Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects the spine through the development of changes in the intervertebral discs of one or another section. Its danger lies in the fact that the development of the disease occurs imperceptibly. Currently, this disease has become much younger.

What is spinal osteochondrosis

Doctors define this disease as a chronic degenerative-dystrophic change in the spine, its structure. About 80 percent of the world's population suffers from it, and the first signs of this disease are observed already at the age of 20-25. Subsequently, it can bring more serious health problems.

Most often, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occurs, more rarely cervical and thoracic chondrosis is observed. A person has 33-34 vertebrae, which are connected by intervertebral discs. They perform a number of important functions, thereby ensuring the mobility of the spine.

Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by shrinking and a change in the size of these discs and the space between them, which leads to a decrease in their strength and elasticity. A high load on the spine leads to displacement of the discs, the result is pain during movement, later an intervertebral hernia develops.

The displacement of the vertebrae causes pinching of nerve endings, squeezing of blood vessels. Curvature of the spine, damage to individual parts, their deformation is an irreversible process. Ossification of the ligaments reduces the mobility of the spine even more.

What types are there

Depending on the damaged areas, the following types of osteochondrosis are distinguished:

• Cervical spine, most often observed in young people leading a sedentary lifestyle and working at a computer for a long time;
• Thoracic spine, a rare type of disease, can be triggered by changes in the thoracic spine due to various factors (for example, trauma);
• Lumbosacral region, the disease is most common, more often affects people over 30 years old;
• Common chondrosis, when several parts of the spine are affected at once.

The disease goes through several stages:

1. The first stage is often unnoticed. Instability of the vertebrae appears, caused by their displacement, there is a slight discomfort when moving. This is a dangerous stage at which the greatest likelihood of injury.
2. At the second stage, the destruction of the fibrous ring of the vertebral disc occurs, which leads to a decrease in the distance between them.
3. The third stage is accompanied by rupture of the fibrous rings, the nucleus of the disc leaves its place. At this stage, intervertebral hernias appear, which lead to deformation of the spine.
4. The last stage is characterized by severe pain syndromes. Bony growths and ossification of the ligaments impede the freedom of movement of the spine.

Osteochondrosis is provoked by muscle clamps, which lead to muscle spasms. This leads to limited mobility of the joints and spine. The result is dystrophy of the vertebrae and discs, narrowing of the holes between the vertebrae, compression of the nerve roots.

Symptoms

The symptoms of this disease depend on the affected area. It is worth noting that, individually, people attribute most of the symptoms of this ailment to other problems. For example, tension and stress are thought to cause headaches, while hearing loss is thought to be triggered by the use of headphones.

1. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are manifested as follows:

   • Headache that gets worse when you try to move your head;
   • Pain in the neck, passing into the area of the scapula, arms and chest;
   • Sensitivity is often disturbed, fingers become numb, weakness is felt;
   • The movement of the tongue is limited, which affects speech, snoring may appear;
   • The voice changes, becomes weak and hoarse;
   • Dizziness, loss of consciousness are possible;
   • Impaired coordination of movements, loss of orientation when walking;
   • The condition of the teeth is deteriorating;
   • Hearing decreases, ringing in the ears appears.

2. Rarely, but there is osteochondrosis of the chest. It is usually caused by spinal injuries. Scoliosis can be the cause. Symptoms of this ailment:

   • Sharp pains in the chest area, they become worse when trying to breathe deeply and when moving;
   • The appearance of pain in the areas of the stomach, liver, and also the heart is possible;
   • Sometimes there is a feeling of numbness in the chest.

3. The most common variant of the disease is lumbosacral osteochondrosis. It is manifested by severe pain in the lumbar region. Symptoms can be different, but in the first period of development, they are not very pronounced. But over time or with a "successful" situation, the disease worsens. Appear:

   • Aching or sharp pain in the area just above the coccyx that aggravates with movement;
   • The pain radiates to the hip region, the sensitivity of the legs is disturbed;
   • Restriction of body movements, it is impossible to bend over, turn;
   • By the last stage, it is often impossible to sit, it is difficult to get up, muscle weakness appears.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

Many are interested in the question of how to treat osteochondrosis and whether this disease can be completely cured. Doctors unequivocally answer this question no, but it is possible and necessary to start treatment on time and stop the development of the disease. There are many ways to treat osteochondrosis, both with the help of classical medicine and folk medicine.

It is worth noting that this ailment is treated quite effectively, especially at the initial stage of the disease. On an outpatient basis, a special comprehensive program is used, which is aimed at quickly eliminating the symptoms of the disease, correcting the causes of suffering.

