Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects the spine through the development of changes in the intervertebral discs of one or another part. Its danger lies in the fact that the development of the disease takes place imperceptibly. At the moment, this disease has become much younger.

What is osteochondrosis of the spine

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

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occurs most often, less often cervical and thoracic chondrosis. The person has 33-34 vertebrae, which are connected by intervertebral discs. They perform a number of important functions, thus ensuring the mobility of the spine.

Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by a reduction and change in the size of these discs and the space between them, leading to a decrease in their strength and elasticity. A large load on the spine leads to the displacement of the discs, the result is pain when moving, later an intervertebral hernia develops.

Moving 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 further reduces the mobility of the spine.

What species exist

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

• Cervical spine, most commonly observed in young people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and work long hours at the computer;
• Thoracic spine, a rare type of disease, can be caused by changes in the thoracic spine due to various factors (for example, trauma);
• Lumbosacral region, the disease is the most common, it most often affects people older than 30 years;
• Common chondrosis, when several parts of the spine are affected at once.

The disease goes through several stages:

1. The first phase is often unnoticed. There is instability of the vertebrae caused by their displacement, there is a slight discomfort when moving. This is a dangerous phase where injuries are most likely to occur.
2. In the second stage, the fibrous ring of the spinal disc is destroyed, leading to a reduction in the distance between them.
3. The third phase is followed by the rupture of the fibrous rings, the nucleus of the disc leaves its place. At this stage, intervertebral hernias appear that lead to spinal deformities.
4. The last stage is characterized by severe pain syndromes. Bone growths and ossification of ligaments interfere with the freedom of movement of the spine.

Osteochondrosis is caused by muscle contractions, which leads to muscle cramps. 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 disease to other problems. For example, tension and stress are thought to cause headaches, while hearing loss is thought to be caused by the use of headphones.

1. The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are manifested as follows:

   • Headache that gets worse when you try to move your head;
   • Pain in the neck, extending to the shoulder, arm, and chest area;
   • Sensitivity is often disturbed, fingers numb, weakness is felt;
   • Tongue movement is limited, which affects speech, snoring may occur;
   • The voice changes, becomes weak and hoarse;
   • Dizziness, loss of consciousness are possible;
   • Movement coordination disorder, loss of orientation when walking;
   • The condition of the teeth is deteriorating;
   • Hearing decreases, tinnitus occurs.

2. Rarely, but there is osteochondrosis of the chest. It is usually caused by spinal injuries. The cause may be scoliosis. Symptoms of this disease:

   • Sharp pains in the chest area, worse when you try to breathe deeply and when you move;
   • Pain in the stomach, liver, and heart may occur;
   • 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. The symptoms may be different, but in the first period of development they are not very pronounced. But with time or a "successful" situation, the disease worsens. appear:

   • Painful or sharp pain in the area just above the buttocks that worsens with movement;
   • The pain spreads in the area of the hip, the sensitivity of the legs is disturbed;
   • Restriction of body movement, it is impossible to bend, turn;
   • In the last stage, it is often impossible to sit, it is difficult to get up, muscle weakness occurs.

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 no to this question, 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 disease is treated quite effectively, especially in the initial stage of the disease. On the outpatient basis, a special comprehensive program is used, which aims to quickly eliminate the symptoms of the disease, correct 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 placed for 15-20 minutes.

   Sterile disposable acupuncture needles are used for the operation, which are inserted under the patient's skin, and a light injection, similar to a mosquito bite, is felt. When the needle reaches the biologically active point, the person feels numbness, pain or a feeling of bloating in this place, pain is extremely rare.

2. Vacuum therapy.

   Special vacuum vessels are used for the procedure. The efficiency 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 jar, pressure drops occur, the skin and part of the muscles are pulled into the jar. Thanks to the deep processing of a large area, the microcirculation of the blood improves, stagnation is eliminated, harmful substances are removed, and tissues regenerate faster.

   The areas of influence of vacuum therapy are extensive, the doctor chooses and prescribes the zones for the procedure. Stains that appear in the process of execution after the fourth procedure begin to dissolve, so they should not be afraid.

3. Manual therapy.

   These are gentle treatments that are very effective among non-drug options. Chiropractor allows to eliminate many problems related to muscles and spine, is used in the treatment of neurological diseases.

