Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects the spine through the development of changes in the intervertebral discs of one section or another. 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. Approximately 80 percent of the world population suffers from it, and the first signs of this disease are already observed at the age of 20-25 years. Later, 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, ensuring the mobility of the spine.

Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by a shrinkage 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, then an intervertebral hernia develops.

Displacement of the vertebrae causes pinching of nerve endings, compression of blood vessels. Curvature of the spine, damage to individual parts, its deformation is an irreversible process. The ossification of the ligaments further reduces the mobility of the spine.

What types are there

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

• Cervical spine, most often seen in young people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and work at a computer for a long time;
• The thoracic spine, a rare type of disease, can be triggered by changes in the thoracic spine due to various factors (eg, trauma);
• Lumbosacral region, the disease is more common, most often affects people older than 30 years;
• Common chondrosis, when several parts of the spine are affected at the same time.

The disease goes through several stages:

1. The first stage often goes unnoticed. Instability of the vertebrae appears, caused by their displacement, there is a slight discomfort when moving. This is a dangerous stage in which the greatest probability of injury.
2. In 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 the rupture of the fibrous rings, the nucleus of the disc leaves its place. At this stage, intervertebral hernias appear, leading 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 caused by muscle clamps, which cause muscle spasms. This leads to limited mobility of the joints and the spine. The result is dystrophy of the vertebrae and discs, narrowing of the orifices 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 believed to cause headaches, while hearing loss is believed to be triggered by the use of headphones.

1. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis manifest as follows:

   • Headache that gets worse when you try to move your head;
   • Pain in the neck, which passes to the area of the scapula, arms and chest;
   • Sensitivity is often disturbed, the 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 may occur;
   • Impaired coordination of movements, loss of orientation when walking;
   • The condition of the teeth is deteriorating;
   • Hearing decreases, a ringing appears in the ears.

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

   • Sharp pains in the chest area, 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 may 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:

   • Sharp or aching pain in the area just above the coccyx that worsens 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, turn;
   • At 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 in 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 done 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. A procedure takes about half an hour. The needles are fixed for 15-20 minutes.

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

2. Vacuum therapy.

   For the procedure, special vacuum flasks 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 flasks, pressure drops are created, the skin and part of the muscle are drawn into the flask. Thanks to the deep processing of a large area, blood microcirculation is improved, stagnation is eliminated, harmful substances are removed, and tissues are renewed faster.

   The areas of influence of vacuum therapy are extensive, the doctor himself chooses and prescribes the areas for the procedure. The spots that appear in the process of performing 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 the muscles and the spine, it is used in the treatment of neurological diseases.

   The impact externally resembles a conventional massage, but with a more limited location and a moderate impact force. A skilled manual physician can cure diseases that cannot be treated with medication.

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

   

4. Pharmacopuncture.

   This method uses active points in the human body, into which drugs are injected in minute quantities, indicated for a specific disease. It can be vitamin complexes, homeopathic remedies, biostimulants, corticosteroids. The introduction is done by microneedle, while there is practically no discomfort.

   For the treatment of the spine, an adapted version is used, which allows you to cure osteochondrosis, vertebral 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 and sustainable result.

5. Magnetorpuncture.

   This method involves impacting biologically active points with a magnetic field. For this, magnetophores are used, on which certain properties of polarity, size, power are established. This device consists of rubber 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 highest 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 pulses, 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 to 15 sessions.

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

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 must be carefully wrapped to keep it warm. It is enough to carry out the procedure 3-4 times a day.
2. Ointment compresses are good for relieving inflammation and pain. The oiled place is covered with plastic wrap, you can put fresh mint leaves or lemon balm, a burdock leaf or white cabbage works effectively. Wrap with a woolen scarf and fix the compress. Crushed fresh birch leaves give a good effect, apply to the problem area and wrap for half an hour.
3. For rubbing, you can use vegetable oil with herbs: oregano, St. John's wort. For half a liter of vegetable oil, about 500 grams of raw materials are taken. The fresh oregano cake is infused for 24 hours and the 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 constantly monitor your posture, while you are sitting in a chair and in front of 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 and monotonous position.

Exercises for osteochondrosis for home

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

1. Tilt your head forward, grasp the forehead area with interlocked fingers. Make movements with your head down, holding with your hands. The reverse movement consists of trying to raise the head in an inclination and with the hands, woven in the back of the head, to resist its movement. Each move takes 10 seconds.
2. Impact on biologically active points with the help of the palm and fingers: first the forehead area is massaged, the skin is pressed and moved with gentle movements. The exposure time is 20 to 40 seconds. Then it goes to the temporary zones, the impact is carried out in the same way. The procedure ends with a massage of the atria, the ear is stretched in all directions.
3. To improve brain nutrition, you need to sit on a flat surface with a straight back. The head is slowly withdrawn, it can be easily helped with the hands, pressing the chin with the palm. Exercise time is 10 to 30 seconds. Then you can turn your head slightly to one side or the other, staying 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 your back straight. 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. The warm-up affects the upper part of the spine and at the same time pulls the shoulders towards the ears as high as possible. Then download 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 nape of the neck with your palms.

To get rid of the physical suffering caused by cervical osteochondrosis, you can take a poplar stick or a rolling pin, slowly hit it on the shoulder, scapula and spine on one side, and then on the other. You can give it 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. Turn your feet in one direction and another, trying to reach the ground 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, 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 after the onset of the problem and under the supervision of a doctor.

Lie down 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 relieve tension in this area. It is better to bend the legs. The chest section can be wrapped with 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 the appearance of osteochondrosis.

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

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

Fighting against excess weight will help eliminate risk, you should not allow hypothermia of the body, traumatic situations. It is worth taking care of the prevention of stressful situations and giving up bad habits. Attention should be paid to proper nutrition, the body should receive a sufficient amount of protein, but salty, floury and fatty foods should be limited.

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