Complex therapy includes the following techniques:

1. Acupuncture.

   Acupuncture is performed every one to two days. The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor, it can be from seven days to a month, as a rule, 12-15 procedures are enough. The acupuncturist performs a visual and manual examination of the patient. One procedure takes about half an hour. The needles are set for 15-20 minutes.

   For the operation, disposable sterile acupuncture needles are used, they are inserted under the patient's skin, while a slight injection is felt, similar to a mosquito bite. When the needle reaches a biologically active point, a person feels numbness, aches or a feeling of bloating in this place, pain is extremely rare.

2. Vacuum therapy.

   For the procedure, special vacuum jars are used. The effectiveness of this method is very high, there are practically no painful sensations. This method of treatment allows you to quickly and safely eliminate the symptoms of the disease. It is based on the mobilization of the body's own resources and is used in rehabilitation medicine.

   Under the influence of the jars, pressure drops are created, the skin and part of the muscle are drawn into the jar. Thanks to deep processing of a large area, blood microcirculation is improved, stagnation is eliminated, harmful substances are removed, tissues are renewed faster.

   The areas of influence of vacuum therapy are extensive, the doctor himself chooses and prescribes the zones for the procedure. The spots that appear in the process of carrying out after the fourth procedure begin to dissolve, so you should not be afraid of them.

3. Manual therapy.

   These are gentle treatments that are highly effective among the non-drug options. A chiropractor allows you to eliminate many problems associated with muscles and the spine, is used in the treatment of neurological diseases.

   The impact outwardly resembles a conventional massage, but of a more limited localization and moderate strength of impact. A qualified manual physician is able to cure diseases that cannot be treated with medication.

   In order to treat the spine, this method is aimed at increasing the elasticity of the muscles, improving the movement of individual vertebrae. The procedures are not performed daily, but at regular intervals up to seven days. Manual treatment in combination with physiotherapy and folk remedies, as well as physiotherapy exercises, is more effective.

   

4. Pharmacopuncture.

   This method uses active points on the human body, into which drugs are injected in minimal quantities, indicated for a specific disease. It can be vitamin complexes, homeopathic remedies, biostimulants, corticosteroids. The introduction is carried out using a microneedle, while practically no discomfort occurs.

   For the treatment of the spine, an adapted version is used, which allows you to heal osteochondrosis, vertebral hernia and other problems. It is used for rehabilitation after spinal surgery. Pharmacopuncture enhances metabolism, improves connective tissue trophism and blood circulation in the affected area. Even a small complex of treatment shows a positive, sustainable result.

5. Magnetopuncture.

   This method involves the impact on biologically active points with a magnetic field. For this, magnetophores are used, on which certain properties of polarity, size, power are set. This device consists of rubberized magnets, they generate a constant magnetic field. For the treatment of various diseases, metal plates of various shapes, areas and thicknesses and magnetic balls are used.

6. Laser therapy.

   This is a laser effect on special acupuncture points through intact skin areas. Low-power red lasers are used in most cases, they show the greatest activity. As a result of treatment, inflammation and pain, spasms are relieved, blood vessels dilate, metabolic processes are improved, and cell regeneration is enhanced.

7. Electrical stimulation.

   An electric current is applied to influence certain points. It is effective for electrical stimulation of motor muscles and nerve endings. Single-shot single impulses, exponential currents, rhythmic direct current, sinusoidal modulated currents are used. It is possible to eliminate severe pain in just 1-3 procedures. The full course requires 10-15 sessions.

Outpatient therapy often includes a drug component, which is designed to relieve pain. For this, analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics, antioxidants are used, as well as drugs that can correct psychosomatic disorders and reduce cartilage degeneration.

Traditional methods

In the piggy bank of traditional medicine there are many means to alleviate the condition with osteochondrosis.

For external use, the following options are used:

1. A small amount of ointment is applied to the affected area, gradually rubbing it into the skin. The treated area should be carefully wrapped to keep warm. It is enough to carry out the procedure 3-4 times a day.
2. Compresses with ointment are good for relieving inflammation and pain. The oiled place is covered with plastic wrap, you can put fresh mint or lemon balm leaves down, a leaf of burdock or white cabbage works effectively. Wrap with a woolen scarf and fix the compress. Pounded fresh birch leaves give a good effect, they are applied to the problem area and wrapped up for half an hour.
3. For rubbing, you can use vegetable oil infused with herbs - oregano, St. John's wort. For half a liter of vegetable oil, about 500 grams of raw materials are taken. Fresh oregano cake is infused for 24 hours, and dried St. John's wort is filled with oil for 21 days.
4. You can prepare a mass of 1/3 cup of black radish juice, 200 g of fresh honey, 100 ml of vodka and a handful of fresh lilac flowers. Insist in a warm place for 24 hours, after which the composition can be used for rubbing.

