Osteochondrosis of the spine is a pathology of the 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, therefore it will be useful for everyone to know the main points of prevention and treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine. The article will consider in more detail the principles and directions of pathological 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.
- Trace element deficiency (Ca, Mg, P), hormonal metabolism disorders.
- Postponed spinal surgery or injury.
- Severe working conditions or sedentary lifestyle, being overweight or pregnant.
- Nervous tension, smoking and alcoholism, etc.
Osteochondrosis of the spine affects people of almost any age. Older people suffer more often, since in connection with aging, irreversible changes occur in the cartilage. In young and middle-aged people, osteochondrosis is most often caused by scoliosis of the spine, trauma, and obesity.
Types and degrees of osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis is classified according to the location 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 common 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 have occurred in the spinal intervertebral discs, 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 main method of diagnosing the disease is radiography of the spine in frontal and lateral views.
Signs of various types of osteochondrosis.
Before starting treatment, the disease must be properly diagnosed. Many of the symptoms are often ignored due to fatigue. The main signs of the disease are as follows:
- Aching pain and discomfort in the affected area of the spine, aggravated by exertion or overexertion.
- Irradiation of pain in the limb (in case of damage to the STORE, in the arms, shoulders, there may be headaches, POP, in the legs, buttocks, etc. ).
- In case of damage to the STORE: tinnitus, frequent dizziness, nausea, etc.
- Feeling of numbness and weakness in the extremities.
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 may arise. 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 wrong. The disease will progress without treatment.
It is impossible to cure osteochondrosis forever, since most changes in the intervertebral discs are irreversible. But it is possible to weaken the manifestations of pathology, 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.
The course of treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine is prescribed by a doctor after an accurate diagnosis and carried out using various conservative methods. Optimal methods are selected individually and depend mainly on the stage of the disease. The course of treatment includes taking medication, exercise therapy, physical therapy, kinesio taping, etc.
In exceptional cases, when the main conservative treatment methods are ineffective, surgical intervention is performed on the spine. Most often, the indication for surgery is a pronounced pain syndrome caused by a complication of the disease (hernia or bulging of the spinal intervertebral disc, sciatica, etc. ). It is also worth noting that treatment in 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 phenomenon and is most often caused by injury, a developmental abnormality, or a 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 individually. The safest drugs with minimal toxic effects, which do not cause allergic reactions, are selected. Manual therapy, massage should be performed by specialized trained 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 the elderly. The treatment must be carried out without fail taking into account the general state of health, taking other medications. If a person is taking additional medications, their interaction should be considered.
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 physician. Exercise therapy exercises are selected taking into account the physical capabilities of an elderly person, they 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: elimination of pain, improvement of regenerative processes in the body and structure of cartilage tissue. Treatment of pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the spine depends on its severity. With insignificant pain, drugs from the NSAID group are used. Severe pain syndrome for several weeks with a decrease in work capacity can become an indication for the appointment of opioid analgesics. For pain that bothers for several months, antidepressants may be prescribed in addition to NSAIDs.
Chondroprotectors can be used to improve cartilage regeneration. Also, during an exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the spine, antispasmodics can be used. For general health purposes and to improve metabolic processes, vitamin and angioprotective preparations are used.
The role of physical therapy
The treatment regimen for osteochondrosis of the spine must necessarily contain one or more methods of physiotherapy. Such complex therapy, along with taking drugs, will significantly alleviate the condition and speed up recovery. The following methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine are used:
- Acupuncture or acupuncture. The essence of the method lies in 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 are relieved, local metabolic processes and blood circulation are improved.
- Electrophoresis. The essence of the method is to run a small current through the body. As a result of the treatment, the metabolism and the 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 allows you to increase the distance between the vertebrae, which relieves pain and improves mobility of the spine, trains the muscular and ligamentous apparatus.
- Laser treatment. The method helps reduce pain and swelling of the tissues around the spine, improves local metabolic processes, and reduces inflammation.
With an exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the spine, physiotherapy is not used, treatment is carried out only during the period of remission. Procedures are prescribed in courses lasting 1 to 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, that is, in a polyclinic. In a hospital, therapy is indicated only in the presence of complications. So, sciatica patients 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 receive a complete and punctual treatment, which allows them to achieve high results. In modern home health care, special institutions are developed to treat the disease (for example, a medical center for the treatment of osteochondrosis), where patients are constantly monitored by vertebrologists or neuropathologists, there are the latest devices and devices for treatment of osteochondrosis.
Manual therapy
Massage is the most common and affordable physical therapy method for osteochondrosis of the spine (see the benefits of the above procedure). The procedure is performed only by a qualified specialist and only during the referral period. Acute conditions are a contraindication to manual therapy.
The classic massage of the spine includes the following techniques: stroking, rubbing, kneading, vibrating, etc. The procedure begins with an impact to the lower back, then a transition is made to the neck area. After that, a segmantar reflex massage is performed.
Apitherapy
Apitherapy is an alternative method for treating bee osteochondrosis. The method is prohibited for people allergic to bee stings. During the procedure, one or more insects are brought to the affected area for the bee sting. At the beginning of treatment, 1-2 bees are used, then 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 according to the author's method.
As an exercise option for osteochondrosis, special gymnastics can be used. The method involves a long daily training. The main feature of the exercises is the observance of gymnastics hygiene, as well as self-confidence.
The technique includes more than 60 exercises. Exercise helps tone your spinal muscles and relieve tension. 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 diet of rice. Also, kvass is prepared from rice, which has healing properties.
Sometimes osteochondrosis is also treated with nettle. For this, vodka-based tinctures are prepared. Treatment of osteochondrosis with cinquefoil is also carried out with the manufacture of tinctures or decoctions, extracts or ointments.
Precautionary measures
There are no specific methods for the prevention of osteochondrosis. But if you adopt some habits, your risk of developing the disease will be reduced. Doctors recommend being guided by the following principles:
- Avoid overexertion and injury.
- Use orthopedic mattresses or semi-rigid beds.
- Treat other illnesses in a timely manner.
- Avoid nervous tension, stress.
- Eat completely rationally, participate in physical education.
With already identified osteochondrosis of the spine, all performed therapeutic procedures must be agreed with the doctor. Home self-medication can provoke the development of complications. The use of questionable methods that have no proven effectiveness (hydrogen peroxide treatment, stretching of the spine by hanging from a hanger, etc. ) is excluded. Correct treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine will significantly improve the patient's quality of life and reduce the likelihood of an exacerbation of the disease.