Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects the spine through the development of changes in the intervertebral disc of one or another department.The danger lies in the fact that the development of the disease is not noticed.At this time, the disease has become younger.

What is osteochondrosis of the spine

Doctors define this disease as chronic degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine and its structure.It affects about 80 percent of the world's population, and the first signs of the disease are observed at the age of 20-25 years.It can cause more serious health problems in the future.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occurs most often;Cervical and thoracic chondrosis is less commonly observed.A person has 33-34 vertebrae, which are connected to each other by intervertebral discs.They perform several important functions, thereby ensuring the mobility of the spine.

Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by drying and changing the size of these discs and the space between them, which leads to a decrease in their strength and elasticity.High load on the spine leads to disc displacement, resulting in pain when moving, and then intervertebral hernia develops.

Vertebral displacement is caused by pinching nerve endings and compression of blood vessels.Curvature of the spine, damage to individual parts, their deformation is an irreversible process.Ossification of ligaments reduces spinal mobility even more.

What types are there?

Depending on the damaged area, the following types of osteochondrosis differ:

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

This disease goes through several stages:

1. The first stage often occurs unconsciously.Vertebral instability appears, due to their displacement, and slight discomfort appears when moving.This is the dangerous stage where injuries are most likely to occur.
2. In the second stage, the fibrous rings of the vertebral discs are destroyed, which leads to a decrease in the distance between them.
3. The third stage is accompanied by rupture of the fibrous ring, the core of the disc is out of place.At this stage, intervertebral hernia appears, which leads to deformation of the spine.
4. The last stage is characterized by severe pain syndrome.Bone growth and ossification of ligaments interfere with the freedom of movement of the spine.

Osteochondrosis is caused by muscle tension, which leads to muscle spasms.This leads to limited mobility of the joints and spine.The result is degeneration of the vertebrae and discs, narrowing of the opening between the vertebrae, compression of the nerve roots.

Symptoms

The symptoms of this disease depend on the damaged area.Keep in mind that people attribute most of the symptoms of this disease individually to other problems.For example, it is believed that headaches are caused by tension and stress, and hearing loss is caused by the use of headphones.

1. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis show themselves as follows:

   • Headache that gets worse when you try to move your head;
   • Pain in the neck, spreading to the shoulder blades, arms and chest;
   • Sensitivity is often affected, fingers become numb, and weakness is felt;
   • Tongue movement is limited, which affects speech, snoring may occur;
   • The voice changes, becomes weak and hoarse;
   • Possible dizziness, loss of consciousness;
   • Loss of movement coordination, loss of orientation when walking;
   • The condition of the teeth worsens;
   • Hearing decreases, ringing in the ears appears.

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

   • Sharp pain in the chest area, it becomes stronger when you try to take a deep breath and move;
   • Pain may appear in the stomach, liver, and heart area;
   • Sometimes there is a feeling of numbness in the chest.

3. The most common variant of this disease is lumbosacral osteochondrosis.It manifests itself as severe pain in the lumbar region.Symptoms may be different, but in the first period of their development they are not very noticeable.But over time or in "successful" situations, the disease worsens.Appears:

   • Aching or sharp pain that increases with movement in the area above the tailbone;
   • Pain radiates to the hip area, leg sensitivity is affected;
   • Restriction of body movement, it is impossible to bend or turn;
   • In the last stage, it is often impossible to sit, it is difficult to stand, and muscle weakness appears.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

Many people are interested in the question of how to treat osteochondrosis and whether this disease can be completely cured.The doctor answered this question clearly no, but it is possible and necessary to start treatment on time and stop the progression of the disease.There are many ways to treat osteochondrosis, both using classical and traditional medicine.

Keep in mind that this disease can be treated effectively, especially in the early stages of the disease.In an outpatient setting, a special comprehensive program is used, which aims to quickly eliminate the symptoms of the disease and correct the causes of suffering.

Complex therapy includes the following techniques:

1. Acupuncture.

   Acupuncture is performed once every one to two days.The course of treatment is prescribed by the doctor;It can range from seven days to a month;As a rule, 12-15 procedures are enough.Acupuncturists perform a visual and manual examination of the patient.One procedure lasts about half an hour.The needle is placed for 15-20 minutes.

   To perform the operation, sterile acupuncture needles can be used;They are inserted under the patient's skin, and a slight sting is felt, similar to a mosquito bite.When the needle reaches the biologically active point, a person feels numbness, pain or a feeling of fullness in this place;Pain appears to be very rare.

2. Vacuum therapy.

   To carry out the procedure, a special vacuum jar is used.The effectiveness of this method is very high, there is no pain.This treatment method 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, a pressure difference is created, the skin and part of the muscles are drawn into the jar.Thanks to the deep treatment of a large area, blood microcirculation improves, stagnation is eliminated, harmful substances are removed, and tissues are renewed faster.

   The sphere of influence of vacuum therapy is wide;The doctor himself selects and submits the area for the procedure.Spots that appear during the procedure begin to dissolve after the fourth procedure, so you do not need to be afraid of them.

3. Manual therapy.

   This is a very effective gentle treatment method among non-drug options.Chiropractors can eliminate many problems related to the muscles and spine and are used in the treatment of neurological diseases.

   The effect is verbally reminiscent of a normal sequence, but with a more limited localization and moderate strength of influence.A qualified chiropractor can cure diseases that cannot be treated with drugs.

   To treat the spine, this method aims to increase muscle elasticity and increase the movement of individual vertebrae.The procedure is performed not every day, but at intervals of up to seven days.Manual treatment in combination with physiotherapy and folk remedies, as well as physical therapy, is more effective.

   

4. Pharmacopuncture.

   This method involves active points on the human body, where drugs indicated for certain diseases are injected in minimal quantities.These can be vitamin complexes, homeopathic medicines, biostimulants, corticosteroids.Injections are performed using a microneedle, with almost no unpleasant sensations.