Do not forget about proper nutrition and an active lifestyle. It is necessary to monitor your posture constantly, while sitting in a chair and at the computer, it is advisable to sleep on a surface of medium hardness.

The spine must be constantly supported, for this you can use special exercises and avoid a long monotonous position.

Exercises for osteochondrosis for the home

At home, you can carry out effective and simple gymnastics, which should be included in the complex of measures for the treatment of spinal diseases. It is recommended to perform the following exercises for osteochondrosis.

1. Tilt your head forward, grasp the forehead area with intertwined fingers. Make movements with your head down, holding with your hands. The reverse movement is to try to raise your head in an inclination, and with your hands, woven at the back of the head, to resist its movement. Each movement takes 10 seconds.
2. Impact on biologically active points with the help of the palm and fingers: first, the forehead area is massaged, press on the skin and displace it with gentle movements. The exposure time is 20-40 seconds. Then go to the temporal areas, the impact is made in the same way. The procedure ends with a massage of the auricles, the ear is stretched in all directions.
3. To improve brain nutrition, you should sit on a flat surface with your back straight. The head is slowly pulled back, you can easily help yourself with your hands, pressing your chin with your palm. The exercise time is 10-30 seconds. Then you can turn your head slightly to one side or the other, lingering in this position for 10-15 seconds.
4. This is an excellent exercise for the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis. It helps to improve the functioning of the nerve plexus located in the neck. IP - sitting on a flat surface with a straight back. Slowly move your head to your chest, trying to reach it with your chin. You can slightly help yourself with your hands on the back of your head, pushing forward and up. Sit in this position for about a minute, rest for 10-15 minutes and repeat the exercise.
5. The warm-up affects the upper spine while simultaneously pulling the shoulders up to the ears as high as possible. Then lower them freely and easily. Repeat 15 seconds. Then repeat the exercise, but for each shoulder joint separately.

At the end of the gymnastics, rub the back of the neck with your palms.

To get rid of the physical suffering caused by cervical osteochondrosis, you can take an aspen stick or rolling pin, slowly tap it on the shoulder, scapula and spine on one side, then on the other. You can give her a little massage to relieve tension and pain.

To quickly get rid of pain in the lumbar spine, you need to lie on a hard surface, ideally on the floor, bend your legs at the knees. Make turns with your feet in one direction and the other, trying to reach the floor with your knees.

With exacerbation - how to relieve pain

Often, with an exacerbation of the disease, a person does not know where to go. Continuous medication is not possible, but there are ways to get rid of acute pain without resorting to medication.

First of all, heat should be put on the problem area. You can wrap a woolen scarf around this place. Cold exposure is also possible, but only on the first day after the onset of the problem, and under the supervision of a doctor.

Lie on a hard surface and try to fix the sore spot. In case of pain, it is advisable to place a soft roller under the lower back in order to relieve tension in this area. It is better to bend your legs. The chest section can be wrapped with a tight bandage, and a splint made of cardboard and cotton wool can be applied around the neck, as in an injury.

If relief does not come, a doctor should be called. And to relieve severe pain, take an anesthetic.

Prevention - how to prevent the appearance of osteochondrosis

Before engaging in prevention, you should clarify what causes most often cause osteochondrosis. The risk of this disease is increased by improper nutrition, an inactive lifestyle, excess weight, bad habits (smoking, alcohol dependence), high physical activity and posture disorders.

Obviously, in order to prevent the development of the disease, one should first of all establish nutrition and introduce physical activity. It is enough to perform elementary morning exercises, stretching, light self-massage of the lower back and neck, swinging arms and legs. At the workplace, you should take 2-3 minutes to warm up. All types of swimming in the pool work well.

Fighting excess weight will help eliminate the risk, you should not allow hypothermia of the body, traumatic situations. It is worthwhile to deal with the prevention of stressful situations and give up bad habits. Attention should be paid to proper nutrition, the body should receive a sufficient amount of proteins, but salty, flour, fatty foods should be limited.

In some cases, with a lack of vitamins, the doctor may prescribe additional vitamin and mineral complexes. All this in combination will help protect the spine from problems.