Osteochondrosis of the spine is a pathology of the articular cartilage, which is part of the intervertebral discs. According to statistics, the disease of 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 pathological therapy.
Causes of the disease and people at risk
The main causes of osteochondrosis of the spine are as follows:
- Scoliosis or pathological kyphosis of the spine.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Deficiency of trace elements (Ca, Mg, P), disorders of hormonal metabolism.
- Spine injury or postponed surgery.
- Severe working conditions or sedentary lifestyle, overweight or pregnant.
- Nervous tension, smoking and alcoholism, etc.
Osteochondrosis of the spine affects people at almost any age. Older people suffer more often, because in connection with aging irreversible changes in the 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 according to the localization of the pathological process in individual segments of the spine: the cervical (SHOP), thoracic (GOP), lumbar (POP) and sacral (COP) spine. If 2 or more departments are affected, the disease is called common osteochondrosis of the spine. Other forms of the disease are much less frequent and stand out apart: osteochondrosis of the lower limbs, upper limbs and other joints. In Russian literature, they are often called osteochondropathies.
In addition, depending on the changes in the intervertebral discs of the spine, the disease proceeds in 4 stages. The degree of osteochondrosis of the spine is determined on the basis of the analysis of the clinical picture, as well as data from radiation research methods. The main method of diagnosing the disease is an X-ray of the spine in frontal and lateral projections.
Signs of various types of osteochondrosis
Before starting treatment, the disease must be correctly diagnosed. Many symptoms are often overlooked due to fatigue. The main signs of the disease are:
- Painful pain and discomfort in the affected area of the spine, aggravated by exertion or overuse.
- 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 the event of deterioration of the BOUTIQUE: tinnitus, frequent dizziness, nausea, etc.
- Sensation of numbness and weakness in the limbs.
For osteochondrosis of the spine, a gradual increase in symptoms of the disease with age is characteristic. In the absence of proper treatment, pain will significantly reduce the ability to work, 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 widely believed that osteochondrosis cannot be treated, many suffer from it, so you should not pay attention to the pathology. This approach is fundamentally flawed. The disease will progress without treatment.
Osteochondrosis cannot be permanently cured, since most changes in the intervertebral discs are irreversible. But it is possible to weaken the manifestations of the 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
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 mainly on the stage of the disease. The course of treatment includes medication, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, kinesio taping, etc.
In exceptional cases, when the main conservative methods of treatment are ineffective, surgery on the spine is performed. Most 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 should also be noted that the treatment of 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 event and is most often caused by injury, developmental defect, or congenital disease. It is better to use safer methods like MRI to make a diagnosis. The treatment of osteochondrosis in children is carried out according to general principles as in adults, but more sparingly.
The set 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 carried out by trained and specialized 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 older people. Treatment should be carried out without fail taking into account the general state of health, taking other drugs. If a person is taking additional drugs, their interaction should be taken into account.
With osteochondrosis of the spine in the elderly, massage is not recommended. Manual therapy should also be carried out taking into account the characteristics of age by a qualified doctor. Exercises in 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 on 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 drugs is carried out in two main directions: the elimination of pain, the 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 has bothered for several months, antidepressants can be prescribed in addition to NSAIDs.
Chondroprotectors can be used to improve the regeneration of cartilage. In addition, 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 a complex therapy, combined with taking medication, will significantly relieve the disease and speed up recovery. The following methods of treating osteochondrosis of the spine are used:
- Acupuncture or acupuncture. The essence of the method is the effect of special needles on certain active points of the human body, which allows you to eliminate muscle spasms and improve metabolic processes.
- Massage. During the procedure, muscle tension, pain is relieved, local metabolic processes and blood circulation are improved.
- Electrophoresis. The essence of the method is to pass a small current through the body. As a result of the treatment, the metabolism and blood supply to the tissues are improved, and when the drugs are administered together, their penetration improves.
- Magnetotherapy. This method of treatment helps reduce inflammation and also helps normalize blood supply and metabolism.
- Spinal traction. The method makes it possible to increase the distance between the vertebrae, which relieves pain and improves the mobility of the spine, the muscular and ligamentous apparatus is trained.
- Laser treatment. The method helps reduce pain and swelling in the tissues surrounding the spine, improves local metabolic processes, and reduces inflammation.
With 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 treatment, that is, in a polyclinic. In a hospital, treatment is only indicated if there are complications. So, patients with sciatica need to be hospitalized.
Treatment of osteochondrosis in China has long been carried out on the basis of special institutions, where manual therapy is carried out by trained personnel, osteochondrosis is treated with ultrasound, magnetic and laser radiation and other physiotherapy methods. . Thanks to the hospital schedule, patients receive full and on-time treatment, which allows them to achieve high results. In modern household health care, special institutions are developed to treat the disease (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 physiotherapy method for osteochondrosis of the spine (see benefits of the procedure above). The procedure is carried out only by a qualified specialist and only during the period of remission. Acute conditions are a contraindication to manual therapy.
Classic spinal massage includes the following techniques: caresses, rubbing, kneading, vibration, etc. The procedure begins with an impact on the lumbar region, then a transition is made to the cervix 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 allergic to bee stings. During the procedure, one or more insects are brought to the affected area for a 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 restore connective tissue structures in 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 compliance with the hygiene of gymnastics, as well as self-confidence.
The technique includes more than 60 exercises. Exercise helps 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 follows a rice diet. In addition, kvass is prepared from rice, which has healing properties.
Sometimes osteochondrosis is also treated with nettle. For this, tinctures based on vodka are prepared. The 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 certain habits, the risk of developing the disease will be reduced. Doctors recommend that you be guided by the following principles:
- Avoid excessive physical exertion and injury.
- Use orthopedic mattresses or semi-rigid beds.
- Treat other illnesses in a timely manner.
- Avoid nervous tension, stress.
- Eat fully rationally, engage in physical education.
With osteochondrosis of the spine already identified, all therapeutic procedures carried out should be agreed with the doctor. Self-medication at home can provoke the development of complications. The use of questionable methods without proven effectiveness is excluded (treatment with hydrogen peroxide, stretching the spine by hanging it on a hanger, etc. ). Correct treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine will significantly improve the quality of life of the patient and reduce the risk of exacerbation of the disease.