   An adapted version is used to treat the spine, 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 positive and lasting results.

5. Magnetopuncture.

   This method involves exposing biologically active points to a magnetic field.For this purpose, a tape recorder is used, where certain properties of polarity, size, and power are set.This device consists of a rubber magnet;They produce a continuous magnetic field.To treat various diseases, metal plates of various shapes, areas and thicknesses and magnetic balls are used.

6. Laser therapy.

   This is a laser effect on a special acupuncture point through an intact area of the skin.In most cases, low-power lasers with red light are used;They show the greatest activity.As a result of treatment, inflammation and pain, spasms are released, blood vessels dilate, metabolic processes improve, and cell regeneration increases.

7. Electrical stimulation.

   Electric current is used to affect certain points.It is effective for electrical stimulation of motor muscles and nerve endings.Single pulse, exponential current, rhythmic direct current, and sinusoidal modulated current are used.Severe pain can be eliminated in just 1-3 procedures.A full course requires 10-15 sessions.

Often outpatient therapy includes a drug component, which is designed to relieve pain.For this purpose, analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics, antioxidants are used, as well as drugs that correct psychosomatic disorders and reduce the deterioration of cartilage tissue.

Traditional method

In traditional medicine there are many drugs that reduce the condition of osteochondrosis.

For external use the following options are used:

1. Apply a small amount of ointment to the affected area, gradually rubbing it into the skin.The treated area should be wrapped carefully to retain heat.It is enough to carry out the procedure 3-4 times a day.
2. Compressing with ointment helps relieve inflammation and pain.Cover the smooth area with plastic wrap, you can put fresh mint leaves or lemon leaves under it;Burdock or white cabbage leaves work effectively.Wrap in a woolen scarf and secure the compress.Fresh crushed birch leaves have a good effect;They are applied to problem areas and wrapped for half an hour.
3. For rubbing, you can use vegetable oil infused with herbs - Oregano, St. Wort.John.About 500 grams of raw material is taken for half a liter of vegetable oil.Fresh Oregano cake is infused for 24 hours, and St. wort.John is dried with oil for 21 days.
4. You can prepare a mixture of 1/3 cup of black radish juice, 200 g of fresh honey, 100 ml of vodka and a handful of fresh lilac flowers.Leave for a day in a warm place, after which the composition can be used for scrubbing.

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

The spine must always be supported;For this, you can use special exercises and avoid prolonged monotonous positions.

Exercises for osteochondrosis at home

At home, you can do effective and simple gymnastics, which should be part of a set of measures for the treatment of spinal diseases.It is recommended to perform the following exercises for osteochondrosis.

1. Tilt your head forward, connecting the forehead area with the fingers.Make a movement with your head down, holding it with your hands.The reverse movement is to try to raise your head while leaning, and with your hands holding the back of your head, counteract the movement.Each movement takes 10 seconds.
2. Effect on biologically active points using your palms and fingers: First, massage the forehead area, press on the skin and move it with gentle movements.Exposure time is 20-40 seconds.Then moving to the temporal region, the effect is done in the same way.The procedure ends with an ear massage, the ears are stretched in all directions.
3. To improve brain nutrition, you should sit on a flat surface and keep your back straight.The head is slowly withdrawn;You can help yourself with your hands, pressing your chin with your palm.Training time-10-30 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 improve the function of the nerve plexus located in the neck.IP - Sit on a flat surface with a straight back.Slowly move your head towards your chest, trying to touch it with your chin.You can help yourself a little with your hands placed behind your head, pressing forward and up.Sit in this position for about one minute, rest for 10-15 minutes and repeat the exercise.
5. The warm-up affects the upper spine, while at the same time pulling your shoulders to your ears as high as possible.Then lower it freely and easily.Repeat for 15 seconds.Then repeat the exercise, but for each shoulder joint separately.

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

To remove the physical suffering caused by cervical osteochondrosis, you can take an aspen stick or a rolling pin and gently knock it on the shoulder, shoulder blade and spine on one side, then on the other side.You can give a little massage to relieve tension and pain.

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

If there is a problem - how to relieve the pain

Often, during the suppression of this disease, a person does not know where to go.Always taking medicines is not possible, but there is a way to get rid of acute pain without using medicines.

First of all, heat should be applied to the problem area.You can wrap this area with a wool scarf.Exposure to cold is also possible, but only on the first day after the problem occurs, and under the supervision of a doctor.

Lie on a hard surface and try to fix the sore spot.If you experience pain, it is advisable to place a soft cushion under your lower back to relieve tension in this area.It is better to bend your legs.The chest can be wrapped with a tight bandage, and fragments made of cardboard and cotton wool can be applied to the neck, as if there is an injury.

If relief does not occur, you should contact a doctor.To relieve severe pain, take painkillers.

Prevention - How to Prevent the Occurrence of Osteochondrosis

Before engaging in prevention, you should clarify what causes most often cause osteochondrosis.The risk of this disease is increased by poor diet, inactive lifestyle, overweight, bad habits (smoking, alcohol addiction), heavy physical activity and poor posture.

Obviously, to prevent the development of this disease, you should first improve your diet and introduce physical activity.It is enough to do morning exercises, stretching, light self-filling from the bottom and lower neck, swinging your arms and legs.At your workplace, you should find 2-3 minutes to warm up.All types of swimming in the pool work well.

The fight against excess weight will help eliminate the risk;You cannot allow hypothermic or traumatic situations.It is worth involving 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 foods, flour, and fat should be limited.

In some cases, if there is a vitamin deficiency, the doctor can prescribe a complex of additional vitamins and minerals.All these together will help protect the spine from problems.