Osteochondrosis of the spine is a pathology of 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, so it will be useful for everyone to know the main points of prevention and treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine. The article will discuss 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.
- Lack of trace elements (Ca, Mg, P), disorders of hormonal metabolism.
- Delayed spinal cord injury or surgery.
- Difficult working conditions or sedentary lifestyle, overweight or pregnancy.
- Nervous stress, smoking and alcoholism, etc.
Osteochondrosis of the spine affects people of almost any age. Elderly people suffer more often, because irreversible changes in cartilage occur in connection with aging. 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 certain segments of the spine: cervical (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 rarer and stand out separately: osteochondrosis of the lower extremities, upper extremities and other joints. In Russian literature, they are often called osteochondropathies.
Also, depending on the changes that occurred on 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 data from radiation research methods. The leading method for diagnosing the disease is an X-ray of the spine in frontal and lateral projection.
Signs of various types of osteochondrosis
Before starting treatment, the disease must be properly diagnosed. Many symptoms are often ignored due to fatigue. The main signs of the disease are the following:
- Painful pain and discomfort in the affected area of the spine, intensified by exertion or overexertion.
- Irradiation of pain in the extremities (in case of damage to the SHOP - in the arms, shoulders, headaches are possible, POP - in the legs, buttocks, etc. ).
- In case of SHOP damage: tinnitus, frequent dizziness, nausea, etc.
- Feeling numb and weak in the limbs.
Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by a gradual increase in the symptoms of the disease with age. In the absence of appropriate treatment, pain will significantly reduce work ability, 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 to prescribe treatment.
Is it possible to completely cure osteochondrosis
It is a common belief that osteochondrosis cannot be cured, many suffer from it, so you should not pay attention to the pathology. This approach is fundamentally wrong. The disease will progress without treatment.
It is impossible to cure osteochondrosis forever, because 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 the 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. Optimal methods are selected on an individual basis and primarily depend on the stage of the disease. The course of treatment includes medication, physical therapy, physiotherapy, kinesio taping, etc.
In exceptional cases, when the main conservative methods of treatment are ineffective, surgical intervention is performed on the spine. 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 characteristic 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 injury, developmental anomaly or 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 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 toxicity 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 organism. 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 error taking into account the general state of health, taking other drugs. If a person is taking additional medications, their interaction must be considered.
In osteochondrosis of the spine in the elderly, massage is not recommended. Manual therapy should also be performed by a qualified physician taking into account age characteristics. Exercise therapy exercises are selected taking into account the physical abilities of the elderly, they are needed to strengthen the back muscles and reduce the load on the spine. Otherwise, the treatment of the disease is carried out according to general principles.
How to treat osteochondrosis: drugs
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine with the help of drugs is carried out in two main directions: the removal of pain, improving the regenerative processes in the body and the structure of cartilage tissue. The treatment of pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the spine depends on its severity. With slight pain, NSAIDs are used. Severe pain syndrome lasting several weeks with reduced work capacity may become an indication for the appointment of opioid analgesics. For pain that has plagued for several months, antidepressants may be prescribed in addition to NSAIDs.
Chondroprotectors can be used to improve cartilage regeneration. In addition, during the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the spine, antispasmodics may be used. Vitamin preparations and angioprotectors are used for general health purposes and to improve metabolic processes.
The role of physiotherapy
The treatment regimen for osteochondrosis of the spine must necessarily include one or more methods of physiotherapy. Such complex therapy, together with taking medication, will significantly alleviate the condition and speed up recovery. The following methods of treating osteochondrosis of the spine are used:
- Acupuncture or acupuncture. The essence of the method lies in the action 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 given together, their penetration is improved.
- Magnetotherapy. This method of treatment helps 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, trains the muscular and ligament apparatus.
- Laser treatment. The method helps reduce pain and swelling of the tissues around the spine, improves local metabolic processes and reduces inflammation.
When exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the spine, physiotherapy is not used, treatment is carried out only in remission. Procedures are prescribed in courses of 1-2 weeks. The frequency of treatment is 2-3 times a year.
Hospital treatment
Standards for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine suggest outpatient therapy, or polyclinic. In the hospital, therapy is indicated only in the presence of complications. Therefore, patients with sciatica need hospitalization.
Treatment of osteochondrosis 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 are treated completely and on time, which allows them to achieve high results. In modern domestic health care, special institutions for the treatment of diseases are being developed (for example, a medical center for the treatment of osteochondrosis), where vertebrologists or neuropathologists constantly monitor 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 qualified specialists and only in the period of remission. Acute conditions are a contraindication for manual therapy.
Classic spine massage includes the following techniques: stroking, rubbing, kneading, vibration, etc. The procedure begins with a blow to the lumbar region, then moves to the neck area. After that, a segmental reflex massage is performed.
Apitherapy
Apitherapy is an alternative method for treating osteochondrosis in bees. The method is prohibited for people who are allergic to bee stings. During the procedure, one or more insects are introduced to the affected area to sting the bees. At the beginning of the treatment, 1-2 bees are used, later their number gradually increases to 20-30.
As a result of bee stings, apitoxin or bee venom enters the body. This substance has a pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Bee venom has detoxifying properties, stimulates metabolic processes in the body and helps restore the structures of the connective tissue 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 respect for the hygiene of 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. Helps relieve pain, improves mobility and range of motion of the spine.
Traditional medicine for osteochondrosis
As part of a complex therapy, the use of traditional medicine methods is allowed. For example, the treatment of osteochondrosis with rice is widely used. About a month and a half a person is on a rice diet. Also, yeast is prepared from rice, which has healing properties.
Osteochondrosis is sometimes treated with nettles. Vodka-based tinctures are prepared for this. Treatment of osteochondrosis by a petrolist is also carried out by the production of tinctures or decoctions, extracts or ointments.
Preventive measures
There are no special methods to prevent osteochondrosis. But if you adopt some habits, the risk of developing the disease will be reduced. Doctors recommend that you follow 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 tension, stress.
- Eat completely rationally, exercise.
In case of already established osteochondrosis of the spine, all therapeutic procedures should be agreed with the doctor. Self-medication at home can cause the development of complications. The use of dubious methods that do not have proven effectiveness (treatment with hydrogen peroxide, stretching the spine by hanging on a hanger, etc. ) is excluded. Proper treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine will significantly improve the quality of life of the patient and reduce the likelihood of exacerbation of the disease.