoring patients, there are the latest devices and devices for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Manual therapy
Massage is the most common and affordable method of physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the spine (see the benefits of the procedure above). The procedure is performed only by a qualified specialist and only during the period of remission. Acute conditions are a contraindication to manual therapy.
The classical massage of the spine includes the following techniques: stroking, rubbing, kneading, vibration, etc. The procedure begins with an impact on the lumbar region, then a transition is made to the collar zone. After that, a segmantar reflex massage is done.
Apitherapy
Apitherapy is an alternative method for treating osteochondrosis by bees. The method is prohibited for people who are allergic to bee stings. During the procedure, one or more insects are brought to the affected area for bee sting. At the beginning of treatment, 1-2 bees are used, later their number gradually increases to 20-30.
As a result of a bee sting, apitoxin or bee venom enters the body. This substance has pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Bee venom has detoxifying properties, stimulates metabolic processes in the body and helps to restore the connective tissue structures of the spine.
Gymnastics by the author's method
As an exercise option for osteochondrosis, special gymnastics can be used. The method involves long daily training. The main feature of the exercises is the observance of the hygiene of the gymnastics, as well as self-confidence.
The technique includes more than 60 exercises. Exercise helps to tone the muscles of the spine and relieve tension. It helps relieve pain, improves mobility and range of motion of the spine.
Traditional medicine for osteochondrosis
As part of complex therapy, the use of traditional medicine methods is allowed. For example, the treatment of osteochondrosis with rice is widely used. For about a month and a half, a person is on a rice diet. Also, kvass is prepared from rice, which has healing properties.
Sometimes osteochondrosis is also treated with nettle. For this, vodka-based tinctures are prepared. Treatment of osteochondrosis with cinquefoil is also carried out with the manufacture of tinctures or decoctions, extracts or ointments.
Preventive measures
There are no specific methods for the prevention of osteochondrosis. But if you adopt some habits, the risk of developing the disease will be reduced. Doctors recommend to be guided by the following principles:
- Avoid excessive physical exertion and injury.
- Use orthopedic mattresses or semi-rigid beds.
- Treat other diseases in a timely manner.
- Avoid nervous strain, stress.
- Fully rationally eat, exercise.
With already identified osteochondrosis of the spine, all therapeutic procedures performed should be agreed with the doctor. Home self-medication can provoke the development of complications. The use of questionable methods that do not have proven effectiveness is excluded (treatment with hydrogen peroxide, stretching the spine by hanging on a hanger, and so on). Correct treatment for osteochondrosis of the spine will significantly improve the patient's quality of life and reduce the likelihood of an exacerbation of the disease.