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

   For the treatment of the spine, this method is aimed at increasing muscle elasticity, improving the movement of individual vertebrae. The procedures are not performed daily, but at regular intervals of 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 certain disease. These can be vitamin complexes, homeopathic remedies, biostimulants, corticosteroids. The introduction is done with a microneedle, with practically no discomfort.

   A customized version is used to treat the spine that allows you to cure osteochondrosis, spinal hernia and other problems. It is used for rehabilitation after spinal surgery. Pharmacopuncture improves metabolism, improves connective tissue trophism and blood circulation in the affected area. Even a small treatment complex shows a positive, sustainable result.

5. Magnetopuncture.

   This method involves influencing biologically active points with a magnetic field. For that, magnetophores are used on which certain properties of polarity, size, power are set. This device consists of rubber magnets, which create a constant magnetic field. Metal plates of different shapes, surfaces and thicknesses and magnetic balls are used to treat various diseases.

6. Laser therapy.

   This is a laser effect on special acupuncture points through intact areas of the skin. In most cases, low-power red lasers are used, showing the highest activity. As a result of treatment, inflammation and pain, cramps, blood vessels dilate, metabolic processes and cell regeneration are improved.

7. Electrical stimulation.

   Electric current is applied to affect certain points. It is effective for electrical stimulation of motor muscles and nerve endings. Single individual pulses, exponential currents, rhythmic direct currents, sinusoidally modulated currents are used. Severe pain can be removed in just 1-3 procedures. A 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 coffers of traditional medicine there are many means to alleviate the condition with osteochondrosis.

The following options are used for outdoor use:

1. A small amount of ointment is applied to the affected area, gradually rubbing into the skin. The treated area should be carefully wrapped to keep warm. It is enough to perform the procedure 3-4 times a day.
2. Ointment compresses are good for relieving inflammation and pain. The oiled area is covered with plastic wrap, you can put fresh leaves of mint or lemon balm, effective leaf of burdock or white cabbage. Wrap in a woolen scarf and fix the wrap. Crushed fresh birch leaves give a good effect, are applied to the problem area and wrapped for half an hour.
3. You can use vegetable oil soaked in herbs - oregano, St. John's wort. About 500 grams of raw materials are taken for half a liter of vegetable oil. Fresh oregano cake stands 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 active lifestyle. It is necessary to constantly monitor your posture, while sitting in a chair and at the computer, it is desirable to sleep on a medium-hard surface.

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

Exercises for osteochondrosis at home

At home, you can perform efficient and simple gymnastics, which should be included in the complex of measures for the treatment of spinal diseases. The following exercises for osteochondrosis are recommended.

1. Tilt your head forward, grab the forehead area with your fingers intertwined. Make movements with your head down, holding hands. The reverse movement is to try to raise your head at an angle and to resist its movement with your hands, braided at the nape of the neck. Each movement lasts 10 seconds.
2. Influence on biologically active points with the help of the palm and fingers: first massage the forehead area, press on the skin and move with gentle movements. Exposure time is 20-40 seconds. Then go to the temporal areas, the impact is done in the same way. The procedure ends with a massage of the earlobes, 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. Exercise time is 10-30 seconds. You can then turn your head slightly to one side or the other, staying in this position for 10-15 seconds.
4. This is a great exercise for the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis. It helps to improve the functioning of the nerve plexus located in the neck. IP - sits on a flat surface with a flat back. Slowly move your head towards your chest, trying to reach it with your chin. You can help yourself a little 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. Warming up affects the upper part of the spine while pulling the shoulders to the ears as much as possible. Then lower them freely and easily. Repeat for 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, lightly tapping it on the shoulder, shoulder blade and spine on one side and then the other. You can give her a small 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. Turn your feet in both directions, trying to get your knees to the floor.

With worsening - how to relieve pain

Often, as the disease worsens, the 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. Exposure to cold is also possible, but only on the first day 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 to reduce tension in this area. It is better to bend your legs. The chest can be wrapped in a tight bandage, and a cardboard and cotton splint can be placed 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 osteochondrosis

Before embarking on prevention, you should clarify which causes most commonly cause osteochondrosis. The risk of this disease is increased by improper diet, 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, first of all, you need to establish a diet and introduce physical activity. It is enough to perform basic morning exercises, stretching, light self-massage of the lower back and neck, swinging arms and legs. At work, 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 worth dealing with the prevention of stressful situations and giving up bad habits. Attention should be paid to proper nutrition, the body should get enough protein, but salty, floury, fatty foods should be limited.

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